First-time camera. Need buying advice o.O

[ramarlv200]

Which Camera Should I Buy?


Camera Type

• Are you looking for a compact point & shoot camera, a DSLR, or something in between? (Or perhaps you haven't decided yet — that's okay!)

point and shoot

• Is this your first camera? First ever, or first digital?

first ever camera xD

• Are you interested in a high level of control, or would you prefer to let the camera do as much "thinking" as possible?

let the camera do everything, haha

• If you had to choose, would you prefer a more versatile (large "×") zoom lens, or top-notch image quality with no zoom at all?

image quality, image quality, IMAGE QUALITY!!!!!

• What size of camera do you want? To what degree would you be willing to sacrifice other features for compactness?

I am a student, and would prefer a smaller camera that I can take anywhere, and that will fit comfortable in my small-ish pocket.

Budget

• What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

I have $200 exactly.

• Do you plan to spend more on additional accessories now or in the future? (Lenses, lighting, tripods, batteries, memory cards, camera bags... it adds up!)

I can buy memory cards and batteries, and a bag

• How long do you expect it to be before you purchase your next camera?

does not matter.

Usage

• What will you generally use the camera for?

taking pictures at special events, and also random pictures at my leisure.

• Are you going to photograph sports? What sport, and from how far away?

yes, probably from the stands of a basketball game. 20 meters? I am not sure.

• Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos, or other low-light photos?

very likely.

• Will you make prints, or primarily view and share images on a computer screen? If you make prints, will they typically be small (up to 5×7") or medium sized (8×10"), or are you interested in larger sizes as well?

I will probably make a few 8x10's, but mainly 5x7's

• Are you interested in spending time post-processing to make an image "perfect", or would you prefer to use images basically straight from the camera?

straight from the camera

Miscellaneous

• Are there particular lenses or technical features that are interesting or important to you?

Uhm, I don't care about megapixel resolution at this point.
I need to take video (doesn't need to be HD), and need the use of the zoom while filming.

• Are there particular brands or models you already have in mind?

I was looking at the kodak easyshare z915 because the zoom seems to be very good for that price.
I was also looking at some of the cannon models, but most of them seem to be more or less the same, with a few minor enhancements.

Any help would be greatly appreciated =D

[speaklightly]

Samsung SL 720 at $(US)120.00.

Sarah Joyce

[ramarlv200]

Thanks for the reply!

I really like your suggestion. I had never even looked at any of the samsung cameras before!
...and 720p video to boot? Very nice.