We'd like it to be lightweight and available at Best Buy as we have a gift certificate. Please let me know your personal experience with the camera.
Have you ever dropped it? Just wondering about durability. If you鈥檙e looking for a point & shoot, user friendly digital camera, I have to say, I like Canon. Nothing against other brands. I鈥檝e just a long history of personal experience and preference with Canon with 35mm, digital and video. They have an awesome line of cameras that can fit any kind of budget.
When shopping for a point & shoot digital camera, consider this: 1) 5 mp this is best for most users 2) OPTICAL zoom with at least 4X. (Digital zoom shouldn鈥檛 be high priority in a digital camera). 3) Should have a viewfinder. Some models are doing away with the viewfinder. It is very helpful to have, when your the subject is difficult to see in the LCD/display screen on a very bright day, or to conserve battery life. (Continuous screen use, suck up battery life). 4) Uses AA regular or rechargeable batteries. Some models have specialized lithium ion batteries, where you charge it while in the camera. With AA, you can always pick up if you find yourself caught with low batteries and are not able to charge the camera/lithium ion battery quickly. 5)And a PLUS, can take video/movie mode. (Which most do!)
Canon has an awesome line that can fit the bill. Consider the PowerShot models, the A460, A550/A560 and A630/A640. Or check out the SD models. A few of the SD models are more compact than some of the A series models. Here is a link to Canon鈥檚 cameras: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contro...
These models have helpful pre-set shooting modes that you choose for the particular picture moment you are about to shoot. Like: auto, portrait, nighttime, landscape, indoor, snow, beach, kids & pets (subjects that won鈥檛 keep still, great for baby moments!). 鈥? Some models have more modes than other, and the option to set your own manual setting, so check the specifications. You should bear in mind, with physical size of the camera, (subcompact/slim/flat vs. compact), you compromise features available on the slightly larger models.
I own the Canon PowerShot A620 which I purchased new online last Spring. My favorite feature of this model is the vari-angle display/LCD screen. It protects the screen when not in use, and helpful for odd angle shots. Picture taking is instant! I have found lag time is not an issue, with this camera, compared to my first digital camera. Durable? As much as I try to be careful, I've dropped it twice from a considerable height, and no injuries to the camera. They now have an updated version of my A620鈥?the A630 and A640. Here is a review and its features (keep scrolling to see the vari-angle screen), up close and personal:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/...
Here is where I go to shop on-line for the best price for digital cameras. (Which I find prices to be considerable less than going locally to the store. Most of the models I mentioned can be found on-line within your budget, but I am not sure what are the prices are at Best Buy). Just type in your camera model in the 鈥榮earch keyword鈥? http://lowpricedigital.com/category.asp?... Buy soon or check daily, for prices changes daily amongst merchants. Also check if the camera is being sold 鈥榥ew鈥?or 鈥榬efurbished鈥?
If you鈥檇 rather buy from the store, check the usual places, Best Buy, (Some of the above mentioned models may be $200 or less at BB); Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target, and camera stores. Even consider Office Max, Office Depot, CostCo/Sam鈥檚 Club---any store with a camera department.
Good luck with your camera search! Congratulations on baby! Thanks for choosing me! I'm glad I can help with suggestions to look for when purchasing an important item. I really love Canon's cameras and I am sure you'll find one that will fit your needs! I'd be interested to know what camera you finally purchase...no matter what brand. Have a great day! Report It
If you want change leftover for a larger memorycard + set of High capacity rechargable AA batteries + a charger to charge them up in, you can't got far wrong with the Fuji Finepix A700. which is currently a best buy at this site (review & sample pictures included): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_revi...
High capacity rechargeable batteries:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/nimh_batt...
Personally I use a Fuji Finpix A345 (4.1megapixels), which the A700 (7.3 megapixels) is an evolution of. go to yahoo shopping
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