Megapixels - how many?
Zoom - how 4x, 6x, or what?
What options?
Any luck with a certain camera. I was something that will take really good high quality pics. It would be a lot of people pics. I want a good zoom or good quality close up pics. megapixels - go with at least 4MP. more will mean better prints at larger sizes, but not much difference at 3x5 or 4x6 sizes.
zoom - ignore the digital zoom. it may be useful once in a while, but usually is not. 10x optical zoom is great for about everything i've needed.
look for one that 'fits your hands' something w/buttons too small or too close together can be a problem for some people.
If you can, go to a store and feel them, hold them, choose one that is comfortable for you.
look for one w/a viewfinder as well as an LCD, so that you do not have to rely on being able to see the LCD in order to take a picture. (ie: if it is very bright out the LCD will be harder to see, despite advances in tech that have improved it compared to even a year or two ago)
look for one w/some sort of internal storage or that comes with a memory card so that you can shoot pictures out of the box and without spending more money on a memory card. i would recommend getting an extra memory card to go with it, but make sure you get the right kind (there are many!)
most decent digital cameras have features that most users will never use. so if there is something you specifically need, look for it. ie: some models have manual shutter speeds so that you can take pictures with very short or very long exposures without relying on the installed settings.
battery type can be another consideration. Does it come w/batteries? are they rechargable, if so, can you use standard batteries (ie: AA or AAA) if you don't have a way to recharge the others (ie: camping or just away from the charger)
lens: look at the type and the size of the lens. larger lens/aperture usually means better pictures. also the quality of the lens is very important. many 'cheap' digital cameras skimp on things like lens clarity/focus, shake compensation, etc.
flash: most all cameras have multiple flash settings (redeye, auto, etc) some have more than others (ie: landscape, portrait, party, backlit, dusk/dawn, etc) also make sure the flash is easy to adjust/shut off (ie: a button on the camera, not a menu option)
i have had very good luck w/Kodak and Nikon.
i have had very poor experiences with Fuji/FinePix.
www.dealcam.com - find a good deal on a camera -compare cameras, both still and video
www.dealram.com - find a good deal on a memory card -click on the drop down 'flash memory' and choose the type you need Depends of course on what you're going to use it for. I take mostly scenic shots, and shots of animals/birds and people. I wanted a camera with more zoom. But if you up the zoom it's better to have image stabilization. I'd say you're safe with 5 megapixels or better. Go better if you can afford it. You'll be able to crop more without loosing resolution.
I've had very good luck with Sony, and found them easy to use. Recently bought a Panasonic, and am not too pleased with the graininess I see compared to the Sony. A friend bought a Kodak and it's picture was not as great as the one from either my 5 MP or my friends 7 MP Sony.
I hear Canon's are good, too, but I have had no personal experience with them. |
