Im going to Africa for 3 months and need to buy a camera before i go... im lookin for a camera that meets the following criteria
Works with a SD (secure digital) card, (this is because my laptop has a port for SD cards which i will need to use...
Runs on double A batteries (other batteries may be a little more difficult to charge/find in africa, but im somewhat flexible with this)
Has movie mode (it would be nice if you can record movies AND take pictures at the same time as i heard some cameras can)
and basically be a nice good camera... i would perfer a small SLR, that isnt overly expensive (somethin that i can perhaps put in my cargo pants poket when i get back home, im a big guy with relatively big pokets)
Please give me your suggestions and tell me why u think i should get that specific camera... sry if i sound too demanding, but i just need some help...
thanks All I know, is that you cannot buy a SLR if you plan on shooting video, SLR's CANNOT produce video. I'd go with a "prosumer" type camera. Like a Fujifilm camera, I know they run on AA batteries, as for SD, it should not matter, because the camera should come with a cord that can attach the camera to the computer, or you can just buy a USB Card Reader, which aren't expensive. I am not sure which one to tell you to buy as I just did my homework and bought a Nikon digital. The delay is terribly slow and you will miss many pictures. Just stay away from Nikon. Aiptek High-Definition Digital Camcorder GO-HD
$280 at Best Buy. Weighs less than 8 ounces.
3x optical zoom with autofocus
2.4" LCD display; color viewfinder
Enhanced 5.0-megapixel digital still camera
1280 x 720 video resolution, 30 f.p.s, 16:9 aspect ratio
An 8GB sD card holds 4 hours of HD video, or 4,640 5MB photographs. SLR's do not have movie mode, nor will the smallest one fit comfortably in your pocket (or in it at all for that matter). Check out www.dpreview.com for reviews of all the latest cameras. Sounds like you need a prosumer camera. Even though they are smaller than the SLR cameras, I doubt it would be that comfy (if it fits at all) in your pocket.
Sounds like you're going to have to make a compromise - high detail pics or video or decent pics and somewhat decent video as I know of no digital cameras that take good video. Even though I personally own this ultra compact camera, I would still like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:
1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time - 300 shots per set of rechargeables;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
8. Has tripod mount on bottom of camera;
9. And the price is a mere $119 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samys.com, and Staples.com; $99 at amazon.com]
Review(s) can be found at www.amazon.com [Query: "Nikon Coolpix L10" along with pictures provided by satisfied purchasers.]
On the other hand, should you need a powerful telephoto digicamera with 12X optical zoom with image stabilization [39-439 mm], check out the Canon PowerShot S3-IS [6 mp - $300] or S4-IS [7 mp -$500] which are truly all around killer cameras operating on four rechargeable AA batteries [for 200 shots per charge].
Good luck! | 