So I'm about to purchase my first digital camera (yea, I know.. I'm behind the times!) But I am unsure which one to buy.. I know I want a smaller one that I can fit in my purse.
What kind of digital cameras, that you have and enjoy? Any you avoid.. What is a good Brand.
Here is the one I'll looking at..
http://www.polaroid.com/global/detail.js...
I want a decent one, and am willing to spend around $200.. maybe more..
Thanks for your help! First of all I'd buy a camera from a camera maker, not an electronics company. Camera makers understand how photographers operate and they usually provide the tools you need not only to get outstanding pictures but also to set the camera quickly. Frankly Casio sucks, they're into electronics and gadgets, not photography.
Camera makers that are around include Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Polaroid and Kodak. These companies understand cameras and photographers.
However, Kodak builds only simple cameras that have limited functionality and reliability problems. I've known many with a Kodak digital and they all replaced them eventually. If you look through all the questions here, you'll also find more about inoperative Kodaks than any other brand. Kodak is great if you want to spend as little money as possible and don't mind getting only a year of average pictures out of it. Their strengths are simplicity and low price, nothing else.
Olympus reliability isn't that good either and they use proprietary products. So when you buy their memory cards you can't use those cards in any other camera except an Olympus. This is not usually a good situation to be in. You may eventually want to replace it with another brand so you don't want to have to buy your memory cards all over again.
Polaroid makes reasonably good cameras but I have no idea what their reliability is like or their overall quality. They tend to be like Kodak in terms of price and like Pentax in terms of functionality.
Pentax builds a relatively good camera and offers the best bundled software available for handling your images. Pentax too though isn't as reliable as one would like however it's certainly better than Olympus and Kodak.
Nikon and Canon build the best point and shoot cameras and both use standard memory cards. They're reliable and produce outstanding pictures. I use a Canon Point & Shoot - a PowerShot G7 - which is an amazing camera that is highly reliable and incredibly well built in addition to being replete with features. I also use a Nikon D200 SLR which is also an incredible camera. You really can't go wrong with either of these brands.
Looking at the one you're choosing, the Polaroid, it looks ok. When you price it though, you'll need to include a charger and some NIMH AA batteries rated at 2500 mAh or more. The two AA batteries it comes with won't last long and it will cost you a fortune to keep buying batteries. I'd also include a memory card in the 500MB to 1GB range. With that combination you'll have a nice camera that won't cost you an arm and a leg to use.
The other thing I'd stress is that you go and hold the camera in a store. People can get very personal about cameras and often the decision isn't what someone recommended but rather how it feels in the hand.
When you're in the store, hold a few Canons and Nikons too and maybe a Pentax. You'll find many will feel different and some will be really uncomfortable to hold depending on the size of your hands.
I hope that helps a little. I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.
The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras and learn as much as they can from the internet.
Go to the store and hold them and try them to see what they feel like and how they take pictures.
I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.
Good Luck
my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions My first was a Fuji. I still believe now that they have the easiest interface, and for a lower cost the better product. Maybe look at a Fuji Z5fd. Low cost, slim/sleek design and fast pictures.
Also a choice of colors for the "fashionistas" lol. I'd say check them out on Amazon TomTom is right that is a matter of your choice. As a photographer the brands I would recommend are Nikon, Canon, Fuji or Sony. I hope you find the right camera! Do not buy Polaroid.Around $200 look at Canon, Sony and Fuji.
Canon PowerShot A630 ( maybe not as tiny as you would want)
Fuji F20 or F30
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 Here is the PERFECT camera for you! This camera is absolutely AWSOME!
You should get the PENTAX Optio W30. It has TONS of features, VERY good picture quality, its sleek & stylish. And to add to all that, its waterproof! You can see the camera here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/pr...
I have had the PENTAX Optio W10 (a slighty older version) for a few years now and I absolutely LOVE it! | 