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Having owned 4 digital cameras, here's my 2 cents:
I don't think you'll find a "permanent" digital camera for quite a few years, like you could with a film camera. Think about how old the film camera market is, compared to the digital products. And just like computers, digitals are mostly electronics (please, no flaming about lenses) which will continue to advance significantly every few years. I'd plan on upgrading your camera every few years.
I started with a Kodak 240, back when you paid $600 for a 1 megapixel camera. I bought it because you could pick it up and take pictures without having to read the manual. This meant my wife could use it too, as well as any stranger on the street (you know, vacation pictures).
3 years ago I bought a Canon S100 digital elph, for the extra resolution and because it was so small, and about 2 years ago bought an Olympus C3030 ($1000 and 3.3 megapixels, video, etc).
Even though I have the really nice Olympus, I find myself using the Canon most of the time. It's so small I take it everywhere. It easily fits in my pants pocket, and battery life is great, thanks to the Li-ion battery (50-60 shots, half with flash).
Some things to consider:
1. How you'll use it - do you need a good zoom (nature photos) or more resolution? Does it have to be portable or do you need the best flash and low-light capability you can find? Are movies important - ask about audio quality, my Olympus audio is pretty bad.
2. What kind of batteries does it take? - Standard AA is good because you can find them anywhere, but even the newer NiMH won't last as long as a proprietary Li-ion. But the Li-ion's are expensive ($50 for my Canon).
3. Memory cards - Sony's use proprietary memory, most of the rest will use either Compact flash or SmartCard, both of which have been around a while and are pretty cheap. Or, look at cameras that use the CompactFlash Type II, (IBM microdrive) which has much higher capacity (up to 1 gig), but at a higher price.
4. Connectivity - For $400 everything should be USB which is great, just make sure you don't even consider serial port connectivity, the slow speed will make you cry.
5. Lense cover - a silly thing, but I couldnt' tell you how many times I've misplaced the lense cap on my Olympus. The Canon has it all built-in and automated.
6. Resolution - are you going to be printing 8 x 10 glossies, or mostly 4 x 6 and Internet stuff. Unless you're going to get really serious, a 2 megapixle resolution is probably fine. More resolution does not guarantee better pictures, but is generally better.
OK, I'm done now. Sorry my 2 cents turned into 50.
i can also vouch for the elph (till it was stolen in the miami airport by baggage handlers) and the olympus 3030 (my current camera). the olympus is not as portable, but does take very fine shots for a good price. the elph is so small you don't even know its in your pocket, takes good shots and has come down in price quite a bit.
From the reviews it almost looks like the S20 would take better pictures than the 3900. I am going to be 98% internet or on computer pictures. Then I might do 4x6 or 5x7 pictures if it was a really really good pic!
Wow, like jss2k AND modifry I also own both the Canon S100 ELF and the Olympus C-3030Z. I guess we do our research on the same world wide web! They are both great cameras, but the Canon gets a lot more use. It's lower resolution (2 vs 3 mp), it's lens it MUCH darker (a problem compounded by the world worst flash which by the way is so close to the lens that you get absurd amounts of red-eye.) But it's just so damn convenient! I grab it over the Olympus 9 of 10 times. Too bad, to, cause the olympus takes great pictures - here's one from last weekend that I wouldn't have even bothered to take with the Canon (it's shrunk to 600x800): My new outdoor propane heater
(nothing like wasting our limited natural resources with a outdoor heater)
The Canon fits in your front jeans pocket while the Olympus, although only slightly larger, requires you to carry a camera bag. Both of these cameras have been improved. The S110 is supposed to have an improved flash, but it's still going to be right next to the lens. But for all it's shortcomings I'd still recommend the Canon for casual photography - it's not a serious camera but like modifry said it's going to be obsolete shortly anyway.
The S40's price point is kind of high right now - the S30 is probably a better buy. In general, the S40's lens is not that great - and on a 4Mp image, it shows more. It's also not as good in low light...
s2ktaxi:
Since you seem to be the goru of this arena! I have decided to get the A20 with "128mb" ram card? 79.99. Or is 64 going to be pleanty? I don't see taking more than say 40-50 pictures at a meet! If I take more I will be sure that I have a computer to DL them onto!
Then more over I need batteries and a charger for the power. Should I as above just go hit Radio Shack? NiMH is the way to go correct? There is one from Cannon for the A20 thats 100 bucks. Is that like way out there?
Pinky, my camera which you saw last night is a Canon Powershot G2. It is awesome, but $$$.
If you want to check it out before you buy one, feel free to stop by.
I don't know if it is the best VALUE for your money, but it has way more features that I will ever need, 4.0 megapixel and resolution of over 2200X2200. Plus it has the high speed (ie multiple pics taken in a few seconds) which many cameras don't have.
