Hey guys, i read alot from the post in the photo gallery about cameras and which were better and worse to purchase and im confused. Im trying to spend under 250 and i want a cam with at least 3 mega pixel. I used my friends handycam to take pics of my s but the pics were . 1 mega pixel, so i think 3 would be good, but im not sure (u think i should go for 4???) Well the camera can take pics and records to film which really got me going to purchase one but to get one with 3 mega pixel would cost 500+. So im deciding just to get a digital camera, since my budget is 250 what should i get that would be the best buy and be reliable. Are there any neccessary features i should also get to stay up to date with the technology? Thanks

 

Gateway has a good deal on I think 5 megapixels....for about $250-$300. I saw it on CNBC or MSNBC and they said it was one of the best deals of the season. I've got one of those little 3 megap Sony's. It's not bad. I paid $180 last X-mas.

 

Choosing a camera based only on Megapixels is like buying a car based only on horsepower. Here's my advice:

(1) Consider only a camera from a photography company (such as Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc, etc) and NOT an electronics company (Sony, Samsung, Casio, Gateway, Dell, etc)

(2) Make sure you get an optical zoom of at least 3x. Turn off the digital zoom and never use it.

(3) Get something that includes rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, and a charger. You'll be spending less money, and hurting the planet less.

(4) Consider used. For that price you can get a great 3 MP camera from Canon or Nikon, but only a middling one new.

(5) Read reviews on dpreview.com, dcresource.com, imaging-resource.com. If there's a particular camera you're interested in, do a search at photographyblog.com

(6) pay attention to the weight and size. you can't take a photo if you left your camera at home or in the car 'cause too bulky.

I personally just got myself a Pentax Optio S4. Extremely happy with it! It's higher than the price range you're considering, although it might be worth stretching... you can find it for $330 shipped at pricegrabber.com.

HTH,
Avi

 

You only need a 3 megapixel if you are just posting on the net or printing up to a 8 x 10 picture. If you plan on printing larger pictures (i.e. 11 x 17) then you would need more than 3 mega pixel. Decide on the features you want and what you are going to use the camera for. Then look for those cameras that have those features.

 

Consider the Canon Powershot A70. Pricegrabber shows it as going for $250 from ElectricSam.com, and it's a very nice camera. You can find reviews of it almost anywhere.

 

What's wrong with the Sony's or other brands? Did you know that on some of Sony's digital cameras and most of their older ones that they use the carl zeiss lens? Which I've heard to be one of the best lens made today. Company's like Sony, Dell, Gateway and others have the background and money for this new technology. If you we're talking about an SLR or 35 mm camera than I would agree with you 100 % but this is digital camera's we're talking about.

 

In terms of research resources, definately check out these 2 sites. They will help with your search immensely

www.dpreview.com

www.dcresource.com

I agree with avi4now, with a $250 budget the A70 is a good choice.

 

Sony... maybe, because they use Zeiss lenses and they've been at it a long time.

But Dell, Gateway, Samsung? No thanks. Maybe I'm just being elitist, but I think a photography company, that really really knows photography, in and out, and focuses on it alone, is going to make a better camera that takes better pictures, than a company that does many things.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 2002S2000
What's wrong with the Sony's or other brands?

 

bump

 

Here's a picture that a took with a 2.0 mega pixal Canon Elph. I think it speaks for itself.