I need recommendations for a decent digital camera between $300-$400

Me ^ | 11/2/03 | zarf

[zarf]

I'm leaning towards the new Canon A80.....any yeas or nays....or better recommendations?

[Diplomat]

I don't know a thing about cameras. However, this site may give you the answers you are looking for.

http://dpreview.com/

[rapture-me]

Don't base your decision on the availability of a digital zoom. It may be a selling point but the quality is so bad that it is almost worthless.

[BrooklynGOP]

I highly recommend Canon s400. The quality is amazing and its very pocketable.

[tet68]

I'll tell ya, I had a Mavica for sometime, (until it was stolen) and I like it a LOT. EASY to use, no hassles, just slip the floppy into the computer and your pix are ready to access or send, rechargeable battery, zoom, and now under three hundred dollars at walmart.

Wish I had it back, now I'm stuck with my mothers old polaroid, you have to plug it into cables to down load,
it needs memory chips and the capacity is real small and it runs on AA cells......lots of AA cells.
Not to mention the Polaroid soft wear SUCKS!!!

There, now you know.

[edwin hubble]

Power and batteries are a big big concern.

If you pay $13.00 for a special battery that you can't recharge... it can cost more than film (per frame). (We just got a camera with this 'feature'.)

Be sure you can recharge (either in the camera or separately).

You may want the ability to plug in to a socket as well.

[ladyinred]

We just got a new Olympus 4.0 with ultra zoom. It is fantastic and I would recommend it highly. Our first digital camera was an Olympus when they cost so much more and it was also very good and reliable.

[LisaAnne]

Professional advice ping.

[Torie]

Bump.

[glorgau]

Just got a Coolpix 3100 for $250. 3 megapixel. A little short on options, and won't make RAW pictures (only JPEG). It has 3X optical zoom and is nice and small.
My best hint would be to make sure that you get something that will take regular batteries like AA. If you get something that takes a proprietary size the costs add up quick.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://reviews.cnet.com/Digital_cameras/2001-6501_7-0.html?tag=glnav

Above URL has good info.

[magic2626]

Look at Canon Sureshot S400 $386.00

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=30-120-015

Later you can add a 256 mb memory card as an upgrade to the 32 mb memory card


Or the OLYMPUS C4000 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA for $358

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=30-111-105


Both are good 4 megapixel cameras

[Gorzaloon]

I have a Kodak, a Nikon Coolpix 9000, an old Mavica, and a Canon G5.

Anything 3+ Megapixels and you can't go wrong..that seems to be the Magic Number. The old Coolpix is only 1.3MPx, but it delivers stunning pictures, the Kodak is 3.1 and is a great little camera. 3MPx seems to be what caused this year's digital sales to surpass film for the first time..

Canon or Nikon for me, though. Aspheric lenses, etc., more than enough for the "ProSumer".

[sinkspur]

I got a CASIO-QV R40 at buydig.com. It's a FOUR MP, and the camera price was $243, unbelieveable for a camera of this quality.

But, I also got the advanced kit for $169, which gives you a 256 MB card (128 pictures), a high-speed card reader, four AA rechargeable batteries with a charger that works in an hour, and a carrying case. Shipping's free.

So for $414 I've got a highly-rated, almost semi-professional camera. It's my first digital, and I absolutely have gone nuts with it.

[The Great RJ]

What makes digital cameras cool is the ability to edit your photos. Pick up a copy of Photoshop Elements--available at Wal-Mart and electronics stores for around $40-50. This software has everything you need to make good pictures great and do some neat special effects.
<P.

If your computer doesn't have a USB port in front, pick up a "pigtail" USB adapter--it will save you having to go to the back of your computer to connect your camera.

[Marie Antoinette]

Digital bump :-)

[goodnesswins]

FWIW....I LOVE our Kodak Easy Share LS443....

[Centurion2000]

bump :) ... I need the same thing so I'll watch :)

[aimhigh]

I have three Sony digitals, but I recommend the Olympus with either 8 to 1 or 10 to 1 OPTICAL zoom.

[Centurion2000]

I borrowed one of those for a week and absolutely love it .... the only thing it needs is a remote timer so that family portraits are not always missing one :) ....

The Kodak program is spyware though ...