Need new camera. Help!

My less than fertile grey matter | Published? | me

[Phantom Lord]

Hey fellow FReepers. My camera, the Canon Powershot A540 has decided to bite the dust after 13 months. I strongly suspect abuse by spouse and possibly being used as a hand grenade by a 1 year old.

So, I need a new camera. $200 top budget.

Will be used to take pics of kids. Lots of indoor shots. Lots of outdoor shots. Maybe even some action shots.

What I want. 7MP. 3x zoom, but prefer 4x or better.

Here is where my language will say what I mean, but not in proper "camera" world terms.

I want the flash to reset quickly. I want the shutter to be fast. Meaning I want to be able to just snap, snap, snap several pictures off. Some digitals I have used have a good 10 second delay for a flash to reset and then some have had a really bad 6 second delay from when I push the button to the picture actually being taken.

So there you have it. Suggestions?

I have looked at the Canon PowerShot A720IS but think the shutter speed may be an issue for me.

Thats about it so far. Just started to look. But will buy ASAP. Thanks!

[Mockingbird For Short]

I just got a Canon SD1000 Elph. The reviews are pretty good, and they’re on sale at BestBuy for only $149!!!!!!!!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I like this one.

[Darnright]

Your absolute ceiling is $200.00? For a bit more, you could get a refurbished Nikon D70 or D70s, perhaps with a 28-80 lens or something similar.

Of course, if you can keep it out of the toddlers sticky little hands, it will last longer (c;

[Spruce]

Replace the battery in your camera and send us some pix.

[RandallFlagg]

Pick this one up. It absolutely kicks all sorts of butt!

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16830122110

Less than 200 bucks. Does most everything.

[Freeper]

Take a moment and look at the Panasonic T30. 7.1meg, 3 -12 zoom and only 4 buttons - - - - - on/off; snap; features and review . . . . . . all the other options (dozens) are via the HUGE TOUCH screen.

Should be able to find it for $170 to $200.
Enjoy.

[RandallFlagg]

Holy crap! We just posted the exact same link.
How’s yours holding up?

[dighton]

To supplement advice given by fellow FReepers, you might want to check out Digital Photography Review, and user reviews at amazon.

[Bobalu]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120221

8mp, 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilizer 239.00

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I beat you!

[Mr. Jeeves]

Look at the Casio Exilim models on Amazon - I got one for about $200 and I like it a lot. It can’t match my Nikon D80, but it’s great to carry around in your pocket.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I don't have one yet. I've been watching them for a while, but can't justify it because my old camera works just fine.

[reagan_fanatic]

I just bought the Kodak Z1275. 12 megapixels and it takes beautiful photographs. And it was under $200.

[Bobalu]

That’s also a great cam...the main difference between it and the Canon is the Canon has the much more desirable optical image stabilizer vs the digital.

[RandallFlagg]

The one thing I love about the Fujifilm S700 is the fact that the giant instruction manual is ALL IN ENGLISH!!

The thing does image stabilization, night shooting (Awesome!), text, natural, controls the intensity of the flash, has a timed delay, is VERY comfortable in the hand, and you can control all of the shutter speeds, aperture settings...

Here I am writing a book here. Sorry.
This camera just simply rocks.

[avg_freeper]

I have a Canon SD1000, in sliver. Quick response from power off, about 2-3 seconds maybe. Speedy from shot to shot even with flash.

Very small, but has a lot of custom features. It has good face recognition software for portraits. Get two batteries though as it uses them up quickly.

Also it takes the new SDHC cards which you can find up to 16 GB. The SDHC card I got for my SD1000 is 4 GB.

[ThomasThomas]

I liked my Kodak it had a rough life I banged it around all the time, it finely drown in apple juice. I don’t know the current model numbers. The cradle that came with mine was really great for quick up loads. I found the Kodaks in general to be bigger and more durable. Last year I made decision to upgraded to a Pentax *ist DL. I find that most of my pictures could be taken with a camera 1/3 it’s price, the $200 range.

[ThomasThomas]

I liked my Kodak it had a rough life I banged it around all the time, it finely drown in apple juice. I don’t know the current model numbers. The cradle that came with mine was really great for quick up loads. I found the Kodaks in general to be bigger and more durable. Last year I made decision to upgraded to a Pentax *ist DL. I find that most of my pictures could be taken with a camera 1/3 it’s price, the $200 range.

[VOA]

“So, I need a new camera. $200 top budget.”

I’m close to needing a camera in the same demographic.
I’ve not really researched yet, but I do think that Consumer Reports
had a review of best cameras (in differing categories) a few months back.
You might be able to access that at your local library.