Posted on 12/27/2007 6:23:40 PM PST by 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!
for later learning
I have no problem with last years models or refurbs.
Pinging some known photography people.
I have been buying cameras on ebay using them for a couple of days and then reselling them to see what I like.
I have decided that I want a Kodak since that is what my wife has with a docking station and software, etc.
Any tips or ideas?
I admit, I’m still pretty new in this hobby.
You might want to ask someone with more experience.
No problem. Thanks for the honesty.:o)
I have not played with that mode but I have taken some very good pics while traveling in China. Normally I carry my Kodak P850 but this trip I was short of space.
The only drawback of the Canon that I see is when I take flash pics of my grandson. The red light grabs his attention and I loose many good picks. I end up with blank stares.
“Have decided that I want a Kodak since that is what my wife has with a docking station and software, etc”.
I second that choice of camera. Incredibly versatile, but about $219.00. I love mine and use for both work and personal use.
I got mine from newegg.com for about $180.00
Recommended to my wife by local camera shop when she went in to look at some FReeper suggestions.
I’m afraid that I can’t help you too much here, as I don’t have or use a digital point and shoot... I’ve got a digital SLR.
However, I would give you two bits of advice:
1) You mentioned a 3x or 4x zoom. It seems that most cameras today give you a “total zoom” by adding both a “digital or image” and optical zoom together. If at all possible, ignore the “digital” zoom. Only look at the optical zoom. What’s happening with a digital zoom is that you’re actually cropping or reducing the size of the image, and then magnifying the remaining image. So you wind up with increased noise and distortion in your image. An optical zoom actually zooms in using the lens.
2) Check out http://www.dpreview.com where you’ll find all sorts of reviews, as well as forums where you can ask questions.
One other thing... The smaller the camera, the longer it will probably require for your flash to recharge, since it will probably use smaller and fewer batteries.
Good luck.
Mark
Actually, I recall reading an article in Popular Photo where there was a DSLR that would allow you to do so, or at least combine multiple photos together into a single image. And then there's photoshop, or other image editing software where you can do that easily.
Mark
Funny that you mention that... Somewhere in the basement is my ancient Sony Mavica (I can't remember the model, it's the one that writes directly to mini-CD) and at one time it was their top of the line, and sold for over $1000. I bought it used at a computer store, after it had been marked down, sold, returned, and marked down again. While I spent a lot of money on it (about $350, I think), it was a real bargain at the time. It is a 2MP camera, with a really LONG zoom lens, and image stabilization which allows you to use every bit of the zoom. And the 2MP images are WONDERFUL! I'm able to blow them up to 5x7 with practically no noise or artifacts, and 8x10 photos still look remarkably good, probably for the same reasons you mention.
The biggest problem with it is the shutter lag... When you press the shutter, the viewfinder would go black which indicates you can go get a cup of coffee, and once you're finished drinking it, the photo is taken. I have the most amazing photo collection of animal butts ever! That's because it takes so long from the time you press the shutter until the photo is taken, the animal has time to wander half way across the frame!
On the other hand, I love my Nikon D70s, which seems to have as fast a firing shutter as my old film Olympus OM2 and Nikon FM2.
Mark
I was just looking at this picture, a tripod with degree marks is helpful. This isn;t my picture.
Hello Phantom Lord! Gret topic. I am a huge photography buff. I don’t know much about it so I limit myself to instant cameras. I have to get one developed soon. I hope 35 mm hasn’t gone away! *grin*
gret = great
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