Digital Camera Advice

[jezzell19]

Hey guys, I'm thinking about getting my wife a new camera for the holidays, and I'm having trouble sifting through the heaps (and I mean there are tons!) of options.

She's probably going to be more into the point & shoot variety. Nothing pro, but something with a good feature set (I'd like a good optical zoom, 8 MP and up, image stabilization, etc.).

We bought our first digital camera about 3 years ago... it was a Fuji cheap from Walmart that used regular batteries and had like 3 MP . Not the best camera, but it served us well. We didn't realize how much of a dinosaur it had become until we used my brothers recently (seriously felt like a caveman seeing fire for the first time).

Anyway, my most recent finds are the Cannon Powershot http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8739957&type=product&id=1202429847787

and the Sony Cyber-Shot http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8746752&type=product&id=1202649178739

I think you guys are a bunch of gear-heads like myself and trust your thoughts if you have any...

Thanks!

[jezzell19]

Does anyone own a digital camera (not counting the PSEye )?

[fishki]

yes i do , and the cannon power shot is a good little inexpesive camera.

ive got a couple but if you are wanting an everyday camera thats simple to use and very inexpensive i have one that I carry around in my truck to take pics of jobsites.

Samsung S850
8.1 mega pixel
5x optical zoom
2.5" TFT color LCD
ASR (advanced shake reduction) system
High Sensitivity ISO 1600 Support
Interval Shooting System

Very inexpensive, can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Great pics and also records video. Stores pics internaly but you can also use a memory card, also has many advanced features that can be used, but im not that smart so I just use mine on auto.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Samsung%20S ... 1994625193

[MichaelVash7886]

I'd recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A ... 478&sr=8-1

I have this camera and used a previous version for 3 years. One of the top rated cameras in it's category out there. It's probably going to be upgraded soon, but it's a steal at that price.

[twistedblister]

Does anyone own a digital camera (not counting the PSEye )?

if you can wait a couple of hours before shoping i will tell you what i have and what i think about them. i am not a camera buff so dont take anything i say as hard science.

[jezzell19]

Does anyone own a digital camera (not counting the PSEye )?

if you can wait a couple of hours before shoping i will tell you what i have and what i think about them. i am not a camera buff so dont take anything i say as hard science.

It's too late. I'm a pre-cog and have already purchased the camera you were thinking about telling me about!

Seriously, not going to be buying any time soon, so I'd love to hear what you've got TB. Advice/experience from non-camera buffs will be very valuable (we're not hardcore users).

I'm def. going to give the Cannon some play time, as it seems to be a very reliable option.

Thanks for the thoughts, and keep them coming!

[tekkentool]

i've seriously been enjoying my ixus 80is. makes a great back up video camera too.

[jezzell19]

i've seriously been enjoying my ixus 80is. makes a great back up video camera too.

How much did you pay for it (if you don't mind me asking)? Trying to stay in the $200-$300 range, which should yield a pretty good point and shoot from what I've seen.

[MichaelVash7886]

Do you want a camera just point and shoot or do you want a lot of features?

[jezzell19]

Do you want a camera just point and shoot or do you want a lot of features?

It's for my wife, so point & shoot would be the deal. Basic things I'd like to have are 8+ MPs, good optical zoom, and some nice stablization features (so when you're taking quick photos they don't get all jacked up). Our old camera, you almost had to be completely still to get a good photo, it only had 2x opt. zoom... it basically sucks. I'm really just looking for something that will take nice photos and be easy for her to use (a few bonus features for me wouldn't be bad either! ).

[hippo999]

Do you want a camera just point and shoot or do you want a lot of features?

It's for my wife, so point & shoot would be the deal. Basic things I'd like to have are 8+ MPs, good optical zoom, and some nice stablization features (so when you're taking quick photos they don't get all jacked up). Our old camera, you almost had to be completely still to get a good photo, it only had 2x opt. zoom... it basically sucks. I'm really just looking for something that will take nice photos and be easy for her to use (a few bonus features for me wouldn't be bad either! ).

[twistedblister]

i've seriously been enjoying my ixus 80is. makes a great back up video camera too.

How much did you pay for it (if you don't mind me asking)? Trying to stay in the $200-$300 range, which should yield a pretty good point and shoot from what I've seen.

hey man life made me forget sorry. i paid aobut 4 to 5 hundered for it but lumped it into a best buy credit card and am paying it off monthly. i also bought a regular camera for stills.

[MichaelVash7886]

Well stabilization is pretty standard now. However, a good optical zoom will cost you some extra $.

[RYANMILLER36]

Does anyone own a digital camera (not counting the PSEye )?

Was that a shot at me? Well MISTER! I'll have you know I got a new camera from QVC Wednesday and It's 10mp Fuji 5x optical zoom. Image stabilization, redeye remover etc. I don't see it on there though, so here's the company's page http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/j/finepix_j150w/index.html but look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J6hPlXTehY watch it in high quality.

[twistedblister]

i like the Fuji pix cameras i have used two previously and have been impressed with them at the time.

hey Jez what are you looking for. are you doing quick and easy fun and fast or will you be doing studio style quality photography. i have a friend who is a camera geek and i can ask him if i have enough details on the users wants.

PS i am not a camera geek but like taking photos and have wanted a digitial video camera for a long time those in house credit financing specials are awesome for me so thats how i went. i still dont have the specs on mine but i promise to try and find them soon.

[stickcult]

Chya, I got one. I think most everyone does..

[jezzell19]

i like the Fuji pix cameras i have used two previously and have been impressed with them at the time.

hey Jez what are you looking for. are you doing quick and easy fun and fast or will you be doing studio style quality photography. i have a friend who is a camera geek and i can ask him if i have enough details on the users wants.

PS i am not a camera geek but like taking photos and have wanted a digitial video camera for a long time those in house credit financing specials are awesome for me so thats how i went. i still dont have the specs on mine but i promise to try and find them soon.

Looking for a point and shoot with good "dummy proof" features. This one is for my wife mostly, so style points are good. I like the Fuji ... good find!

I think my mother-in-law may end up getting us one (I'll know by next week), so all of my research may be for not.

[twistedblister]

good info that would probably be one of the pocket size digitals but let me email my bud anyway. he loves chating about guns and cameras.

[jezzell19]

good info that would probably be one of the pocket size digitals but let me email my bud anyway. he loves chating about guns and cameras.

So are we talking guns that are cameras (or the other way around)? I'm a big Transformers fan, so either would be cool in my book!

[twistedblister]

Ha no. any way how much are you wanting to spend. what s your cap. i forgot to ask.

no this guy just loves cameras and guns. and i would go to him for any advice on either.

[tekkentool]

get her a nikon d90. i've used one! they are really pointless. 20 MEGAPIXELS!!! 20 wooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

[cloud945076]

lol

[RYANMILLER36]

I love my Fuji Finepix camera

[twistedblister]

I had a fuji fine pix at one point and was pretty happy with it. finally sending your info to my bud sorry for the lag jez

[WHO_99]

i say screw a camera and get her a 360 lol. god my wife would hate me when i get married cuz that would probably be what i would do