Digital camera.

[strongbad94]

Hey everybody, I need some help. I am looking for a digital camera and I was wondering if you could. I want something quick and cheap, about $99.99 because I am on a tight budget and want my own camera. If you can help,
post a link. Thanks!

[ThatReallyHurt]

I've got nothing but good things to say about the Sony DSC line of cameras. You may be able to pick up an older 3MP model with no zoom for about that price. I've dropped mine, got it wet (immersed wet, not just splashed wet), dropped it in the snow, exposed it to very cold temperatures, and it still works great.

Downside is the media (memory stick) is a little more expensive than your regular SD or MMC media, but they've been great cameras for me. I own a DSC-P32 and a DSC-P92.

Regardless of what camera you get, you should spend a few bucks and get a decent warranty. Cameras are something that can see a lot of handling, and if it does give up the ghost suddenly, it's nice to have the warranty to fall back on. If you never need to use the warranty, then so much the better.

[Soldier]

I much prefer the Canon powershots to the Sony DSCs...

[ThatReallyHurt]

In which respect? I've had very little experience with the Canons, myself.

[Iwant2bafencer]

I've heard Canon's are really good. My mom and I both have Fuji, they're really good too. (I believe the Fujis were only about 89.99)

[strongbad94]

I've heard Canon's are really good. My mom and I both have Fuji, they're really good too. (I believe the Fujis were only about 89.99)

What model is it?

[strongbad94]

Hey, I have heard that digital zoom is bad, is that true

[keith]

yes because you are blowing up the image - so pixelation is a problem, call up a jpg on your monitor and increase the size (it looks worse the lower the pixel count of the original image).

so digital zoom is ok with a high megapixel camera bad with a low megapixel camera. At your price point you are looking at low megapixel so optical zoom is much better than digital.

One other thing - digital cameras are slow compared to film cameras in the time between pressing the shutter and grabbing the image. You might want to play with your top couple of choices to see how they compare for this.

[Soldier]

Yeah, digital zoom is definitely pointless. Zoom in with optical if you need, then you can do whatever else you want on your computer.

I just like the control/menu systems on the Canons better; also more intuitive for downloading (just a USB connection), and I like the build of the camera better. I also like that mine happens to built with a brushed steel case - looks good, and protects the camera itself well (I've dropped it before, no problems).

[strongbad94]

What would be best for takeing fencing photos?

[keith]

a film camera, the image capture on a cheap digital camera is going to be to slow.

[strongbad94]

Thanks man

[keith]

you might want to have a chat with veeco if fencing photos is your thing.

[strongbad94]

Do any of you have any experience with HP digital cameras?

[VorpalCat]

I love my digital but I shoot fencing with my trusty 35mm. For some good, detailed reviews on digital cameras (among other things), you might take a look at www.cnet.com.

[strongbad94]

Thanks

[Larrison]

I've got 3 digital cameras of one vintage or another. The problem with digital cameras and fencing (in my opinion) is that most digital cameras have a substantial lag between when you hit the button and they take the picture -- up to around a second.

For around $100 or less, you'll be getting a point-and-shoot camera without substantial zoom or lots of control features. Having said that, I've seen some pretty good point-and-shoot $99 digital cameras with up to a couple of megapixels in picture quality. 1 Megapixel is good enough to project 3x5 size good quality pictures on a good quality inkjet printer with premium photo paper. 3 Megapixel is good enough to do half pages, and 5 megapixels is good enough to do 8x10's.

HP has a pretty good reputation, as do the Kodak cameras -- even though they aren't considered "best in class". In my opinion, if you get a known name you probably won't be disappointed -- if you stick to over 1 Megapixel in size and avoid the digital zoom. My personal experience has been primarily with Olympus cameras, since I think they have some of the best optics around on about all of their cameras -- and in the end, you need optics as well as chips to make them work. But my latest camera is a Canon, so go figure...

But don't forget -- when you get the camera, also get a memory card with enough memory to hold a reasonable number of pictures (like 70 or 80), and get rechargable batteries, since digital cameras seem to go through batteries very quickly. I'd also recommend looking at your printer too, as a secondary consideration. I have an old HP multi-function printer that does amazingly well in printing pictures, if you set it right and use the more expensive HP Premium photo paper -- looks just like 35 mm prints, unless you put them under magnification. But, check out what printer you are planning on using and consider using a higher quality paper through it too --

[strongbad94]

Well, I think that this is what I am going to get http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...A3959%3A179032




or http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3264675

Thank you all for the help