Originally Posted By Daannzzz I am ready to purchase my first digital camera. I had a few people tell me to go ahead and spend the money to get a 7 MP camera. "Why start off behind." is the thing they say. So I have been shopping for a 7 MP camera. These are generally out of my budget but I thought I would splurge a bit. Then I had a couple people tell me (along with a very informative website) that I don't need a 7 MP camera that a 5 or even 4 MP camera would do. Generally I want to take really nice quality photos that I will e-mail AND print, mostly I would print normal 3 X 5 (or there abouts)size photos. I would probably print larger ones once in a while. I don't generally spend much times doing manual settings but a few important ones would be fine. I also like the idea of a camera that uses rechargable AA batteries. There are SD car,s and xD cards and memory sticks etc. Can I have some opinions on what you all think is best? Thanks.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut there is no reason you need a 7mp camera unless your going to print huge photos (40"c50") 3-5MP is more than enough for general use and well good for printing 8x10s and even 13x19s. Also as quality goes, if its a point and shoot style camera than the 7mp will be wasted with bad lenses. Now if you want a D-SLR, than 7mp might do the trick. Also, looking at the higher number there is actually a decrease in quality. If you look at a 1mp shot and 7mp shot of the same exact size, the color and clarity is better on the 1mp shot. Go with an olympus. They are good bang for the buck, great quality and very durable. Also get some 2100mAH rechargables and at least a 256mb card. Also take all your photos at the highest non raw setting. You will like the fact that they are large later on. You can save space with small sized photos but if you ever want to print the large photos than you will need the larger size. Memory cards do not cost that much and in the long run its better for you. Good luck.
Originally Posted By pennyring I agree, you only need 5mp max. Olympus is a good brand, but I'm really picky about photos with people in them. I have NEVER been the subject of a good photo from an Olympus. For portraits or snapshots with human subjects, nothing beats a Canon. I have the A95 with flip out screen. It tocks!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I'm on my third digital camera. I bought a Canon Powershot SD400. It's VERY compact which is what I needed. It's a 5mp and takes exceptionally sharp, clear and awesome color photos. It's by far the best camera I've had so far.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I wanted to add I take a lot of very detailed pictures in musuems and different types of display settings for my Native work. This camera has not let me down in capturing details of old pictures, basketry work, faded ink and print from old newspaper or records.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I have the Sony Cyber-shot 7.2 megapixels. The size is what's amazing. Very small, lightweight, but takes great pictures. Think I paid about $400 for it -- but that was 18 months ago.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I use the Fuji 5000, and quite happy with it, great features, including a 10x Optical Zoom, and up to 6 MP (actually a 3 MP, but internal software enhances the picture). <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixs5000.asp" target="_blank">http://www.dpreview.com/review s/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixs5000.asp</a> You get a lot of camera for about $250. They use the xD card, best place to get them is Costco, a bit more expensive, but a better memory card for camera, faster storage and retreval. Want samples, check this site... <a href="http://darkbeer.smugmug.com" target="_blank">http://darkbeer.smugmug.com</a>
Originally Posted By Labuda I'm with Jim - go for a Sony. Best cameras we've owned (we're up our 4th) have been Sonys. High quality and great support if you need it.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel We have a Canon Powershot s500 Digital elph that is 5.0 pixels and I absolutely love it. It is small enough that I can just put it in my purse and I actually carry it all the time now. The prints that I have made are outstanding. I just take the card out and take it to Walgreens or somewhere like that and crop and print. I can do it at home but never think about it then, only when I am out shopping. I actually did a picture of my kids on the beach as an 8x10 and it was still really good and is hanging on my wall at home now. Have a great time and enjoy it.
Originally Posted By Dave Darkbeer's camera takes realy good pics but it makes me nauseous when looking at the screen. Sorry Dave. Dan The guys on our tech show this weekend really like this camera below. Even the video cameras are cheap for just something to have in your pocket in case of emergency. Check it out <a href="http://www.dxgusa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dxgusa.com/</a> And I agree you dont really need 7 mega pixels.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Wow! Thanks everyone for the input and info. I had zeroes in on the Canon SD550 or the new A620 or one of the Sony's but I will look at all the stuff you mentioned. I am unsure if I want my camera to play music, take dictation and be a webcam though. I have to look at that compnany in more depth.
Originally Posted By debtee see what happens when you take a survey! Everyone likes the camera they have! LOL I have a Sony and love it, takes fab pix! Everyone always comments when I send them an email pix how good the quality is. I always used to like Canon's but I've found in the digital range they are very slow to write to the card and take a picture! My first digital was an olympus and it's still going strong, I don't use it as much anymore but it was a great little camera!
Originally Posted By Dave >>>see what happens when you take a survey! Everyone likes the camera they have! LOL<<< I use a Canon and have for years and I didn’t recommend it. I’ll let him choose
Originally Posted By oakfan I'll through my 2 cents in on the cameras I would not buy! I bought a minolta dimage 4MP point and shoot for our trip to Hawaii. It STINKS! The pictures are all washed out and the batteries last about 20 pics on hi-res. I should have got a Canon. I guess that's what I get for listening to Cnet.com. It seams more and more that they like products from companies that advertise on their site. I think it's a Canon next time around.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut <<I use a Canon and have for years and I didn’t recommend it. I’ll let him choose>> Same here. I use a canon almost everyday. But I also have a point and shoot olympus and have had one for several years. For point and shoot, I say you cant go wrong with olympus. The downside to sony for me is the red shift. I just cant get over it.
Originally Posted By itsme Buy a Canon or Nikon, I prefer Canons. MP basically has nothing to do with anything but picture size, The sensor and image processer is what will define how real or close to the color in the object is on photo. Cameras today are loaded with so many features that the average person doenst use and need, dont fall for a salesman that sells you on one that has nore gadgets and that makes it better. For what you want to do 4 or 5 MP is what you need and anything else is basically a waste of money, If its a good qualilty camera it will make perfect 4x6{noraml size}and 5x7's and nice 8x10's. I would look for one that uses compact flash cards as they are more reliable, faster and generaly cheaper per mg then the others, not to mention much more durable{have heard of them making through the wash in a pants pocket} I would look for one that takes the manufactures recharge batterys and not the aaa or aa ect. as they will outperform regular batterys. I can put 8 AA's in my camera and get about 100 pics depending on flash use, with the manufacture batts i get about 1000. I got my wife a Canon Powershot {4mp} a few years ago and while it doesnt take the same qualilty as my 20d {which is very high end dslr}, Certain shots have just as good color. Actually somethings we do i leave my camera home and just take hers cause it small and easy.
Originally Posted By bloona I too love my camera, I would say you NEED: rechargable batteries 4mp or higher A viewing screen ( my friend made the mistake of not getting one with one on...whats the point??? you cant delete it if its rubbish and retake it, because you cant see it until its on your computer!!!!) One which takes memory cards, ( my first one could just store 32!!!!! it was only £40 tho) I have an olympus one which takes short videos too ( no sound) its a 5mp. It was £200 here in the uK, which usually means you could buy one over there for about $5...!!!!! ( slight exageration)I print my own out and I get SO many compliments on thequality of the shots. I want a digital camcorder now, but have NO clue what I need or what they can do for that matter!
Originally Posted By Daannzzz I am looking at something that has less gadgets on it. One of my complaints with my camcorders over the years is all the extra gadgets and gimicks they have on them. I don't want to have portrait frame, sepia, text stamps, pixilatted or addlepated effects. On the digital camera I really don't want movie mode and many different scene settings. I want my camera and camcorder to take the best possible pictures with a fair amount of ease and not a lot of gimmicks that can take up enerygy, space and (as told to me by a camera vendor)can cause problems in the camera. Has anyone ever seen a camera where you don't have to turn on the LCD screen but can still take pictures using the optical view finder (thus saving battery power). I have seen quite a few cameras that don't even have an optical view finder. Maybe I am just a crusty old geezer who doesn't like change!
Originally Posted By itsme Danz, If you dont mind me asking, what kind of money is in your budget for this?
Originally Posted By hopemax I have the Canon S1 IS, and I love it. It has lots of gadgets though, but it does let you use either an LCD screen or a viewfinder. The IS stands for image stabilization, which is wonderful. It is a 10x optical zoom, only 3.2 MP, but I have yet to be disappointed with the picture quality. I use a 512 MB compact flash card, and it holds a little over 1000 "large" pictures. If you don't want the gadgets, you can just set the dial on auto, and away you go. It has been replaced with the Canon S2, which is 5MP and a 12x optical zoom (drool), so there are good deals on the S1 now. I know, not really helpful, just another person who loves their camera!
