I've been looking at digital cameras since before Christmas and still am no closer to making a decision now than I was then. The camera I'm looking for shuold be in the $250 to $350 range, have at least 3x optical zoom and be 3.2 mega-pixels. It would also be nice to be able to use off the shelf batteries if the need arises. I also realize that most of this class of camera uses 1.5" displays, however, there are a few that use 2". So I'm going to see what everyone has to say about the ones I'm considering as well as ofering a space for a respondent's choice.

If you would, please tell me why you made a certain choice.

Canon A70 and at PCWorld $236.50

Canon A80 $329.95

Nikon CoolPix 3100 and at PCWorld $215.95

Casio Exilim Z3 and at PCWorld $345.02

I just bought the Fuji S5000 and really like it. 10x optical, 2.2x digital, 3.1 effective pixels, 6.0 recorded pixels. ISO 200/400/8/00, electronic viewfinder, usb, will take movies with sound. Comes with xD picture card, cable and software, lens adapter, lens cover, uses 4 AA batteries, included.

$312 Newegg.

I also ordered a large card which was another 96 bucks, but worth it.

kennethr

see S5000

Well....I've eliminated the Nikon and the Casio, so that leaves me the Canons. I'm also going to take a peek at the at the 4MP Casio R40.

I guess everyone is in the dark with regard to these things as I am.

I just don't want to dump $300 and get stuck with a chunk of crap.

I think I've found the camera.

Casio QV-R40

Min Focal Length: 8 mm
Max Focal Length: 24 mm
Power Source: (2) AA Battery, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery, Rechargeable Battery
CCD Quantity: 1
CCD Size: 0.56 in
Digital Zoom: 3.2 X
Flash Characteristics: Built-in Flash, Redeye Reduction
Focus Features: Auto Focus, Focus Lock, Manual Focus, Multiple Point Focusing
General Features: Built-In Auto Flash, Built-in Memory, Flash Cancel (On/Off), Photo Date/Time Stamping, Red-Eye Reduction, Self Timer
Image Sensor: CCD
Included Components: Battery, Carrying Strap, Charger, USB Cable
LCD Screen Size: 1.6 in
Lens Mount: Fixed
Max Aperture: 4.8 1/f
Max Horizontal Image Resolution: 2304 dpi
Max Vertical Image Resolution: 1712 dpi
Max Zoom: 9.6 X
Memory Type: SD Memory Card
Min Aperture: 2.8 1/f
Number of CCD Pixels: 4130000
Number of Resolution Modes: 5
Optical Zoom: 3 X
White Balance: Auto, Manual, Preset Modes
Image Format: AVI, JPEG
Maximum Video Capture Resolution: 320 x 240
Video Capture Format: AVI
Maximum Shutter Speed: 2 sec.
Minimum Shutter Speed: 2000 1/f
Installed Memory: 10 MB
Dimensions
Height: 2.4 in
Width: 3.5 in
Depth: 1.3 in
Weight: 5.2 oz

$245.00 at Newegg.com

I used to own a Fuji and then bought a Canon. The Canon is a much better camera. Going with a brand name is not a gamble and it is hard to get a piece of crapola at the $300 + range. There are just too many different makes and models for someone to tell you that this camera is definitely the one for you. You just do your research and keep narrowing down the field until there are no choices. It's time consuming because there are so many. Sometimes a sale or some extra free hardware will help you make up your mind. Most people always need a larger storage medium so you might want to price them.

The 3.2 Mpx Fuji that I paid $750 for is only worth about $200 now. I just bought a Canon G5 5.0 Mpx for $600, a much better camera for less money. And Canon's hold their value a little longer. I love the Canon.

Tell me about time consuming... It's a pain in the can.

Well, I read what that guy wrote about the Casio at Steve's Digicams and from what he says, I could do worse. The camera is rugged, unlike what I read about the Canon A70, is 4MP, has both the optical and digital zoom, is not really slow like some of the others and takes good, sharp pictures. It also uses AA batteries off the shelf if the need arises. Yeah. I was also talking to a guy that works at Radio Shack that has a couple of cameras, and he said for the money, that Casio is a great buy. I'd love something like your G5 but I can't spend that kind of money. Only thing is, do all cameras today save in jpeg format? I thought they also saved in .tiff format too.

Some save in tiff and the Canon saves in raw. These are uncompressed and larger file size formats. Your Casio does not. Might be why the price is affordable. But it is a very unique camera. You can do all of your corrections within the camera, you can merge shots, you can produce HTML photo albums and the response time for shutter lag is a great improvement. Startup time is great for catching that shot before it is gone. They didn't post a recharge time on the batteries but you can backup your power easy enough. The regular AAs won't give you too many shots. The only thing that I did not like was the fact that they only gave you 10Meg of storage out of the box and I think SD costs more than CF. I would buy more storage. Overall it has more features than most cameras, pretty impressive.

Yep, it looks like it'll do just fine, and for the money I'll be getting a reliable camera. How much is it for more memory, any idea? I don't need to store 2000 pictures or anything, but I'd like enough so I don't have to worry about running out too soon.

Compusa has CF on sale 512 Meg $99, the SD is $89 for 256Meg. If you want to make sure that you don't run out I would say that you need 256Meg. This way you are sure not to run out. But you have to remember that habits and requirements usually change with computers and associated gear. I would start with at least 64 Meg.

If it'll take it, I think I'll get the 256. Thanks JT. I can't wait. You know it really blows when there's something I want to share on the forum and I don't have a way to do it, plus those neat shots you run into and wish you had a camera.

Thank you Uncle Sam for being so generous with my tax return!

WooHoo...new parts for my systems, a camera, pay bills, actually have a little inventory for the business...life is good.

Tell you what, digital cameras are great and they are here to stay. Things keep getting better with them and the prices are down. Not everyone needs the latest and the greatest but I find that everyone that I know appreciates digital. No film to buy and no wait time to see the pics. You can be creative and inventive and get to see the results right away. If your creation leaves a little to be desired then just delete it and start over again. I'll never go back to film.

Hi,

The only thing I should add to this is that you should stay away from AA batteries. It's not that you will find that you only have a short time to shoot, it's also the performance of weak batteries. Weak batteries slow everything down, and the amount of time AA batteries stay at the level needed to produce good results on a 4mpx camera with all kinds of features is very short. Your autofocus will slow, and you'll miss shots unless everything you shoot is set up ahead of time. The camera may not be ready to shoot when you need it.

Batteries in a digital camera are the unspoken weak point. Everyone looks at mpx and memory.. but if you don't have a decent battery, you'll never fill up a good size memory card. I'd recommend buying the best camera in your price range with the best battery, then tell you to buy an extra battery and separate charger, and run one down to nothing before popping a fresh one in. Letting them charge from completely empty will keep you from shrinking the cell, and extend battery life greatly. Canon also has the best batteries in the business to this point. I can shoot all day.. fill up a 1gig CF (hundreds of 6.3mpx pics), and come home and offload them onto the pc on one charge (offloading off the batt)... many times I can go out and shoot again on the same charge If you take a few shots at a time, and carry fresh batteries with you all the time.. you may be able to get by on AA's. You certainly won't need much memory.. because the batteries will never let you fill up a card. You'll find if you use your camera often that the amount you're spending on batteries is more than you'd have spent to get a camera with a great battery.

Cheers

I see that the camera you're considering at least has rechargeable batteries, which is definitely a step up from the AA's. I use these types of rechargeables for my speedlite (flash), and they hang in for a while, but get slow on flash regen in one shooting session. I have to carry a complete charged set as a backup if I wish to take lots of shots with flash.

I'm still looking for the best brand of rechargeable batteries.. please let me know what seems to last the best for you once you have experience with them.

Thanks

Picking up the camera tomorrow. I was going to buy it from Newegg for $269, but they're selling it at Sam's Club for $212.35 tax included! That's a real bargain! Oooooo.....you do realize SAF's going to be flooded with pictures whilst I play with my new toy.

John sounds like a great buy! Hope you enjoy it. BB

You are going to love digital. Get me a case of them Hot pork rinds while you are there.

What...are you on the "Atkins" diet, JT?

I love this camera! It takes nice shots and is easy to use. I still have to go thru the manual for some things, but this little guy is great. One thing...it sucks batteries dry like I eat pancakes. I'm buying about 8 of the heaviest duty rechargeables I can find.

So, with a 128Mb card and tax, the whole thing came out to $265....not bad at all.

Cool, now you are going to be out of control, imagewise that is.

QUOTE (Mark @ Feb 16 2004, 09:07 AM)

I'm still looking for the best brand of rechargeable batteries.. please let me know what seems to last the best for you once you have experience with them. Thanks

Radio Shack has this rechargeable battery which seems to be pretty good. I guess the ones Casio included with mine are about the best and these RS batteries are as good. You do not need to buy their special 15-minute recharger either if you don't care about not having a 15 minute recharge.

Thanks for the info..

I'll try both brands in my speedlite, and post more info if I can.

Cheers

Interceptor, the only camera battery to use is a lithium battery. It'll give you the longest life. I think Everready makes a AA lithium battery now, I know I've seen one advertised somewhere.

I bought a Kodak CX7330 for $137.00. For a amature like me it does everything I need. I also bought a recharger unit with four AA batteries for under $10. Not much of a investment so far.