Suggestions for a Digital Camera?

[Savage_Hobo]

Ok.. So I've still got an old Cannon a520. There's nothing wrong with it but.... it's big and bulky compared with a lot of the new cameras and is only 4.0 M Pixels. I've been thinking of getting a new one for a while...

- I'd like to stick with a Cannon, They seem to be very well made and good quality camera.

- Looking for at least 8 M Pixel.. but probably closer to 10.0M.

- Price Range around $200 - $300 (CAD)

- It would be nice to have a camera than doesn't take a super long time between photos. I know mine isn't that great for quick photos.

If you guys have any suggestions on cameras let me know...

-SavageHobo

[Apache Warrior]

If you want a Digital SLR, the Rebel is a god way to start.
If you have the money get a 40D or 50D. Anything larger and you are getting into pro cameras.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...categoryid=111

Apache

[Apache Warrior]

Oops. Sorry I missed you budget. Forget those.
Apache

[BigTwinky]

I would personally not go with 10mp on a small camera like that. What size prints do you plan to make? Or are you planning on only making photos for online?

More megapixel is NOT better. Each camera has a different sensor size. A cell has a smaller sensor than a point and shoot which has a smaller sensor than an entry level dSLR which has a smaller sensor on pro dSLR.

I think the sweat spot for mega pixels on a small sensored point and shoot is 8mp. 10 is starting to get too much and anything above 10 will be bad.

That being said, if your need is for facebook pictures, family vacations and stuff like that, sticking with the major brands (Canon, Sony or Nikon) will almost guarantee you results. But other competitors offer great products...Samsung, Panasonic..

I have a Nikon P&S which is good, I have a Canon dSLR as well. If you like the Canon brand, stick with that.

Look for Image Stabilization in the camera. This helps alot when taking images. The rest is pretty much standard for all cameras, preset scenery modes, white balance, face detection. Think about the battery type you want as well.

With a built in / rechargable battery, I would think the Canon SD890 IS should suit your needs ($250 at Best Buy). Its a 10mp, I have never used the camera, but I'm sure you'll like it. Head to a store and ask to try it out.

If you want to use alkaline batteries, maybe look at the Canon A1000 IS. IS = Image Stabilization, its a 10mp camera, and I believe this is the upgrade version of your A520. Best Buy has it for $150

[juneau]

This is the site that made my decision on what Camera i got.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/

It might help you also.

This is what i have.

Canon IXUS 85 IS Review | Canon Digital Camera | Digital Camera Comparison

[Hammy]

Twinky and Juneau are absolutely correct.
You should also PM Todd or Skud. These two are our resident photography fiends and they know much about the topic.

High pixel rates are only good if you are willing to spend the money on the data storage. Hi-Res equals more megsd per photo.


Also, the best pocket cam out there is the iPhone. Hate to say it but the photos it takes are often clearer and has better color than the digital camera we bought less than a few months ago. Thats a pocket cam with no focus or zoom.

In terms of everday camera- you shouldnt spend too much time thinking about it in my opinion, because it comes down to three things:

1. Reliability
2. Plug and Play (do you get frustration everytime you dock it or try to convert picture formats into something you can print on your desktop?)
3. Price

You can get a high quality camera for 150 or less now. These cameras were $500 about 18 months ago, and the truth is that the technology hasnt really progressed enough that average camera snappers would notice. Side by side you would, that is if you were to get into a conversation about mine vs your camera- but overall, away from being competitive with the Johnson's, you probably would be very happy with whatever you get in this range.

Reliability- Sony makes some of the worst camera's in my opinion. The shutter and the cone that extends on their camera's is the #1 failure in our Families circle. That circle is the Parks crew that we run with, you know- kids between 1 and 10 yrs old, we all meet up twice a month for a bar-b-que and etc. We have a near 100% failure across some 12 different families we socialize with. All of us have been "oh no- not me, wont happen to us." and of course, despite good care, the Sony just stops working one day.

Their SLRs are good, but they really only have kick butt vid recording devices.

So stay away from Sony is my only direct advice. Otherwise, check out the links by Juneau and Apache, talk to Skud and Todd, and spend some time with people that know camera's well. I would head over to a professional photography shop and just chew some fat. The Ritz Camera place over here has been run by the same guy for 25 years, so he is my go-to on camera's when I break them and etc- he's a family friend. But beware- many of those Ritz-Wolf Camera shops are stocked with dummies.

[Skud]

Thank you, Hammy. But those other guys know a lot more about the equipment. I'm just a shooter. BigTwinky helped me a lot when I purchased my camera. I stuck with the brand I studied, but bumped up a level because of his knowledge of sensors (and sensor cleaners). Ty BT.

[Hammy]

Thank you, Hammy. But those other guys know a lot more about the equipment. I'm just a shooter. BigTwinky helped me a lot when I purchased my camera. I stuck with the brand I studied, but bumped up a level because of his knowledge of sensors (and sensor cleaners). Ty BT.

I just remembered the beautiful Montreal At Night picks BigTwinky did- Sorry BT, I forgot your skill.

[BigTwinky]

hehe, its all good peeps. I'm just a learning photographer as well.

Other than brands, max megapixels and image stabilisation, there isn't much else to do with the P&S cameras. It all has to do with budget.

As Hobo said "big and bulky", I assumed he wanted something smaller...the more sleek style ones that you see advertised on TV.

I totally agree with Hammy with Sony. While I know people with P&S and dSLR Sonys who have no issues with them at all, I try and stay away from Sony in anything I buy... DVDs most of all. I bought a Nikon P&S over a Sony because I didn't like that Sony only does the Memory Stick Duo memory instead of the more standard SD / SDHC found in most other cameras (or CF found in dSLRs).

I would avoid a generic store's camera department. Places like Best Buy have people who know somewhat about cameras, but nothing really in dept. They'll just sell you on whatever. Go to a local camera shop, like Hammy suggested, where they often know about these things.

But honestly, there are ALOT of reviews online and you should be able to easily compare models within your price range

My ultimate camera website is dp review. They have a fun feature that allows you to compare various cameras side by side. http://www.dpreview.com/


If you find that your camera is taking time to take pictures, make sure you have a decent memory card with it.

I know with dSLRs (And I assume with P&S), the camera writes the data to a buffer and the buffer writes to the card. Camera to buffer you don't have much control over (other than digging for specs and getting one with a faster write time / bigger buffer) but you can control the speed to which the buffer writes to the memory card by getting a faster memory card.

I use LEXAR SDHC, but there are other great brands such as SANDISK out there. Look for the speed of the card. For LEXAR, I get at least a CAT 4 - which is 60x speed. A 4gb Cat 4 lexar costs currently $20 at Futureshop. The next step up is the 133x, but its more expensive for something you don't use.

We often settle for cheaper SDHC cards, but sometimes a slight increase in the price will make a difference.

[{CLR}geneSW]

Well, here's what i've got... and you can see the photos I take with it on my photobucket account. All i've got to say is that I love it, it does exactly what I want it to (which is close to dSLR without needing all of the lenses and what not). Also, i've got quite a few photos to upload here soon and share, so you can see the full range that the camera can do. There are really up-close shots and ones where I've had to use the 40x digital zoom to get the shot.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powersho.../dp/B001EQ4C8U

[pigworthy]

This is the best review site for camera's I use: http://www.dpreview.com/


I havn't read all the above so If I repeat something, my apologies.

Pay attention to "Optical Zoom" not "Zoom or Digital Zoom". Optical zoom is actually how much a camera really can zoom.

Also go play with them in the store, and see how long it takes to take the next shot. You want it to be quick. Most canon's are very good.

Also if you want to save up a little more money, you still can find 8mp Canon Digital Rebel XT for some very good prices, including lens kit. I picked mine up, including a les kit, at a Walmart being clearanced for $240.

A 8mp DSLR shot is much better than a 10-12mp compact camera. I have shots blown up to 20 x 30 and I can't see any artifacting. Most shots you do you would never go that big. Also the DSLR cameras can run in Auto mode a shot about as easily as a compact.

[Savage_Hobo]

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm going to take a look at a few cameras this weekend. There's a bestbuy and futureshop near me so that's where I'll probably go.

What do you think of the in store warranties? You end up paying a lot but I'm not sure that I'd ever use it... I've had my a520 for 3 or 4 years and never had any problems with it... so I'm not sure about the warranty... What do you guys think?

[BigTwinky]

The only time I bought an extra warranty is with my new camera and the only reason is because I am heading to Australia next year and wanted the extra protection. Had I not had a trip planned, I would not of picked itup

[Apache Warrior]

Most extended warranties are money makers for the stores. If you do get one read it carefully. Some require you to have all of the paper work or no warranty. Others will accept the warranty as long as you registered the product, regardless of whether you have the paperwork or not. Some things should have them others less likely. I have found that my TV's last for years trouble free for example. Laptop computers on the other hand.
I have never had an extended warranty for any of my cameras. I still have my original manual SLR and it still works. I used to have a job traveling and hauled my SLR's every where I went and never had anything fail that could be covered by a warranty.
Apache

[Savage_Hobo]

Alright so sounds like I'll be skipping the extended warranty.