I really don't know very much about digital cameras. I don't know anything about the memory cards they use, or how they work or how you take the camera and get pictures onto your computer.
What I'm really interested in learning is more about the different cameras. I'm sure if I could afford to just go out and buy a more expensive one, then I could get whatever I needed. As things stand now, finances are very limited, but I'm really hoping that with Christmas & Birthday money I will be able to afford to go out and get myself a camera.
Thus I need help. I am just wondering if all you camera buff's out there would be able to provide me with information on what to look for in a camera.
Do I need a special brand to go with my printer or computer?
What features are good to have and what others don't really matter.
Do I need to spend a lot on a camera to get good quality, or is there something out there worth getting that is under $200.
Do they all come with the memory cards? Someone told me they were expensive.
Is there anything else I should know?
Any help people can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Comments: 19
you don't need to match brand with your computer or printer.
The features that most people want who have no back ground in photography include: Small size, Large screen, 5 to 7 megapixles, and an optical zoom(3x is average in most cameras, and 10x to 12x result in larger cameras, most people do not like that.)
as far as brands go, sick with Nikon or canon, they have the best reputation. Sony recently had a recall of 8 of the cameras they manufacture, and Minolta was purchased by Sony. Kodak don't make very durable camera, they are the ones that would come back to the store most often for repair.
I would recommend something form the L series form Nikon. from canon I would recommend the A540, A530 depending on weather Money or screen size is more important to you. if you don't want something quite that big try the SD 600, keep in mind that smaller and cuter equals more money. As a side note: Sure shot is canon's compact film camera line, power shots are the digital cameras.
Memory cards...
can be expensive, but they do not have to be. I would stick to the brands lexar or san disk, and most people want a 512mb card or 1gb. if you shop rebates you can find good deals on line. recently with the addition of goggle check out on certain sites, 2 Gb cards have been selling for $13 to 20 a/r and discounts.
Other considerations...
you will need a card reader to get the picture on to your computer, they run $10 to 20 depending on where you get one from. The manual will tell you to hook the camera up to the computer, but if your batteries die, you can damage your equipment. the card reader is also faster then the camera.
if the camera you select takes AA batteries buy reachable batteries, you'll save money in the long run.
When looking at cameras you should ask your self what you want the camera to do. if you never print higher then an 8x10 picture you don't need a lot of megs in your new camera. if you old camera had a 3x zoom (something along the lines of 28 to 90) and you were happy with it, you will be happy with it in a new camera.
I recommend shopping in a store that will let you play with the camera before purchase with the batteries in and the camera on. take a few shots, and notice how long it takes the camera to record the image and move on to the next one, this is the reason some people prefer canon to Nikon. on the other hand that does not matter to some people, and they would rather spend less money on a camera. buy what is important to you, not other people.
one last thought...
just saying I want a camera that takes great picture isn't good enough. cameras do not take pictures, people take pictures. if you are getting bad results form a bran name camera it is mostly user error. reading your manual is very important to getting the highest quality pictures.
Victoria, great information and advice to know. Sounds like you have a lot of information and knowledge. I would like to echo Gary's suggestion. You should write an article about camera's with all of your knowledge, and I know I'm not the first one to ask about them.
I will certainly keep all of this information when I go out looking for a camera. Perhaps before or after Christmas I'll be able to use all of this information and find myself a camera. Gonna save any Christmas money I get this year and I'm determined to get a camera this year.
Thanks again Gary and Victoria.
They also have other camera's on sale, from various Kodak ones to Hp, Sony, and Fuji, but I don't think I've ever seen the Nikon brand at Staples. I know the Kokak ones seem to be really popular and are often on sale. They have the Kodak Easy Share C533 on sale for $139.94, or the Easy Share Z650 for $279.95, but if there are more problems with them being brought back for repairs I'd rather avoid them. I know my son has a Kodak digital camera with the 10xoptical zoom lens and it takes really good pictures. but he's only had it a short while. Another local store has the Canon A540 priced at $299.99. and the A530 @ $249.99.
There are just soooo... many different makes and models and prices out there, and so many different stores getting into selling the camera's as well. Even the grocery stores have the occasional digital camera, so I do appreciate the recomendation of the different model numbers as well as brands.
If I can ask some more questions, what is the difference between the optical zoom and the digital zoom? I noticed that on the ratings for the camera's some of the advertising has it down like this.....5.0MP; 4x optical zoom; 4x digital zoom; 1.8"LCD. Ok what does it all stand for?? Sorry, but I did say I didn't know much about them.