What Digital Camera to Get? suggestions?

[viper69]

Basically I am looking for something that is Point and Shoot with a reasonable optical zoom (3x). I would like a lot of megapixels, like 6-8 would be good. A decent viewfinder would be nice.

In particular a large screen is a MUST, nothing less than 2.00"

I saw a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 , and I saw this Casio ZX750(model number?) which supposedly is feature rich.

I am going to use the camera to take pictures mainly of my pets, friends at parties and if it does a good enough job, scenery too.

If possible low level lighting photography would be useful.

But I see so many cameras I have no idea what to consider.

I use a computer with WinXP Pro. I am computer savvy, not digital camera savvy. I own film based camera...35mm SLRs and 35mm PandS....Never owned a digital.

[northbeach]

I'd suggest you do a lot of research on the web...Steve's Digicam is an excellent sitge that will give you reviews, tons of details on each camera and refer you to sites where you can compare prices.

You really don't need a ton of pixels for point and shoot...but if you plan to enlarge your photograhs then do get no less than five but you most likely don't need more than 5-6.

I have an Olympus 5050 that I love. It has 5 mp and a 3x zoom. It was in my price range, it seemed simple to operate and it felt good in my hand. It has a great lens. I wish I had more zoom - at least 5x. After you narrow your list, try to go to a camera store and research hands on. But the internet is going to get you the best price most likely.

But the key is research.

You will love digital I think. If you print your own pix. buy good paper. And do get a good software programe. No need for the big Photoshop unless you're a pro. Photoshop Elements 4 is just coming out and it's a wonderful program for around $100.

Good luck and enjoy!

I can't speak for all cams. I can and will only speak of what I have. One camera I have is a KODAK DX7590. It's an oustanding point and shooter with the ability to take you to the next leval if you want. You can get filters, and lenes to add on if you like. The new version is the Z7590 that upgrades low lighting focus. Adds a 2 second timer to the already 10 second timer. It also adds a histogram. It's a 5mp 10X optical zoom cam, check it out at KODAK.com

[viper69]

Thanks for the information. I do digital imaging so I have Photoshop.

I have been doing research both on web and in stores as well.

I am not completely sure if I am going to blow up any photos for printing or not. I guess that's why I think more than 5Megapixels would be good.

I have used the Kodak line, and have to say I really enjoy their easy to menu system. Very easy to delete an image. No need to jump through many menus/icons to delete photos from Kodak line of cameras.

I'll keep looking thanks

Viper.........I got the PM from you and now I can not find it. I'm going to give you a web address you might want to check out. It's a KODAK site. Many of the site regulars use both KODAK and many other brands of cameras. They will be more then happy to help you in any way KODAK related or not. You will have to join the site to post.

http://www.myfreebulletinboard.com/f...6585d&mforum=1

[pip22]

Also worth thinking about --- get more Megapixels than you think you will need (say, 7MP instead of 6Mp). This means if you need to 'crop' an image to improve it's overall composition, you will still be able to enlarge the cropped image with sufficient non-interpolated pixels left for printing quality (generally accepted to be in the region of 300ppi) instead of having to settle for the cropped size which may be too small.

[clayton89]

The thing you want to look at with P&S cameras is start up time. Kodak cameras have a tendency to be slow to start up but good features and value for money. For startup and usability Id stick with Nikon or Canon. Check out the new Nikons, they have really cool reatures.

[pip22]

Don't dismiss Sony for startup time and useability -- the DSC-V3 beat the Canon G6 for startup and focusing time --- and it's in 'pro looking' black, not the 'expensive toy' silver of the G6. Looks aren't everything of course, but it's almost as important as handling and features to me. Sony build-quality is higher than Canon also --- certainly feels so when you hold them. Don't be a sheep, always following the Nikon-heads and Canon-heads. Digital has changed the traditional view of who makes the best cameras --- there are more players now, many of them just as good if not better.

[viper69]

Well I know from Scientific imaging usage, that Kodak makes a great color chip. I can't speak for other companies in terms of personal use. I dont' like Nikon that much or Canon in terms of point of shoot dcams. Screen size on average too small. or great screen size but they lack a view finder. I have started up a Kodak many times and it's adequate for me. No picture I am going to take, is going to rely on the subject disappearing in an extra second. Sony and Casio both start up noticeably faster however.

[pubwvj]

I just bought the Fuji E900 a week ago. I was looking for good quality photos, AA batteries, full manual control, speed, long zoom in a compact package. It has ISO800. There is no image stabilization but I have gotten some fine low light shots. You can see my review of it with sample photos on my blog:

sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/12/fuji-finepix-e900-review-part-ii.html