Help! DH wants to buy a Digital Camera and I have no idea what to look for! About This Page:

[debe]

My DH has been talking about getting a digital camera for the past couple months and I keep putting him off. I would love to have one but don't know what to look for in these cameras.

Are there certain ones to stay away from? Any one brand better than another? Do they all work the same? I do not know anything about these cameras other than you can download the pictures into your computer. (and I am not sure if I even said that right)

Just don't want to purchase the wrong thing! These cameras are almost like going out and buying a camcorder... so many different ones to choose from!

Thanks for any info!
Take Care
Debe


[This message has been edited by debe (edited 08-31-2000).]

[Cruella]

I wish I could help you, debe, but these things are so complicated! WildForWD knows a little bit about them and I called him at work and asked him to respond to you if he gets the chance. I know there's something about the number of pixels that produces a sharper picture, but that's it! Good luck with your purchase!

[nicki]

I've been looking for one myself. DH told me to make sure to find one that has a regular viewfinder like a "normal" camera. Otherwise, he said it was a little trickier to frame a shot. Also, he said to make sure that it has removable memory. If not, once the memory is full, you have to download it before you can take anymore pictures. I think that he said Sony was a good brand. I have also heard good things about some of the Kodak models. DH just added that the "zoom" feature is a nice addition. Expect to pay $250 or more for these features...figures. Hope this helps some!

Nicki

P.S. Still haven't even gotten the suitcases out of the closet!

[Dave Marx]

This is a very tough topic! I generally agree on the list of features I've seen so far, but some options get very expensive.

A zoom lens is high on my list, but you won't find them in anything but the moderate-to-expensive cameras.

Optical viewfinder plus digital display - the digital is great for some things (especially reviewing your shots and deleting the losers, and those tough shots where you aren't sure if there's enough light), but can get washed-out by bright Florida light. This makes the optical viewfinder an important fall-back.

Removable memory - the cards can be expensive, and the cheaper cameras don't have them (but they're not too expensive compared to lots of film and processing).

High resolution. This isn't so important if your plan is only to use the photos online - 640 x 480 works perfectly for that. If you plan to make 8 x 10 prints or use the digital images for conventional publication you'll need higher resolution.

Make sure you can connect the camera to your computer.

Most of the reputable camera and electronics maufacturers are making decent equipment, but like any other camera gear, you really need to compare features carefully to get what you need.

One of these days I'll get a really good one, and have much more solid advice. At the moment I have a no-name camera that works surprisingly well, but lacks a zoom lens and removable memory (got it while doing a freelance writing assignment for a book about digital photography). It's a lot of fun to use, and the 48 shot capacity has been adequate for most needs.


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Co-Author, PassPorter Walt Disney World 2000
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

[SarahJ]

Debe, I'm inthe same boat with you. My fiance and I decided to purchase one as our wedding gift to eash other. He has been wanting one for a long time now. I've asked my brother a little about them and done some research on the net too.

My brother and dad have ones with Compact Flash memory cards. They like them because they're tiny (about the size of a matchbook) they come in different MB sizes and they are used in several different brands of cameras.

I agree about getting one with a viewfinder. If you're used to using a 35mm camera with a viewfinder you might find it easier to use one on a digital camera. Also you can turn off the LCD screen and only use the viewfinder to take pictures and this will make your battery last longer.

I was also told to get one with rechargable batteries. I think most brands are coming out with that now.

That's all I really know for now. We are going to do some serious looking this weekend though. I'll let you know if we learn anything new.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah

Sept 2000 Poly & Cruise
First trip and honeymoon!

[dsny4me]

The number of pictures depends on the resolution you set. The higher the resolution, the fewer pictures will fit on the memory card. Also depends on the size of memory card you have.

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remember, it all started with a mouse!

been there...
done that...
going back!

[This message has been edited by dsny4me (edited 09-01-2000).]

[minemoz1]

Debe

I too use a Sony for work. I can get 8-12 pics set at a moderate resolution on a 1.4 MB floppy. The movies/audio usually take up a whole floppy depending on how long they are (15-60 seconds) I agree with BarbaraBee on how big it is but it's much lighter than my Nikon. You can also do various effects (sepia tone, posterization) similiar to the Sony camcorders.

[tom4th]

Hi Debe,

Just thought I'd throw in my understanding on this topic.

There are 3 key items to consider:

Resolution
Zoom
Storage media

If you want to make GOOD prints, Then the minimum resolution you should consider is the 2MG pixel camera, with the 3MG yielding beautiful 8 X 10s.

Only check the OPTICAL zoom size. Most better cameras give you 3X optical. some enlarge this digitally but you don't get the same resolution digitally as you do optically.

There are many storage medias available- the major being Compact flash, Smart media, and Sony's Memory Stick. Inexpensive memory card readers- $59- allow you to download through a USB port with good speed. Flash path adapters allow Smart cards to be inserted in the floppy drive. sony also uses this method with their memory stick.

Sorry to be so long winded. Our best sellers are Sony, Nikon, and Olympus. Any of these will produce stunning images if you have a good printer and use good paper.

Good luck in your quest !!!

Tom

[BarbaraBee]

For work, I use a Sony Mavica. These cameras are pretty big compared to the ones that have the little memory cards, but the great thing about them is that they use standard floppy disks! No messing with downloading or running out of room on your memory cards. Floppys are readily available. Also, you can copy the disk right in the camera onto another disk, in case you are at the Passporter meet, you can give a disk with the photos you just took to your new friends. Resolution is pretty good. They come in several different styles, I have the highest end, which costs about $800. Great zoom lens and you can record video and audio on to a floppy as well. The only drawback is it is pretty big. Good luck!

[debe]

Thanks everyone for the replies. WOW! It is as complicated as I thought. I am going to have to go back up to Sam's Club and check out the one they have... they just reduced the cost by about $140.00. (can't remember anything else about the thing) Going to print all this out and take it with me when we go look at the camera.

Thanks Everyone!

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"Remember the Magic!"
Happy Planning!
Take Care, debe-nj

[debe]

BarbaraBee, out of curiosity how many pictures will it hold on a floppy disk?

This camera hunting isn't going to be easy!

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"Remember the Magic!"
Happy Planning!
Take Care, debe-nj

[WildForWD]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to respond earlier Debe! Cruella told me to respond but I was so busy with month end at work!
Everyone has covered all the important topics already.
What I want when I get one some day is....
-> 2 megapixels or better
-> removable memory cards (at disney 48 shot cameras just wouldn't do it!)
-> Optic view finder (don't have to have the camera to your eye to take shots, can do over your head in crowds etc.)
-> rechargable replaceable batteries! With multi memory card you will need more than one battery to take multi pictures!

Good luck Debe.....it's a hard choice and the field is growing every day with new improvements!


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WildForWD
...you must face the age of not believing
...until at last you start believing there's something wonderful in you!!

WildForWD

[debe]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I can see this isn't going to be an easy task searching for this camera... I know I won't have it for this up coming trip but maybe for our January trip. Will use this camera as a joint Christmas present...

I have printed out ALL this info and will put it onto an index card to take with me to the different stores...

Thanks Again..... you all are GREAT!

[mushu]

I have a Sony Mavica fd73.
it is a great camera.but the new mavica
use a cd rom and not Floppy disk!!
go to http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/generic/digitalstillcameras/mavicacamer as/index.shtml an look at MVC-CD1000 and MVC-FD95
hope this help you out!!!!!! ps if you do not by one by the time you go to disney i
will have my fd 73 there and i will let you
check it out

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remember, it all started with a mouse!

[This message has been edited by mushu (edited 09-04-2000).]

[debe]

Mushu, I know I won't have one by this trip, because I want to make sure I buy the right camera........ my DH always seems to rush into buying things and then finds out later he should have waited a little longer. This one I am calling the shots on because:
1. I usually take the pictures
2. He hardly ever uses this computer
3. He picked out HIS truck so I think it is fair game if I get to pick out this camera

I am in no hurry. Will check out the site you listed a little better tomorrow...

Thanks for the info
17 days to go

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"Remember the Magic!"
Happy Planning!
Take Care, debe-nj