Buying first digital camera...HELP!

coachgrd · Nov 2, 2004

As the title suggests, we are in the market for a digital camera. (BTW, if there is a like thread buried deep in the archives, let me know.) I have gone over and over the Consumer Reports ratings and have a general idea of what to look for. Do any of of you recommend one in particular? How about the Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom? Any of you have it. It appears to have what I am looking for, was wondering if any of you have it and how you like it.

Thanks all.
coach

Gatorboy · Nov 2, 2004

I would take a look at DP Review.com. It is a great resource.

When I buy my next camera, it will be a Digital SLR.

Golfgar4 · Nov 2, 2004

Here is a thread that discusses digital cameras - Digital Camera: Spend My Money /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ronjhall · Nov 2, 2004

Here is another thread. Rate Your Digital Camera and another NYC Camera Merchants .

Bob_Skurka · Nov 2, 2004

I don't know anything about that particular camera, but when I need electronics, I typically check C|Net for their reviews.

C|Net Digital Camera Reviews

BillyP · Nov 2, 2004

I have the Olympus C-740 Ultra Zoom and like it very much. I'm sure the 765 is even better.

RobertN · Nov 2, 2004

Much like looking for a tractor, what do you want to do with it? What conditions will you shoot in? Lot's o' pictures, or just a few here and there? Snapshots or ???

Are you replacing a point-and-shoot, or do you need SLR compatibility with your old SLR body and lenses?

How much do you want to spend

Like tractors, there is a ton of stuff out there. It might help to narrow down the field a little /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

JayC · Nov 2, 2004

Oohh... This is right up my alley! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm thinking about getting a new one, too.

During my research I think that the best value for the money would be the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P93. That is 5.1MP. It has 3x optical zoom, 2x digital, 32 MB memory, and comes with two rechargable batteries and charger. It is about $300. For about $50 less you can get the DSC-P72. That is 4.1 MP and 16MB memory. Has the same features/accesories otherwise. When it comes to camera reviews there is a site that I really like. It is called Steve's Digicams. There are reviews for all sorts of cameras there and even some sample photos which means a lot to me when I am researching these things. Good luck in your search!

LMTC · Nov 2, 2004

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

Good info....easy to understand, covers many brands.

Owned one of the first...a Pentax .43 mega pixel (that's right, point 43) in about '96. Paid about $400. Replaced it a few months ago for $119 with a Nikon Coolpix 2100. I know 2 mp is light in today's technology, but pics are great and it could not be more simple to use.

ByronBob · Nov 2, 2004

Living near Rochester (home of Kodak) we have a DX3600 Kodak digital. Some things I noticed are most cameras come with a memory chip but you'll want to buy a bigger one after you have it a while and additional batteries are a must also. In todays technology the quality is outstanding. If you like the model you mention get it.

Golfgar4 · Nov 2, 2004

We've had 2 different Kodak digitals, and we loved them both. Gave the first one to the daughter when we wanted to get the second one.

I'm not a techno geek kind of guy, so as long as it takes a nice picture and I can download it to my computer, I'm happy. I do agree with Bob. Plan on getting another memory card for it. We have 2 sets of batteries so that one set is also recharged and ready to go.

MarkLeininger · Nov 2, 2004

You didn't describe what you're trying to do with it, but I would be inclined to buy a cheap one first and see what you really do with it. My first one was a cheap HP that I got for about $99 and it came with a (cheap) printer which I sold so I ended up paying about $50 for the thing. I use it for things like taking pictures of construction work, pictures for ebay, stuff where resolution isn't too important. I learned a lot about the things I really couldn't stand about that camera, and that helped me make the right choice for an expensive camera. I've owned a Canon A2 for years with several good lenses so the next logical step was a canon digital body.

I agree with several posters about buying a digital SLR, particularly if you already have lenses.

Moon · Nov 2, 2004

I have a Fugi 303, 3mp camera. Works okay, but I'm also in the market for a new one simply because of the recovery time when taking a picture which needs the flash. Recovery so that I can take the next pic is probably 30 seconds with new batteries (it uses 2 AA batteries). I've never timed it, but I know when you have someone posing, they sure get tired of waiting. For pics that don't need the flash the recovery time is okay.
I liked the idea of using AA batteries which can be purchases anywhere, but now I fear they are the root of my recovery problem.
What kind of recovery time do you all see when using your flash?

Moon of Ohio

Tdog · Nov 2, 2004

coachgrd, I did exactly what you are doing about 2-3 months ago. I decided on the same beast you mentioned, the Olympus c-765. The 10x zoom helped me make up my mind. I am very pleased with it - - there are gobs of features that I have not tried yet.
good hunting.

Gatorboy · Nov 2, 2004

What kind of recovery time do you all see when using your flash? 

When using the built-in flash, my camera takes about 10 seconds. I usually use my external flash which recovers almost instantly under normal inside flash settings.

JerryG · Nov 2, 2004

When I buy my next camera, it will be a Digital SLR 
My newest camera is a Canon Digital Rebel. I love it, but I am sure that it will be even better if I ever learn how to use every thing on it. It's great to be able to change lens on a digital camera.

Gatorboy · Nov 2, 2004

My newest camera is a Canon Digital Rebel. 

Excellent choice. That is one of the cameras I'm considering. In the Digital SLR world I think the only brands to consider are Canon and Nikon.

Bob_Skurka · Nov 2, 2004

I think the downside of ALL of the digital cameras is the printing of the pictures.

Now if you are keeping them in electronic format then there is no real problem, but my experience with printing photos is that the ink-jet printers, even with the correct photo ink and the correct brand photo paper is that they fade if they are exposed to too much light.

I tried Canon and HP photo printers that used ink technology and experimented with their brands of ink and their brands of paper and all of them faded. I found that generic photo paper was the worst. I found that HP photo ink + HP photo paper was probably the best, but it was still what I consider unacceptable.

I now use exclusively a Canon Dye Sublimation photo printer. I'm on my second unit and have been using them for 2 or 3 years. I see no fading at all. At least no more than I see when compared to 35mm prints that I get professionally developed and printed. The little Canon printers are available in a couple different models, they do NOT use ink, and are great if you hope to keep the pictures around for your great grand kids to view.

I believe there are a couple other brands of Dye Sublimation photo printers available. But if you are considering a camera, you should also consider the printer, the paper and the technology to keep those pictures around for a long time.

Gatorboy · Nov 2, 2004

I believe there are a couple other brands of Dye Sublimation photo printers available. 
I have an Olympus P400 dye sublimation printer. It does a fantastic job.

JerryG · Nov 2, 2004

I always print what I want at home, but my wife likes to take a disk to the photo center and have them developed after I rework or crop them. They print them just like regular 35 mm film. If the camera pixels are large enough count the pictures turn out really good.