Recommend Digital Camera

hunterridgefarm · Feb 1, 2006

We are going to buy a digital camera this weekend, I say we because my wife refuses to go buy one without me. I know this is just a way to get me to go shopping /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

We are wanting to document the house building project...she does not realize my motivation is really to post pictures on TBN /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

It is obvious many people here on TBN have a digital camera. So what better place to come for some recommendations.

I am thinking I could get a good camera for $300-400...?
My wife is wanting to get the printer also, but I am not sure we need that.

So all you highly skilled /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifand accomplished photographers of tractors, pole barns, implements, ponds, birds...etc, what do you recommend?

PS: I would like something I could add a nice zoom lens to since we have lots of wildlife on our property.

George2615 · Feb 1, 2006

I'm far from a professional photographer but I bought one about a year ago from Walmart. Mine is a Kodak Easyshare DX6490. It has 4 megapixel, 10x optical zoom, I got the 256meg SD memory card which allows me to take about 200 or so pics. built in flash, plus can record short videos with it. It has more features that I don't use. I find it easy to use. I did not buy the docking station for charging and printing pics since my computer has the SD port on front. That means I can plug in my SD chip which brings up the Kodak program. At that point I can transfer any or all my pics into the computer. Once there I can print pics on photo paper with my printer. The program that came with mine allows me to edit the pics with many features such as red eye, lighten or darken, etc.
All in all its a good camera for me. I can't remember exactly but price was in your range.
George

mikim · Feb 1, 2006

There are several out there now with 10x optical zooms .. go to adorama.com and browse at what's out there.... then find a store that sells several different ones and go handle 'em. I like to buy what feels right in my hand -- Adorama will give you a good idea of prices too.

billbill1 · Feb 1, 2006

Sam's sells all different cameras and price ranges. We bought a Nikon Coolpix 4100 for $179. I was told to get a camera that has standard double AA batteries, special batteries cost alot more. It has zoom and the card for storage. A good camera for the money. 4 megapixels and does short movies too.

hillslider · Feb 1, 2006

That is good advice. Having a camera that takes simple AA batteries is the only way to go. I have 3.2 meg Olympus and have used it now for almost 4 years. Great camera and has searved me well.

Gatorboy · Feb 1, 2006

<font color="blue">( I was told to get a camera that has standard double AA batteries, special batteries cost alot more. ) </font>

Rechargable batteries will cost FAR less over the life of your camera than using regular batteries.

mwechtal · Feb 1, 2006

Well, we have a Kodak V550. It is VERY compact, 5mp but it only has 3x optical zoom. It does show you when you're going into digital zoom though. Digital zoom essentially reduces your resolution by cropping the picture and throwing away some of the outside pixels. It has a lithium rechargable, but the battery is only about $20. It will do about 100 pictures on a recharge, and about 50 minutes of TV resolution video on a 1mb card.

One thing to look at is if the camera uses standard memory cards. SD or CompactFlash are the easiest to find and cheapest cards.
Mike

reb · Feb 1, 2006

The advantage of a camera that uses AA cells is that you can use rechargeable NiMH AA cells in it. If they go dead at an inconvenient time, you can use standard AA cells, which are easy to find nearly anywhere.

I would also recommend buying one made by a well-known camera manufacturer: Nikon, Canon, Minolta, etc. A neighbor bought one with a computer manufacturer's name on it and has found no support since the company no longer offers it.

I have a 2 megapixel Fuji that has worked great for about four years. Wish it would break so I could convince the CFO to let me get a new one.

hunterridgefarm · Feb 1, 2006

Thanks guys, good stuff.

So I need:

Name Brand

4-5 megapixel

SD memory card

Rechargeable NiMH AA cells, in case I am out working on the Pulitzer /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gifand the batteries die I can drop in a couple of AA's.

KentT · Feb 1, 2006

In addition to that list of features, add --

At least a 3X optical zoom lens -- some in that price range go up to 10X.

Ignore any information about digital zoom capabilities -- you won't want to use it...

Here's a site that may help you narrow down a list:

http://www.dpreview.com/