Digital camera suggestions

62sg · Post by **62sg** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:13 am

Looking to upgrade my camera...currently have a Kodak Easyshare CX-7300...a very basic model, and not the best picture quality. I'd like to stay in the Easyshare line, there are SO many to choose from....any recommendations for an upgrade regarding mp's etc?
Also open to suggestions for other brands.
Thanks in advance,
John

Eargasm · Post by **Eargasm** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:43 am

The two brands of cameras that consistently get high marks are Canon and Sony. I have a Canon S2 that just smokes - the pics it takes are virtually indistinquishable from 35mm film. I have heard that Kodak makes some good stuff too, so I am sure you'll find what you are looking for from them. BUT - in general, whatever you buy, keep these things in mind - megapixels and lens size.
There is alot of hype surrounding the whole "Megapixel thing", but actually anything over 5 megapixels is a waste of money. The thing that comes into play BESIDES the megapixels, is the lens size. The bigger the lens, the more light (information) is captured, and in general, the better the pic. It really is a matter of physics. Bigger is better when it comes to lenses.
Those cute little cams that girls like to hide in their purses HAVE to have 8 megapixels to try to make up for the tiny lenses they have. My Canon has 4 Megapixels, but also has a fairly large lens and THAT is why it takes such impressive pics. It's all about capturing as much light as possible, because light is what provides information, and anything that is not information, is noise.

Blast · Post by **Blast** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:05 am

Well, I'm certainly no photography expert but I'd like to make a point about trying a camera out before you buy it. Or buy from a retailer with a liberal return policy. Of course, I don't know how you intend to use a camera- you obviously want better quality than just a basic model, however. So maybe you need bells and whistles.

Me, I don't want bells and whistles. I am a real estate appraiser (by day) and take probably 100 photos of houses a week, give or take. Our company used to utilize, and the appraisers in our office all had Olympus D-320L digital's (this is late '90's bottom of the line stuff, $300 back in its day, 1 megapixel, at best). Resolution was good enough for appraisals but you wouldn't want to save all your family moments with one, if you follow me. One by one the other appraisers in our office had to replace their D-320's due to wear and everyone bitched about the replacements on the market. I prayed my D320 would never fail but one day it did.

I went and bought another Olympus; a D-540 (basic low end model $179) and I HATE it!

To its credit, however, I like the Zoom feature and, for a basic model, the picture quaility is very good... that is IF YOU EVER GET THE DAMNED PICTURE!

Maybe I just didn't pay enough, I'm often guility of that.

The old one had a nice big firm lens cover that, when slid to the side, FELT like the camera was ready to go. It also made a loud BEEP which confirmed its "readyness". You'd aimed, hit the button, hear a loud 'click' and a similar, reassurring BEEP and KNEW the picture was there.

This new one has a stinky little slide switch that feels like its going to break off anytime. Gone is the loud beeper, its replacement is having to listen for a muted 'click' and subsequently watch the monitor. Sometimes it clicks but doesn't get the picture- I think that's when the flash doesn't go off. But heaven forbid you should get a 'low battery' warning beforehand. And, in addition, the lag between TAKING the shot and actually GETTING it can vary widely (aforementioned flash?, low battery?, who knows). Now, in its defence, one could argue that it's "thinking" and working on getting the quality right during the "lag time" before it actually takes the shot. Ok, fine for when you want good quality but I JUST WANT A DAMNED PICTURE NOW and a damned BEEP! I have more to look at than the &%#* camera when I'm inspecting houses and more to think about than being a photographer!

Oh sure, the camera has lots of presets- "Landscape", "Movie", "Portrait", etc. But it lacks a "GET THE DAMNED PICTURE NOW!" preset!

Shit! I cuss that damned camera out everytime I'm on a job I'm just too cheap to replace it. Sure would be a shame if something happened to it...

(he said sarcastically).

OK, I'm alright now.

My point is make sure you get what you want. Use it in the store for about an hour, or take it home and make sure it does what you want and can live with. Good luck!

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:47 am

Small "pocket" size camera I would go with the Sony but one with the Zeiss lens---very nice photo's. if your looking for something more traditional or larger a Nikon D50 or Canon Rebel digital with interchangable lenses, etc. are both good. My work Sony --prior to being recenty replaced--took around 20,000 photo's in the 4 year time frame I used it before it finally gave out, I hope my new sony will last as long!

62sg · Post by **62sg** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:41 am

Wow...great advice, guys.
Not knowing too much about cameras, I'da likely went more for the mpx's, and NOT considered lens size....now I will. Thanks Eargasm...excellent info.
Getting a pic quickly is also very important, Blast...I also need that feature. Have been in that situation and also hate the 'wait' you refer to.
Will look into all models you guys have recommended.....thanks again for the input.

rockstah · Post by **rockstah** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:29 am

i used to have a kodak easyshare. recently bought this camera - http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/N2/N2A.HTM

Guitar Adjuster · Post by **Guitar Adjuster** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:33 am

rockstah wrote:i used to have a kodak easyshare. recently bought this camera - http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/N2/N2A.HTM

Kick Ass camera Mark!

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:17 pm

Well being a serious photography buff for 7 years, I can say that the best small compact cameras are made by Sony and Canon. Kodak quality compared to these two brands is terrible. Noisy images, unnatural color, and slow performance. Canon and Sony will give you the fastest, sharpest, and most reliable compact out on the market today.

In terms of quality, a digital SLR camera is going to smoke a compact any day and not because of pixel count, but because of lens quality and the mechanics of this type of system. You might want to get both! I have a Canon 30D and 4 L-glass lenses for when I want to go for quality, but also a compact Canon SD850IS when just going out for party time.

HERE ARE WORDS FROM A VOICE OF EXPERIENCE!
DO NOT BUY A CAMERA WITH ONLY AN LCD SCREEN!!!

If you like to take outdoor pictures, especially in the sun, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE SCREEN AND WILL BE PISSED OFF!! Make sure you get a camera with an old-school viewfinder. Many manufacturers have stopped putting this on their cameras but Canon and Sony still put them on many models. I see customers every day at work on the weekend (Best Buy) that return many LCD screen only cameras to find out that my advice was really true and they end up being victims of a 15% restocking fee. Don't be the victim!

Stay smart and indulge your creativity!

62sg · Post by **62sg** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:07 pm

Country Boy Shane wrote:Well being a serious photography buff for 7 years, I can say that the best small compact cameras are made by Sony and Canon. Kodak quality compared to these two brands is terrible. Noisy images, unnatural color, and slow performance. Canon and Sony will give you the fastest, sharpest, and most reliable compact out on the market today.

In terms of quality, a digital SLR camera is going to smoke a compact any day and not because of pixel count, but because of lens quality and the mechanics of this type of system. You might want to get both! I have a Canon 30D and 4 L-glass lenses for when I want to go for quality, but also a compact Canon SD850IS when just going out for party time.

HERE ARE WORDS FROM A VOICE OF EXPERIENCE!
DO NOT BUY A CAMERA WITH ONLY AN LCD SCREEN!!!

If you like to take outdoor pictures, especially in the sun, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE SCREEN AND WILL BE PISSED OFF!! Make sure you get a camera with an old-school viewfinder. Many manufacturers have stopped putting this on their cameras but Canon and Sony still put them on many models. I see customers every day at work on the weekend (Best Buy) that return many LCD screen only cameras to find out that my advice was really true and they end up being victims of a 15% restocking fee. Don't be the victim!

Stay smart and indulge your creativity!

Damn good advice, Shane....thanks!!

Eargasm · Post by **Eargasm** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:47 pm

Shane is right on. Another thing to consider regarding the screen is the ability to rotate it if needed. Most are built into the camera's frame, but some flip-out and can rotate. This was a big feature for me when it came down to choosing the Canon over the Sony. There have already been many times that I have gotten pics that I couldn't if I had the screen built into the camera.
One last thing - "MACRO" mode...make sure you get a cam that has it. I have taken pictures of ants where you could see the tiny hairs on their bodies!
Comes in handy for not only ant pictures (haha!) but for super close-ups of everything from a single diode solder joint, to a diamond ring that you want to sell on ebay because you've completely given up the idea of ever getting mariried again....err....sumpthin' like that...

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:58 pm

The Canon Powershot S21S is what I have. If you Google it check out the rating's. They're very high.

When I was looking to upgrade my Kodak EasyShare I asked a professional Photographer what he thought
and he said Canon or (High-end) Olympus...When I asked why he said "The Glass"...

jbzoso2002 · Post by **jbzoso2002** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:20 am

nikon d40 digtal slr 6mp under $600 great camara tons of
features a great deal, big bang for buck, a real camera w interchangeable lens's

jimmy

62sg · Post by **62sg** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:56 pm

Thanks everyone for chiming in...am still "looking".
Is not as easy as I thought...like anything else, want to be sure I make the right choice. selection is driving me CRAZY!!...

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:37 pm

Just go to a REAL camera store (not Best Buy) and talk to someone who WANTS your business. Even though I work at Best Buy on the weekends in the camera department, I can't say that everyone is as knowledgable as me. The case that usually presents itself is the overly polished presentation that includes the salesperson not listening to your lifestyle. Usually when you go to a dedicated "mom & pop" camera store, they are professionals. They'll make sure you get the right camera for your needs. They honestly want to see you happy! If you keep trolling around the forum you're going to go nuts. Seriously nuts. Don't do it.

If you can't find good help. Just PM me and I'll evaluate your individual case and give you a couple options that'll fit you perfectly.

curtg · Post by **curtg** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:34 pm

jbzoso2002 wrote:nikon d40 digtal slr 6mp under $600 great camara tons of
features a great deal, big bang for buck, a real camera w interchangeable lens's

jimmy

I'd second that. Very good DSLR for the money. If you want "very quick pictures" you'll definitely want a DSLR. I have a D80 and it's an awesome camera.