need a camera

Take all this with a grain of salt as I posted this quite a while back and I'm sure technology in cameras has changed.

Hopefully some of this information can help you decide on a camera. Even the Canon SD600 and 630 are really nice cameras.

Digital vs Optical Zoom- Don't even look at "digital zoom" because it's not worth it. The standard on compact cameras is 3x optical. A couple canons do 4x and the Panasonics do 4-6 usually. There is a pretty compact Kodak that does 10X with its dual lenses (the V610). Anywho, optical zoom is what you want, that's what actually zooms with the lens. The digital zoom crops the picture and blows it up, stretching out the pixels, losing image quality. Now, on the Sony camera (the W100) that has 2X digital zoom, it's not a big deal beacuase its 8 megapixels.

Megapixels- It's all about what your using it for. If you just want to print pictures (4X6 or 5X7) or just put them on the computer/cd to share with friends, you don't really even need 4 megapixels, but that's as low as they can go. People see 8 and think WOW a big number, I need it. But it's usually not the case. 5 and 6 MP cameras are just as good as the 8 if you don't plan on printing large pictures or using their digital zoom. The quality is a tad sharper on an 8, but it's not a necessity.

The Brand Break-Down

Canon- Canons are the Absolute best cameras. Canon focuses on digital cameras, they like to have the best quality photos and the fastest running cameras. They manufacture their own parts (three main things that make a camera what it is are: processor, sensor, and lens). Their processor is the fastest, they start up instantly and there is practically no delay between pictures. They have a line of cameras for beginners (the A series cameras), enthusiasts (SD or ELPH series), and their professionals (the SLRs). Every camera they make has the same good stuff in them. So I always recommend canons, even for beginners. They have a lot of features.. A lot of what I call "photo shop" features can be done right on the camera. (Color accent is the best feature.

Sony- Also very good cameras. The downside to them is their media, the memory stick pro duo is only good in sony products. Thus, it's generally more expensive. Sony knows how to make money. Practically everything that comes with the camera is specific to sony. The nice thing about them is the batteries and chargers. If someone loses a charger, just ask them what kind of battery it is (C,P,T,E,G,R,M... i that's all of them) and grab the charger with that letter on it. Most people like sony because of the Carl Zeiss Lens. So it was used in a telescope, big deal. But it is a very good lens. The quality is comparable between a sony and a canon. Sony's are a little bit more difficult to use, so I wouldn't recommend them to new users.

Nikon- I don't usually recommend the L4 or the L3, those cameras are majorly slow. Slower than a snail. But, the higher end Nikons like the S6 are awesome. Especially the WiFi capabilities... Nikon used to be top of the line, but not so much anymore unless you get into the $400 range. The cheaper cameras are good for people who just take pictures with friends and want something cute and small (chicks usually).

Olympus- they are good for people that just want quality of the image. Olypus really focuses on making their pictures 35mm quality. They specialize in cameras, so why wouldn't they want good quality. A downside to Olympus is none of them have viewfinders. For someone that just wants fantastic quality, get them an olympus. Even recommend the waterproof one (stylus 720). They might not need that feature, but its always cool to have. Another nice thing about olympus is the "all-weather" feature to them.

HP- the R927 is the only HP i recommend. It's a little bulky, but it's an awesome camera. For first timers, HPs are awesome. They can do a lot of things, and the menus are easy to navigate. The Photosmart software is simple too. Plus there's the docking station (explained below) for every one except that E series camera thats cheap...

Kodak- They're called easy share for a reason. They're very easy to use. Everyone in my family owns a Kodak. I don't particularly like them, they feel cheap. But, it is easy to get attachments on them. Someone that wants something half decent for not a lot of money. The only Kodak I like is the V610, and it's not even that good.
 
/\ it is true. i was at best buy and was trying to figure out how to veiw the pictures on a camera and could not so many buttons with little pictures next to them i also had no idea which big button to push to take a picture. it pissed me off.

In that case...
412b20z2beolss400kv7.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-3%2e...%2d00302S/dp/B000SAVBSW/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i
 
/\ then i will look like a even more of creeper than me in my flannel jacket and jewfro. and pants not quite long enough.
 
Canon- Canons are the Absolute best cameras. Canon focuses on digital cameras, they like to have the best quality photos and the fastest running cameras. They manufacture their own parts (three main things that make a camera what it is are: processor, sensor, and lens). Their processor is the fastest, they start up instantly and there is practically no delay between pictures. They have a line of cameras for beginners (the A series cameras), enthusiasts (SD or ELPH series), and their professionals (the SLRs). Every camera they make has the same good stuff in them. So I always recommend canons, even for beginners. They have a lot of features.. A lot of what I call "photo shop" features can be done right on the camera. (Color accent is the best feature.

Sony- Also very good cameras. The downside to them is their media, the memory stick pro duo is only good in sony products. Thus, it's generally more expensive. Sony knows how to make money. Practically everything that comes with the camera is specific to sony. The nice thing about them is the batteries and chargers. If someone loses a charger, just ask them what kind of battery it is (C,P,T,E,G,R,M... i that's all of them) and grab the charger with that letter on it. Most people like sony because of the Carl Zeiss Lens. So it was used in a telescope, big deal. But it is a very good lens. The quality is comparable between a sony and a canon. Sony's are a little bit more difficult to use, so I wouldn't recommend them to new users.

Nikon- I don't usually recommend the L4 or the L3, those cameras are majorly slow. Slower than a snail. But, the higher end Nikons like the S6 are awesome. Especially the WiFi capabilities... Nikon used to be top of the line, but not so much anymore unless you get into the $400 range. The cheaper cameras are good for people who just take pictures with friends and want something cute and small (chicks usually).

Olympus- they are good for people that just want quality of the image. Olypus really focuses on making their pictures 35mm quality. They specialize in cameras, so why wouldn't they want good quality. A downside to Olympus is none of them have viewfinders. For someone that just wants fantastic quality, get them an olympus. Even recommend the waterproof one (stylus 720). They might not need that feature, but its always cool to have. Another nice thing about olympus is the "all-weather" feature to them.

HP- the R927 is the only HP i recommend. It's a little bulky, but it's an awesome camera. For first timers, HPs are awesome. They can do a lot of things, and the menus are easy to navigate. The Photosmart software is simple too. Plus there's the docking station (explained below) for every one except that E series camera thats cheap...

Kodak- They're called easy share for a reason. They're very easy to use. Everyone in my family owns a Kodak. I don't particularly like them, they feel cheap. But, it is easy to get attachments on them. Someone that wants something half decent for not a lot of money. The only Kodak I like is the V610, and it's not even that good.

I wouldn't recommend Kodak or HP. While they're decent, there are better cameras for the money.
 
I wouldn't recommend Kodak or HP. While they're decent, there are better cameras for the money.

I'm sure there are Brother. Like I said I haven't really kept up on it. I do know when my dad had a Kodak, Granted it wasn't the greatest camera, Anyone could operate it.

The last camera I purchased, Hopefully my last was a Nikon D80. I bought it at the time I was working at BestBuy, So I purchased it dirt cheap. It's proven to be the best camera I've ever had. I found it to be the best introductory DSLR..
 
I currently use the Sony Cybershot T-33 and the Canon SD630. Both are slim and light cameras.

Practically everything that comes with the camera is specific to sony.

I actually like this feature. There's a Memory Stick reader on my Sony television, and my Sony Vaio.
 
Canon SD630.

I agree wholeheartedly with you on that one. Very popular camera. I'm thinking on buying the SD870 or 750 here soon. The D80 is great when I go on trips and want to get some good shots out, But it's not realistic to take out for a night on the town with my girlfriend you know.

Hey Chickenlover, Check out the SD750, Very nice camera for your budget...$199.99
 
I wouldn't recommend Kodak or HP. While they're decent, there are better cameras for the money.

My HP M425 isn't too bad for the money. Not the greatest of picture quality, but better than my mom's FugiFilm camera. Plus easy to operate, so they are stupid proof. :p My mom's friend has a Kodak that I have to deal with sometimes to transfer pictures. I can't figure out all the stupid functions and such. My HP was easy. I wanted a Nikon or Canon, but they weren't in my price range.
 
I agree wholeheartedly with you on that one. Very popular camera. I'm thinking on buying the SD870 or 750 here soon.

It's a very durable digital camera. It's been a companion on all my trips, including numerous theme parks. Meaning it's been in harsh weather, wet, and shaken violently while still working.
 
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