Digital Camera Buying Advice

tmantman
Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I'm looking into buying my first digital camera. I'd like something in the 3 megapixel range for about $400 to $500. I've heard that Olympus is good but would like some feedback from you experienced users and/ or resources you may know of for comparitive information. Thanks in advance for the help.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    If you're main concern is size, go for the Canon Digital Elph S230.



    If your main concern is image quality, look at the Olympus C-Series or Sony DSC-S75.



    For something that is small, takes good photos, and looks pretty nice, I would probably go with the Canon S30.



    <a href="http://www.dpreview.com"; target="_blank">www.dpreview.com</a> is the best digital camera buyer's resource out there.



    Also, when you're ready to buy, always check coupon/deal finding sites for Dell's special coupons.



    <a href="http://www.techbargains.com"; target="_blank">www.techbargains.com</a>

    <a href="http://www.gotapex.com"; target="_blank">www.gotapex.com</a>

    <a href="http://www.slickedeals.net"; target="_blank">www.slickedeals.net</a>



    You can usually find Dell's prices to be the among the cheapest out there if you just happen land on their frequent deals. Dell has 15% off anything in there Software & Peripherals store through tomorrow.



    <a href="http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&; Product_Code=SON+DSCS75&source=PriceGrabber.datafe ed.SON+DSCS75.text" target="_blank">Sony DSC-S75 for $400</a> from J&R
  • Reply 2 of 15
    kecksykecksy Posts: 1,002member
    I recently purchased a Sony S75. Great camera. It works well in OS X. The memory stick even shows up as a drive when the camera is connected. The images it takes are colorful and crisp. It come with a Carl Zies lens and has menus which allow you to change the exposure and F-stops. It's definitely a quality camera, probably the best in its price range if you're not looking for a small camera.
  • Reply 3 of 15
    the installerthe installer Posts: 910member
    Digital Hub, Eugene, no?



    - T.I.
  • Reply 4 of 15
    macaficionadomacaficionado Posts: 121member
    tman:



    The only thing I can tell you is that the Olympus C-720 takes awesome pictures. But, my problem with it is that it takes a good second and sometimes second and a half to snap the pictures after you press the button. This is especially frustrating when you try to take a picture of your daughter making a funny face and you press the button, when the camera takes the picture, daughter is looking somewhere else.



    Hope I helped!
  • Reply 5 of 15
    kecksykecksy Posts: 1,002member
    Oh one more thing...



    The Sony S75 takes pictures very quickly, unlike some Olympus cameras
  • Reply 6 of 15
    tmantman Posts: 66member
    Thanks for the feedback. Bought the Sony S75 from J&R. Should come today I hope. Great price too. I saw it at CompUSA yesterday for $100.00 more.
  • Reply 7 of 15
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    what can people recommend for &lt;$300 range...i was looking at cannon, and possibly something with compact flash, cuz i have a 192mb CF card
  • Reply 8 of 15
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    [quote]Originally posted by ast3r3x:

    <strong>what can people recommend for &lt;$300 range...i was looking at cannon, and possibly something with compact flash, cuz i have a 192mb CF card</strong><hr></blockquote>



    If you want a compact camera, get the Canon Digital Elph S200 or maybe the A40. You won't find any decent 3 megapixel for ~$300 from a reputable dealer.
  • Reply 9 of 15
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    [quote]Originally posted by Eugene:

    <strong>



    If you want a compact camera, get the Canon Digital Elph S200 or maybe the A40. You won't find any decent 3 megapixel for ~$300 from a reputable dealer.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    ...so you know where i can get a stolen one?
  • Reply 10 of 15
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    anyone got the link to which cameras are supported by OS X?
  • Reply 11 of 15
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphoto/compatibility/"; target="_blank">http://www.apple.com/iphoto/compatibility/</a>;



    Some of the newer cameras like the S230 aren't on the list, but they will work if you have a bit of tech savvy. It basically involves adding a few lines of XML to one file and a reboot...
  • Reply 12 of 15
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    i'm looking at the Powershot A40, i liked this camera 2months ago and its still a personal favorite, is there anyone that can suggest this camera or another thats better that is under 300?
  • Reply 13 of 15
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    check out the digital hub forum as well. this same topic has been discussed in length there, i believe the thread got quite long. that should have everything pretty well covered.
  • Reply 14 of 15
    thegeldingthegelding Posts: 3,230member
    tman...did you get your camera yet?? i went to jandr also....they offered me the sony dsc-s85 for $499 so i went for that (the 75 at $399 is probably a better deal)....the extra pixels and larger memory stick tempted me too much (of course i ordered an extra 128 stick that i will use in the camera...the 16 mb stick will go in the sony camcorder we have)...hoping to see mine is a couple of days...need it for the holiday season (halloween, thanksgiving, x-mas) so i can update the homepage.....have fun with yours and let us know how you like it....g
  • Reply 15 of 15
    tmantman Posts: 66member
    I checked the UPS tracking site and it's coming today 10/15- can't wait. I looked at the s85 too- very tempting but figured my marriage was probably more important (just got a new PM last month). I got the extra 64 stick and the case too. Post a review after you've had a chance to play with that puppy a little. I'll do the same.
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