What digital camera are y'all using?

[Radshooter]

It is time to upgrade from our $99 Walmart special. We bought it to see if we liked a digital and how much we would use it. We like it a lot and use it a bunch, but I think it is time for a better camera now.



We use it mostly for outdoorsy camping/vacation type things. My main beef about the cheapo is that you can't see the screen outdoors, even on a cloudy day. My second beef is that the reaction time is too slow. I tried to take pics of Shamu doing his thing. I snapped the shutter when he started coming out of the water, and in the picture, all I got was the splash at the end!



We looked at a Fuji S5000 for $380, and kinda liked it a bunch. Was also wondering about the Canon Rebel line of cameras, but don't know much about them yet. Looking to spend around $350-400 on the thing. Don't need super duper top of the line, but want something better than the $99 we have now.



I really like the quality of some of the pics I have seen on the boards here, and was just wondering what you guys were using.



Thanks... ... . Steve

 

[PJereb]

Pentax Optio MX



It is a neat unit, and can take digital video with sound; video length is only limited by how large of a memory card you have. 10X optical zoom, takes great photos, and is nearly instantaneous at capturing the photos.



Got mine at Costco for $400

 

[gonehuntingagain]

You will like the Fuji S5000, especially if you invest in a large memory card. I have one, and can immediately tell the difference between pictures taken with it and those taken by my buddies cheap camera. You can also set it to take multiple pics when you hold down the button and a "sport" mode for action pictures - would have been great for the pics of Shamu. The color clarity is awesome. I bought mine for taking pictures in the outdoors, and the zoom works well - although I would like to have more zoom for those small things at a long distance.

 

[Bob Wagner]

take a look at nikon too. lots of features at the lower end cost too

 

[KBennett]

I will put my vote in for the Fuji S5000. You can take rapid pictures and the clarity is really good. It has a ton of features that I have not even used.

I paid $299 at www.digitalfotoclub.com last Christmas. Good service and I just helped my Dad get a low end Fuji from them with zero issues.

Here is a picture I took with mine set at 1Mpixel this last weekend:

(reduced for TDR)

#ad

 

[crobertson1]

KBennett,

WHO took that picture?

 

[Radshooter]

KBennett and gonehuntingagain... . thanks for the input on the Fuji. I grew up on 35mm and did most of my stuff on manual settings. The Fuji reminds me a lot of that with all the settings it has.



KBennett, it looks like it was pretty sunny when you took that picture. Can you guys see the LCD in the sun like that? On my cheapo, you can't even tell the screen is lit, much less frame a picture with it.



Thanks..... Steve

 

[Hohn]

I love my Canon

My Canon has taken some great pictures for me... Powershot Pro1.



I'd post some pics from here in Italy, but I can't get the "improved" picture poster to work!!! AARRGGH!



Let's test it



jlh

 

[ladyjaine]

I found http://www.dpreview.com/ to be a great place to find information about digital cameras. Some if it is way to technical to be useful, but he reports on the response time of cameras.



Jean

 

[dresslered]

I use to swear by the Nikon 35mm equipment. The optics just can't be beat! After my son was born, I purchased the Canon G2 (I think that they are up to the G5 now). It's an older camera, but the picture quality is supurb. Have not used my old Nikons ever since.

 

[nickleinonen]

i got an older sony dsc-p50 that works pretty well... it is a 2. 0Mp... i am happy with it, but i think my battery is shot, and it doesn't work anymore on standard AA batteries... so, i think i am going to upgrade to something later on... i do like the sony's interface to work with, but i may end up going to canon for my next one [if i can get it cheap; i can get sony's for dealer cost, and maybe less if i sweet talk the sales rep]



then fix up my p50 to get it working again with AA batteries, and take that to work to leave in my toolbox [instead of the disposable camera i have there now]

 

[SSage]

I use two Canon point and shoot types. The A60 and the A80. Very easy to use, uses AA's, good software. The A80 gives you a good number of manual options and is well built.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks guys. This will take a while to sort out all the technical stuff. We have a couple of Ritz stores in town, so I may check out some of these cameras and get some hands-on impressions.



Thanks... Steve

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Honestly... I say why bother with the super duper fancy cams unless you need it. I'm going to be buying a $140 Nikon Coolpix 2200. 3X optical zoom and 2 MP perfect enough for 4x6 prints and great web shots. Upgrading from my PowerShot S200 that was stolen in my truck.

 

[JLEONARD]

Here's another vote for the Cannon G2. Wife is the photo bug inthe family... she takes some incredible pics with the Cannon.

She wants to upgrade to the newer Cannons... just like BOMBing. . it never ends.

One nice thing about the G2 . . and others I'm sure... is that the battery does not take a memory. . it can be charged up to full anytime. That would be a feature to look for.

Good luck.

Jay

 

[dresslered]

I agree with Jay, a lithium battery is a must.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I picked up a Nikon Coolpix 885 for a hundred bucks and an old Victor torch set (still got the Smiths with hoods and tanks). Works fine. I can take many many high res pics with the card I got. Has rechargeable lithiums which last for days unless you use the monitor which sucks a lot of juice. Seems to me the monitor is a worthless thing, so I turn mine off as soon as it fires up.



I sure would like one of the new SLR digitals, e. g. Nikon D70.



We also have a bunch of Olympus D490 Zooms which have worked well also.

 

[Chipstien]

Love my Digital SLR Rebel. However, considering I got close to 1700 into it now might put it out of your price range. I am getting ready to purchase a third digi-cam to use exclusively for taking with me when dirt-biking. I have decided on the Fuji s5000. For the price it seems to be about the best.