digital cameras

[happygrump]

I'll be in the market for a digital camera soon and wonder if fellow TERBites have any recommendations. My budget hovers around the $500 mark. I'd like a 3.2 megapixel with at least a 3x optical zoom.

Any suggestions?

 

[markymark]

I would recommend the Sony Cyber-shot series. You can never go wrong with a Sony.

 

[baci2004]

Elph by canon. I paid $650 for a 4 mp, they are probably less than $500 by now.

 

[kara]

Elph by canon. I paid $650 for a 4 mp, they are probably less than $500 by now.

that's what I have and it's great I got mine a little while ago and paid 535$ . I love it very easy and the size is great.
I would prefer the olympusC60ZOOM it is compact with 6MP (A girl can dream can't she lol)

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.j...ookmark=bookmark_0&oid=89855&catoid=-8025&m=0

 

[canucklehead]

megapixels are a myth ....... get the best quality lens and the best compression logarithms ......... don't buy Sony they use horrible firmware and bad compression ......... any Canon or Nikon ........ personally i prefer Canon products until i got the new D-70 SLR ......... for 699 u get a great 10 x optical and 3.2 mp with the Canon PS1 ......... takes better pictures the our 8 mp Sony with the cheaper PS 1 having more optical zoom at work .....

 

[UMustang]

I've picked up two cameras in your price range recently; Pentax Optio S and a Canon Powershot A75. 3.2mp each, both have 3x Optical zoom and 2x digital. Basically identical cameras in features, both around the $400 mark. The Pentax one is tiny though...fits in an Altoids tin. I think you can pick up the Optio S4, which is the next model up, for under $500.

 

[revolver]

http://www.megapixel.net

you might look at the olympus stylus 300/400 series ...

 

[Big Daddy]

I got a gateway DC-T50 5.25 MP for $250 (US) (www.gateway.com/tv). I did not have any quality problems with it. The only drwaback is the small display screen.

 

[Speedo]

Tough to recommend without knowing what the primary use will be (for instance, if you plan on shooting action sports, you'd want a high optical zoom and fastest burst possible). But I've been very impressed with Canon...

 

[drd]

Speedo makes a valid point...However, I picked up a Minolta DiMage X when it first came out, but now they have the Xi version..I love it, and its in your price range and it's a small camera with no pertruding parts ie) zoom is built inside the camera....also on a sidenote, you'll probably endup spending another 100 or so bux on a memory card, most cameras, esp. the Minolta come with small memory cards...isnt technology wonderful?

 

[oldnwrinkled]

digital camera software...

...how about the software...any good ones out there? The olympus software that comes with the camera is not that good....cuz i can't email out the pix unless i buy the upgrade to the Pro version...

thanks

 

[baci2004]

Whatever camera you decide on make sure you get the fastest memory you can get. The last time I checked "Ultra II" was the best compact flash. If you don't already know, the faster mem shortens the time between shots. I paid $20 more for 256mbs.

 

[h_upmann]

You talk sense, canucklehead.

Megapixels are neither necessary nor sufficient to take quality pictures. Unless you're going to be regularly printing poster size prints, 3MP is plenty. I also agree that Sony is not a great choice. Look at Canon, Oly, Fuji maybe.

I have a Oly 2100UZ (2mp) and a Canon S400 (4mp). Guess which one takes better pictures?

megapixels are a myth ....... get the best quality lens and the best compression logarithms ......... don't buy Sony they use horrible firmware and bad compression ......... any Canon or Nikon ........ personally i prefer Canon products until i got the new D-70 SLR ......... for 699 u get a great 10 x optical and 3.2 mp with the Canon PS1 ......... takes better pictures the our 8 mp Sony with the cheaper PS 1 having more optical zoom at work .....