Why is digital photography so difficult???

Question

I just want a simple digital camera under $300 that I can use to take pictures and print photos and send pictures through the internet. I go shopping and they have a million different options, zooming, auto focus, some don't have usb port attachments, some use disks, etc. What is the best for the novice photographer?

Answer 1

As you have seen, chosing a camera can be difficult because there are so very many models available.

But this is also an advantage because you can find a model that fits well with your lifestyle, budget, and what you intend to do with the camera.

Almost all the under $300 models from major brands (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Kodak, Panasonic, Olympus, etc.) will do the things you mentioned very well. So customize the choice to you. Don't worry too much about technical specs (until you evolve as a photographer and have specific technical requirements).

Cost - set the amount you want to spend

Size - do you want to fit it in your pocket, or do you prefer one that feels substantial in your hands?

Viewfinder - Do you like to look thru a traditional viewfinder to shoot pic, or hold camera out and look thru LCD Screen?

LCD Screen - Do you like a large LCD screen? Many are 2 in or bigger.

Prints - Do you want prints larger than 5x7 inches? Then get at least 5 megapixels. If not 3 to 4 mp is fine.

Internet - Computer does that after cutting down size

Zoom Lens - 3x zooms are on most cameras under $300, this is fine and useful to frame most shots. More powerful zooms are useful for shooting from farther away, but cost more.

Media - Get camera that uses memory cards unless you have unique needs

Automatic mode - all the digicams under $300 have automatic focus and exposure. Manual controls are for more advanced photography (and cost more).

USB - get it to connect to computer. Most digicams include the cable.

Batteries - cameras that use AA's can use regular batteries in an emergency, but these have a very short life in a camera. Rechargeables are much better, and AA's are the lowest cost. Custom rechargeable sizes are common in smaller cameras. These all work well.

So, write down what is important to you and go out to look and feel cameras. Most stores have the cameras powered up so you can take some sample pics in the store. Do it!

If you get one that you LIKE, it will be that much more fun to use it. (Don't worry about browsing a lot. Camera sales people are used to it.)

Happy shopping!

Answer 2

This is the only question I have ever seen where all the answers are good....Don't let all the bells and whistles mess up your fun.....You will, however, need to spend some time (should take no more than a couple hours to begin) reading your manual and learning some of the basic buttons on your new camera...The add ons is where they get you....e.g. usb cables, battery rechargers, memory sticks, hot shoes, etc.. they are part of the cost of the camera...the features you mention come on most cameras...zooming is good, auto focus is very good for a beginner, as is image stabilization...to "send pictures through the internet" obviously you have to get the contents of your camera into some computer...so i recommend you buy the usb connector. I have a gut feeling once you have done this once-- you will want to do it a lot...I use SHUTTERFLY and
PHOTOBUCKET on line services (having already tried a lot of others.) but that is tomorrow's lesson...ABOVE ALL HAVE FUN...THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE FUN...

Answer 3

OK...how 'bout the Canon Powershot A530 for around $200.
It's a 5 meg camera so you can get some good prints out of it. I like optical viewfinders and this has one. You lose a lot of camera stability with out stretched arms holding the camera. It has a USB 2.0 jack so you can download directly to the computer. It is powered by AA rechargeable batteries. (I really like to go this route with inexpensive cameras.....you can always find batteries that will fit if you drain the rechargeables...I also suggest two sets just in case this happens.) Cameras with a unique battery or charging unit can make life hell when they fail.

On the downside it uses SD camera card. I prefer CF cards for the same reason I like AA batteries....I can find them easily and their cost is dropping/per MEG.

Also....for what ever camera you choose DO NOT get caught up in "Digital Zoom" numbers. These are just buzz numbers and you will be sorry if you make a choice based only on this. Optical zoom is more important 3X or 4X is the norm.

Give it a try.

Answer 4

Yes and no. Yes it is much more popular to use digital cameras today than film. No, somebody will always use film, either exclusively or in addition to. There are several things that make digital photography better. I can change the ISO on my camera for each shot, if conditions require. Try that with film. I can see the exposure on each picture as I take it to see if I got it right instead of shooting a whole roll and finding out later that I screwed something up. And of course, there is the recurring cost. No film to buy and pay to have developed. As has been explained, what you see on the internet is indeed of low resolution, due to the fact you are seeing it on a screen which as relatively low resolution. If you print a photo from a decent digital camera, it will have the same resolution as your film camera. And yes, it can be enlarged to the same sizes as your film. You're right, the resolution of a photo cannot be improved, and that goes for both digital and film.

Answer 5

There are lots of good pieces of equipment out there right now, but if I was going to purchase a digicam for $300 or less I'd go with the Canon Powershot A620 7MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom. It's compact, shoots at 7 megapixels (which means you should get good photos upto 15x20), and features an optical rather than digital zoom (digital zooms interpolate pixels which degrade images, not good). This camera is featured at Outpost.com for $249.99.

Answer 6

I would check ebay for a sony DSC-S50, DSC-S70, or DSC-S85. I've used these for years and they are the best I've seen. The lens is actually big enough to let in light and they use a memory stick that is available anywhere for cheap. Also the battery lasts for a very long time and is also very readily available.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Kodak easyshare is the best for picture taken but it you get the dock/printer it will come with usb port and you can download them on the computer!!

Answer 9

I have a little Nikon coolpix 4100. It was only $250 and it is so incredibly easy to use. It takes fantastic pictures!