Digital Camera?

Question

I'm looking into getting a digital camera and I'm not sure where to start? What type of questions should I be asking? What should I look for in a camera? What brands are the best? I do know that I want a camera that I could bring to the drug store and have them print the pictures. I think most cameras can do that already. Keep in mind that I don't know the camera lingo so be clear and detailed in explaining yourself. Thanks

Answer 1

Sounds like you are looking for a good education. Check the review sites. They will give you a great idea of what is important and what is fluff. A lot of "features" on many digital cameras is marketing hype. Much of it to make up for other short comings. The main marketing "feature" that everyone hang their hat on is Megapixels. This is because it is easily measured and quantified. Much harder to quantify and makes the single biggest impact on picture quality is the lens. It makes no difference how many megapixels you have in your camera if the image coming through the lens is bad the picture will be bad. Some now advertise some kind of built in the camera body dust removal system or Image stabilization. This is done by attaching the very sensitive sensor to a mechanical system to move/shake the sensor rapidly. This is hype to make up for the fact that they lost the MP war and trying to distract the uninformed buying public. The more mechanical devices the more points of failure. The fewer moving parts the better and more reliable the design. Believe in the only saying "K.I.S.S." (keep it simple stupid). If I need image stabilization, I break out a tripod. Cheaper and more reliable (monopod if hiking).

You can send the pictures over the internet to many big box stores (walmart, walgreens, CVS, target, and others) and they will print the pictures for you and you only have to pick them up. Cheaper than printing them yourself. You get to look them over first and only print the ones you want to keep. Much better than film and just dropping them off and hoping that you get what you want. All you have to do is move the pictures from your removable media flash card (SD,MMC,Compact Flash, etc,etc) to your computer. I recommend a flash card reader for simple operation. Looks like removable drive to your computer.

here is a list of camera review sites. Study and make your own decision. Determine your needs. What type of photography are you planning to do? Snapshots or more serious photography? For snapshots go with a Point & Shoot camera. Undecided but think you may take it further, get a entry level dSLR.

Answer 2

I just bought a Nikon Coolpix L1 2 weeks ago, in Vancouver, BC. I absolutely love the results. I am totally ignorant of digital cameras, and all I knew was that I wanted one that could take black and whites, and zoom close ups. This one was suggested to me by the guy in the store, and I checked out a bunch of others too, but decided this one was best. It is 6 megapixels (gives a clear pic., as I understand and found out), and 5x zoom. It also does macro photography, where you can photographs things from a very close range. The camera cost $299.00, and with the case, extra chip capable of taking 125 pics, and batteries, the whole package cost $405. Well worth it, and a good deal, I think. You for sure will need the extra chip, otherwise it will only take a very few pics. The camera comes with a cable to download to your computer, software to tell you how to use it and an understandable instruction book - nice, for a change!! However, I took it to WalMart and had them print off the pics for me, from my chip, onto a disk. The chip then goes back in your camera, and you can delete the pics and start over. I put the disk on my computer and played around with the pictures - great fun, and you can't wreck any of them, cos they're all on the disk anyway!!
So - good luck with your search. This worked like a charm for me and I love it.

Answer 3

You will need to decide how much you want to spend, after all, that will determine want sort of camera you want.

The bigger the mega pixel, the more detailed your pictures will be. 5 mega pixel is really the lowest you want to go.

The zoom is important. How much zoom do you want? And remember, there are two zoom factors. There is also the digital zoom, where after the shot, you can zoom in even more.

Also, you will need to by a disk for external memory. The higher the mb or gb (mega byte or giga byte) the more pictures you can take. The external disk is also what you would take to the store to get photos printed.

If you have a computer and a printer, you need a photo editing software, to get rid of red-eye, crop, or any other editing you would like to do. There are SO many to choose from!

I would suggest you go to Best Buy, Circuit City, or any store like that to get the information and try a few out. However, go online to get the best pricing.

Answer 4

For a beginner, I would recommend the Kodak Easy Share line. They are good cameras that are relatively easy to use. As far as going to the drug store and having your pics printed, you just take out the memory card (the instruction manual will walk you through the steps), and take that to the photo lab. Most digital cameras use a SD (secure digital) memory card.

Answer 5

Digital Camera........

Answer 6

I would look at the Casio Exilim thin-camera line available at Radio Shack. I would recommend either the 5 or 6 megapixels model. It is a very think camera, very easy-to-use menus, gorgeous large screen, takes great photos, and even high quality videos. I have the Exilim EX-S500 (5 megapixel) and I love it! People always ask me about it as it is very impressive. The cost for the 5 megapixel is about $250, and $350 for the 6 megapixel.

Here is the one I own:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2145807&cp=&origkw=exilim&kw=exilim&parentPage=search

Try it at a local store. I think that you would like it.

Answer 7

Try the link below.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=329&pq-locale=en_US

I have used a variety of cameras and currently have a kodak p850 which is great. You sound like you only need a point & shoot model which means the camera does all the work for you. They are pretty cheap and take good pictures. Good luck in your search.

Answer 8

If u want to buy a camera
then ask a question abt.
Brand
Mega pixel
internal memory
upgradeable memory
red eye reduction

Answer 9

if money is an issue then go for a year or two older model from a good company. also consider how much you'll use it and how good you are with keeping electronics working. if money is no worries then get a sony, can never go wrong with sony.

Answer 10

umm i got mine at wal-mart and it is just a cheap one it works great