Purchasing a new camera. Suggestions?

Question

I am looking to purchase a new camera soon. My current one is VERY outdated. I only want to spend around $300.00 and will mainly use it for taking pictures of my 2 year old daughter and 9 month old son. Does anyone have any suggestions as what to look for or any personal preferences??? Thanks!

Answer 1

There a lots of good ones out there in that price range today. I assume you are talking about a digital camera. Make certain to get as much optical zoom as you can. Most smaller cameras only have about 3X with additional digital zoom. Sony has a larger model that has a 12X optical zoom from just over $300. Sony also uses a great Carl Zeiss lens that, in my opinion, separates them from other companies. Another important feature is the new "Stabilization". This keeps your picture still even if you shake the camera!!! Lastly, even though the batteries cost more money, get a camera that uses a rechargeable NiMH battery. If you plan to shoot lots of pics or your kids (or anything for that matter) it will save you money versus buying disposable ones. Today, you can get 2GB memory cards for about $100 or less. These cards allow about 1000 hi res shot, many more low res and even about 80 minutes of video if you camera has that capability. If you do not want to spend more than $300, I think the most important features to have a stabilization and at least 3X optical zoom. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

You are in luck. Go to Yahoo home page, and they have a thing on digital cameras and have the top five listed.

For the money you are willing to spend, try eBay and search for Digital Cameras and you will have a ton to choose from. You can get a really good digital camera, some up to 12 mega pixels with 1Giga Byte of storage. Some double as a video camera and get zoom and lots more for a whole lot less than $300.00.

I would look at the top five, and you will get an education on whats hot and whats not, as well as knowing what to look for on eBay if you go there. You can get some super bargains on eBay. I got a $289.00 Chi swing machine for under $60.00. Brand new.

Hope I have been of some assistance to you,

Good Luck, and enjoy your new camera, whatever you decide on.

Darryl S.

Answer 3

buy it from ritzcamera.com, no sales taxes, free delievery, and you can take it back to any ritz camera store if you need too. Shop online there for deal. For around 300, you should get at least 5 megapixels.

Best thing to do is go to a store and finger them. Don't buy the hype of Nikon being best. Some cameras have better options for your needs or feel better to use. Pentax for example makes an awesome water proof camera with great video options as well. Pentax also make probably the best lense. However, you might find the options on the Kodak cameras more. Best thing to do is try them out at the store then come home and buy online for the discount.

You can get really cheap camera memory at CompUSA or circuit city cheaper than the camera store.

Answer 4

Hi fuji, Olympus or canon would be the best as use to sell these the kodak is ok but the cheaper models are made as throw aways & if they break you will probably need a new one, also memory for compact flash canon cameras is slightly cheaper than the xp card some fuji & olympus takes but they are much smaller memory cards so the cameras can be made smaller also, generallt look for one that has a minimum of 3mega pixels then you should be fine for family pictures of just kids.

Answer 5

This is a great site for evaluation of cameras by a professional photographer. It also has a link to some of the best prices you will find for these cameras.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php

What you will find is that Canon makes the best cameras in that price range ($200 to $300).

Probably, the one you want is the Canon PowerShot A540:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a540-review/

If you want a more portable camera consider the Canon PowerShot SD550 Digital ELPH:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sd550-review/

You could also get an ultrazoom camera. These are very nice and last year's models can be purchased for cheap. Probably the best camera for you to buy in your price range is the Canon PowerShot S2 IS:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s2-review/

So, it basically boils down to this. Do you want your camera to have the best resolution (A540), a killer zoom feature (S2 IS) or to be ultra-compact (SD550 ELPH)? Each of these camera is a very good value for the money and probably the best possible cameras in your price range.

Answer 6

Just about the best place on the internet for review of digital cameras is http://www.dpreview.com/

If you find that overwhelming, I'd suggest going to Amazon.com to their digital camera section and seeing what the current best sellers are. That's usually a sign. You can sort at Amazon for price, megapixel, etc...

Keep in mind though that most point and shoot digital cameras have a shutter lag and aren't that good for capturing things very quickly (like fast moving little kids).

Once you decide what you want, try www.pricegrabber.com to search for the place who has it for the best price.

good luck

Answer 7

I highly suggest a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 Digital Camera. The Cyber-Shot has 7.2 megapixels, a 3 inch screen, and a Super Steady Shot System, so every picture is sharp and perfect! You can buy them for about $350. Even though it's a little over your price range, it'd be well worth it!

Answer 8

The best cameras are nikon and Fujifilm.
If you want a one for 300$ You should look for one with camcorder. Ask if the camcorder on your digital camera can zoom in and zoom out while it's recording. I have the Nikon coolpix S6. It makes very nice pohotos.

Answer 9

I've owned a Canon, a Sony, a Vivitar, and two from Olympus. They were all good, but the Vivitar and the Olympus cameras were the best (particularly the Olympus).

Answer 10

Get a sony. I have owned 2. THey are excellent cameras which take excellent pictures. You won't regret it!