what is the best digital camera to buy?

Question

cos im planning to buy one next month :0)

what is the best camera to buy and why?

Answer 1

there is no 'best' digital camera. There are a lot of different ones in a variety of different classes. Think about what features you want- but you'll probably need to do some research about what features are available.

cost
Size: compact, regular, ultrazooms, DSLRs
Zoom range: More zoom range usually means larger... but there are a few models that are both compact and give you a huge zoom... but not surprisingly -you sacrifice a bit of image quality. All depends on your priorities.
ISO range: how light sensitive the camera is. DSLRs are the best, followed by a few models from Fuji, then the rest of the field. If you want to take photos indoors without a flash- that narrows down the field considerably to the Fuji F30/20 and their S6500 and S9500 if you want ultrazooms.

Look for a camera that starts up quickly- most new ones do, and that focusses quickly and reliably. 0.3 sec is very good, 0.6 sec average and 1.0 second delay is slow (and really annoying). I bought one a few years ago that takes 6 seconds to start up... how annoying!

do some research- and then come back and ask us more questions. there are some great camera review web sites out there. Look them up. Steves-digicams, Imaging-resource, Dpreview.

Answer 2

Start with the budget. This may seem backwards, but it's not. You can find a decent camera to match any amount of money you want to spend.

Next, find a friend who will help you learn how to use the camera. This "friend" could even be the clerk in your local photo shop. By "photo shop," I mean an actual camera shop or at least a camera department where the sales staff only deals with cameras and not dishwashers, too. Buy the camera that your friend recommends so that they will be able to teach you how to use it.

After you know what you are doing and are ready for your next camera - and this will come sooner than you think - you will be in a position to make your own choice.

If you have some vague ideas about price and desired features, go to http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp and see what they select for you.

Choose the best one by deciding what you want to do, how much you want to learn, how far you want to progress and how much you want to spend.

http://www.dcresource.com/buyersguide/
http://www.dcresource.com/buyersguide/shopping_tips.shtml
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
http://www.popphoto.com/buyingguide/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3148/top-5-digital-cameras-for-august.html

Consumer Reports for November 2006 has ranked the Canon Powershot A620 as the best compact digital camera. It is becoming almost a legend for longevity at the top of various consumer lists. It looks like this model has been replaced by the A630, which I would expect to be just as popular. The A640 is virtually the same, but it is 10 MP instead of 8 MP (A630) or 7 MP (A620).

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a620%2Ccanon_a630%2Ccanon_a640&show=all

If you want to trim the budget a little, the Canon Powershot A430, A530 or A540, are all great choices. You will still need a decent memory card as discussed above, though.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a430%2Ccanon_a530%2Ccanon_a540&show=all

Answer 3

Everyone will choose their own camera. I bought a Sony DSC-H2 and I'm quite satisfied. It has 6 megapixels and 12X optical zoom. Comes with battery charger. I did not want to get into Digital SLR's so I purposely choose a camera where I couldn't change lenses. Wanted to keep costs low. I just hope it wasn't a mistake.

Answer 4

you need to shop around there are all kinds of good cameras to buy. some ppl like a big screen small easy to carry around camera. othes are looking for koo features lik video with sound. do u want it to zoom and these cameras are usually bulky. do u think u will want to make enlargements of ur pics, then u'll need a high megapixel, the higher the better. i know alot bout dig. cameras cuz i used to work as a photo center specialist

Answer 5

Sony and Cannon are good brands... But it also depends on what price range you are looking at.. You can get rather cheap ones like Kodak, but they aren't as good.. Ask an assistant at a camera shop, and they would be more than willing to help out :-)

Answer 6

I own 2 Nikons and love them. Canon is ok, I don't think there SLRs are made as well as Nikon, there plastics seem cheap. I wouldn't buy a Sony if someone paid me, why invest in there expensive media storage that can only be used on Sony products?

Answer 7

Canon PowerShot G7 why: 10 megapixels 24X combined zoom image stabilizer and many more. Is the best thing out there.

Answer 8

Sony and Canon

Answer 9

Cannon..