I'm planning to buy a digital camera for the first time, money doesn't matter, what is the best out there?

Question

If you think the camera you're suggesting is the best, can you let me know why. Thanks!

Answer 1

Please post a new question. Tell us what you plan to use the camera for most of the time, and what your prior experience is with photography. With this information, we will be much more helpful to you. This may be your first digital camera purchase, but you may have 20 years of experience with photography.

In the event you don't get back to us, I'll post my stock "best point and shoot" response.

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 It looks like this model has been replaced by the A630, which I would expect to be just as popular.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 appears quite similar and shares the "600" series numbering, so I guess it's just another upgraded version of the now-classic A620. It looks pretty much the same except for being a 10 MP camera.

I own a few Nikon DSLR's and I'd buy the Canon A630 or A640 for myself.

The A620 was rated about twice as good as any as far a battery life. I hope the A630 and A640 are just as good. Use Energizer e2 LITHIUM batteries and you will be happy with battery life.

With this camera, you will find the memory card is a cute little token of thanks from Canon, but not much more. Buy a 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II or Extreme III card. You will NEED the increased capacity and write speed to fully realize the benefits of your camera. I see a rebate on the Sandisk Extreme III cards that actually makes them cheaper than the Ultra II's, so there is no reason not to buy the faster card. The rebate offer ends 12-31-06, though. If you don't find this elsewhere, I saw it at http://www.bhphotovideo.com


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

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a640.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a630.html

If you want a sleek, smaller camera that will easily fit in your pocket, consider the Canon Powershot SD600. It gives up some of the features of the A630 and 640, but at least it still has an optical viewfinder, which I consider to be essential.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a630%2Ccanon_a640%2Ccanon_sd600&show=all

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/sd600.html

Now - if you want to know what I think it "THE BEST" while still paying a little attention to a real world budget, I love my Nikon D200. If you want simplicity, get this camera and a Nikon 18-200 VR lens (any dealer will know which one I mean) and leave it set on "P" while you learn how to use it. You'll have to decide whether you need to pop up the flash or not as the camera won't do that for you (like some entry level cameras will), but a quick glance at the LCD will show you if you had enough light or not. This will set you back about $2,000, but you'll be the envy of all your photographer friends. If that's just a bit too much, get a Nikon D80 instead of the D200. The D80 will add a few more automatic modes, too, to make it easier for a novice.

Answer 2

It kind of depends on what you want to do with the camera. What level of photography do you want to do? This is a list of the best camera ( in my opinion) in each different class of digital camera. I'm sorry i didn't put the reasons why I think they are the best for each as that would have taken a whole month to write. These are listed from the Best of the Best to the Basic Entry Level Camera. I hope this helps a little.


Digital SLR (over $2000)- Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II

Digital SLR ($1000-2000) - Nikon D200

Digital SLR (under $1,000)- Pentax K100D or Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D

10-12X Optical "Super" Zoom- Canon Powershot S3 IS* or Sony Cybershot H5*


Cameras with WiFi Builtin - Nikon Coolpix P1

6-10 Megapixel- Sony Cybershot R1 or Canon Powershot A640


Entry-Level - Canon Powershot A430 or Nikon Coolpix L4

Answer 3

If money is no object, go for the Canon Digital Rebel. They're very pricey ($800.00 and up) but they're every bit as good as any old-fashioned film-using 35 mm SLR on the market. Canon digital cameras are generally the best of the bunch because they got into digital cameras before any of the other companies (except for Kodak) and they have invested a lot in digital camera technology. WARNING: The Canon Digital Rebel is one of those big, clunky cameras -- yes, they are the best, but if you're looking for something a little more portable, the Canon digital ELPH cameras are first-rate.

Answer 4

if money is not an issue for you, pick out either a sony dsc-n1 (8.1 megapixels) or sony dsc-n2(10 megapixels) both are very beautiful looking, both have 3 inch LCDs, they both are touch screen, also has a unique slideshow feature and can allow you to put music in the presentations- you can also upload songs in it to use for slideshows, all this - without using a computer.
Because it is touch screen, you can also doodle on your pictures, write captions, or draw shapes on pictures even right after taking the pic

I got my sony dsc-n1 just last month - this was in my wishlist for the longest time and I saved up for it for quite a while. I am absolutely pleased with it. the battery life is pretty decent. if your battery is fully charged, you can take at least 180 pictures (with flash).

It looks beautiful and people will envy you when they see you carrying it around :)

hope this helps.

Answer 5

Casio EX-S600 (or it's big brother). I bought this camera last week and am amazed at the quality of the pictures it takes. I love the super-fast shutter speed which enables you to snap a picture of say individual drops of water from a shower spray. I'll have a merry Christmas indeed!

Answer 6

Hasselblad. It's only about $35,000. Can't beat the resolution though!

Answer 7

canon a530
fuji f30

fuji if you plan more low light shooting

both pretty cheap but still good image quality

Answer 8

the best brand 2 get iz HP top of da line