What's the best brand for a digital camera?

Question

What would be the best brand for a digital camera with a price range from 100-200 dollars?

Answer 1

I think best the camera in your price range is the Canon Powershot A540. You can find it "everywhere" for about $170. I've recommended this camera within my own family, so I'll be living with the results of this recommendation right along with you. You can use the rest of your budget to buy a decent memory card.

Go here and read an extensive review:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a540.html

Check the sample images, too.

This will blow your mind. The A530 is now discontinued, but it was the "little brother" to the A540.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/150-vs-5000-dollar-camera.htm

Canon just introduced the A550, which has more pixels, but offers less user control. I'd be happy with the A540.

A550 review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/a550.html

You will need to add a memory card and I suggest the Sandisk or Lexar brand in any speed. You will spend from about $20 for a 512 KB card, which is perfectly adequate, to about $40 for a Sandisk Ultra II, which is as good as you'd ever want for this or many other cameras.

My brother has the A540 and my mother-in-law has the A530 - on my recommendation - and neither one has stopped speaking to me yet.

Answer 2

65% of all digital cameras are from all manufactures are made in Hong Kong from a company called Premier Digital Imaging. The only cameras made in house, by their own R&D department is Canon, Nikon, Samsung (sometimes purchases from Premier) and some from Fuji, and some from Kodak. So obviously Canon and Nikon for example will be a little more, not much, and of course carry great products. Most digital cameras are the same these days with electronic technology. However, the most important thing to keep a list of is, Optical image stabalization (no digital stabalization), Optical zoom not digital, you dont need higher then 10 megapixel unless your a pro, fits nice in your hand, good easy menu to read and operate, large range ISO, and any other features you personally may want like MP3 or Video recording. CCD chips and CMOS chips are very similiar as in image quality unless you zoom it to 100% and go over it with a fine tooth comb. I own a Canon 5D and Canon still uses CMOS censors, one because they read and write faster, and also to keep the cost down. However, color and sharpness is BAIRLEY affected, not noticeable. So don't let someone talk you into paying more for a camera with a CCD chip. Thats the very basic important things to remember. Hope that somewhat helps.....

Answer 3

Canon and Sony make excellent cameras- but you do pay a bit extra for their name. from a value standpoint, you'll do much better with a Fuji or a Panasonic, although I think only the Fuji F20 gets into your price range (and has truly top notch image quality and usability)

Kodak is a nice choice as well. They've got great user interfaces, probably the best color rendition and are well priced. Pixel level image quality doesn't quite keep up with Canon- but for the average person- you'll never notice the difference in regular sized prints- even up to 8x10".

Answer 4

If you’re looking for a point & shoot, user friendly digital camera, I have to say, I like Canon. Nothing against the other brands, my choice for Canon is based on personal experience and their reputation.

Canon has an awesome line of cameras that can fit any kind of budget and offers different features depending on type of photography usage.

My typical stock advice for those shopping for a point & shoot digital camera, you should consider the following: 1) 5 mp this is best for most users. 2) OPTICAL zoom with at least 4X. (Digital zoom shouldn’t be high priority in a digital camera). 3) camera ought to have an viewfinder. Some models are doing away with the viewfinder. It is very helpful to have, when your the subject is difficult to see in the LCD/display screen on a very bright day, or to conserve battery life. (Continuous screen use, suck up battery life). 4) Uses AA regular or rechargeable batteries. Some models have specialized lithium ion batteries, where you charge it while in the camera. With AA, you can always pick up a spare if you find yourself caught with low batteries and are not able to charge the camera/lithium ion battery quickly. 5)And a PLUS, can take video/movie mode. (Which most do!)

Canon has an awesome line that can fit the bill. Consider the PowerShot models, the A460, A550/A560 and A630/A640. Or check out the SD models. Here is a link to Canon’s cameras: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113
These models have helpful pre-set shooting modes that you choose for the particular picture situation you are about to shoot. Like: auto(matic), portrait, nighttime, landscape, indoor, snow, beach, kids & pets (subjects that won’t keep still), and more… Some models have more modes than others, and have the option to program/set your own manual setting, so check the specifications. You should bear in mind, with physical size of the camera, (subcompact/slim/flat vs. compact), you compromise features that are available on the compact/slightly larger models.

I own the Canon PowerShot A620 which I purchased new online last Spring. My favorite feature of this model is the vari-angle display/LCD screen. It protects the screen when not in use, and helpful for odd angle shots. Picture taking is instant! I have found lag time is not an issue, with this camera, compared to my first digital camera. They now have an updated version of my A620… the A630 and A640. Here is a review and its features (keep scrolling to see the vari-angle screen), up close and personal:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a630_a640-review/index.shtml

Here is where I go to shop on-line for the best price for digital cameras. (Which I found to have considerable better prices than going locally to your nearest digital camera dealer). You may be able to find most of the models I mentioned above, within your price range. Just type in your camera model in the ‘search keyword’: http://lowpricedigital.com/category.asp?master_category_Id=1000 Buy soon or check daily, for prices changes daily amongst merchants. Also check if the camera is being sold ‘new’ or ‘refurbished’.

If you’d rather buy from the store, check the usual places, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target, and camera stores. Even consider Office Max, Office Depot, CostCo/Sam’s Club---any store with a camera department.

Don't forget to budget for a SD/MMC card. Canon and Kodak uses a memory card, which are also used by some mp3 players, PDAs and other electronic devices. (I saw a 1G 'bout $30 at Wal-Mart yesterday). Sony uses memory stick. I don't know what the other brands use...

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have a Kodak digital camera. When I bought it, it was $150. I think it is less now. It works great and is very durable. I once dropped it on my driveway when I slipped on the ice and except for a few scratches, it was just as good as brand new!

Answer 6

Well definitely a Sony. Nothing but a Sony. The Coca-Cola of Digital Camera. The Real Thing. Well as you can see, I am an avid unashamed biased Sony fan. Check it out http://www.geocities.com/lcming/sony or http://www.geocities.com/lcming/cameras

Answer 7

Kodak have some good deals at the moment, just shop around and you find a very good camera deal for about $180.00 that would include a free memory card.

Answer 8

Go with Canon and Fugi in that price range.

Answer 9

Canon has a good collection. You may check out the reviews at these sites to help you to decide which model you'd get:
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.pcmag.com

Good luck!

Answer 10

go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera guide
it will help you decide

canon