What is the best digital camera for my money?

Question

my price range is max at $350. I want something that is easy to use, takes good clear pictures...even in the dark, something that can take video (preferably as much video as I want not something that only gives me a certain amount of minutes at a time) I would like something that has a good memory and battery so I don't have to worry about it dying on me, but if that requires a seperate purchase i don't mind. Thanks in advance for any help

Answer 1

I have two suggestions for you to consider. My top recommendation would be the Canon Powershot A640, which sells for just over $300 at B&H Photo and other sources. My second choice would be the Canon Powershot SD900, which maxes out your budget at $345. The A640 is a stronger performer and the SD900 is the better choice if you want a really small camera. Here are two stock answers on these cameras. I think you'd prefer the A640.
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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 It looks like this model has been replaced by the A630, which I would expect to be just as popular.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. 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 that the included memory card is a cute little token of thanks from Canon, but not much more. Buy a 1 or 2 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. The Ultra II would be excellent, but if you are really into video, you might prefer the faster Extreme III.

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
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After answering questions here for about 8 months, I finally decided to get a Canon Powershot SD900. I was going to go for the SD700-IS, but they were out of stock everywhere and it gave me time to re-think my purchase. This is going to be a pocket camera to use when I don't want to carry one of my SLR's with me, but I still want really great image quality from the camera. Anyhow, after months and months of reading reviews, the SD900 was my top choice. I found a review in Popular Photography the day after I ordered my Canon that suggests that maybe the Pentax Optio A20 would have been a better choice, but, I don't believe it. The Pentax does have shake reduction, but I doubt this will be necessary in a camera that only zooms to an equivalent of 114 mm and I just can not believe that 10 MP on a smaller 1/2.5" sensor (Pentax) will be better than 10 MP on a 1/1.8" sensor (Canon) that is nearly twice as large.

Anyhow, go here to see the comparison article on 5 compact camera and see what you think. If you really don't want to read reviews, I am still happy that I am got the Canon SD900 and this would be my recommendation for anyone at this point, since it is what I chose for myself. I ordered from B&H Photo where the price is $343 (today) for the SD900. They have been playing with the price point for this camera since Christmas and that's why I say "today." Every time I check back, it's got a different price.

After about one month of using the SD900, I am so happy with it that I bought one to give to my niece as an engagement present. I am that confident in the camera.

I also bought a 5-year Mack warranty for $50. If you are even a little paranoid or clutzy, I feel that it is money well-spent. These are somewhat delicate compared to SLR's.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3471/high-5-10mp-compacts.html Click on the name of each camera to read a detailed review.

Here is a comparison page with all five cameras. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd900%2Ccasio_exz1000%2Coly_stylus1000%2Cpentax_optioa20%2Csamsung_nv10&show=all

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/sd900.html

Here is one photo I put on-line that I took with the SD900. Click on "All Sizes" and view this as large as possible and check out the birds. This was taken right after sunset and there were no enhancements in afterprocessing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/409551806/

Answer 2

In a small camera the Sony W-55 W-100 W-30, Canon SD650 or SD 700

In a medium size camera the Canon A710, Kodak C875, Nikon L5

In a large size big zoom camera the Kodak Z712, Z710, Z612

Answer 3

Compact. $350. low light performance. Good video. Long life battery... This is easy. there is only one camera that meets those requirements.
that's the Fuji F31fd.

It will work in total dark (with a flash) since it has an AF light.
It has the best low light performance of any compact digicam, short of a DSLR.
It has the longest life battery (580 shots) of any compact digicam.
It's a 6Mpix camera- but given it's larger ccd, has image quality that is as good as the best compact 7 and 8Mp cameras, with a lot lower noise.

Answer 4

I dont know if i might call it an undemanding way except it particularly is a scam yet there are all styles of issues you're able to do with photos from a digital camera. photograph layout is extensive these days and can be alot of relaxing.

Answer 5

I purchased a Samsung Digimax L60 for about $198.00; I also purchased the 2GB memory for it, total price was $270.00. To me, it was a fair price.

The camera takes stills, video with audio, and easily uploads to my PC with its USB cable and Digimax software CD. It's very easy to operate, easy to carry, and weighs about 140gm.

Battery lasts about 94 and 85 minutes of continous still and video usage, respectively, before it fully depletes its power.

If you're working with a budget, I would continue your research to find a camera that will give you the most value for your money. Try to avoid an impulse purchase or you may not like what you buy.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I have a canon that does take good pictures. As for battery, get one of those recharge battery that comes with the camera. If your planning to use your camera alot, you can always charge the battery each night so it won't run out on you. :)

Answer 7

You don't need to spend $1K for a decent camera. Only if you are a professional photographer you will need an expensive one. Home and amateur users don't need to print posters or complicated frame scenes. 16 bits color quality and 3MP are perfect for most of us. Just compare some camera models and you will find a good deal. I found good prices here:
http://www.anglomall.com/Store/display_item.asp?prodid=36&categid=16&subcategid=-1