I am shopping for a digital camera, any highly recommended?

Question

I have 15 years of ameture experience and I have been told I should go into photography. I am not planning on doing that however I love to take pics and want a good camera less than $300. I want pics not to look grainy when they are made into 8 x 10s or even an occasional 16x20.

Answer 1

Please post a new question. Tell us how much you want to spend, 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.

Steve's reviews updates the "Best Camera" list periodically:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

This is somewhat out of date, but check this page for a general idea:

http://tech.yahoo.com/rc/digital-cameras/103 Most cameras mentioned have been replaced with newer models, which we will hope are as good or better than what they replaced.

Here's another resource for you. Look on down the page if you are interested in point and shoot cameras instead of dSLR's.

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/ratings.php

See also:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4103/top-selling-digital-compacts-for-march.html

See also:
http://imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM

Here's another listing in order by ratings. They are only separated according to general groups, such as "Highly Recommended," etc. They are NOT listed within the groups according to higher rating. They are listed by date tested.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=rating

Answer 2

Are you looking for a point-and-click camera? Or a DSLR? Any kind that you look at doesn't have to be higher than a 6.0 megapixel. Don't get sucked into anything higher than a 7 unless you plan on blowing up pictures the size of your living room wall! :) A great point and click could even be as high as a 7.2 and still cost under 150.00. Kodak easy shares are popular and are inexpensive but the viewing screens are fairly small and they are usually 5.0 mp. Sony has a Cyber Shot for just under $150 and it takes pretty good pics.
I would really recommend you go to www.cnet.com and find out what consumers have said about the different types of cameras (pros and cons).

Answer 3

Even though I personally own this ultra compact camera, I would still like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:

1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
8. Has tripod mount on bottom of camera;
9. And the price is a mere $119 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samys.com, and Staples.com.]

Review(s) can be found at www.amazon.com [Query: "Nikon Coolpix L10" along with pictures provided by satisfied purchasers.]

Good luck!

Answer 4

I recommend the Canon Power A630. You'll get an excellent 8X10 print from it. 4X optical zoom, 8 megapixels. Also uses AA rechageable batteries. Also has manual controls should you not care to use on auto. According to Website dpreview.com Beach Camera has it for $183-.
For a super zoom camera ask another question. I know of a few very good ones.

Answer 5

Cameras are easy to over buy for. Mainly, because people dont know what 8 megapixels produces really large files to store on your computer. Anything 5 or 6 megapixels is good for the average user. If you are looking to do professional work.....8 and up is what your looking for. Brands to look for Kodak, Nikon, Cannon, Sony, and Olympus. Also, if you start collecting a large library of photos on your computer you may want to get a external hard drive to backup those photos.


good luck

Answer 6

the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS is an excellent camera, because:
1. it has 7MP (not overkill, but useful)
2. it has a wide angle lens.
3. it has Image Stabilization (I don't buy a camera without it)
4. it has 3.8x zoom (unlike the average 3x on a P&S)
5. it has a VERY high res. 2.5'' LCD
6. the build is very intuitive
7. it has the capability to accept 4GB SD cards
8. I can't name all of the good things about it.

it's around $350.

Answer 7

How many mega pixels do you want you camera to have as well as how much zoom.
I have an older camera that has 2mp that is a canon power shot it has a 5x zoom and can take a digital video for 24 seconds.

Answer 8

I really like my Canon S3 IS. They are now down in the range you are looking for.

Answer 9

Nikon D40-its awesome!!

Answer 10

In my opinion, Sony Cybershots are the best out there.