Digital camera advice?

Question

I'm looking for a digitial camera and know next to nothing about photography. I basically want to take photos of friends and family and would like to have a zoom if that's possible in my price range of about $200. I'm assuming that the major brands Cannon, Minolta, Pentax are safe, but I see Sony and HP also have reasonably priced models on the market.

I need tips on what kinds of things I should be looking for so I don't get taken in by a salesman who is just looking for commission or who doesn't know much more than I do. Buying off the internet is not an option.

Answer 1

Don't buy a Sony. The lag time is awful. Canon and Nikon are the way to go. If on line use B+H Photo they have the best prices and a great rep.

Answer 2

Don't buy on Ebay if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.
Camera stores, Kmart etc. often have good cameras at reduced prices.
Most, if not all the major manufacturers provide models at under $200:
Canon, Sony, Casio, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Sanyo, Nikon, Fujifilm, Kodak, Samsung, Ricoh...
There are a number of other makes that are ok, but these are the best. You can't go wrong. Minolta don't make digital cameras anymore.

Answer 3

Ripper says don't buy Sony that the lag time is awful. I own a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2, 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom and next shot delay is only 1 second.
According to Website dpreview.com Best Buy has a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 for $200. I don't know what next shot delay is, but if you can find a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W50, next shot delay only 1 second. The W-50 is should be less than the W-55.
There's the Canon PowerShot A550...should be less than
$150- Beach Camera in NJ has it for about $128-+ shipping.

Answer 4

Get the highest megapixel level and optical zoom you can afford. Digital zoom isn't as important as optical zoom is. Digital zoom tells you how big you'll be able to enlarge a photo you've taken, but optical zoom gives you the ability to zoom in or out on something before taking the picture.

Also, read cnet.com, amazon.com and so on for user reviews. It's a good way to gauge how well the camera will perform and if it's worth the money.

Answer 5

for 1 thng, it depends on how many pix u take, if ur like a paparazi then your batery will die really quick no matter what battery u hav. also, take it to wher u bot it or a camera store that wouldn't cahrge you to look at it and see if theres some sort of an electrical prob. i had a cell phone like that, and two of my friends had the same phone so i knew it wasn't just the phone. you should be able to find a lithium ion battery(rechargable) for your camera size if you look hard enough, this will make it where you can just get 2 batteries and swap while the other one is charging. i know it's frustrating my phone held a charge for about 4 hours lol. good luck!!

Answer 6

the camera i got is a great camera, has a zoom function, and an anti-shake, which reduces the bluriness of your pictures due to your hand shaking, and a fast shutter speed too. i got it on sale, although i do not know if it still is, but if it is, it will be between about $191-$221. its got great detail. and i bought it online, so no salesman, and it was here within about 3 days. its a Casio Exilim, and if you get a memory card, which you might have to (best buy, at store, about $25 for a 1GB, about 1100 pix) it takes alot of pictures.
Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Vivitar...ViviCam 5386 is a good buy..but whatever just be sure that it has a optical zoom and not a digital zoom, digital zoom looses quality as it zooms closer optical does not..
Available at Wal-Mart for under 200.00

Answer 8

Try looking at Best Buy they have one of the best groups of sales people they try to help you.They will help you get the best for your money.

Answer 9

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MFA1NE/ref=s9_asin_image_1/002-3155846-0290439?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=110XVCAFSF9M7TZDVG9G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846