What's a good first digital camera? I'm going to Europe and need one that's easy to carry and use.

Question

Have been looking at Canon570 IS.

Answer 1

The Canon upper tier point & shoots are great. Another consideration might be the Sony R1 or H series. For travel, you definitely want a wide zoom ratio and both the Sony & Canon feature that. Panasonic also makes some great cameras in a smaller form factor that you might consider.

On a recent trip to China, our group had a diverse collection of cameras. A Nikon D70, D50, Sony Alpha, and several Sony H series took most of the pictures. I have to say that the Sonys took some impressive images.

In either case, be sure to handle each of your choices before buying one. See how comfortable you are with the controls and interface. After you have made your decision, practice, practice, practice at home with your new camera.

During your journey in Europe is NOT the time to learn your camera, because you'll miss recording all those once-in-a-lifetime events.

I hope this is helpful.

p.s. Who's going around all the camera questions and giving everyone 'thumbs downs'?

Answer 2

I'm not going to recommend a specific camera or brand, only suggest a few things you may want to consider in making your choice.

You say you're going to Europe. So you will probably need a camera you can recharge using the power that is available there. European power is different than what we use here in the USA. Check to see if your charger will be compatible. Alternately, you might choose a camera that uses readily available AA alkaline batteries. (I've heard that AA is relatively common worldwide, but I cannot say for sure, I've never left the USA.) Be mindful that cameras that use AA batteries are probably not going to be as small and easy to carry in your pocket.

You didn't say that you're taking a laptop computer with you. In that case, consider either a portable storage device that can download photos from your camera or memory card, or plan on taking additional memory cards. Most cameras seem to be using SD, CF or Sony Memory-Stick. Consider the cost of additional memory cards relative to one another, SD seems to be a good value these days.

If you do take extra memory cards, remember where you put them, they're very small and therefore easily lost. It is also a good idea for SD cards to remember to slide the little switch to the LOCK or PROTECT position after removing it from the camera; so you don't accidentally erase or overwrite your once-in-a-lifetime photos.

That's all that comes to mind at this time. I'm sure that many people have better information regarding choosing a camera, I just wanted to point out a few things to keep in mind when you make your final decision.

Also, BEFORE you leave, get some practice using your new camera; it will lower the frustration level and make for a more relaxed trip.

Answer 3

Out of the 3 cameras you could have picked, I could have got to say that Canon is the greater one for picture best. However, if you'll be able to manage to pay for just a bit additional, I could advise you attempt to purchase the Canon Powershot A540 alternatively. It's a greater digicam than the A530, more commonly considering that... it has a greater LCD reveal (although it is a low decision) It has Aperture & Shutter Priority modes (the A530 does now not) It has a far greater film mode (30fps v a disappointing 10 fps on the pleasant best). The extra frames in keeping with moment, the greater. So, I suppose if you'll be able to manage to pay for extra, then seem on the A540...or when you can not, then purchase the A530 (simply do not count on to shoot any first rate 'films' and so forth). But picture sensible it's well.

Answer 4

check out the latest batch of Fuji cameras, such as the Finepix F20 Digital compact + S6000fd (S6500fd) & S700 (S5700) super-zoom cameras... though the last 2 ain't exactly pocket sized, they do come with neckstraps (at least the S6000fd does) instead of wrist straps, leaving your hands free.

I just got a S6500fd (European model name for the S600fd), and the picture quality is out of this world, with it's Super-CCD imaging system (I believe handed down from their top of the range Digital SLR cameras.

Here's the reviews from these 3:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_f20.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s700.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html

and here's some sample pics from my S6500fd
http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/jduck1979/Fuji%20S6500fd%20Demo%20shots/

Or then there is also the Fuji A series range, which are simple, cheap, but powerful........
A600 / A610(?) / A700 / A800 / A820 / A900 / A920, etc
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_a700.html

An added benefit I've noticed is that the USB cables for them seem are also the same type used for both the Nokia N-Gage (DKE-2) mobile phone / games console + for the SONY PSP, so you're not totally stuffed if you manage to loose the original.... unlike alot of others I've seen, which appear to have the end that plugs into the camera designed only to fit cameras made by that particular brand.

Answer 5

Here's a good pocketable camera that will save you some money for your trip.

Coolpix L10 Features:

* 5-megapixel effective CCD imager
* Nikkor 3x optical zoom lens (37.5-112.5mm in 35mm equivalent)
* Compact and lightweight body
* Macro focus with AF as close as 5.9 inches
* Exclusive Face Priority AF makes taking incredible portraits easy
* 256-segment Matrix metering
* Large 2.0-inch bright LCD color monitor
* Automatic exposure and 16 pre-programmed Scene modes
* 640x480 @ 30fps movie mode w/sound, length limited only by memory card capacity
* Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction
* Nikon’s D-Lighting automatically brightens dark images in playback mode
* In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically fixes most instances of red-eye in the camera
* 7MB internal memory and SD/SDHC memory card slot
* USB connectivity, PictBridge direct-print compliant
* Runs on two standard AA batteries, Energizer lithium are included

Answer 6

If you're looking for a camera with plenty of zoom, mine should fit the bill. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2. 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom. Has image stabilizer, also manual controls in addition to auto. Very good on AA rechargeable batteries, comes with battery charger. Bottom line it will give you an excellent 8X10 print, acceptable 11X14.

Answer 7

Check the Sept. issue of Shutterbug magazine for their review of five 10 megapixel digicams. You can access it on-line at shutterbug.com. From my reading, the Canon G7 was the best choice.