which, of these three cameras, is the best??

Question

*Kodak Easyshare C633 6.1mp, comes with printer dock, 3x opt./5xdig. $158.97
*Canon Powershot A560 7.1mp, 4xopt/4x dig. $148.84
*Nikon Coolpix L12 7.1mp, 3xopt/4xdig. $129.94
the only place I can get one today or tomorrow is Wal-Mart, and the rating for these cameras there are...
*Kodak-5 reviews, 5stars
*Canon-4 reviews, 4.5 stars
*Nikon-1 review, 4 stars
which one is better?
thanks!

oh yeah. and I can only spend about $180, but I'd like to spend a little less so I can also buy a memory card

Answer 1

I want to correct something a previous poster said... do NOT always just go for the highest pixel count! In fact, a higher pixel count usually means more noise, NOT less! This is because the sensor is the same size, only they have crammed more pixels onto it. To cram more pixels in, they have to make the pixels smaller. Smaller pixels gather less light than larger pixels. The less light sensitive your sensor is, the noisier your images will be. A camera with too many pixels crammed onto a little sensor will also have inferior image quality in a number of other ways. Now, the difference between 6 and 7 megapixels is probably not enough to matter, but remember this: NEVER, EVER think that you need to "go with the highest pixel count you can afford"!

Now that that's out of the way... most people consider Canon consumer cams to be slightly better quality than Kodak or Nikon. Of course, you also have to consider what you're getting for the money, and in that respect, you're obviously getting a printer thrown in with the Kodak. Pics you print at home are slightly more expensive per print than getting them done at Wal-mart (like 25 cents versus 15 cents). The advantage of having your own printer is that you can print pics that you wouldn't, or couldn't, get printed at a lab. Say, those Spring Break pics where you went a little wild, or the ones you took just for your boyfriend. The Kodak also has another advantage I rarely hear mentioned, in that you won't have to crop your images if you don't want to before you get some 4x6 prints. That's because the images are saved at a 4x6 aspect ratio. Other cameras default save at 4x5.33, so you will have part of your image automatically cropped on those when you go to get some prints! Kodak cameras are also very easy to use.

Regarding the Canon, you have a 4x zoom. This actually is a significant advantage, especially for when you are outside, or on vacation. It gives you just a little bit more reach. If you like this camera, I would seriously consider the Canon A570IS for roughly $40 more. It's almost the same camera, with a few more bells and whistles, but the important part is it has image stabilization. That would be a BIG improvement in low light (at parties, using zoom in the late afternoon, inside a museum, etc) because it helps hold the lens steady to avoid blurry shots. It would bump your cost up some, though.

The Nikon CoolPix L12 doesn't look like anything special at first, BUT I just noticed that it already has image stabalization... and at that price!

In my opinion, unless you don't mind spending more for the slightly superior Canon A570IS, I would go with the Nikon CoolPix L12. Having image stabilization for when you're zooming, or are otherwise in low light and don't want to use the flash, is too good to pass up. Go with the Kodak if you really want to print pics at home, and don't have the extra money to buy a printer for the Canon or Nikon.

I hope I've helped, and good luck with your decision. :-)

Answer 2

The Nikon and Canon will produce much better looking images- the Kodak wins for ease of use, simply because of the Easyshare dock (but using a cable or putting a memory card into my computer isn't THAT difficult)

The important thing to look at in compact digital cameras is
OPTICAL zoom- that's how much the lens is actually capable of zooming. In that category, the Kodak and Nikon have only 3x while the Canon has 4x.

DIGITAL zoom is worthless- what that means is the camera blows up a portion of the image electronically (like enlarging a smaller piece of a photograph) which means a considerable loss of detail.

I've personally used the Nikon Coolpix line (although not the L12 model) and had excellent results, but the Canon Powershot A series is probably the best on the market for that price range. Go for the A560.

Answer 3

Canon Powershot A560 7.1mp, 4xopt/4x dig. $148.84
Always go with the highest pixel count and highest optical zoom you can afford. If you can get a camera with Optical Image Stabilization, do so...it will allow you to take fewer blurry photos, especially in low light when your camera generally needs a longer exposure (except if you up the ISO-speed of the camera) Don't use the digital zoom, either for making a decision, or taking photos, as it crops and enlarges the center of the photo and you lose image quality that way. You may not notice it on 4X6 prints, but you can on 8X10 or larger.
If you want to crop a photo, the higher pixel count allows you to do so and still retain photo print quality. Less pixels means grainier prints, what is called "noise" on digital photos. Almost all the Point & Shoot cameras now have the same software settings & modes. Very important to know, ALL Point & Shoot cameras have what is called "Shutter Lag", which means you press the button & it takes a second for the camera to take the photo. This means they are not the best for action shots. Take a class at your local Adult Ed. or camera store, it will help you learn how to use the camera functions. PLEASE factor in getting a spare battery and getting at least 2-1gig memory cards. You will need them when you start taking more & more photos. BTW, getting your prints from Wal-Mart is cheaper than printing at home so don't worry about a printer dock. You can get a memory card reader for under $25 to plug into your computer & download your photos. Happy shooting!!!!

Answer 4

Well....it sounds like a trade-off. Carry an "annoying" camera that is heavy and bulky or get a slightly smaller one with less Mega-pixels. If it were ME I would suffer through it and pick the FujiFilm (The Finepix Pro?) You MIGHT notice the difference between 12 and 10 MP, especially if you make enlargements.

Answer 5

Canon Powershot A560

Answer 6

For taking good pictures the best is Canon A560. For Wal-Mart maybe it's better to sell more Kodak cameras,.

Answer 7

One of your answerers mentioned always buy by the highest megapixel count; that is not the way to choose a camera. In this instance I have to agree with her though go with the Canon A560.

Answer 8

I think you should do the Kodak easy share.I have several friends who have it also.They love it!!Amazed at things you can do with it.Good luck...put a pic up for us of the one you chose.

Answer 9

By far, the Kodak.....especially for ease of use and print quality