Need a good Digital Camera?

Question

Im looking to buy a good digital camera.
6MP +
a good zoom
good viewing window
timed shot option
time elapse option
quick shot

not looking for a professional camera, something that someone with moderate knoweldge can use.

Answer 1

Got two candidates for you...

1) A more compact one: Canon SD850IS (~$375):

a) 6MP+: Yes, 8MP
b) Good zoom: For the form factor, yes, 4x
c) Good viewing window: 2.5" LCD
d) Timed shot option: Yes, 2 or 10 sec self-timer
e) Time elapse option: Yes
f) Quick shot: Yes, up to 1/1600sec shutter speed.

2) A more "SLR-like" camera, bigger but with more features: Canon S5 IS (~$425)

a) 6MP+: Yes, 8MP
b) A good zoom: 12x
c) Good viewing window: 2.5" LCD that tilts and swivels away from the camera body.
d) Timed shot option: Yes, 2 or 10 seconds or custom time
e) Time elapse option: Yes
f) Quick shot: Yes, 1/3200sec max shutter speed

Both of these also have image stabilization to help you in case of shots in low-light situations.

Link 1 is to a comparison chart of both cameras with links to online stores you can purchase them through.

Answer 2

If you are interested in night photography without flash you'll need a camera that allows you full manual control. Your reference to "time elapse" is used for taking a series of photos at a pre-set timed interval, like a flower opening. It has nothing to do with night photography.

Night photography (without flash) requires a tripod and a cable release and the ability to set the shutter to "B" or "T" for long exposures (unless your camera has at least a 15 second shutter speed setting. If it does you won't need a cable release.) This example is from my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) "Day & Night Exposure Guide" for "City skyline in distance ( a few hours after sunset - when its really dark):

ISO 200

f4 for 4 sec.
f5.6 for 8 sec.
f8 for 15 sec.
f11 for 30 sec.

Also, digicams suffer from "shutter lag" which makes them difficult to use for action photography. Some models have less "lag" than others and there are tricks you can use to overcome this.

Perhaps a visit to a real camera store - one that only sells cameras, not 10,001 other things and cameras - would be helpful. If you do spend time with a trained camera salesperson, buy from him/her. You'll then have access to someone to answer questions, help solve problems and offer intelligent advice. Some stores even offer an hour or two of hands-on instruction with your new camera. Try getting that level of service from a discount store or on-line. Try asking a question or getting advice from a CSR in Taiwan or India or wherever. Good luck with that.

Answer 3

I think that you need this sony, I brought mine last May 07 and results exceeded my expectations.

Cybershot 7.2 DSC-W80 - 229 offer on Bestbuy today.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1170290186198&type=product