This question has been asked many times, but not recently (technology changes fast!). After having used an analog camera all these years, I will soon purchase my first digital camera. I don't want or need top of the range, but I don't want something made out of plastic either. The most important feature I'd be looking for is user-friendliness. Which brands and/or model(s) with, which you have personally had experience, can you recommend?
Can you recommend a digital camera?
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. Takes %26quot;continuous%26quot; 2 frames per second %26quot;action/sports%26quot; images;
4. Has macro feature for close-ups of small objects focused under 6 inches;
5. The flash setting for %26quot;red-eye%26quot; correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
6. It's very small and light;
7. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
8. The digital video feature takes wonderful %26quot;sound%26quot; videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
9. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
10. Has tripod mount on bottom of camera;
11. 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: %26quot;Nikon Coolpix L10%26quot; along with pictures provided by satisfied purchasers.]
Good luck!
Can you recommend a digital camera?
Your coming to the world of digicams pretty late in the game. That's not a criticism, but most of the products on the market these days are quite good. However, even the 'top' brands make low priced cameras for sale in wal-mart, so just because it says 'Canon' on the outside, doesn't mean it's the best.
Kodak's have traditionally been excellent on the 'user friendliness' front, but I like products from Fuji, Pansonic, Sony and Canon. Some of the Sony's, like the new H7. H9 are terrible for 'user friendliness'. Others are fine.
Casio, Pentax, Olympus, Nikon and a couple others also make quality products.
you need to do some shopping, check out the different types of cameras available, and see what you want. A sub-compact (very convenient), standard (often with good interfaces and manual features, like the Canon A-series), Ultra-zoom (terrific for kids sporting events, Panasonic FZ8, for instance). There are really too many.
I have a Canon S3 IS that I really like. It has many different modes, including Auto. I'm able to play around with all the settings. But my wife, who has no interest in photography, can set it on Auto and use it as a point-n-click. The S3 can now be found for under $300.
Since this is your first digital camera, don't let a salesman confuse you with the Megapixel Myth. Just because the camera has more megapixels doesn't mean a better picture. For the average user, anything over 3 MP will produce good pictures. Take a look at the 2nd sources link for more details on this.
Finally, take a look at the following 2 sites. They do reviews on digital cameras. Look through what they have reviewed and decide what best first your style and budget. Lots of great cameras out there. Steve's Digicams even has a link to what they consider the best cameras.
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
I would suggest for an all around good quality camera the Canon PowerShot A630. 4X optical zoom, 8 megapixels. Will give you an excellent 8X10 print. Fast shutter speed at 1/2500 a second. Very good on AA rechargeables and in addition to auto has manual controls.
According to Website dpreview.com Beach Camera has it for $185-
