Digital camera?

[mhthegoblin]

Hi,

I'm after a digital camera. Doesn't have to be too special beyond a) a high resolution (12MP minimum) and b) reliable and likely to last a while. I'm looking into this - See lowest price for Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 14 Megapixel Digital Camera - Silver - do you guys think it'd be appropriate? Any suggestions of an alternative?

Thanks in advance!

 

[/pine]

There are som great little cameras out there...I like the Sony's but there are lots of good ones...

DO NOT be fooled by "digital zoom"...always look for "optical zoom"....most cameras will state a factor for both but it is only the optical zoom that actually focuses the lens at different distances..."digital" zoom is just software...

 

[czechsonofagun]

People who make the living taking pictures buy lenses makers - Nikon, Canon, etc - not electronic maker. Always thought it was sound advice.

My $0.02 only

 

[Bird]

I could very well be the least knowledgeable camera guy on TBN, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Olympus camera, and I'll tell you why. Nearly 10 years ago, I decided I wanted my first digital camera. So I ordered a Sony online direct from Sony, since I'd always heard Sony made good stuff. Well, it was defective when it arrived: the flash would not work at all. By the time I managed to get it returned and get a credit (refund) on my credit card, I had decided I'd probably never buy another Sony product, and I have not.:laughing: A one time problem? Probably. I still think Sony makes good stuff; I just don't want any of it.:laughing:

Before the days of digital, I had a 35mm Nikon; don't believe Nikon can be beat, but because of the price difference, on 1/17/2001, I ought an Olympus D-460ZOOM digital camera from Circuit City. I'm still using it and after 9 years, it seems to work just as well as it did when it was new. I don't remember what the camera cost, because I bought batteries, a battery charger, extra SmartMedia, etc. and with sales tax spent $586.67 that day. And yep, I'm still using the original rechargeable batteries, too.

 

[Marveltone]

I've always leaned heavily toward the traditional camera manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Kodak, etc...) over the computer manufacturers (HP, Sony, Panasonic, etc...), as they seem more intuitive and feel more like a traditional camera.

That being said, of course there are vast differences between different models even within the same brand, but I still lean toward the traditional camera brands. I just feel they have more experience in this field, and their product often reflect this.

Of course, as always, YMMV.

 

[daveshoot]

Panasonic might be the one electronics specialist who has made a great little digital camera.

I started digital with Olympus, and they were fine. However at some point I switched to Canon, and have been much happier. The user interface, controls and menus, were much easier and more ergonomic than the Olympus controls.

I don't know that there is much quality difference between the two, but I find the Canon much more intuitive to operate. The advanced features are there but not all at once, if you just need to point and shoot. Haven't compared seriously in the last two years but that's how it had remained, last I looked.

 

[milkman]

I started digital with an Olympus and it made some good pics, decided I wanted a newer one, got another Olympus, this time a 460 zoom. I had it abut two weeks and got some good pics with it, but usually it was of something that came after what I wanted the picture of. The shutter delay was atrocious and when it fell in the Gulf at about 50 mph, I didn't miss it at all. The next camera I got, I made sure that I checked the shutter delay, I didn't look at Olympus again.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

As milkman said, look at shutter delay - that can be a real pain. I regularly take 500 to 1,000 pictures in a day for work, so I have taken a lot of images, and reliability is a must. Nikon's MTBF is better than Sony, but those are the only two brands that I have experience with.

Batteries are another big item and I prefer a camera that takes standard sizes rather than a specialized battery that you have to recharge. (I have been using a couple of Coolpix 8700's with battery packs (similar to an auto-winder for a F3) that take 6 AA's that last a long time.)

Buy the largest memory card you can stand, then use a card reader on a USB port to move the images to your computer. Trying to download from the camera via a cable is usually unsatisfactory.

While Nikon has been the most reliable so far, I have to say their user interface is hard to learn and hard to remember. The menus are just not intuitive to me.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...my nephew is a professional photographer...
he is under contract with an (unamed) NFL franchise and is currently shooting their cheerleader calendar...(yeah I know...lucky him)...

He mostly uses a Cannon but he is also a big fan of Sony cameras... as "digital" cameras were just coming out when he was in college... the "MaViCa" line was one of the first on the retail market...

 

[waltsp]

I have been an amateur photographer since 1982. Started with a Cannon AE1 Program. Used that until about 2005 when feeding it film just got too expensive during the transition time between jobs. Two Christmas back got a Nikon D40 and have loved it. So much better feeding it SD cards instead of film, also no developing.

The small point and shoot cameras are good for everyday use, But even with 12 MP, the pinpoint opening does not allow very good photography. If you can afford it, get yourself a DSLR, the fact that you are actually looking through the same lens that takes the picture instead of looking at an LCD makes all the difference in the work. Even the high end point-and-shoot cameras have a horrendous LCD lag. Since flash memory is so cheap now, a good DSLR will have continuous shooting, You can always pick out a good photo and delete the rest.

 

[frogfish]

You didn't say what you want to do with this camera, if you want quality pics you need to go with the DSLR (i shoot a Nikon D700) and the photos are great. Full size sensor and many lenses to shoose from. Make sure the camera will shoot RAW files for future editing ...If you just want a camera for snapshots, then pretty much any nikon, canon, sony... will suffice. Go hold them in your hand and see which feels better and has the feature you want. I have a little larger hand and prefer the point and shoots that are slightly larger (easier for me to hold), my wife likes the smaller cameras that fit in her purse easier. A great point and shoot is the Canon G10 or G11, nice controls (IMHO) and will also shoot a raw file which you don't see on many point and shoots.

Good luck and show us your pics

 

[CharlieR]

Another guys 2 cents worth to add to the already great advise you are getting.:thumbsup:
I'm currently using Cannon cameras because I was able to find models that use AA batteries (cheap and very available when the 'nuer hits the ventilator).
If you get rechargeable batteries be sure to get two sets 'cause you'll usually want to take photos when the ones in the camera are just about out.
I also prefer a camera with a viewfinder in addition to a good LCD screen 'cause you'll probably be shooting in bright sunlight when the LCD is impossible to see.
Also the viewfinder works best for following and photographing moving objects.

If you've never used a digital camera before, find a friend who has a camera they no longer use, borrow it for a while and learn what they're like before dumping money into an expensive camera that you may not really like.
Play with a camera, make mistakes and learn first!:confused2:

 

[jimmyj]

FWIW...my nephew is a professional photographer...
he is under contract with an (unamed) NFL franchise and is currently shooting their cheerleader calendar...(yeah I know...lucky him)...

He mostly uses a Cannon but he is also a big fan of Sony cameras... as "digital" cameras were just coming out when he was in college... the "MaViCa" line was one of the first on the retail market...

Sheesh, what a job!

We got a Canon T1i recently and it's awesome. I almost got a Nikon but the Canon won out. I too stick to the major brands, perhaps just because traditionally they have served us well.

 

[EddieWalker]

Before you say what you are going to use it for, you need to say what your budget is.

Like already mentioned. Stick with the name brands. There is a difference.

Optical zoom is all that matters. Digital zoom just magnifies the optical zoom like you would soom into a picture on your screen. You can make it bigger, but it keeps getting more and more blury the more you magnify the picture. No difference with digital zoom.

Sandard batteries. This used to be something to look for, but now most of the cameras all use AA batteries. Some of the ultra slim cameras use rechargable batteries, but it's become pretty standard for them to use AA. Never buy anything that does not use AA batteries, or something just as easy to buy.

The newer cameras are using SDHC cards. Mine is 16 gigs and I can buy 32 gig cards for it. I don't know if there are larger cards out there or not, but 16 gigs is just crazy as it is. I never EVER have to worry about filling it up and changing cards.

I own to Canon digital cameras. My cheapy, carry to work, keep in my truck and abuse camera cost $99 from walmart and has a 3x optical zoom. My better camera is a Canon SX20 with a 12x optical zoom that is equal to a 560mm lense. It cost $400 from Best Buy.

While you can always buy and put on a bigger lense, a faster lense or one with better glass, that's a HUGE investment in itself. Sometimes quite a bit more then the camera body. For that reason, and because I'm so completely satisfied with my SX20, I don't feel there is any need for a hobbiest to buy a SLR digital camera. If you are not sure if you are a hobbiest or not, the simple fact that you are asking the question on what to buy means that you are.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[nickel plate]

I hope this question isn't too off thread but does a digital camera operate with a similar shutter device as a conventional film camera or does it just electronically capture the triggered moment through a fixed opening? I have a friend who just purchased a pricey digital SLR camera and I swear the shutter click sound it makes seems to be of an artifical recording and not a true mechanical shutter opening and closing sound.

 

[RadarTech]

I hope this question isn't too off thread but does a digital camera operate with a similar shutter device as a conventional film camera or does it just electronically capture the triggered moment through a fixed opening? I have a friend who just purchased a pricey digital SLR camera and I swear the shutter click sound it makes seems to be of an artifical recording and not a true mechanical shutter opening and closing sound.

The click is a feel good add on....



J

 

[RadarTech]

A couple of thoughts..

1. I can't be sure.. BUT I believe some of the Panasonics and other lesser knowns are made by Cannon or Nikon......

2. Warranty---- I had an HP camera and had the extra warranty on it.. it broke twice the first year.. and I got a free replacement--- It was a $250 camera, and the warranty was $48 per year... I did that for 1 year, as I decided that it would only be good enough for what I wanted for a year.....


J

 

[mostly_gas]

Another reason to buy the SLR style is lack of delay when pushing the button. I like my Olympus for everything but action shots - the delay makes getting action shots near impossible.

 

[CurlyDave]

Never buy anything that does not use AA batteries, or something just as easy to buy.

Absolutely the best advice. I use a camera primarily for documenting things -- work in progress, current state of repair of rental properties, tractor work as it progresses, etc. being able to carry new batteries and "recharge" in an instant is wonderful.

The same camera will take decent snapshots.

The last time I went elk hunting, I didn't see an outlet for two weeks. Try a rechargeable under those conditions.

 

[mostly_gas]

CurlyDave, I go for extended trips all the time with rechargeable battery. Last year I spent 8 days on Colorado River rafter then 8 days on Bull Shoals lake with no recharge and power left over. My granddaughter has more problem with the AA batteries than I do.