Posted: 5/10/2006 5:56:24 AM EDT
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I'm looking to get my wife a Digital Camera for mother's day. Looking to spend in the $200-$300 range. It needs a zoom lens (5x would be nice) and be easy to use (my wife is not into lots of buttons and gadgets). What do you all think? I was looking at a few at a local electronics store and they all look like they would do the job. What brands are more durable & produce decent pictures? Thanks! |
| Get the Canon SD450. 5.0 megapixel, 2.5 inch screen. Awesome camera. Got one for xmas and the best camera I have ever had. It was 400 bucks at xmas time but right now its only 299.99 at best buy. Plus it uses SD memory cards and they are cheap. Got a 512mb card for 30 bucks on sale at Best Buy. Hope this helps. |
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I'm looking at some websites. Looks like I can pick up the A530 at the local place, but I'd have to order the 610. According to Cannons website the two are very similar in spec similar shape, modes, shutter speed, pixels, (except the 610 takes 4 battereies instead of 2). Can anyone shed light on why I'd prefer one to the other? Thanks! |
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I recently got a Canon S80. It is fantastic, but probably too much camera for her, and definately too expensive. My old Camera was a Canon SD10 and was also a great camera. It had a fixed lens and would take some excellant pictures. It was probably one of the most underrated cameras on the market, since it didn't have the gimmicks that most people look for in a digicam. For a $200-300 price range, check out the Canon SD20. It is the improved version of the SD10, and while discontinued in favor of the really shitty SD30, is still available. I almost got this instead of the S80. It takes great pictures. It is quite small and easy to carry. It is not complicated. It takes SD cards. It is a 5 Megapixel. There aren't too many cameras in your price range that have a 5x zoom lens, and digital zoom is an absolute gimmick. I question the need for zoom at all in a point and shoot camera. |
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I really don't have a lot of experience with other brands of cameras, but Kodak is making a very nice camera that is VERY affordable. I just bought my wife the 4.1 megapixel kodak easy share for christmas (no optical zoom, just a decent digital zoom) for only $150. They have several models above what I purchased that have nice optical zooms for just a few dollars more (WELL in the price range you mentioned). It's the second Kodak camera we've owned and we've loved both of them. They are a more no-frills type camera, which is just what my wife wanted also (not being a technologically savvy person, she wanted one as simple to operate as possible). It has already taken well over 1000 perfect pictures and hasn't had any problems. The kodak cameras also take normal AA batteries. Hope this input helps a little too. Dave ETA: The kodaks take the standard SD cards too. |
That's a goal not a requirement. I'd agree on the digitial zoom being questionable. I have it on my Camcorder and I try not to use it (pic quality goes to crap ).
She uses it all the time on her point-n-shoot 35mm. It really helps when you have kids on stage or on the soccer field. |
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anything from Canon. My old G2 has been deployed TWICE to Afghanistan and flown on many missions, overseas and here in Alaska. It still take fantastic pictures as if it were new. My wife has a Canon DS550 or something like that... it's a little out of your price range but worth a look too. We've gotten picture blown up to 16X20 that look great. anyway, Canon makes a solid product that's combat proven by old Doorgunner  but that's just my two cents.~Dg84 ETA: I'm skimming this thread as I'm going to be late for work... Saw something about digital zoom and wanted to toss my my vote in for "WORTHLESS!" anything a digital zoom can do can be done on photoshop or a like program. |
It does help in certain circumstances. My old SD10 didn't have it and I never missed it. Good luck with your purchase! |
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A Sony Cybershot might be "look-worthy". 2.5" screen, 3x optical zoom, easy to operate, relatively small. I bought my girlfriend one and she has had no problems with it (quite the Ebay-er unfortunately). The 7 megapixel version goes for around $400. The 5Mp version should be much cheaper. ETA: It takes 2 standard AA batteries, but comes with rechargeable AAs and a charger. |
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I just bought this one. Kodak 10x optical, videos and 5mega pixels. More bells and features than I will ever use, and pretty compact in size. I got it a couple days and am more than pleased. www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3932488 |
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Before you make your decision, please go here first. www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM |
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www.ecost.com/ecost/ecsplash/shop/category~eStore~82388000~Category~82771000.asp Check that out but before you decide to make the purchase get the camera info you want and go to " froogle.com" enter in the name and model number of the camera and do a search. It will normally bring up better prices then i have found. |
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Update: Thanks for all your help and suggestions! I went with Cannon (as it was the most recommended brand) and selected the A530 model. 5 Megapixels, 4X optical zoom, basically a 'lite' version of the 610 that Cruze recommended. I went with it over the 610 based soley on availability. I was able to get the 530 in time for our long weekend - the 610 wouldn't have arrived in time. So far my wife really likes it and has been having fun learning how to use it. I'm now pricing 1GB SD cards... |
Good call, I think you'll be really happy with your Canon for years to come. Like I said earlier. I've had my G2 since '02 and it's still taking great pictures. ~Dg84 ETA: It's always nice to get an update too. wish more people would do that. |
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