Digital Cameras?

[turkeygirl]

I'm hoping to use some of my tax return money on my own digital camera. We have one for the family, a Kodak, we bought refurbisahed but it is old and only like 2.2 mgp and low zoom. I want something with a little higher megapixel and a decent zoom. My main use would probably me alot of outdoor shots(animals, scenic, all that stuff, obviously I sometimes print out some 3" x 5" prints if they are good, or keep them on the computer.

Have been looking at either a Kodak or maybe Canon for around $200-$250...was leaning towards Kodak since we already have one and Consumer Reports said it is easier to stick with something you already know. Our Kodak isn't bad, but for what I want, like zooming in on something far off or a close-up of a flower, it doesn't always get the photo well.

Any recommendations? Good/bad about any cameras? Was looking at one of the Easy Shares in Kodak but would like to hear about any Kodak/Canon or maybe other relatively affordable yet good brands. Thanks!

[smallmunster]

If you want to do any wildlife shots I would get a camera with the most optical zoom you can find. I have a panasonic fz-7 with a 12X zoom, but canon, olympus, sony, and kodak make superzooms as well. I also think it is important to get one with image stabilization, without it you usually have to use a tripod at the upper end of the zoom range. If you go to www.dpreview.com they have in depth reviews of most of the cameras out there.

[nolanspawn]

I am going to buy a Cannon Powershot S5 w/ Image Stabilization. Its 8MP and has 12X Optical zoom. Make sure you get one with Optical zoom not digital zoom.

[bigmoss]

Stick with a Cannon by far one of the best cams, lens, stabilization ect. If you can afford a bit more look at the Cannon S3 worth every penny and 12X zoom for those outdoor wildlife shots

[Finn]

Look at a Sony P41 or S600 so you can modify them into a homebrew and still use as a personal camera

[turkeygirl]

What's a good amount of megpixel to have? I thought I read somewhere higher megapixels were better for like large prints and like 5 megapixel or less betetr for smaller prints like 3 x 5? Thing is the ones I'm looking at, the higher the zoom, the more megpixels....does it really matter or no?

[bowhunter56]

i have a kodak, but the easy share software is not so easy, i bought a pentax, could not be happier...Andy

[bigmoss]

Yes if you ae a graphic artist or are going to really make large prints the more the better. If you are going to do say the biggest 8x10 then 6 to 7 is plenty ! Like I said above look at the canon S3, 12X Zoom, 7MP, image stabilization and one of the best lenses in the industry.

[turkeygirl]

What about refurbished cameras? Kodak sells them...refurbished at a lower price then a brand new camera...but is it a good idea? If I'm gonna spend the money, should I spend it on something brand new?

[bigmoss]

I would stay away from used repaired, for the extra money I prefer to have brand new and full warranty. Why take the risk.

[turkeygirl]

Yeah, kinda what I was thinking....so I'm looking at the Kodak Z612...has Image Stab., 6.1 MP and 12X zoom...the www.dpreview.com sight seemed to have alot of good reviews on it..only thingm aybe being not the greatest low light photos...but I think it probably does better then what I'm using right now, lol. And it takes some special battery, no AA. Kodak has it for $249...free shipping. Anyone know anything about it or tell me what you think? I like it...
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQueri...equestid=16814

[bigmoss]

But you can get the S3 here for $296 and free shipping. And I have seen it cheaper at Brandsmart and a few other places. Stop by a store and check them all out first. Hold them in your hands play with the menus ect then decide.

This unit from Kodak is a knock off of Canons S2 and S3 it has been so popular they had to. But the lens and reliability of the Canon are much better. I had used Kodak for years until I saw the light

http://www.profeelvideo.com/showpage...ource=dealtime

[Leo]

The Canon S2, S3 and S5 IS also take REALLY GOOD video clips. The Clips are legitimate DVD quality. It is not interlaced video so frame captures look quite good. There is a digital wind filter for excellent stereo sound as well. Yes Video fills up an SD card quickly but SD cards are getting alot cheaper.

You can also get a filter adapter and a telephoto add on lense for all those Canon cameras. This really gives the camera outstanding reach. With the extra magnification you really can appreciate the image stabilization ability.

The fact that you can use any AA battery is also significant. The lithium AAs are awesome. I've taken over 1200pictures on one set of batteries. NiCads don't even come close and for cold weather the Lithiums win hands down.

You also have the very important feature of turning off all sound on the camera. This is crucial for taking wildlife shots. There isn't even a shutter noise. Except for the zoom motor the camera is completely silent.

If you've seen any of my pictures on this board. They were all taken with the S2 or S3.

[turkeygirl]

ttt...

[wtnhunt]

What's a good amount of megpixel to have?

That will really depend Ruth. It will depend on the quality of the lens and the cameras true optical zoom. I am only shooting a 6.3 mp camera, but it is a dslr and I can use different lenses. My camera itself has no zoom, but at 6.3 megapixels even in the standard resolution settings for medium sized images, I can shoot pics of good enough quality that they would be plenty fine enough for 8X10's. In the fine mode, shooting raw images, the quality is pretty amazing for a 6 mp range camera.

Some of the newer point and shoots that are out have some really good glass. Sony I know has a few that use Zeiss lenses, my video camera has a zeiss lens, and while it is only a 3.3 mp digital camera, it has 10 optical zoom and it is pretty amazing how sharp it is for taking pics when in the pic mode. The S-600 is a good camera, some wal marts still carry this camera, I know ours has them for around $140, but not sure for far off shots if it would really work out that well. Same goes for the p-41 mentioned above, I have a couple of them in trail cams and while they make great trail camera cams, for long range shots, they would definitely not be my first choice for a cam for taking any type of distant shots. Think if I were going to chose a sony cam, I would more likely go with the W70 which is in the $240 price range and is a 7 mp camera with a 3X optical zoom and zeiss glass.

Would look close at any of the nikon, sony, and cannon cams. Just remember that the lesser the optical zoom, the higher the resoultion you will want to compensate for the longer shots.