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Let's make this easy - which car is the most for the $$ Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:41:11
In Reply to: Digital camera bang for the buck..., Clay McNeely   [Profile/Gallery]
, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:17:17
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Similar question. It all depends on what you want.
Most digital cameras provide many, many features that most folks don't use. For some, those features are necessities, and others could care less.
What do you want to do with the camera? Are you looking for point and shoot? Or do you want to play with exposure and focus? How big do you want it to be? Small is nice, because it will be easy to carry; however, buttons get smaller, too, and a complex small camera is in general, more expensive than a larger camera with the same features.
How about the lens? Digital zoom is pretty much useless. You can do the same on your home computer. Optical zoom has value, but adds cost and complexity. The more the zoom capability, the bigger/more complex the lenses.
How about the screen on the back? You end up doing a lot with that screen. A 1.5 inch screen can be pretty small. But a lot depends on your eyes. If you need reading glasses, you're going to want a bigger screen. 1.8 is nice, 2 inches is better. But more expensive.
How about focus? Most all cameras have autofocus. Some include a manual focus. Nice feature, IF you use it. And since you will be using the screen to focus, a manual focus with a small screen is pretty hard to use.
Do you plan on doing lots of 8x10 prints? Most folks don't. BUt they get sucked into the Megapixel wars, because More Is Better. (Isn't it?) Heck, I need 6 MP because I may want to make posters. I never have, but what the heck, could happen! More MP is nice because it allows you to blow up/crop your pictures afterwards.
Batteries - digital cameras eat batteries like candy. Some use AA batteries. These are nice, because in a pinch, you can always buy them. Some cameras will eat 2 standard alkaline AAs in 10 or 12 shots. Most folks buy high-capacity rechargeable AAs in those cameras. Last a lot longer, but you will be looking at about $25 for a charger and one set of batteries. And you'll want more than one set. Other cameras have proprietary batteries, usually Lithium Ion. The hold a lot more charge, but if you're away from a charger, you're out of luck. They are also more expensive to replace than AAs. But the camera usually comes with one. If you want a spare, expect $40, but you can probably find one cheaper.
What do you store the photos on? There are at least 4 common memory systems - SD (secure Digital) CF (compact flash) xD (extreme something) and Sony memory stick. Sonys are pretty much just for Sony. Extra cards are nice. CF tend to be cheapest and most common; SD slightly behind, followed by xD and Sony. Again, not a big thing, but a 256meg card can cost you between $25 (really good sale) up to $65 for a less common one in a pinch.
At a minimum, check out Steve's Digicams (http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html). You'll find a bewildering amount of information.
You can get a pretty darn good camera under $180. Just watch out for those add-ons, like batteries and a memory card that can add another $75 easily. Most cameras come with a memory card, but it's so small as to be laughable. Some places (Staples, Target, etc) will run specials where they throw in a decent sized card (128 mb) 'free.'
For under $200, you aren't buying a super-fantastic camera, capable of all sorts of professional stuff. And that's good. Buy something basic. If you find yourself straining for more goodies, you'll have the experience of playing with a camera for a few months/years, and will have a better idea of what's important (and not important) to you.
I'll make a few bold statements here -
Find a decent 3.2 or 4 MP camera. 3.2 MP (or so) cameras are pretty common now, so the price point is very attractive. 4MP is nice, but watch that price creep. My opinion, more than 4 is unnecessary for a low-priced camera, and the quality of the rest of the camera probably won't keep up with the photo size.
Batteries - rechargeable AAs are nice. But don't be scared off if you find one with a proprietary battery at a good price. Yes, those batteries are expensive. But so are good rechargeable AA and a charger. And by the time the proprietary battery needs replacement, you will probably be looking for a new camera, anyway.
No more than 3x optical zoom. Any more than that requires very good optics, and that cost money and size. If you can get away with no zoom,you'll get a better camera for the money. But zoom is nice. Not to take pictures far away - zoom allows you to 'frame the picture without your feet.' Huh? With no zoom, you frame the picture by walking closer or farther away. Feet, get it? With a zoom, you can frame the shot easier. Very useful when there is traffic or a cliff behind you.
Find a camera with a CF or SD card. More common and cheaper. At $180, every extra $10 you spend on cards doesn't go to a camera. If you find a really, really good deal on a Sony, don't disregard it.
Beyond that, I believe in sticking with companies that sell cameras. Sony has been in the business for a while. But the established camera companies - Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Kodak, all are good names. I'd stay away from any brand you've never heard of. There are a lot of folks out there, not all good.
For simple, easy to use cameras, I like Kodak. They give up some nicer features (like manual focus) for quality and easier to use. Just my personal bias. Not very sexy - a Cannon will have lots more bells and whistles. But if you don't use them, they help you not at all.
Lastly, go to Circuit City or Best Buy, or wherever, and try. Play. See which feel best.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:17:17, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:44:52, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:41:11 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 24 Feb 2005 06:21:41
, Thu, 24 Feb 2005 05:34:21, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:51:17
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