digital camera recommendations? 2meg, $400-$600?

rdangerer

rdangerer

Joined
May 26, 2000
Messages
1,922
Well, I've finally reigned in my knife habit enough to afford a ~$400 to ~$600 digital camera.

I could sure use some advice from any of you avid digital photography buffs out there.

My primary objectives are:
1. 2 megapixel minimum, 3 meg preferred
2. takes good closeup shots
3. takes good indoor shots

Everything else is gravy, as I can't see using this for more than a few years (say 2-4) until things get better AND cheaper and memory prices continue to drop (hopefully).

If there is something out there that really smokes at $800 or so, I would entertain this as well, but past that and I'm running out of money and interest (not a serious photographer, just need a tool).

Recommendations on places (web) to do research, places with ratings/writeups, would also be appreciated. Many thanks.
 
Can't go wrong with a Fujifilm MX1200. I've had mine for 2 years now, and it does everything I ask it to do. It is capable of macro-photography and it's what I use to take all of my knive shots. It's good at handling all sorts of lighting conditions as well. Last time I looked, they retailed in Kmart for $250, but I know you could find an even better deal online. I always bargain hunt in Yahoo Shopping.
 
Check out Olympus c3020 3.1mpl mid range in your price zone and LOADED.Comes with very good photo editing software.Buy online under $500 . Get some rechargeable batteries though as this and ALL digicams will eat batts.quickly.
 
My personal opinion...please, no flames.

If you are going to buy a camera, buy one made by a camera maker.
That being said I would look into:
Olympus
Nikon
Canon

you cant go wrong with anything from these three.
 
rdangerer,

I think I can help you out here. (I feel like I owe you, anyway.)
I'm just an amateur photographer, but I feel like I've done my homework to find a really good digital camera in the under $1000 range. I bought a Canon Powershot G2 about 6 weeks ago, and am feeling pretty damned smug about it! I had to pay a little over $700 for it, but imho, there is not a $600 camera out there that can be considered serious competition, for so many reasons. It's that good, and flexible. Accurate color, long battery life, a REAL hot shoe, wireless controller and remote control, awesome swiveling display panel, 4 megapixels, macro, wide angle, and telephoto capabilities, and it comes with Adobe Photoshop LE software.

Keep in mind that none of these cameras have a built-in flash that is really suitable for quality indoor "knife pictures" and things of that nature, though for casual "party shots", most are fine. If you don't want to spend the bucks on an external flash, you can still make great knife photos outdoors in natural light. The G2 is extremely versatile, and technically awesome for it's price.

If you plan to buy a camera via catalog or internet, I can very highly recommend B&H Photo in New York, NY. You can trust them, and their service is outstanding. In any event, beware of "gray market" goods ... very common from many internet sources. The URL for B&H Photo is www.bhphotovideo.com

You will find incredible piles of valuable and very specific information at www.dpreview.com (click on "Forums" at the left, then "Canon Talk" to get any and all of your G2 questions answered) and www.imaging-resource.com is very good too, for lots of stuff. I can't claim that the G2 is the best camera for everyone, but for me, this is it. Good luck.

Dan
 
A couple of years ago, I bought a Sony Cybershot S50 with 2.1 megapixel resolution. Since I dont print the photos, this is more resolution than I need. I am more than happy with it. I paid about $500 for it then, but the 2.1 digital cameras have gone down to well under $400. For about $600-700, you can get the new Sony with over 4 megapixels and a Carl Zeiss lens. Again, not sure all that resolution is needed unless you plan on printing out your photos. For what I do, taking pics of my knives and pics of friends and knife shows to be sent around on the internet and emails, 2.1 megapixels is plenty. In fact, I have my camera set to take photos at the lowest resolution, in order to be able to take more photos on the same memory stick.
 
Thanks to all who have responded so far... gives me plenty to research this coming weekend.

Keep the recs coming.

And Danbo, I must say Noprah to Oprah myself. I mean, how much ego does it take to name a magazine after yourself, but worse, to have a posed pic of yourself on the cover EVERY FREAKING MONTH! Sheesh. Oafrah.
 
I have a CoolPix 775 Nikon , it's a great little camera .

2.14 megapixel
3x zoom( 38-115 zoomlens )
one touch uploads
LCD monitor
Auto or manual operation

And can be purchased all day for $325.00-$350.00, I'm no pro by far but I have 2 Nikons and have never had any problems .
 
Canon Powershot S100 Digital Elph!!! It is the size of a deck of cards and weighs in at 8 oz and come with a battery charger. You can get them for about $325 at Amazon now. $500 seven months ago. It is a 2megapixel with a 2x optical zoom. It is so small you will take it anywhere.

If you really want the very best and will spend a bit more. Get the Canon G2. 4 megapixels and a real nice lens. It is bigger and weighs almost twice as much as the S100 but it should be about the best for the buck in hi-rez cameras.

I have the S100 and really, really like it. This image has been knocked way down in resolution for web work. It will do much more than this but this size seems to be a good one for posting. This is a hike I took last summer on the West Fork of the Little Colorado River near Greer, AZ. The wildflowers were abundant. This camera will focus down to 4" on Macro which is what I had it set on here.

FloweronLittleColorado.JPG


Here is yours truly two weeks ago in Northern Arizona having a blast.

The colors this camera produces are vivid. The software that come bundled with it is first rate.

SPinCave.JPG
 
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