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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/22/2003 : 12:21:23

Despite a personal predisposition to film, I'm now considering getting a digital camera if the cost can be kept reasonable. I know many of you folks have lots of experience with them. I'm looking for recomendations for a digital camera under $200. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

RichardG 81 FK/SR #2657
Terminal Island, CA

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 12:51:35

Before I purchased my camera I read an article that compared digital camera performance. Kodak had the best color accuracy. I've bought two Kodak digital cameras on eBay and have been extremely pleased with both. My current camera, the DC4800 (3.1 megapixels) has an optional macro lens for close-ups.
But, as technology continues to progress at an ever increasing pace no product is king-of-the-hill for long. I would look for a digital camera magazine that performed a recent comparison test, which will also discuss what features one should consider.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 13:14:09

Hi Richard,
I post a lot of pictures. last summer I decided that if I did not buya digital camera I would go into the Moore's principal spiral that kept me from ever buying a video camra the entire time my kids were growing up. I did quite a bit of research and came to a conclusion that I stand by today. If you are a digitally based person, I.E. computer based, then 2.1 megapixels is all you will ever need. The more megapixels the larger the print, not neccasarily the better the picture. Computer screens display at 72dpi, that ain't squat! Who is going to print anything larger than 5x8 on their inkjet? Anyway 2.1 is what I bought and if you go to my home page you will see a lot of pictures that look great and had to be reduced dramatically to be appropriate for web display. I bought my daughter a refurbished Nikon from
http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001& catalogId=10001& langId=-1& productId=13106452& cmCat=SEARCH
It is a nice pocket camera that will work well on the boat. I have a FujiFilm 2800 that looks like an SLR but that makes it clumsy to have with me. I have to wear it around my neck like a Japanese tourist. I have played with the little Nikon and it does a nice job. Ritz Camera seems to be very ligit, I recieved my camera in days.

Edited by - on

jmorrical
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 14:34:11

Check out prices in your range here.

http://bestbuys.dealtime.com/xCH-cameras_and_photography

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 17:35:20

I, too, am in the market for a digital camera and I'm leaning towards the Olympus Stylus 300. It is a 3.2 megapixel, 12x total zoom, point and shoot camera. This camera comes with a gasketed metal case that is advertised as being somewhat weather proof.

One thing I'm looking for in a digital camera is movie mode. A sailing friend of mine got a digital camera last Christmas and not only has he taken a ton of photos of me on the water, he has taken some good video's as well. Whenever I need a break at the office I just fire up one of those digital videos and count down the days until North Star is splashed.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 20:34:44

Someone wiser than I once said, "The best camera is the one you'll carry with you." Balance size and features with ease of dropping the thing in your pocket or bag when you leave the house. I used the web resource below before buying my two digital cameras. The website contains consumer reviews of all kinds of stuff:
http://www.consumerreview.com/
They have a section on digital photography.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 21:12:43

I've had an Olympus D 5500 for over a year now and love it. It's now no longer in production. I've used Olympus equipment for years and it's top of the line.

Brooke

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2003 : 21:55:10

I bought the Canon A60 last summer.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 11:46:21

Our little Fuji (probably an obsolete model) is only 1.3 megapixels, and I think it takes wonderful pictures for normal snapshot-sized printing. For Web viewing, it's overkill--I cut most images down to half size or smaller, and lose nothing whatsoever on a computer screen (but the files are MUCH smaller). 2 MPs are more than most people need--3+ MPs are for those who want 8X10 photo-quality prints... But when each shot is 3 MPs, you use up your memory card at a much greater rate, and will want larger capacity cards (and more of them). You'll also fill up the gigs on your PC much faster. Actually, you'll likely end up using it in lower-resolution (lower MPs) mode.

Be aware of the difference between an optical zoom and a digital zoom. The latter is essentially just digital "cropping", keeping a central section of the image, which uses a smaller number of pixels. The former uses a zoom lense and all of the pixels, so resolution is not lost. You can do "digital zooming" with photo editing software.

Also, check a source like CNET.COM for comparative reviews, and pay attention to what they say about the software that comes with the cameras and the types of ports they can download to. (Most are USB.)

Then, just do it! Any digital camera is infinitely better than none!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/23/2003 11:58:06

jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 13:39:05

My Canon A60 is a 2MPixel. It came with a 16 MB and I bought a larger 128 when I ordered on the web. I since bought the 256 MB for $60. My new computer has a 120 GB Hard Drive. Storage/memory is very affordable these days. Take all you want at full resolution. Buy about 8 or more high capacity NiMH rechargable batteries, a 120V and a 12V charger. Get one with optical and digital zoom, a view finder that permits shooting with the display off to save battery.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 14:30:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jsummerfield
 My Canon A60 is a 2MPixel. It came with a 16 MB and I bought a larger 128 when I ordered on the web. I since bought the 256 MB for $60. My new computer has a 120 GB Hard Drive. Storage/memory is very affordable these days. Take all you want at full resolution. Buy about 8 or more high capacity NiMH rechargable batteries, a 120V and a 12V charger. Get one with optical and digital zoom, a view finder that permits shooting with the display off to save battery.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You just described my Fuji 2800.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/24/2003 13:24:37

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 14:52:33

I also have a Cannon. Its an older Power Shot A50. I have had it for several years. Never had any problems with it (BUT) your going to want at least one extra battery and a larger flash card. This will aply to just about any cam you purchase with the exception of the picture storage media. Flash card, smart card whatever. You will also need a device for downloading to your computer. Good Guy's sells a device that will read any and all cards for $40. Flash card readers are a bit cheaper at around $20.

Edited by - on

mtiffee
1st Mate

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USA
57 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 15:30:26

The best place for camera reviews hands down is here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

lots of sample photos, in depth.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 21:06:52

BTW, if you post a 2+MP photo on this site, most of us have to scroll sideways to see it and to read every other post on the thread. Photos for the Web should be sized to the equivalent of about .75 MPs or less. Also, when you reduce the size of a digital picture by half, you reduce the file size for a JPG to about 1/8th of the original. For people with dialup connections, that's significant.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 21:19:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 I, too, am in the market for a digital camera and I'm leaning towards the Olympus Stylus 300. It is a 3.2 megapixel, 12x total zoom, point and shoot camera. This camera comes with a gasketed metal case that is advertised as being somewhat weather proof.

One thing I'm looking for in a digital camera is movie mode. A sailing friend of mine got a digital camera last Christmas and not only has he taken a ton of photos of me on the water, he has taken some good video's as well. Whenever I need a break at the office I just fire up one of those digital videos and count down the days until North Star is splashed.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 21:34:41

Don: Didn't you already say that?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 22:20:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Don: Didn't you already say that?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oops!

Yes I did.

What I meant to add was that I just found out that the Olympus Stylus 300 doesn't have audio(only video) so I've eliminated it from my short list. I really liked this camera too, because it is small, weatherproof, and has a metal case.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2003 : 23:15:23

I have a Fuji Finepix 2600 Zoom. It takes great pics (2 MP) and short movies. Fuji has since changed their memory cards from Smartmedia to their own house brand. That would make me not want to buy another Fuji. Also, the lens cover is a major irritant--holding the camera normally to take a shot causes the lend cover to shut down on you, a BIG design flaw. I still have (and use) two Nikon film cameras. For sports photography, of which I do a lot, digital is not yet there (even though some of the latest cameras have all but elminiated the shutter delay that is so characteristic of digital cameras, and their major drawback.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 08:36:38

The primary features to consider when comparison shopping digicams: 1. How many megapixels do you need? The more MP's the camera can capture, the more cropping and editing you can do to optimize the picture, and of course more MP's = larger printing capability. 3 MP's is enough for most average snapshots. 5 MP's is better for photos of people, as you can crop the images to get rid of unwanted background and still get plenty of facial details.
2. What kind of memory card does the camera use: CompactFlash is the most widely available, and generally least expensive per megapixel, and is what I recommend, especially if you travel a lot. Some of the other memory card types are too specialized and you can only get them at camera stores. CompactFlash is everywhere, even WalMart sells them.
3. What kind of battery: I prefer a digicam that uses good old NIMH "AA"'s that you can but anywhere, even WalMart. Unfortunately, most digital camera's from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and others, seem to use proprietary lithium battery packs that are hideously expensive and again, only available at camera stores. A set of 4 NIMH "AA" cells is $10~$15 depending on where you buy them, compare to $75~$100 to replace a Sony or Nikon battery pack. And you will have to replace it every couple of years. None of these small batteries, including the NIMH's (nickel-metal-hydride), seems to last longer than that before they crap out and won't hold a charge anymore.
4. Optical Zoom Range: get as much as you can! 3X is barely adequate, 5X is better, 7X is really nice, and 10X is fantastic but only a couple of cameras have that much and they're not the cheap shirt-pocket cameras.
5. Manual focus and exposure control: This may or may not be important to you, but when shooting in low-light situations, most digital cameras, including the expensive ones, have very poor autofocus ability and will usually fail to get a sharp focus. The exception to this is the Sony F-707/717 models with the infrared laser-assisted focus. These cameras will autofocus properly, out to about 16', even in total darkness.

I shopped for more than a year before I bought my camera, a Minolta 7I, and it was the above factors that sold me. "AA" batteries, CompactFlash memory, 7X zoom range, 5 megapixels, full manual controls when I want them, and a reasonable price, $678, which is not that much more than some of the "shirt-pocket" cameras that have a lot less features.
Also, the absolute best website for researching digital cameras is www.dpreview.com authored by a British professional photographer, Phil Askey.

Hope you find this helpful!

Edited by - on

1grndslr
1st Mate

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34 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 11:20:27

We just bought a neat little Sony DSC P32 for our office. It has 3.2 megapixels and works great - Even has mode for a 3 to 10 minute movie.

It was about $189 at WalMart.

tchilds #5272 C25 TR/FK

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:21:46

Anyone with a digital camera should buy PhotoShop Elements. Period. It is under $100. With PhotoShop Elements you have the vast majority of the features of the real PhotoShop and you will speak the language of the digital photography technology. I shoot at maximum file size camera setting for maximum digital content. When I prepare a photo for this site (unless I have a reason for posting a large picture) I always crop first, then adjust the image size to 8" wide @72dpi, (a nice size for even a 16"/17" monitor) then save as a jpeg with a compression of 8 out 12. That reduces the load time and is still considered ok in terms of lost data. 72dpi is WSYWIG (what you see is what you get) Some monitors have a higher dpi, if they do then the 8" picture looks even smaller on their screens. It takes less than a minute to crop, resize, color correct, and save a photo. If you need to sharpen or adjust brightness or contrast or both that takes another 20-30 sec. I go through this because I want the viewer to see what I intended them to see and not waste upload space while doing it. To paraphrase Patrick Stewart... "If it isn't PhotoShop, then it's crap".

When I post I use the 800X600 resolution setting in the screen size dialog. That keeps my text posts from being wide. Someone in this thread used 1280X1024 and that is why I am having to scroll my 21" monitor while reading this thread. (I leave my 21" @ 1024X768 because my eyes are old, Tha native res of most 21" monitors is 1280X1024) Change your display setting to 1280X1024 and you will see what I mean.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/24/2003 13:24:15

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 13:39:06

I use a Sony Mavica model 88, have for several years now, bought it principally because it used floppy discs for picture storage. Easy to use, pricey, unusable screen in bright sun but otherwise satisfactory performance.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 16:09:31

I just got a HP DX4530 - It 5.0 mega pixels, 3X optical, 32MB internal storage, less than $300 (Walmart Staples)- software's not to shabby. Downloads pictures, didn't crash the computer, USB cable included and worked the first time -. Didn't find too many negative comments about it.

Edited by - frankr on 11/24/2003 16:14:26

Dick Johnson
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 16:41:26

Consumer reports lists the FujiFilm A303 as the best buy for the money. It is a 3.1 mp. I have one and am extremely pleased. I bought it on the Web for under 200 dollars

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 17:40:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dick Johnson
 Consumer reports lists the FujiFilm A303 as the best buy for the money. It is a 3.1 mp. I have one and am extremely pleased. I bought it on the Web for under 200 dollars
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I am going to say something harsh. I have a Fuji and like it, (wish it were tougher), I am glad you like yours too. I think we both did a good job.

I have never read a Consumer Report that agreed with anything anyone with any real knowledge had to say about anything.

I told you it was harsh

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2003 : 22:16:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I have never read a Consumer Report that agreed with anything anyone with any real knowledge had to say about anything.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank, I absolutely agree. The Fuji may be a fine camera, but I wouldn't trust CR. They tend to be very apples vs. oranges in their reviews, so it's hard to get clear comparisons. They also know a little bit about a whole lot of things, rather than a lot about anything. When I was heavily invested in film cameras, I was amused/appalled at their bizarre evaluations.

Brooke

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