[ArielBelle]

We are considering purchasing a digital camera. We already have two 35mm cameras, but I was thinking I should get with the program and get a Digital. I am tired of purchasing film...running out of film...and developing less than adequate photos. Any suggestions...recommendations???

[BuzzLightyear]

I with you ArielBelle!! Will be watching this thread closley.

[MickeyMac]

I love my Canon Elph/Ixus - small, fits in my pocket (always goes with me), takes great pictures, and the software that comes with it is great too.

I also love Olympus.

I *highly* recommend sticking with a brand that started as a camera first, since the optics tend to be better and the user options easier to use. Companies that started as electronics based then decide to tmake digitals tend to not be as sturdy, IMHO.

[jmouse]

Here are a few places for you to start:

Digital Camera Reviews - Steve's Digicams

Digital Photography Review

Digital Camera Tips

[tiggerlover1971]

we are thinking of getting a digital camera /video camera ones that are together does anyone know which is a good one

[DisneyAnne]

I have a Fuji Finepix 2600 and LOVE it! The pictures are very crisp. It allows you to take little 20 second home movies...you would be surprised what you get in 20 seconds.

The thing I love about my digital is that the picture is displayed on a small lcd screen. If the picture didn't come out well, you delete and retake. Or, do like I do and take a bunch and delete what you don't want.

It uses Smartmedia cards which can be found about anywhere.

If you decide to get one, make sure you get a high mb card rather than a smaller one. The larger the memory, the more pix you can take. I have unfortunately run out of memory before and missed an important shot.

[Park Hopper]

You might want to take a look at Sony's line of digital cameras called the Mavica. What makes the Sony Mavica different from other digital cameras is the storage media. Mavicas use plain old simple and cheap floppy disks instead of the more expensive memory sticks. This also makes transferring your photos from the camera to your computer very simple. You just stick the disk in your computer's floppy drive and you're done. I've used one for years and have been very pleased. I've also heard that the newer models offer the option of switching back and forth between storage media, either floppies or memory sticks.

[garada3]

We have a Sony Cyber Shot (DSC-S85).

DH bought it as a surprise for me so I had no say in what we got.

It takes good pictures and little 20 second video clips.

My biggest complaint is that the control to delete and review pictures is hard to operate. That makes it difficult to quickly see if the picture is a keeper or a do over!

I read a tip somewhere that when using a digital camera on vacation, make sure you take extra memory cards and swap them out 3 - 4 times on your trip. Why? The larger memory cards really hold alot of pictures so you can leave one card in for awhile. If the camera is stolen there go all your pictures. Whereas with regular film, most people leave the already exposed rolls in the hotel room each day and the only one that disappears is the one in the camera (providied that the camera bag doesn't go walkabout too!)

Have fun choosing a new camera!

[XiosMX5]

I have a Nikon coolpix 4300 w/ a 256 meg. ultra card and love it. I'm not even taking a 35mm camera with us this year only the digital and the Mini DV cam.

[brumcg]

I'm with XiosMX5; I have a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and couldn't be happier. I also own an entry level Kodak Digital that was disappointing.

Pick the features that you want and don't compromise for the sake of saving money or you'll end up disappointed like me with my Kodak.

Bruce

[LRTJS]

Thanks for all this advice. I have a very basic Poalroid but it really takes pretty decent pictures. I have been thinking about upgrading and will use all of these post.

[ArielBelle]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend 500 clams on a camera, but the two I was leaning toward are between $400-$500.

Bruce & XiosMx5...I found the Nikon 4300 for $449. It looks kinda chunky. Is it a larger model?

DisneyAnne...Is 64MB high or is that on the low side?

Anybody have an opinion on the Olympus Stylus 300???

Sorry I am so clueless.;)

[MickeyMac]

Garada - that may have been me. My camera was stolen last summer, along with all my pictures. I was so heartbroken over it I went into a slump for three days. I could have cared less about my camera (not really, but you know what I mean)

I bring my laptop and download the pics each day, so start anew. I NEVER want to loose my pics again!

[XiosMX5]

Originally posted by ArielBelle
Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend 500 clams on a camera, but the two I was leaning toward are between $400-$500.

Bruce & XiosMx5...I found the Nikon 4300 for $449. It looks kinda chunky. Is it a larger model?

DisneyAnne...Is 64MB high or is that on the low side?

Anybody have an opinion on the Olympus Stylus 300???

Sorry I am so clueless.;)

$449 is the going rate now, I paid $499 plus $110 for the 256meg. card back in September. Just to give you an idea, my card is currently empty and I have it set at the highest resolution(fine) and is shows that I have room for 260 pictures. If I drop the resolution to normal(which is good for most pictures) the capacity is 503 pictures!!! Get this, if I have it set at normal resolution and 1024x768 size, the card will fit 1114 pics on it!!!
As far as the size of the camera itself, it's a bit thicker but shorter than a pack of cigaretts. BTW the 4300 is a 4 megapixel camera. This is the main determining factor in the price of digitals.:dazed

[ccorbet]

how long to the batteries last??