Need Digital Camera Advice

[Playmaker]

I'm a college student that will be studying abroad in Europe for 8 weeks this summer and want a camera to help document it. I've never owned a digital camera (or even a regular camera) before, but I have plenty of time to learn so ease of use isn't an issue for me. I primarily want the camera to take scenic, outdoor type pictures (mountains, fjords, lakes, etc.), and basic friend and family pictures. I'd mostly view the pictures on my computer or have them printed out in regular picture size at a photoshop, so size in that regard isn't a big deal. I also would like the camera to be USB compatible as I'm bringing a laptop with me to store the pictures so I only have to buy one memory card, but it does not have firewire.

My problem is I don't want to spend too much as 8 weeks in Europe in the middle of the tourism season will no doubt set me back quite a bit. I'm thinking $250 to $300 for the total package (camera, memory card, batteries, etc.) is the range I'm looking at. However, I could justify another $100 or so if that will provide a MAJOR jump in quality. I have done extensive reading and have a good idea of what my options are, but I'm hoping to get some good feedback to help make my decision. Thanks.

 

[ed21x]

for that pricerange, i would definitely look into the Canon s400, or other elph line, as well as well as konica minolta f120, kyocera's 5 megapixel offering (forgot the model), pentax optio 400, etc... they are all good.

I would presonally go with the minolta for the best color reproduction, even though i've only had experiences with the minolta and canon. minolta isn't quite as sharp, but the color are usually more true to the tone of what it's suppose to be while canon's offering is a bit grainier, but definitely still high quality.

 

[thorin]

Canon A70 or A80

Thorin

 

[bigshooter]

Digital ELPHs are the best. I think the best price/performance right now is the Canon S410 (check dell for 10% off and go to your favorite bargains sites for additional coupons). It's 4MP with a 3X optical zoom. I bought one for my parents and it's great. I found a 256meg CF card for $23 as well. I'd pick up a couple cards if i were you.

I bought a Canon SD110 for myself just because it's a little smaller and easier to fit in a pocket. It only has 2x optical zoom though, and it uses SD memory which is currently a little more expensive than CF. I bought my camera with a 256meg SD card for $287 shipped (I almost forgot... I have a $20 rebate coming from Sandisk for my SD card too, so my price goes down to $267).

If you don't need the slim form factors, thorin's suggestion is good. The A70 and A80 are really good cameras, I just don't like the form factors. They are cheaper than the Elph's though. If I can find the sites I went to for digicam advice, I'll post them later. I found some really good info.

Anyways, I think the moral of this post is go Canon.

 

[Quadophile]

Canon A80 is a fine camera and uses standard batteries instead of propriety ones which are not as easily available and cheap if you are travelling. Canon A80 is also having a better flash coverage than S400. You should go for the camera, a memory card of atleast 256 (if you are travelling) and a good case to start with. A tripod will obviously come in very handy if you need to take good evening shots. When you travel you should take pictures at fairly high resolution to be able to print them well if you need to.

Do you use a laptop? If so, you should be able to save the pics on a daily basis by transfering them to the laptop and making sure you do not loose them.

I do moderating duties at PC Review's "Digital Imaging and Photography" section where you are most welcome to discuss anything and everything related to photography. There are some helpful threads you could take a look at which are basically guidelines for those who are starting out in digital photography or photography in general. The facility of "one to one" basis makes things very interesting. Here is the link if you care to check out

Digital Imaging and Photography at PC Review UK

 

[bigshooter]

The sites I was looking for are in this thread

Fifth post down

 

[SickBeast]

In your situation I would skimp a bit on the camera in order to get a massive flash memory card. 512MB would be my minimum in your position. You're not going to be willing/able to run to the computer once a week to download your images, so storage capacity should be your #1 concern.

You should be able to squeeze a 512MB card plus a nice 3MP camera within your budget. I would start from there and check out my options.

I have a personal preference for Canon digital cameras, and the Minoltas also look very nice to me. Oh, and the new compact Pentax ones also look very nice.

 

[Zepper]

Check this site for fairly decent reviews: steves-digicams.com . While shopping, don't skip taking a look at the Panasonic units. Not as easy to find but worth the effort.
.bh.

 

[Playmaker]

Thanks all for the replies. Most of the 8 weeks will be spent taking classes and traveling on weekends, so getting on the laptop every other day with the homework I'll be doing shouldn't be a problem. If the 512 isn't too much more then the 256 for whichever media type the camera I decide on needs, I will go for it though.

I am going to try to check out Best Buy and Ritz tomorrow to check out some in person. I have a good idea of what my options are, so now it just comes down to $20 here and there separating all my choices. I hate when decisions are so close in price because I know it's going to be hard to decide. While searching I saw the hot deals post for the Canon A80 for under $200...I wish I was looking for cameras back then...

 

[Playmaker]

I've been researching and checking out sample pictures, and it seems like the Canon A80 looks like my best choice even though I would prefer a camera with a built-in chargeable battery. I can find it for around $300 + $50 for a Lexar 256mb CF + $50 for case and rechargeable batteries (does that seem reasonable). $400 is more than I wanted to spend, but I think it's justified.

I do have a question for those of you with the A80, though. If I buy the retail package online, what is the warranty coverage from Canon? Am I better off paying extra at Best Buy or Ritz in this regard?

Also, for what I've said I want to do, does this seem like my best option? Or could I get by with an A70/A75 or some other camera that I'm missing? I wish I hadn't seen that deal for the A80 for $179 at OfficeDepot a month ago, so I wouldn't feel so bad paying $120 more for it.

Any feedback would be appreciated...

 

[snidy1]

I bought the A80 a month ago and love it. You'll be happy with it.

 

[Arcanedeath]

Cannon makes very good digital cameras I've had an S40 for quite awhile I purchased used from a friend of mine that upgraded to a 6MP camera and haven't regreted it. I loaned it to my parents for their vacation to Hawaii and it took truely breath taking landscape photo's, I've heard good things about both the S400 and the A80 and some of fuji's newer cameras although I'm not sure of the models, however in your pricerange the A80 seems like a good call. Hope this helps...

 

[thorin]

Anyone know what changes Canon made when the A70 was replaced by the A75?

Thorin

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: thorin
Anyone know what changes Canon made when the A70 was replaced by the A75?

Thorin

Take a look here

 

[Playmaker]

I'm having kind of a change in plans now. I thought about it and I'm not sure I can justify dropping $400 on a camera as I doubt I'll really take that many pictures during the school year next year, so it would mainly just be for this study abroad. So now I think the better route might be having my parents buy it for me, using it for the summer, then giving it to them as they do want a digital camera anyway. My mom would want it just for basic pictures of family and has never used a digital camera before. My dad has an early generation Toshiba digital camera that he uses for taking close-ups of stuff he sells on eBay, but it's worthless for anything else. It would be nice for him to have a newer camera with better quality on close-up shots of the model cars and antiques that he sells. Both would use point and shoot, so ease of use is important to them.

Would the Canon A75 probably fit this situation just as well as the A80? I could probably find the whole set up for around $300 as opposed to almost $400 for the A80, saving my parents $100. My dad resizes the pictures for eBay and my mom probably wouldn't print larger than standard 4x6s very often, so I'm now thinking 4mp might be overkill. How is the point and shoot macro on the A75 for the eBay thing, though? Would that still a good option for ease of use in this situation? It seems like Canon seems to be the choice of most first time buyers, so that's why I'm leaning so heavily towards them. I will consider other suggestions, though.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Check GottaDeal.com (RossMAN's site) for a OneCall link to get an A70 for $219 + shipping with case and rechargeable batteries + charger. They also have the A80 for $302 + shipping.

To make the link work, I had to register at OneCall for their "pass" program (free) in one window then click the GottaDeal link in another window. I used an earlier link at GottaDeal to get the A80 for $309 + shipping (+ tax since I'm in WA).

 

[Quadophile]

Playmaker,

You are absolutely justified in reconsidering your purchased decision based on what you mentioned in your post. Yes, a 4 MP camera may be an overkill for the purpose. However, the A70 is a nice little camera with same AA cell capabilities and a decent 5 cm macro range for close-ups if required. I'd say save your money and go for it. The A70 has been reviiewed favourably and there is no need for you to think you may be getting a lemon. If you need to save money If you take pictures at highest resolution say with file sixe at 1,400kb the 256 MB CF card would yield 154 pictures, that is a lot of pictures in one go. one step lower and the number of picture capability goes up to 276 with file size of 850kb. The camera also has a very good performance in terms of the batteries which is good enough to take almost 500 pictures with one charge using flash for 20 percent of the pictures.

I hope you will find this information useful in making the decision.

I wish you good luck!

 

[DeeTees]

Just a suggestion. Panasonic FZ-1 with a 12X optical zoom f2.8 Leica image stabelized lens. It is only a 2 meg pixel camera, but with the proper use of the 12x zoom you can have results equal to many of the 4-5 meg camera's now available. You can buy it for about $260.00 plus a 256 meg smart media card (about $45.00) and come close to your price point.

The camera is point and shoot, but it can be upgraded by a simple e-prom flash to the FZ-2 which has both aptature priority and shutter speed priority.

It is a greqat camera for detail work for e-bay, takes great family pictures and scenics.

Give it alook.

 

[Playmaker]

I looked into that Panasonic FZ1 and some of the sample pictures I saw were amazing. However, all the reviews I read mentioned its drawbacks indoors and in low light, two areas where my family would primarily use it after I returned from Europe. Is this a problem with the FZ1 in comparison to a Canon A75 or A80, or is it more of a general problem with all digital cameras?

Also, how is the size for carrying around? And what about a second battery? I've read they are expensive. Finally, would flashing it to an FZ2 void the warranty at all?

Thanks again. I only have another day to decide between the Canon A75, A80, and now the Panasonic FZ1, so any and all input is appreciated.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Check GottaDeal.com (RossMAN's site) for a OneCall link to get an A70 for $219 + shipping with case and rechargeable batteries + charger. They also have the A80 for $302 + shipping.

To make the link work, I had to register at OneCall for their "pass" program (free) in one window then click the GottaDeal link in another window. I used an earlier link at GottaDeal to get the A80 for $309 + shipping (+ tax since I'm in WA).

Just an update.

Playmaker - If you are still in the market for a good digicam, Buy.com has the NEW! Canon PowerShot A75 for $212 from Buy.com

Here is a nice review of the A75, this is one awesome digicam.

 

[Playmaker]

Thanks for the tip, but I already purchased the A80 with the deal on your site. Have received it, but haven't had a chance to try it out much yet.

Also received my batteries and charger from Thomas Distributing, and I want to say what a great company they are to order from. I had to make a change at the last minute before my order shipped and it was done smoothly by e-mail. Great customer service.

 

[snidy1]

Originally posted by: thorin
Canon A70 or A80

Thorin

I agree, my A80 is awesome

 

[rickon66]

Good choice!! Stay away from anything with a proprietory battery-especially if you are wanting to use it on an extended vacation.

 

[Quadophile]

Playmaker,

Congratulations on your purchase!

Hope you really enjoy your new toy and be able to use the tool to its full potential. You will surely not be dissapointed having made the decision to go for the A80

Happy Shooting!

 

[PizzaDude]

Canon a70, a80, or SD110. Definitely get a Canon, though.