Good Digital Camera?

[Stormyva]

I know this is not a digital camera review site but hopefully I can get some good advice here.

I am trying to decide what digital camera to buy....
3 mega pixel or better
minimum 3x optical zoom
$300-450.00 price range

I have been doing some reading and I keep coming back to the Fuji Finepix 3800.
Any input on that camera or recommendations for others?
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[coferj]

I don't know any specifics on that cam, but I do know that many people have them, and they do take great pictures. I'm biased towards Nikon, but that's b/c I have one. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Have you considered the Coolpix 4500? That's the one that I originally wanted, and may still buy down the line to replace my 2500 when I tire of it.
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[vetstudent82]

Storm, 3 megapixels are good. I have a 2 megapixels, and I like it. If you stick to 4 by 6 2 megapixels are more than fine, for a good 8 by 10 I'd go with 3 MP. Also, the zoom: optical is wich a lens, so like a normal camera. Your picture definition wil remain the same. Digitalis the computer making it like in photoshop, thus decreasing your resolution. The camera you picked has a great optical zoom!


I bought a Canon S200 Powershot and I'm very happy with it. It's small, and very easy to use, Takes nice picts, too, they look perfect used as backgrounds on my computer.

For a 3MP I wouldn't pay more that 350$. My advise to you is: find what you like, then shop around to sites that give you review on all the sites that sell that camera, and you'll find many unconventional sites with good reviews that sell it for less that the "big" retailer. I bought mine for 250$ instead of 310$. Such as
PriceSCAN

Also, make sure you get a big enough memory card. Take into consideration that a high resolution picture will take up 3 to 4 Megabytes, which is what will give you the quality. The camera you picked comes with a 16MB card, you can probably use it for max 4 high res pictures. I'd get one at least with 92 MB, if not 128MB (I have this one). Also, and this is not as important, try and get a fast one, that says 12X, is will record the picture faster (I think, not sure though. this helps when taking pictures of sth that might move, u know, your snakes might not like posing that much [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] )

Finally, battery life: the one you picked uses AA batteries.. NOT very good, I don't trust them, cuz you can't recharge them. Make sure you get some that are really good. And, if you'll be in cold weather, you battery life will shorted significantly (cold as in below freezing)

That's it! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Enjoy shopping!

_________________
1.0 Quarter horse, KID, 0.0.2 Clowfish, soo to come, 0.0.1 Ball Python [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[SnakePool]

In my experience, knowing how to use the camera and how to take pics is better for your pics than megapixels. You could have a 5 mp camera but if you don't know how to take pictures, it is pretty much worthless. I use a Sony Mavica FD-100 1.2mp and it takes great pics, in my opinion. Also choose one with a rechargable battery and most importantly, Macros.

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[XzyluM]

I've always heard that the smaller the mexapixel the better. But like Jesse said, you can take some great shots with not so expensive cameras if you get the kick of it. I'm also thinking about getting a new digital with zoom and all and I'm leaning toward Nikon.
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[dlamphere]

On a side note. I'm in the market for a cheep used digital camera if anyone is wanting to upgrade.. I just need something to post pics with nothing special as long as it's better than a Barbie cam...lol
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[SnakePool]

Don't knock Sony.....hehe My camera has yet to give me ANY sort of problems. Plus I just bought a Sony NetMD(mini disc) player/recorder and it is truly awesome. 1 AA battery lasts me a week, that's using it for 9 hours five nights at work and play over the weekend. Also my Playstation has rarely been turned off since I bought it last september. My Mavica uses both floppy discs and memory sticks. Which is cool if you don't have USB or you are somewhere else. I believe it is $299 now, for which I am kicking myself now.
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[Stormyva]

Thank you everyone for the tips and advice!
After hearing everyones recommendations I went with a lower MP camera that had more scene settings and options and even managed to save a couple of hundred dollars over the 3+MP cameras that I started looking at. Several people here and elsewhere recommended the Nikon line and after reading reviews and comparing features and image quality I went for the Nikon Coolpix 2100. I found it through a "store" at Ebay brand new original packaging for $220.00 delivered.

Thank you again!
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[coferj]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Thank you everyone for the tips and advice! After hearing everyones recommendations I went with a lower MP camera that had more scene settings and options and even managed to save a couple of hundred dollars over the 3+MP cameras that I started looking at. Several people here and elsewhere recommended the Nikon line and after reading reviews and comparing features and image quality I went for the Nikon Coolpix 2100. I found it through a &quot;store&quot; at Ebay brand new original packaging for $220.00 delivered.

Thank you again! </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds like you found yourself a great deal!! I never discount Ebay...as a matter of fact, that's usually the first place that I always look...you can also, for future reference, check Overstock.com, b/c they usually have great deals on any and everything...I found a 128MB flash card for about 80 bucks once, but didn't get it b/c the 64 that came in my cam package was plenty. Congrats on the new cam, and get us some pics rolling!
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[Ed_r]

for the puter illiterate and digi cam illitereate(like me [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] ) Could someone explain Macros? I'm in the market real soon too. Tips on things to look out for?
Storage size and type i know. What else? BRETT HELP!!!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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[Ti]

Macro is the ability to focus on a subject closely, from a short distance away. My digi has a macro focus range of about 2.5&quot; - 3&quot;, meaning I can have my lense that close to my subject and get a clear photo. It's important when tryiong to get the close-up detail that I love to see. PM me if you have any other questions. Good Luck! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[coferj]

As far as the MP that you need to look for, that all depends on what you are going to use the cam for. Like myself, for example. I knew that I would probably never print any of the photos, and would be using the cam for posting on the net 99% of the time. In this instance, a 2mp is all you need. If you get into printing, then the higher mp are needed. 2-3mp are fine for 4x6 prints, and sometimes 8x10 if you dont' need astounding clarity. If you're going to be printing 8x10 and larger on a reg basis, then you may want to look at a 4mp+ cam, b/c that's when the better pixilation will really show through.

I would def. recommend getting a camera that has a macro option on it. It really brings out the detail and colors when you're shooting up close, and want true detail. The macro takes practice, but once right, can yield amazing results paired with lighting, background, etc. I know that a guy named Charles Escoffrey (sp?) has the same cam as I do, but his pictures always turn out like works of art compared to mine, b/c he knows more about it than I do.

Then, you just look at the options and zoom of the camera. Find the options that you like, the ergonomics that you like and that fit you. I would recommend that you check out Ebay, b/c lots of times ppl will be selling NIB cameras, with other options, at LOW prices. I got my 2500 for about 290 shipped w/new camera, tripod, extra 64mb flash card, three year extended warranty, and some other incidentals.

Good luck!
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[Boaguy]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> I found a 128MB flash card for about 80 bucks once, but didn't get it b/c the 64 that came in my cam package was plenty. Congrats on the new cam, and get us some pics rolling! </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
I found a 128MB flash card at Best Buy for $50 and included a $10 rebate... so it made it $40.

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[LdyDrgn]

I love my Sony Mavica FD-83. For what I want and need a camera to do, it is perfect. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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