New Camera Purchase

[Nansafan]

I'm new to the digital camera world and a basic rookie as far as cameras in general. I currently own a Fuji point and shoot type 35MM that I've had since 1993 and has served me well. I now wish to purchase a digital camera and have been doing research for the last few weeks. I'm leaning towards Olympus or Canon in the 4.0 -5.0 MP range. Picture quality is important as is ease of use. I will be in WDW from 7/22-7/29. My plan is to purchase July 10th at the latest so I can read up/play with the camera before we vacation. Any hints/suggestions/help is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all for any advice you may offer.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I'm new to the digital camera world and a basic rookie as far as cameras in general. I currently own a Fuji point and shoot type 35MM that I've had since 1993 and has served me well. I now wish to purchase a digital camera and have been doing research for the last few weeks. I'm leaning towards Olympus or Canon in the 4.0 -5.0 MP range. Picture quality is important as is ease of use.

Well, those two manufacturers as well as Nikon are your top 3. I'm assuming youre wanting to stay as point and shoot, so thats all im mentioning, in no particular order.

Ive seen an Olympus E20 in action and have had people in the parks rave about them. A tad pricey, but 4.9 MP and a fast lens. (35-140/2.0-2.4)

Canon's Powershot G5 is the followup to their G3 which is what Kodak uses in the parks for their in front of the castle shots. 5 MP, fast lens (35-140/2.0-3.0)

There's also the olympus c-5060 zoom ... 5.1 MP (27-110 /2.8)

Ive seen the G3 in action on a daily basis, and from what i can tell the G5 is the same camera but with a larger megapixel size. I'd check that out if i were buying something new. The sony's are nice BUT my friend just had his break, so i wouldnt ever recommend them again, Kodak's software is a resource hog on the computer so same goes with them and I wouldnt even think of touching anything other than Canon, Nikon or Olympus.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi we got a canon elf power shot S200 ( I think) It has 3.2 mega pixels. When we bought it Feb 2002 it was really hard to find it was so popular (we researched it on line.) It was important to us that is was fast ( don't miss the shot) small (easy to carry) and good pictures. We are pleased with it. It was 400 at the time, it has come down to 250 at some places. They have 2 more models since then, and did fix the few things I wasn't as pleased about this one, weak flash and not so great zoom. We get around the zoom by crouping on the compter with no problems. I have a leather case and take it everywhere with me. We are pleased with it.

Our friends have the same one but 4 mega pixels. They like it. It makes weried noises when you take a picture. More mega pixels takes up more memory. 3.2 is good enough for us. If you click on my pictures album they were all take with it last Jan 2004

 

[maelstrom]

I have the Canon Powershot S230 digital elph (3.2 megapixels) and I'm quite fond of it. My mother has the 4 megapixel version of it which is also nice. It's tiny and takes great pictures. If you're looking for a small, point-and-shoot digital camera that is easy to use, go with the Canon elph line. I can't stand Nikon and I haven't had any experience with Olympus digital cameras.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I have the Canon Powershot S230 digital elph (3.2 megapixels) and I'm quite fond of it. My mother has the 4 megapixel version of it which is also nice. It's tiny and takes great pictures. If you're looking for a small, point-and-shoot digital camera that is easy to use, go with the Canon elph line. I can't stand Nikon and I haven't had any experience with Olympus digital cameras.

That is right, that is one one I have too (the Canon Powershot 2320). I lent it to my SIL this weekend to take to Ceder Point, so I wasn't sure of the name. 2 votes for it. We had a digtial Nikon (coolpix) that was really bad, we took it back and got the Canon. The rechargable battery last a long time and dosen't take long to charge. It uses compact flash cards for memorty. I like Olympus for flim camera's but like Maelstrom, have no experince with the digital ones.

 

[Woody13]

Back in March, 2004 I was in the same boat with you. I did a ton of research on digital cameras and also came here to WDWMAGIC.COM for advice as well. MKT and PhotoDave (thanks guys!) both recommended the Nikon Coolpix 4300.

To make a long story short, I checked out a bunch of different cameras but I ended up with the Nikon Coolpix 4300. The real beauty of this camera is that it is simple to use for even the worst amateur (in auto mode), yet will also satisfy advanced amateurs if you desire to use the more advanced features.

I'm glad I got the Nikon and I highly recommend this camera. :wave:

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25507

 

[jojoyner55]

I've said this several times before on similar threads, but here goes again - I was a long time Nikon user (over 20 years), but when I decided to go digital seriously, based on my research/reviews/etc, I went with Olympus. First, with a point and shoot 2 Megapixel D-510. Loved it! Then I went seriously digital with a 5 Megapixel C-5050 that is simply fantastic! It is about to make its second trip to WDW, in fact. I strongly recommend you look at Olympus: and like I said, this is from a long time Nikon user.

 

[Nansafan]

Thank you everyone for the input. It appears I'm on the right track. Found a website www.megapixel.net which gave a load of info and customer reviews as well. Add this to what this group has said and I am ready to buy. I've been watching the papers and thought that I might get lucky with a sale due to Father's day but no such luck here in Chicago. No big deal though. Found a $70 rebate at Best Buy and Circuit City for the Olympus C5000. Combine this with all the research I've been doing, I believe I've made my choice. Thanks again for everyone's quick and informed responses.

Nancy

 

[PhotoDave219]

Good luck - Remember, its not the camera, its the person taking the pictures.

 

[mkt]

Good luck - Remember, its not the camera, its the person taking the pictures.

yup.. 100% true. I usually take better pictures with my lil 2mp Sony U60 than some people with $1000+ cameras

 

[Nansafan]

Good luck - Remember, its not the camera, its the person taking the pictures.

LOL, I hear you. My mom was a big "finger in the picture" person. Once we were old enough to use a camera, we kids took over photographic duties. My bro's first camera was a Kodak Instamatic 126 film and mine was a Kodak Pocket Camera with the 110 film and the flip flash.

 

[Nansafan]

Update for all the kind people who responded to my question.... Last night I purchased the Olympus C5000 from Best Buy.com and will be picking the camera up this week. Thank you all again for your advice/comments/suggestions etc.

 

[Woody13]

Update for all the kind people who responded to my question.... Last night I purchased the Olympus C5000 from Best Buy.com and will be picking the camera up this week. Thank you all again for your advice/comments/suggestions etc.

That's great! I'm sure you'll enjoy that camera very much. :wave: