The Kindness of Strangers, or I Need Digital Advice

[Yellow Shoes]

Once again I opened my big mouth and have gotten myself more work.

I am trying to drag my church into the 20th (sic) century and am proposing that we buy a digital camera.

I was told to write up a proposal with estimated costs for the ENTIRE package. This would include camera, memory, cables, printer, paper, etc.

This would primarily be used to:
take photos no larger than 4 x 6
photos to go onto our website

They would be flash photos--nothing fancy like fireworks at night. Pictures, not photographs.

I would guess that 3.2 mp would do nicely (with the added bonus that they are coming down in price) I also think that memory capacity of 50 photos would be sufficient. (memory can always be added later fairly easily). We will also be able to burn a CD using the church's existing computers.

This camera would be used by several people. We should assume that none of them is photo-savvy. It needs to be idiot-proof.

We also want printing capability and to purchase a dedicated printer. I think I have seen a Canon that has a printer and pre-cut photo paper. Something like that would be perfect. However, most of the time we would be able to have the photos developed at a lab.
(Around here, the rate is about 30 cents per print. I am guessing that 30 cents is cheaper than using your own printer and ink)

Thanks in advance. Feel free to ask for additional details.

--Shoes

 

[barnum42]

Even a 1 meg camera will do what you want - I've got brilliant 6x4 shots from my old Fuji. This will also give you more shots per memory card.

I now have a 3.2 megs camera and whilst the results are better, for the purposes you have outlined you probably won't need it. I imagine if any stored have 1 meg cameras they will be practically giving them away.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I don't think I have even SEEN a 1 mg. But you are right--they are giving away 2 mp.

 

[tigsmom]

I have a Kodak Easy Share DX 6340 and the printer dock that goes with it. Its very easy to use... my 10 y/o takes great pictures with it and can print them out as well.

Click Here

 

[barnum42]

I don't think I have even SEEN a 1 mg. But you are right--they are giving away 2 mp.

My 1 meg is about three years old and does the job you require. A 2 meg would be more than enough (unless you can find a 1 meg for short money in the classifieds)

Here is a typical shot from my 1 meg camera:

http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=yfcg5f&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

 

[Yellow Shoes]

You're right--that photo looks just fine to me.

I had suspected that for the ultra-casual photographer* like me, 5 mp is total overkill.


*We have finished a roll of film at Christmas, developed the film, and discovered the previous year's Christmas photos at the beginning of the roll. My kids are wonderful, but no longer cute when they sleep, and the cat is just plain boring. The Christmas tree remains our favorite photography subject.

 

[disneytati]

I think you will do fine! MY 3.2 camera takes fireworks pics, so for regular, simple pics it should work great!

 

[Robfasto]

I had suspected that for the ultra-casual photographer* like me, 5 mp is total overkill.

For most website use 5 MP+ is overkill.

They have found another problem with High MP digital camera, getting good pictures when reducing the size. For example when you take a 6.3 MP picture that is 3072x2048 in size and reduce it to use on a webpage at 350x233 you are reducing the size by 90%. So when the picture is resized the program has to decide which pixels to use and not use as you only need 1 out of ever 10.

Like the others mentioned a 1 MP would work well on most anything you want to do up to about 20ft away for the subject. They tend to suffer on outdoor type shots.

You can check out this comparison I did back in 2001 that pits a 1MP vs. 2.6 MP camera. This might help you some...

http://www.disneypix.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=11&t=179&

 

[Bluewaves]

The only problem is finding such a low mp camera. There are harly on the market below 3 mp so that is proabably a good choice. Remember though Mp is not the only thing in a camera, there is the quality of the lens and the user interface too. Hope that helps.

 

[NowInc]

Durability makes a difference too...how many people will be using this camera? whats the likleyhood of it getting banged around?

I have a nikon coolpix 3200 as my "casual" camera..its cheap..durable..and has a very easy to use interface.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Good point. I have noticed that some cameras have a plastic case instead of metal.

This camera will be for general church use. Access will be limited (it will be in a locked office), but anyone with a good reason will be allowed to use it.

The Kodak Easy Share system was recommended to me by a man who said his wife had no trouble with it. (She is not techno-literate by any means. She can have trouble with staplers.) Ease of use is a huge factor. We need to be able to turn it on and push one button.

I like the printer dock which, being Kodak like the camera, should be easy to set up.

What I'm not understanding is the battery situation. We will also purchase the Easy Share dock, which also claims to charge the batteries. Do we still need a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries?

Thanks so much.

 

[NowInc]

Good point. I have noticed that some cameras have a plastic case instead of metal.

This camera will be for general church use. Access will be limited (it will be in a locked office), but anyone with a good reason will be allowed to use it.

Although my nikon is plastic.....it take a beating. Also. It automatically retracts the lens when the camera is not in use..which is definatly a handy feature

 

[scorp111]

What I'm not understanding is the battery situation. We will also purchase the Easy Share dock, which also claims to charge the batteries. Do we still need a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries?

Thanks so much.

My Digital Camera was an EasyShare a couple of years ago. The batteries that charge in the charger will work fairly well, although it will depend on how many pictures you want to between charging. Ultimately, A rechargeable set of batteries would be a helpful addition.

 

[NowInc]

My camera takes standart AA batteries...but i decided to pick up a set of quick charge duracell kit...and those last a suprisingly long time. I'm talking like 60 pics without a recharge..with flash etc etc.