WHAT CAMERA!?(DO NOT READ OR COMMENT THIS IS A DEAD THREAD AS OF 4/30/14)

[yensid67]

This is a DEAD thread as of 4/30/14. Lots of great advice and suggestions, but it is a HEADACHE GIVER to some , so I will stop posting in this thread and ask you do the same!

Thanks to all who offered advice and suggestions!

Sorry for the Headaches! :-(

 

[Cesar R M]

You will have a better guess by telling people what is your budget.

 

[yensid67]

$250 or below...don't want to spend a lot on it, but would like one that has a good 780 or 1080 resolution!

 

[Bairstow]

Do you own a smartphone yet?

 

[yensid67]

Bairstow...no to smartphone I am not computer/phone savvy! But if the smartphone would be cheapest I MIGHT look into it...I just have a simple cell phone that is only used when I drive in car! I am SOOO OLD SCHOOOL!

 

[habuma]

This is probably a good question for the photography forum, but...

I don't have a specific recommendation (at least not under $250), but a general recommendation is to *not* lean too heavily on your smartphone camera. It's a great backup, but not the best primary camera. I have an iPhone 5 and although its camera is really good for a phone, it's not so hot when you need to zoom.That's because all it has is digital zoom and digital zoom generally results in blurry or blotchy pictures. Optical zoom is *ALWAYS* better.

So, as you shop for a digital camera, keep that in mind...optical zoom: good; digital zoom: not so much.

 

[Bairstow]

My experience has been contrary.
My primary camera was getting old and died on me (some kind of Canon point-and-shoot with a bunch of features) and I was on the verge of buying something new that could shoot 1080p video and do all the new gimmicky still stuff like HDR and tilt-shift, but when I upgraded my phone to a Droid Razr HD I discovered that it would do all these things already and took stills as good as my old Canon.

For my second-to-last trip to Disney it was my primary camera, and the last time I went I didn't even bother carrying anything else (except the GoPro but that barely counts).

It has no optical zoom, but then even when I prefer to crop my images to where I need them before printing anyway. Never had much of a use for long-range telephoto stuff.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

While I normally carry my DSLR in the parks, I wanted something lighter just in case I wanted to go out without the big camera and lenses + I wanted to be able to take video in HD. I wound up taking the smart phone route. I took the big leap about 1.5 yrs ago. I am not tech savvy and had been happy with my "dumb" phone, but am really happy I went this route. The smart phone has a decent point and shoot camera with lots of options, HD video, and now I have access to all kinds of apps that can help me in the parks as well.

 

[yensid67]

OMG! So much Information! LOL! Maybe I should let you know what we are planning to do...beside the Disney parks, we will be doing 2 day at Sea World, 1 day will be a hot air balloon ride and helicopter rides. Is there a BEST camera for Hot Air Balloon/Helicopter rides to use?

I did just look at Straight Talk phones at walmart, they seem like they may work and are in my price range. They have sd card slots that supports up to 32GB. So what do you think about that? When it comes to these kind of phones I am dumbfounded...I'll stick with my free phone from government!(I am on disability)

 

[R W B]

I am going to WDW in a few years and want to get a new camera, that is not too expensive. I have a decent Samsung Palm-held camera now but would love to buy a smaller, better quality(HD) Any suggestions and prices?

My suggestion is wait until you are about 6 months from your trip and then buy one. I notice your countdown says your trip is about 3.5 years away and the way technology is even if you buy a top of the line model today, they will have so many new and improved models out by the time your trip is you will have to buy a new one again! So unless you need one now for other things, just wait.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I have the Nikon Cool Pix. I can't remember the price, but I don't think it was expensive.

 

[yensid67]

Thanks RWB! Good advice! But I am hardheaded! LOL My trip is ONLY a few days away!!!!!!!(at least that's what I keep telling myself! It makes it easier! )

So do you guys think that a GoPro camera would be the best way to go? I checked them out and they are only like $200. Seems that it would work for the Hot Air Balloon ride and Helicopter ride for some good HD video! I am 75% leaning towards the GoPro, but like RWB said I will wait a few years since they will come out with a better product by then! This just gives me time to start saving a dew dollars here and there!

THANKS to all who offered advice! Love you guys!

 

[Bairstow]

'I have used a GoPro at Disney and would definitely NOT recommend one as your primary camera. It's a specialized waterproof, shockproof camera intended for strapping to surfboards and soldiers' helmets in combat situations. We use it for gimmicky stuff like filming the waterslides and strapping to our dog. Trouble is, it's kind of a crummy camera for anything else. In most of its cases it's bulky; about the size and shape of a fist. The buttons are hard to operate and the screen is useless for framing or reviewing your shots. The camera really has no viewfinder to speak of and battery life isn't great.

Overall, it's a fun toy for certain extreme sports applications but a poor substitute for a "normal" digital camera.

 

[rt06]

Don't buy until the last minute, but between now and then, it's good to familiarize yourself. Today's latest feature will be tomorrow's standard. If you're not technologically savvy, a smartphone is really as simple as it gets. A GoPro is cumbersome, designed to take a beating, and optimal when mounted. I'm no technophobe, but even my point and click is so chock full of features that they called it the Olympus Tough not for its supposed durability, but because they send it to you without a manual. Yes, I know. It's online, but I still like the feel of paper in my hands.

I think hot air balloons, I think tilt shift lens. Makes everything look miniature. Google it.

 

[Graham9]

I can echo what others have said - buy a camera as soon as possible and learn to use it now, as opposed to having to get the manual out and try to work out it's features as the Disney parade goes past and end up with a card full of duff pics. I would always use a DLSR so I can have my own lenses and filters to suit whatever the situation is.

As with a lot of things in life, you will usually get what you pay for.

That said, before my last trip to WDW, I wanted a backup camera with underwater ability for my trip to Discovery Cove. There are loads to choose from, but I went with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT25EB, which has 16.1MP, 4x Optical Zoom, 25mm Ultra Wide Angle, 7m Waterproof, 1.5m Shockproof, Freeze-Proof, HD Video AVCHD and produces some amazing quality pics, although it has a tiny aperture which means any speck on the lens will ruin any pic.

I would personally stay away from tilt-shift lenses unless you are capable of using them and know what results to expect. In a balloon, you don't have time to mess around too much with the changing scenery, as well as being jostled with other people.

 

[Tiggerish]

I have the Nikon Cool Pix. I can't remember the price, but I don't think it was expensive.

I love my Nikon Coolpix.

 

[Bocko57]

If you don't mind doing a little reading and research, here is a great site for camera reviews. http://www.dpreview.com/

 

[Lord_Vader]

As @Bocko57 said, use http://www.dpreview.com. They always have the best and most comprehensive reviews.

 

[MissM]

I have a Canon DSLR but I use my little Canon PowerShot S110 as my pocket camera when I don't want to carry anything big or bulky. It comes in around $249 new (and I'm sure you could find it less refurb/used.) There is a newer version the PowerShot S120 but it costs more. It's really hard though to tell someone what camera to get because what's important to me might not be to you.

 

[yensid67]

ok THANKS AGAIN! A few have mentioned to use a smartphone as my camera. Would the resolution be just as good as HD camera? I just want an inexpensive camera that will have good resolution when I am taking the Hot Air Balloon and Helicopter rides with clear pictures! I have a Samsung digital camera now and the picture isn't too bad...I may end up staying with that one. since I know how to use it pretty much! But do keep the recommendations coming!