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General discussion

Compact Camera Suggestions In The $300 Range?

by Jeff-W Nov 3, 2005 2:51AM PST

Hi,

I'm looking for a compact camera to replace my Fuji FinePix 1440 (no comments about the stone-age please). I'm hoping to spend $300 or less, but I could go higher if the camera justified it. The features I'm most interested in are:

1 - Picture Quality. I don't really care how small, cool, or feature packed a camera is if it doesn't take good pictures. My 1440 produces very sharp pictures, which is why I've kept it so long.

2 - Functionality. I take a lot of outdoor pictures, which I've read can be difficult using only the LCD screen, so I think an optical view-finder is important in my case. I don't do a lot of low-light, but a good flash would be a plus.

3 - Compactness. I don't need something so small I forget I have it, but something less bulky than my 1440 would be nice.

I appreciate any suggestions that you have. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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You may be looking for something like
by mrobzo Nov 3, 2005 3:29AM PST

Konica Minolta X60. Check it out in c-net reviews and read the consumer evaluations, not c-nets.

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Close, but no view finder
by Jeff-W Nov 3, 2005 4:09AM PST

This is the problem I'm running in to. I find cameras with good reviews and the features I'm looking for, but so many of them seem to be forgoing an optical view finder to make room for a larger LCD!

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Camera Suggestion
by patbollin Nov 3, 2005 4:21AM PST

I am in the same boat you are. I want exactly the same thing that you do. I have searched and searched for months. I am going to purchase my camera next week but I have only been able to bring the list to three. Nikon 7900
Fuji F10
Casio Z750

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Check this out
by mrobzo Nov 3, 2005 4:26AM PST
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Optical Viewfinder? hmmm...
by wizard_z5 Nov 3, 2005 5:17AM PST

I used to seel digital cameras and noticed a lot of people who were new to digital would immediatly try to put the camera up to their eye and use the optical viewfinder. If you're someone like that then I wont argue with you; however, with most optical viewfinders being estimated where the LCD is showing you exactly what the lens is seeing, plus optical viewfinders not showing you information as how many pictures are left or what mode you're in, I feel most users will find the LCD screen more useful. The only exception is in bright sunshine where the LCD may be difficult to see, but typicly I'll find myself blocking the sun with my hand rather than using the optical viewfinder.

There are some optical viewfinder that are electronic and show the same thing as an LCD but smaller and shaded. These are pretty cool because they reduce battery consumption without losing any of the advantages of the LCD, less the size. There are some of these on larger cameras, like the nikon coolpix 4800, but I've never seen it on little camera.

If you must have a viewinder then I would say you should go with the canon SD400. I think thats a great camera in general. You may have missed the boat on viewfinders on ultra compact cameras though. It just isn't as popular as 2.o in plus LCD screens.

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It's very difficult to hold the camera steady if you use the
by Kiddpeat Nov 3, 2005 6:36AM PST

LCD as a viewfinder. That's in addition to the problem of seeing the image in the LCD in bright light.

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Never buy......
by nycboy0156 Nov 5, 2005 1:15AM PST

a camera without an optical viewfinder. Using the lcd screen on a digital camera will diminish battery life considerably. I have 3 digital cameras and never used the lcd on any of them except to view the results. It only took one digital without a viewfinder to realize what a mistake it was. Never again. Let the manufacturers know how you feel. No viewfinder, no sale.

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Compact $300 with Viewfinder
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Nov 3, 2005 8:59AM PST
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