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General discussion

When to buy digitial cameras? Which one?

Sep 28, 2004 3:57AM PDT

I consider myself an avid Cnet reader as I check in here for almost every tech purchase. My dilemia for digital cameras is:

When is the best time to buy? When do the new cameras come out and improve upon their predecessors?

I've read many reviews but it seems as if they are a year old and newer models are available.

I'm looking for a $200-300 compact/ultracompact camera that will print well on 4x6s and require the least photo-taking expertise (i.e. idiot proof).

Please post any suggestions!! Thanks!

p.s. I have a Canon Ip3000 printer, is printing directly with a complaint camera going to produce better photos?

Discussion is locked

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Re: When to buy digitial cameras? Which one?
Sep 28, 2004 9:02AM PDT
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Re: When to buy digitial cameras? Which one?
Sep 28, 2004 9:52AM PDT

Many new cameras are released in Feb. before/during the Photo Marketing Association annual show:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/pma2004/

Every two years new cameras are released in Sept. before/during the Photokina show in Germany. It started today.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/photokina2004/

For the most idiot proof cameras, look to Kodak. They specialize in "ease of use" cameras. Check out the CX-7300 at $130.

For other choices for very small cameras:

Canon - SD110
Sony - DSC-P73

...

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Re: When to buy digitial cameras? Which one?
Sep 29, 2004 8:13AM PDT

If you are planning a cruise to the islands such as St. Martin, etc. You can pick up camera equipment very cheap. Especially if you take a trip into town away from the pier. We picked up a lense that was $250 cheaper than the cheapest price I found on web. If you do go know your prices and only go to outfits recommended by your cruise line. You can haggle on price in town and get a better price than at the pier.

I would recommend forgoing printing at home as it is actually cheaper to have your picture printed at your local drug store with from your electronic media or thru a web photo outfit like ofoto. They use high quality paper which is archival quality and have higher quality printer than what you can purchase. The ink and paper supplies make it too expensive to do at home. If you need it now go to the drugstore/walmart. You still get the pic now. If you are going to do one or two prints then may be you might do it a home. We did picture albums so it doesn't pay to do a home. Also with ofoto you can share the album with friends/relatives via the web and they can order their own photos if they want.

What camera? I recommend reading a lot and know what is important to you. If you want to take pictures of sporting events then a 10x might be important. If not then other features might be more important. Go to a store that will allow you to handle the camera and shot some shots. I personally like SLRs but that is not in your price range but you can get pretty much anything in that range if you look hard enough. Last year's models will be lower in price so look for bargins as the new models are coming out for Xmas so you might be able to get more camera with a last year's model. Don't get too hung up on the Megapix as anything 2.5 or better is good for 4x6. I have a 2.8M and it works fine on 5x7. The lense it the biggest factor in a picture. If you can put a lense filter on it to protect it that is an important fact. Last thing you want is a damaged lense surface. If you want something to put in a purse you might not be able to get a lense filter for the camera. I have a UV and polarizer filter for my digital camera. So I can take pictures in bright sunlight without the glare. If you have glare the software can't correct for that. Software will correct for other lighting conditions such if you shoot indoors. I shoot at swim meets without flash (can't use flash at swim meets) and I have no problems with lighting and correct for it with the software. This again is where the 10x works great. I have an Olympics with 10x(it has a Cannon lense with Image Stablization). For quick still pictures I have a Kodak digital which work fine for 4x6 only and nothing serious and the quality is ok. Again the lense makes a lot of the quality.