Need some digital camera help, please.

[mac56]

I want to get my lovely wife a basic "starter" digital camera for Christmas. Cost is an option, as always, but I want to get the best value I can as well. I know almost nothing about digital cameras! Suggestions as to brand and model would be appreciated - also what options are best to have and which can be done without by a newbie.

Thanks in advance -

[Jessica]

1. Canon Powershot A80 ...

This is an awesome camera - and very easy to use. I bought one for my boyfriend, but I use it constantly!

[Menshevik]

7. I second that

I have an A80 and am in love with it

[tekriter]

8. Canon has steadily improved their product line, so the A80 isn't

widely available anymore. However, the A75, A85 and A95 are the current models, the main difference being how many megapixels VS. dollars you want to spend.

You CANNOT go wrong with the Canon A-series, in my opinion. For more information, go to the Digital Camera Resource Page:

www.dcresource.com

which has loads of reviews of digital equipment. I do not own that site or have any financial interest in it - it's just a great source of information.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. I asked for the A75 for Xmas

I think I'm getting it too...I'm very excited! :bounce:

[azoth]

11. I agree with that.

We have a Canon A-series and it's been nothing short of fabulous. It's user friendly and has all the bells and whistles you could want.

An aside: make sure you get a reader for your scandisk memory cards that you can connect directly to your computer via USB. That way you won't suck the batteries dead on your camera when you want to download pics. :)

[St. Etienne]

10. My brother has the A80

After reading many online reviews, I suggested to my brother that he should buy that camera, and it works like a charm. Great camera and cheap for its features.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I have a Kodak

with the printer dock that I got off Ebay. New, cheap. I absolutely love it. It takes great pictures and it is always sitting in the dock ready to go. We took some fabulous pictures of the kids in Hawaii, one is going to be our Christmas card. It also takes 20 second movies that you can email. Very nice for sending along kid stuff to family.

[Philostopher]

3. Another place to try your question ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=280

Many of us over in the Photography Forum have recently migrated to digital or are considering it. My husband and I have had good service out of Olympus Camedia products, and the Fujis are nice, too. I know there are websites that compare and contrast digital cameras on several levels -- somebody over in the Photo Forum might have some of them at hand, I don't recall any of them offhand.

[darkism]

4. Another recommendation for the Powershot

I have a Powershot A70 and can safely say that it's the perfect digital camera for just about anyone that wants a point and shoot.

The automatic modes are perfect, and there are plenty of manual modes and controls (exposure, ISO, f-stop, white balance) if you want to get more advanced.

Viva Powershot!

[shraby]

5. I have an Olympus Camedia

and am very happy with it. Its a D-360L, flip the lens cover open, point and shoot. There are plenty of features if you want to use them.

[SoCalDem]

6. Kodak LS443 package

That's what I got myself for Xmas last year.. and even a :dunce: like me can figure it out..

I went to Kodak's site and ordered it there.. It came in about 3 days..docking station and bag included..

I LOVE it...and it's EASY It's a 4 pixel (whatever THAT means)

[alfredo]

12. I am a big fan of Canon cameras.

Not knowing the amount you want to pay, I can't make any recommendations other than the Canon line of cameras.

Canon A75 is a good buy at under $250. More than good enough for snapshots and online.

The Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom is good for an under $500 dollar camera.

If you can find a Canon S-50, get it. They should be going for a good price due to them being an older model. It is a 5 Mega pixel camera.

[soothsayer]

13. go to Steve's digicams to read up on ALL of them!

He is by far the most comprehensive source I've found.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

[Dr Ron]

14. Canon digital cameras have been great

I've used three different Canon digital cameras, and all have been great.

My first was the G3. Besides taking great pictures it allows attachment of a real flash (which does much better than flashes built into p&s cameras) and allowed adding on half way decent lenses on top of the main lens. They've come out with a couple of newer models in the G series, but I've heard they aren't as good and I have no first hand experience.

I ultimately picked up a digital SLR (Nikon D 70), but have stuck with Canon for when I want to carry something smaller. For pocket size I got the S50, and later upgraded to the S70 because I wanted wider angle. The S series takes great pictures for a pocket sized camera, and also has full manual control. Obviously they cannot do as well as an SLR, but for pictures where a telephoto lens or a large flash are not necessary they do a great job.

I've never used the A series which others here have recommended, but I've been very happy with my experiences with Canon digital cameras.