Need a new camera and new camera advice.

Diana

I about wore out my little Sony point and shoot digital camera on the last trip (but love it and will bring it as a back up but it's no good indoors..) and am asking Santa for a new camera before I head back.

I like the simple, small (but not tiny) point and shoots and don't want to spend more than $250 but I just found out the "new" version of my "old" camera (what I was going to get) is actually worse. I'm not sure how that happened.

So, does anyone wish to recommend a good quality digital camera without too many bells and whistles? My goal is simple: clear sharp photos when I do my part; indoors or out. Nice zoom, Nice macro. User friendly. thanks!

(Recommendations of models to avoid are welcome as well.)

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SueJ

It's difficult to recommend as we all look for different things. I love the tiny cameras you can get now, but always land up being disappointed later that I couldn't really zoom in on tiny details. I have a bigger Panasonic, which produces superb pictures, but it's a pain to carry around.......and now with this model they have shrunk it into what I think is perfect for me.

Still bigger than these tiny ones, but with a 12X optical zoom & a Leica lens. Anti-shake (really works on my old one). Feels like a 'real' camera, with a proper viewfinder as well as the screen. Lots of features, but also the option to do everything automatically.

Can be found here http://www.electronics-expo.com/inde...ch_q uery=fz8
for less than $220. I am in the UK where they still cost $300+ and am currently trying to work out how to get one over from UK befoer I head to India in early Nov!!

nycank

For retail superstores with webpresence J&R,B&H,Adorama
jr.com bhphotovideo.com adorama.com - These are all NYC stores from whom I have bought both film SLRs and digital cameras.

For reviews check steves-digicams.com

Since you have used sony before, why not stick to the same ? You can reuse the batteries/memory stick duo etc.

Nikon,Canon have the low and medium end of DSLR. For point and shoot in the 7mp range expect to pay about 2-300USD.

Hope this helps...

Piyush

There is a new Sony H3 8MP with 10x zoom..It costs around 550$(singaporean).I have this camera..Good One..Canon S5 IS is available in market it would cost 500 US dollars...its a relatively big camera above point and shoot and below SLR..If u need bigger zoom cameras there are number of camera available by Canon,Sony,Panasonic and Olympus.As per my experince Sony cameras are best in day light, they deliver the best image in day light..

Diana

Sue J thanks for the info on the Panasonic. I read some reviews and everyone seems to love it except maybe some of the super-duper pro folks who have some problem I can't even understand with it's processor noise reduction gizmo--which I doubt would be a concern to me.

nycank, thanks for the links. I've not seen the steves link before. And reusing the memory card is a good idea. The battery for my olde Sony is shot.

Piyush, I'll take a look at he 8mp Sony as I do like that brand a lot (even have a Sony TV in both my US and India homes!) I had an older 3.2 (?) Cybershot that I adored but the battery wore out and it's about $60 to replace and that's a good ways towards a new camera. So I decided to give it to the staff at the preschool or keep it as a back up camera and just get a new battery down the road. So I looked at th Cyber-shot 7.2 MP and there is a reason it's selling so cheap! The photos are ok but nowhere near the quality of those from my old camera. But I didn't look at the 9 MP...must be pretty new. Thanks all.

Does anyone know anything about Digicams while we are on the subject of cameras? I just saw a couple of display models on clearance for excellent prices. One was a Sony Handicam "mini-digi" that typically sells for $470 on sell for $187 and the other was Panasonic with 800X digital zoom, 20X optical. $185 now and typically $370. That's all the details I could get w/o asking a cleak and I was in a rush.

bRoKeNhOpE

Hi I Guess Sony H9 Would Be Best Results Are Amazing And 15x Optical Zoom With 8.1 Mp You Should Check Reviews I Use Earlier Version Which Is H5 And Pics Are Awesome

Cassandrascomplex

Check out "Digital Photography Review" for excellent reviews.

In the $250 price ange I can recommend,
Fujifilm S6000fd (S6500fd)
Canon A640 or A630
Fujifilm Finepix F31fd

__________________
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shrink64

Ricoh R6.
Recently been using and intend to take with me to India.
Pocketable and excellent results. Worth considering.

Beena450

Panasonic is the way to go. I've had both the FZ5 and the FZ8 and love them. They are a bit bigger then a compact but worth the weight. The macro feature is outstanding and so is the zoom.

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Diana

So many cameras and so little cash...

I'm still calling myself a Sony gal but the Panasonic is whispering to me. Theres a camera shop in the next town over that often will let you 'test drive' a camera for a week. Will give them a call.

chuyia

I also agree with SueJ. I got that camera a couple of months ago and love it. The word got around and now everyone in my extended family has the fz8 as well.

Piyush

I have used this camera (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55.)..Its a good one..Sony H3 is another good option..

Diana

I've never tried Panasonic but I've been reading about the FZ* based on you guys comments here and WOW...it's certainly attractive. I may be switching brands. And as it's the end of the model year the price is dropping....Oh Santa...

kristinm

We're buying our first point and shoot (partner is a prof photographer) and after researching it I'm going to get the Fuji s6500 - it has a great zoom, and although our prof gear is Canon - the viewfinder in the Canon point and shoots is crap. The fuji one seems quite good. It is a little on the heavy and large side, but then I hate the tiny little things - I'd drop it or step on it or something! 7 megs is heaps for holiday snaps so I'm hoping the older model will go down in price - it seems to be.

chuyia

yeah, well the great thing about this camera is that you can use conversion lenses so you can get closer/wider/more detail/more zoom if you want it.