I should probably start off by saying I know nothing about photography but I broke my old digital and looking to replace it with a used camera to cut down on the cost.

Im looking for something compact, preferably ultra subcompact. I love the clarity of the DSLR's but I dont carry a purse, and if it doesn't fit in my pocket or hand then im not going to use it (plus I dont know how to use all those features on the DSLR's anyway). My biggest issues with my last camera was fuzzy photos, time it took to take the picture, and time between photos. That shudder thing and time before it would take the next shot was killing me, I dont know what the average time is but I want something with better then average in that department. So that being said size, clarity, shudder time, next photo speed, and user friendly are the biggest things I am looking for. I'd prefer it to have a rechargeable battery but Im flexible on that. I'm looking to spend up to $250. I found these but dont know they are a rip-off or would fit what i'm looking for. Anyone have any feedback or advice of something I should keep an eye out for?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pho/801429481.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pho/798808016.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pho/798808016.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pho/778780573.html

8/21/2008 11:08:15 PM

Note that it shouldn't be a problem if it takes AA's. You can buy rechargeable AA batteries for relatively cheap and if the battery that comes with some of those cameras is expensive then it seems like AA's would be the best route. Then you can always have quite a few batteries already charged for when you go out. Just my thoughts on the matter, I'm certainly no expert.

[Edited on August 22, 2008 at 1:04 AM. Reason : ]

8/22/2008 1:04:02 AM

No need to buy used if you're dropping $250. Look at the Sony DSC-W120 and DSC-W150. Both phenomenal cameras for the money. On sale at BestBuy.com for $180 and $225. Weigh the cost of a memory card and possibly a case to figure out which is the best fit for your budget.

None of the ones you posted look like a good deal to me. Definitely not good enough to take a risk with a used camera.

[Edited on August 22, 2008 at 1:41 AM. Reason : l]

8/22/2008 1:37:27 AM

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=SNDSCT70K&l=CJ
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120251

i am looking for ultra portables too. These are pretty nice and have good reviews on most sites

8/22/2008 3:04:05 AM

you can get a new camera for your budget.

i'd reccomend a cannon powershot. get an extra battery you'll never look back.

if you are hard on pocket cameras, i'd reccomend an olympus all weather. ok to drop and get wet.

8/22/2008 8:25:30 AM

I shutter to think

8/22/2008 8:33:20 AM

dont buy something off of craigslist

just get something new

http://bensbargains.net/
http://slickdeals.net/

8/22/2008 9:01:55 AM

yay! i love consumer photography threads...ahem

there are 3 very important features to look for in a camera:

1.) optical zoom means everything, digital zoom means nothing...these days, 10x is a perfectly reasonable optical zoom for a compact camera, and i, personally, wouldn't go less...trust me, once you have it, you'll use it

2.) quality glass is key...the average person can see the difference between premium optics and glass that isn't...without a doubt, leica and zeiss are at the top (which means you're looking at a panasonic lumix line or a sony)...it's well worth the extra money because you'll avoid those blurry pictures in closeups, zooms, and "regular" shots

3.) image stabilization is another feature that, while you might be able to do without, you'll be very glad you have...canon stabilization is the best, followed very closely by panasonic's OIS...in either case, your shots will be clearer

megapixels means virtually nothing...a 6mp camera and an 8mp camera that have the same sensor won't give you a better picture, just a larger one...your best bang for the buck camera right now, hands down, is the panasonic lumix dmc-tz5

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz5/

it's just a bit higher than your $250 price range (though you can probably find it online for that...locally it's a bit more)...check out the features, and i encourage you to go into bb/cc/whatever and check it out in person...it supports SDHC cards (up to 32gb) and actually utilizes high speed cards (up to 233x, IIRC)...it also takes high definition video clips (which you may not care about), but it'll definitely be a requirement on my next camera

[Edited on August 22, 2008 at 9:18 AM. Reason : HD video]

8/22/2008 9:10:34 AM

agreed optical zoom is key, and get a panasonic lumix

8/22/2008 9:24:23 AM

i highly recommend you look into becoming a wedding photographer. Cause we need more of those.

8/22/2008 10:07:47 AM

^ but hopefully not one that wants to take pictures for practice and make you pay for it.

8/22/2008 10:10:12 AM

about a year and a half ago i got a Casio Exilim camera (6 Megapix, good for back then) on ebay, REFURBISHED, for less than $200. Refurbished cameras ftw.

8/22/2008 11:36:27 AM

I've had a few canon SD's that have lasted years.. one is 3-4 years old at this point and works fine.. the paint is wearing off but still takes excellent pics. They fit the size and price you're looking for so I'd at least consider them.

8/22/2008 12:21:39 PM

my old camera was a canon powershot SD1000. 90% of my pictures are just of me and friends goofing off so it was just fine for the way I used it and I loved how small it was. However when im trying to take photos of things that move around alot (like my godsons or dog) it just wasn't fast enough or would get blurry photos and thats what Id like to avoid next go round.

8/22/2008 12:31:39 PM

^ the smaller the camera, the slower, typically. if you look at dpreview.com they time each camera they review.

for example, the panasonic recommended above takes ~2.4 seconds from off to shot, 1.5 seconds shot to shot with no flash, 2.9 seconds shot to shot with flash. they called this "generally snappy", and it's not terrible.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz5/page10.asp

8/22/2008 3:36:49 PM

I have two digital point and shoots. One I use for "serious" photos, the other for goofing around with friends.

Let me just say that this camera, while at the time I didn't think I would use the function as much, is AWESOME because it's waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp

We have had so much fun with this camera:









A++ would impulse buy again

8/23/2008 11:08:51 AM

anyone have any recommendations for an inexpensive underwater case for a Nikon Coolpix S210?

I don't want to spend $200+ for the Fantasea case...that's more than I paid for the camera.

8/24/2008 11:18:30 AM

nothing available for the coolpix. it would be cheaper to get the waterproof olympus josh.

Quote :

"my old camera was a canon powershot SD1000"

get the powershot 850IS. IS=image stabilization. good for moving shots. try it.

8/24/2008 12:45:14 PM

only prob with that is it's only rated down to 33'. i want to use it for SCUBA, and that would limit me to very shallow dives.

8/24/2008 12:48:32 PM

true, but ya gotta pay to play, as you've said before.

might as well pony up $1200 for a dedicated dive camera or get one used.

that way it's sealed and all you have to do is connect a cable.

[Edited on August 24, 2008 at 2:37 PM. Reason : get the fantasea case, it's insured man.]

8/24/2008 2:35:47 PM

^ Exactly. That was the choice I had to make when buying the Olympus. I decided in the end I would rather get the Olympus and try that out for a few years. Then when I felt comfortable enough with taking decent underwater shots I could upgrade.

8/24/2008 8:34:24 PM

^^ yep. gotta pay to play...that's the damned truth.

8/24/2008 9:58:13 PM

^^ surely you could rent a dive camera...

8/24/2008 11:06:29 PM

I would be scared to death to rent something like that even if it was possible. Knowing me I'd manage to drop that thing into the depths of the sea and then have to buy a camera I only used once

8/24/2008 11:24:36 PM

my guess is they're made to float, and i would have it dummy corded to my BC, anyway.

8/24/2008 11:43:57 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YC7AE/

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

$179 free shipping. good stuff.

Quote :

"my guess is they're made to float,"

neutrally buoyant, some can float with mods, but it'd be hard to maneuver. having it attached is a good idea. unless you need to drop and run. SHARK.

[Edited on August 25, 2008 at 1:56 PM. Reason : eh ]

8/25/2008 1:55:07 PM

Quote :

"Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom $179 free shipping. good stuff."

3x is really weak, though...that's probably a good deal, but i think a really good argument could be made for spending an extra $70 and getting significantly better glass and more than 3 times the optical zoom...that $70 also gets you HD movie capabilities

8/25/2008 2:47:33 PM

you really must not be fun to hang around.

don't get that blood transfusion! that brand of blood doesn't carry as much oxygen as brand A. brand A gets you HIGH DEFINITION blood! who wouldn't want that?! it also has sickle cell, antibodies, AND gets free wi-fi!

just b/c she has a budget of $250 doesn't mean she has to use it to get something good. she can get something just as good, does what she wants, AND comes in under budget.

what is smaller/better than a powershot for the same money?

8/25/2008 10:16:28 PM

Quote :

"you really must not be fun to hang around."

aww, don't cry because i'm not agreeing with you! do you need a hug?

Quote :

"she can get something just as good, does what she wants, AND comes in under budget."

you OBVIOUSLY don't know jack about cameras if you're trying to tell me that that powershot is "as good" as the dmc-tz5...it's not even close

the sensor size of the panny is larger than the canon (do you even realize why this matters?)

the optics suck donkey balls (but then, you've proven you don't know what you're talking about, so i guess that's a pointless argument)...but let someone who knows what they're talking about assure you that under low-light condition, extreme zoom, and with close-ups, this will matter...a lot

3x optical zoom sucks donkey balls (i mean, it's great if you just want to take pictures of drunk people passed out on the floor, but some people might want to do something else with their camera)

there's a REASON it's so cheap - it simply isn't all that great...the ONLY thing that canon has going for it MIGHT be the image stabilization, and anyone with any experience whatsoever will tell you that the difference between canon's IS and panasonic's mega OIS system is marginal, if it even exists at all (it seems to be personal preference)

Quote :

"what is smaller/better than a powershot for the same money?"

you keep missing the point...FOR THAT EXACT SAME PRICE OR LESS, i don't think there is a better camera...that doesn't mean that it's the best option...you gotta pay for quality, and that camera is good for nothing but basic facebook/myspace-style shooting...and if that's all she wants to do, then sure, i would recommend she save herself $70 and get a camera that is far from stunning

but when someone says they specifically want "clarity" and references DSLR, i don't think "hey, what's the cheapest thing without any features that i can find"...rather, i think "what's the closest thing to DSLR quality in her price range"...and while there isn't a point-and-shoot out there that even comes close to a DSLR, the canon you're advocating loses hands down to the panny in terms of quality pictures, not to mention features...AND the panny is STILL within her price range

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 7:47 AM. Reason : .]

8/26/2008 7:28:17 AM

i posted a reputable site from which to purchase said recommendation.

where is yours?

in your response, you STILL don't post an actual reputable site from which to purchase said camera that is "STILL within her price range".

stop being a troll.

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 12:02 PM. Reason : c]

8/26/2008 11:43:04 AM

any updates, Jen?

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 11:44 AM. Reason : .]

8/26/2008 11:43:51 AM

stupid double post/.

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 12:03 PM. Reason : e]

8/26/2008 11:58:35 AM

I just brought a waterproof camera as well! Excited to go play with it.

Pentax W60 > Olympus 1030SW

8/26/2008 12:03:38 PM

Quote :

"i posted a reputable site from which to purchase said recommendation. where is yours? in your response, you STILL don't post an actual reputable site from which to purchase said camera that is "STILL within her price range"."

you have my apologies...here it is for $270 with free shipping and no taxes:

http://www.compsource.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=DMCTZ5A&vid=337&src=F

and reseller ratings gives them a 9.17 6-month rating (7.41 lifetime) with BETTER ratings than amazon.com (8.2/6-month, 6.16/lifetime):

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/CompSource_Inc

you're absolutely right...it's $20 more than her "up to" price...and if that's a deal-breaker, then i'll consider myself pwnt...however:

Quote :

"stop being a troll."

is you being a whiny bitch who OBVIOUSLY knows absolutely jack shit about consumer-grade cameras...what have i said, at all, that is trolling? pointing out how your camera is VASTLY inferior (unless you can provide some evidence AT ALL in which that canon doesn't suck donkey balls compared to the panasonic) is not trolling...it's an attempt to teach you (the obviously ignorant) about something you are lacking knowledge in

go read up on sensor size, optic quality, the difference between optical and digital zoom, and a myriad other bits of information regarding consumer-grade cameras and you MIGHT be able to talk intelligently with me...so far, though, you come off as a dumbass best buy or circuit city employee who just points to the camera that sells the most...it doesn't actually mean it's better, nor does it mean it's quality...it means that the majority of people have neither the financial means nor inclination nor information to make an educated decision

i completely agree that the camera you posted works great for a lot of people...but i don't think those people say they want as close to "DSLR" quality as possible...the vast majority of them aren't even aware of what DSLR stands for...the OP, on the other hand, has expressed interest in quality results and even knows what quality looks like...that canon, compared to the panasonic, is inferior...end of discussion

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 2:39 PM. Reason : .]

8/26/2008 2:35:23 PM

my camera can beat up your camera!

8/26/2008 7:19:24 PM

aha, I like where this thread is going

For anyone interested, Flickr has a cool function where you can look up photos by the camera that took the pictures.

Seotaji's Canon: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_sd1100_is/
quagmire02's Panasonic: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/panasonic/dmc-tz5/


[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 8:39 PM. Reason : 02]

8/26/2008 8:38:45 PM

that's awesome btw, thanks. i didn't know that was available.

Quote :

"my camera can beat up your camera!"

hahahahah

8/26/2008 10:19:54 PM

Yeah, it's neat It's part of what influenced me to buy the Olympus I did.

8/26/2008 10:23:20 PM

^^^ i think that may have sealed my decision. I loved my canon camera but I would like something with better photo quality and faster shutter time

8/27/2008 1:22:52 PM

bttt

1/21/2009 11:18:19 AM

thanks

1/21/2009 11:21:26 AM

Hey, bought a canon G9 yesterday. THoughts?

1/21/2009 12:46:55 PM

New or used? If you got a new G9 for $250 please tell me where!

Excellent camera though...pretty much the top of the line for non-DSLR Canon models. Pretty much everything I've heard about the G series is very good (haven't personally used one) so that should be a very nice choice!

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 1:48 PM. Reason : d]

1/21/2009 1:48:01 PM