Searched for old topics under "digital camera" and all the relevant ones were older than 90 days. So here it goes:

Digital camera virgin here. Because I constantly misplace and drop shit, and also because I've never really felt the need, I've put off getting a digital camera for years and have stuck with disposables.

But I'm going to Europe in September and definitely want to get a camera for the trip. I'll be backpacking for about two months and want to take a shitload of pictures. I don't need anything fancy. Just something small that can fit into a small coat pocket. I don't want anything too expensive, but I still want a solid camera. Something pretty durable could help too, since I have a penchant for dropping shit. I also might do a few active things such as white-water rafting or rock climbing. So its not required to be a good camera for physical activities...but it would be a bonus.

Any suggestions?

2/4/2008 1:04:36 PM

pm cddweller

2/4/2008 1:15:05 PM

I'm not sure about durability in demanding situations, but a good all-around pocket camera with some nice features (image stabilization, wide-angle zoom) that I'd like to pick up myself is the Canon Powershot SD870 IS. Should be available for around $300. I've had great experiences with the powershot series and several friends have as well. A good review site, btw, is http://www.dpreview.com; browse on there to check out the cameras you're thinking of and you can get some good info.

2/4/2008 1:21:26 PM

i'll post the same thing i did in the other thread, but with this note: if experience is any sort of teacher, you're going to want GOOD optical (not digital) zoom on your camera...i would recommend a 10x optical zoom camera, which knocks out a lot of options...for about $250, look at the panasonic dmc-tz3

Quote :

"i really love the leica panasonics...the tz3 is pretty close to your price range ($225-$250) and is feature-packed for the price...items of note: - leica optics - 8.5mp (7.2 eff) - 10x (28-280mm) optical zoom (very different, and much more important than total or digital zoom) - optical image stabilization - ISO 3200 max (for low light, though you do sacrifice clarity) - supports SD/SDHC cards (cheapest and most easily found storage available) http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/ i've yet to find image stabilization that beats canon, but i would sacrifice the marginally better OIS for better glass in the panasonic"

2/4/2008 2:47:53 PM

Why optical zoom and not digital zoom?? (I really have no knowledge of cameras)

2/4/2008 3:53:04 PM

optical is "true" zoom...in that it's hardware doing the zooming...digital zoom is enhanced, in that it's the software in the camera artificially enhancing the picture...someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i've NEVER seen a digitally-zoomed picture that was anything but pixelated

example:



honestly, in my camera (panasonic lumix fz-30), my optical zoom (12x) maxed out looks better than that example, but you get the idea

[Edited on February 4, 2008 at 4:52 PM. Reason : .]

2/4/2008 4:51:01 PM

I just received a 7.2MP Casio Exilim, the model that came out in January. It takes great looking shots and is small/incredibly fast so you can take pics at parties and things.

Highly recommend

2/4/2008 11:30:02 PM

I would actually look around online, they just had the PMAs which is like a tech expo for everything photographic. They probably have some stuff written up on the new things comin out this year.

2/5/2008 10:31:46 AM

i have a Sony W80 that I took to Europe, took amazing pictures for a normal point and shoot, outperformed my sister's Canon SD630 by far.

2/5/2008 11:14:02 AM