[sebastian589]

So I've always been interested in photography but never really thrown the money in for a camera. Walking around campus and anytime I am on vacation I start framing the environment and I'm sick of dreaming of what it would like and want to take action. Now is a terrible time to add another wallet-bully hobby to my list, but seeing as I have a photography project for my literature class to do, and I will be headed to "rocky mountain high" Colorado soon I was wondering if there was a good camera around two hundred dollars. It would have to be digital as I would prefer the convenience, and don't have access to any labs at the time. I know thats a meager budget for photography, but I am in college and need to be budget conscious, so I would really love some suggestions. Thanks!

 

[003]

So you don't need help starting a new hobby, you have already decided on the hobby and want suggestions for a camera.

 

[sebastian589]

yes

 

[dj_mocok]

Something like

this

or

this

or

this



will do fine I reckon. (or slighty lower version of those if they're a bit too dear). Those things when they were introduced, they were around AUS$1,000 mark (or more). So considering the price now, it's a steal.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

dj_mocok, wow those are fantastic prices.

 

[sebastian589]

What about this camera?

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...=0&dcaid=15889

 

[dj_mocok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj /img/forum/go_quote.gif dj_mocok, wow those are fantastic prices.

I think if you're patient and lucky, you can get them for even cheaper. Just gotta find an "upgrading" or "been sitting in the cupboard" seller, not seller who's selling because the camera got problem.

I sold my FZ20 for AUS$450-ish if I remember correctly. And that thing was still in mint condition, I threw in a 512MB Ultra II, camera bag, spare battery, lenspen, and mini tripod. The FZ20 by itself when it was new was around AUS$1,000.

Funny, I've been looking at that 8080 Olympus, and now I have this feeling of wanting it again, because a few years back it was the camera that I really really wanted but didn't have the money to buy it. That camera was so solid and when you see and hold one, you know that it's a great camera.

 

[sebastian589]

Any thoughts on this Olympus?
I ask because it is on campus and could purchase tomorrow

http://www.chegg.com/product-listing.aspx?pid=67499

Or this Panasonic which seems to be similar to the ebay one
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...3340472&sr=8-2

 

[dj_mocok]

Both are great. But if you want pure image quality (especially outdoor), 8080 is hard to beat.

But the FZ series are very versatile, and 12X optical is fun!

 

[sebastian589]

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....ID=prod2158859

I am thinking of this camera.
The problem I am having is I don't know what to look for in terms of specs beyond simple MP numbers. What else should I consider when looking around?

I should also state that I would be mainly focuses on outdoor photography and would like good image quality

 

[PerformanceFirst]

Check out the reviews on www.dpreview.com Megapixels don't mean too much. I would make sure the camera has manual modes. The Canon A- series is a safe bet if you want to buy new and keep it affordable.

 

[dj_mocok]

Numbers are just numbers at times. May look great on paper but not in real life. Best way to find out is to read as many user reviews as you can and look at sample pictures, and of course, if possible, try it yourself.

But those that I recommended are really really good camera for the money.

 

[aaroncort]

I've been wanting to buy a digital camera as well but really have no idea about what fetures I'll want or need. It's all far too overwhelming and expensive to make a mistake. Buying a used camera with out being able to look at it yourself seems like a very bad idea.