[daba]

Looking for a digital camera for my gf. Nothing ultra-high quality, just something easy to use, with good quality for quick pix. Specs:

- the thinner the better
- large lcd screen
- 3.2MP or higher (no 1.3MP "camera phone" quality cameras)
- preferabbly no "sliders" (e.g. Sony DSC-T7)
- good zoom needed
- stylish a bonus
- budget up to $500

So far I've looked at the Sony DSC-T3, DSC-T7, and Canon SD20, Casio Exilim EX-S500/S600

Thanx!

Edit: While we're at it, I currently have a DSC-F717... the new Sony DSC-R1 looks pretty intriguing. Anyone have any <$1000 cameras they'd recommend, or should I just stick with my DSC-F717?

 

[Uncle Erik]

I bought a digital camera a couple of months ago, and nearly went for a Casio Exilim. Those run around $350, are thin, come in several colors, shoot at 6.0MP, and take reasonably good photos.

However, I found a special on the Olympus SP-500UZ, and went with that instead. It's not thin, it looks like a minature SLR. But I am quite happy with the photo quality and it lasts all day on 4 AA batteries. I shot 250+ photos on one set tramping around the Grand Canyon all day. No complaints whatsover. But the Exilim is good, too.

 

[daba]

I have one of the older FLD's, Sony DSC-F717, and she doesn't like lugging that thing around; but as of now, looks like the Casio Exilim CARD EX-S500/S600 will do nicely!

 

[gevorg]

How about Canon SD700? First small Canon with image stabilization and ISO800.

 

[Nick Dangerous]

Canon!

Canon! Canon! Canon!

I just bought the latest SD600 for a mere $315. This little thing (smaller than a deck of cards!) is a marvel of technology. It shoots 30fps 640x480 video with sound, is 6.0 megapixels, has a large LCD, and ISO levels to 800 among other nifty features. I've got *2GB RAM* in mine and it will shoot all day long. Plus, it looks nice. Few cameras are sexier than those from Canon's Digital Elph line.

If you can spring for the uber-Canon SD700 as suggested, go for it!

 

[ILuvSony]

Currently, the highest rated camera for under $500 is the Sony DSC-N1. Can't beat that.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...e_ultracompact

These sites are AWESOME for digital camera guidance and review! Good luck!
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/ratings.php
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/latestreviewscrx.aspx

Hope that helps! Have fun shopping and good luck~

 

[skyline889]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILuvSony Currently, the highest rated camera for under $500 is the Sony DSC-N1. Can't beat that. http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...e_ultracompact These sites are AWESOME for digital camera guidance and review! Good luck! http://www.steves-digicams.com/ http://www.dpreview.com/ http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/ratings.php http://www.pcphotoreview.com/latestreviewscrx.aspx Hope that helps! Have fun shopping and good luck~

The picture quality on the N1 is terrible and the screen scratches really fast, I would only recommend it if you're gf wants the newest, "coolest" camera on the block like mine did. I would go with the Canon SD600 recommended above although now that this new version has been released you might be able to find the SD550 at a good price and it's almost the same camera.

 

[daba]

I practically read all the ultra-compact reviews on DCRP Review and here's a list I came up with:

Clarifications:
Camera (name)
Price (lowest shipped to Berkeley)
Vol, Volume
LCD, LCD size
Slide, Sliding "On" feature
Batt, Battery life, measured in camera shots
Qlty., Picture quality, as reviewed by DCRP
Mem, Memory type
OZ/DZ, Optical/Digital Zoom
MP, Megapixels

Camera Price DimensionsVolLCDSlideBattQlty.MemOZDZMP
Canon PowerShot SD400 $264.93 3.4 x 2.1 x 0.8 in.5.7122.0No150GoodSD345.0
Canon PowerShot SD500 $304.80 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.0 in7.4802.0No160ExcellentSD347.1
Casio Exilim EX-S500 $257.00 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.6 in.4.8302.2No200PoorSD305.0
Casio Exilim EX-Z750 $269.95 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.7.2452.5No325Very goodSD387.2
Fuji FinePix Z1 $251.70 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.7 in5.3902.5Yes170GoodxD35.75.0
Kodak EasyShare V550 $257.95 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 in7.3262.5No120Very goodSD345.0
Nikon Coolpix S1 $228.24 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.8 in6.4402.5No200PoorSD345.0
Olympus Stylus 710 $298.99 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.6.5122.5No180PoorxD37.1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 $289.00 3.7 x 2.0 x 1.0 in7.4002.5No270GoodSD346.0
Samsung Digimax i5 $238.00 3.4 x 2.4 x 0.7 in5.7122.5No180Very goodSD355.0
Sony Cybershot DSC-N1 $419.35 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.9 in.8.2083.0No300Very goodMSd328.1
Sony Cybershot DSC-T5 $257.77 3.7 x 2.4 x 0.8 in.7.1042.5Yes240GoodMS325.0
Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 $239.80 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.7.2452.5No390Very goodMSd326.0

For me I personally like the Fuji FinePix Z1, but the reviewer, like many others here, liked the Canon. However, he also liked the N1, but thanks to skyline889 I'll probably avoid it. The original eye-catcher, the Exilim EX-S500, had below average picture quality so I'm probably not going to get that. Overall, I guess I'll get a Canon SD or the Sony DSC-W50. Thanks everyone for the rec's!

All this camera shopping made me want to buy a new camera for myself. Should I toss my DSC-F717 or keep it?

 

[ILuvSony]

Good job Guys! So, what should I get? I REALLY want the Canon Digital Rebel!

 

[lini]

daba: If you want a budget recommendation, I'd suggest looking into the Kodak C360 (5 Mpix, 3x optical zoom, surprisingly small, looks nice, very easy to use, ~ 160 Euro over here...).

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[daba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILuvSony Good job Guys! So, what should I get? I REALLY want the Canon Digital Rebel!

Depends on how much you want to spend. If you're willing to shell out for a D-SLR, there's plenty of good choices. If not, then I'd consider the Sony DSC-R1, it's right up your alley. Supposedly it has D-SLR quality pictures.

 

[daba]

I actually like the back of the Canon SD630:

It's just released.

 

[spaceconvoy]

Nikon S1

 

[chadbang]

Canon,
Canon,
Canon.


I work at a newspaper and see all sorts of photos submitted by pros and amatuers.

Canon,
Canon,
Canon.

 

[iancraig10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadbang Canon, Canon, Canon. I work at a newspaper and see all sorts of photos submitted by pros and amatuers. Canon, Canon, Canon.

You're Fired. (Canon!)

I've recently been using a Fuji F11 (as well as an old s7000) and the quality has been amazing. I'm not sure what it sells for in dollars but it is extremely good. 6.3 M pixels. 2.5 inch screen. If you don't want manual controls, there's the cheaper F10 which is almost as good.

The quality really surprised me.

Ian