Ok, now i need advice for a pocket camera

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Glockycharms

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I have been reading the posts here and have not seen what I am looking for in camera selection but I would like to keep it under $200.

I am going to Europe on a trip and I would like a decent camera that uses AA batteries and can take good shots at night as well.

I guess I need at least 7 + on megapixels and a good optical zoom as I will probably frame my good shots?

I don't know for sure if I really need the image stabilizer deal for sure as i am able to take a pretty good steady shot without tripod unless it is at night and very dark.

It would be nice if I can manually operate the exposure and speed just to experiment.

Let me know what you think might be some good choices please?
 
Canon PowerShot A570IS

It takes AA, 7+ megapixels, full manual controls and under $150 including tax and shipping.

All of these pictures were taken using my A570IS. The photo size has been reduced significantly for web posting, but the photos look great (JMO) if you see them in their original size. The IS is very important for clear shots without a tripod, at least for my shaky hands. I've always taken better shots on IS-equipped cameras.
 
You don't really NEED 7+ megapixels. Don't get caught up in this whole megapixel game. Although it seems like most cameras these days have this much anyway. The lens itself is more important.

As for the image stabilizer, the bigger the zoom, the more you will need it. But still, for long night exposures, it is not going to replace a tripod.

Panasonic TZ5 just got a good review at DPReview. It has a 10x optical zoom, although it's a bit above your $200 budget:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz5/

Other than that, you usally can't go wrong with a Canon. Something like the A590IS (4x zoom) would be in your price range and uses AA batteries. You should still plan on using rechargable batteries though (the regular alkaline ones aren't going to last you long). It has manual aperature and shutter priority, too.
 
I bought a HP Photosmart 5 megapixel camera from Circuit City for $75 and it takes BEAUTIFUL pictures.

Read the reviews of some of the lower priced cameras and you will see that you can find some great ones for little $$$.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: The Critic
All of these pictures

Did you get a TSX by any chance? How is it?


No way, that car isn't worth the 32k asking MSRP.
 
Originally Posted By: Glockycharms
I have been reading the posts here and have not seen what I am looking for in camera selection but I would like to keep it under $200.

I am going to Europe on a trip and I would like a decent camera that uses AA batteries and can take good shots at night as well.

I guess I need at least 7 + on megapixels and a good optical zoom as I will probably frame my good shots?

I don't know for sure if I really need the image stabilizer deal for sure as i am able to take a pretty good steady shot without tripod unless it is at night and very dark.

It would be nice if I can manually operate the exposure and speed just to experiment.

Let me know what you think might be some good choices please?


Easy answer. Covers all your requirements and takes GREAT photos. (I just got one for my Daughter after checking out all the under $200 cams)

Dpreview review of Canon

You can get this for $169 from Dell (and even cheaper if you do a search for coupon deals).

Get a few SD cards (I got 2 4 gig and one 2 gig) and your set for a ton of shots.

Excellent Movie mode, manual if need be, easy to use, Must have viewfinder and takes AA batteries.

Excellent Macro mode too!

Oh, and the zoom is optical 6x which I love.
thumbsup2.gif


I have a older A620 (7.1mp) and it takes great photos. I've taken quite a few photos with it and my daughters camera is better. The IS does work.

Take care and ENJOY the trip!

Bill
 
Originally Posted By: Glockycharms
What can someone tell me about what memory to use as i do not know if and how it affects things like quality or speed?



Memory is memory. Buy at least 1 2 gig SD card (the prices are low low low) and the speed is important only if you take LONG movies.

And even then, I've never had any problems with ANY card I have.

The 32meg card that comes with the camera is only good for taking a few photos. We use ours for taking 10 or so photos to Wal-Mart to get printed.

My wife has a A610, I have a A620, Daughter has her new 720 and between all of us, we have quite a few brands and sizes of SD cards.

They all work well. (NO DIFFERENCE in quality)

The big thing I will say is I have noticed that the flash recycle time on the A720 is a little slower with the 2 AA batteries over my 4 AAs in the A620.

Not enough to worry about. I LOVE her 6x zoom and the IS is worth it IMO.

I may end up selling the A620 and picking up the A720 for me. I DO love the flip out screen on my A620 but I know I'd use the 6x optical zoom and IS more. (most of the time, I'm using the viewfinder for photos.

Here is a photo taken by my wifes A610 on our trip to Moab last week. Its a 5.0mp camera.



Here is a photo from my 8 year old Daughters A60 (about 5 year old 2 MP camera)



I don't have any photos from my 14yr olds new A720IS (they are on her laptop and its with her right now) But they are excellent of course....

If you printed either of these for 4x6, 5x7 you would not see any difference.

(and both of these have been down sized for web browsing. On my 22" LCD monitor the orginals are even more impressive)

Don't get caught on the Megapixels. The other features are more important IMO. (type of battery, OPTICAL (forget about ANY digital) zoom, IS, flash and other)

Take care, bill

PS: I'd buy Critic's A570Is OVER the newer A590IS. They messed up a few things with the 590.

The 570 is a excellent camera also. (the real difference between it and the 720 is the optical zoom and a megapixel)
 
Hey Bill,

Those shots of Utah are quite impressive!!

Thanks for the insight on the camera as well as the memory.

Do you happen to have a photobucket type album of the rest of these Moab Pics?
 
Originally Posted By: Glockycharms
Hey Bill,

Those shots of Utah are quite impressive!!

Thanks for the insight on the camera as well as the memory.

Do you happen to have a photobucket type album of the rest of these Moab Pics?


I don't. I'm going to post a few here when I get the time (hopefully this week end) to share!

The 8 year old got pretty good photos.

Thanks, Bill
 
Nice shots bill, is that first shot one of the "Gemeni bridges"?

I did a mountain bike/4x4 trip down the trail where the gemeni bridges are located. I loved it there. Drove all the way from Calgary just to see it.
 
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Nice shots bill, is that first shot one of the "Gemeni bridges"?

I did a mountain bike/4x4 trip down the trail where the gemeni bridges are located. I loved it there. Drove all the way from Calgary just to see it.


Yes, I believe so.

We go down there to hike about 3 times a year. Its a 4 hour (max) drive down there and nice place.

Moab is such a trap. The folks who work in *any* restaurant are just so rude.

We had such bad experiences this last trip at a few of restaurants that I even left a single penny. Just amazing. (Stay AWAY from the Pizza Hut there)

Here are a few other shots from the trip.





Take care, bill
 
Just ordered a Canon sd870is for my dad - bestbuy advertised price $299 -- $255 at Amazon -$20 Amazon Visa coupon (also -$30 if you don't have one and sign up for an Amazon Visa) = not a bad deal at all.

Seems to be the best price around for a good camera with a wide-angle lens, which is what it had to have.
 
I've got an A520, and really like it...Can't work it to best effect 'though

parents got the 720 and have some great memories ?

We got the 510s for work a few years ago, and they have proved extremely durable in a power station environment.
 
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