I have 250 dollars to buy a camera

[Opcn]

I would like to get a digital camera before I leave on vacation (so that I can bring you all back photos of the shed aquarium) I have procrastinated and dont know what to get, I'd like it to be rechargable and 5 megapixels would be nice, any sugestions?

 

[Bloo]

I can't suggest sites or cameras for your side of the world, as I do not know what "current" there or not.
However what I DO suggest is that you scout round for the camera you want. The look for the best price online - 99% of the time, online is cheaper than the actual retail stores - even if it's exactly the same store that has a retail outlet and an online sales section. Then print out that page with the price and take it to a high street store and ask for a price match. They do it here at most stores in the UK - they just do not advertise that fact. A couple of years ago I saved myself a £100 by doing exactly that !

 

[BooRadley]

Check out http/dpreview.com/

Specifically, check out http/www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Look for something that uses cheap memory so you can get more. Ideally, you would want compact flash, since that works in all the cameras you'll want after you get bored with this one. Don't consider "digital zoom" as a reason to buy. mechanical zoom yes, digital zoom no. You can just use photoshop or something to crop and get the same thing. Try to find something with either a long battery life, or that uses AA batteries so you won't end up stuck with a dead camera in the middle of Paris or something.

I had a FujiFilm camera in that price range and LOVED it. The only problem was that it used XD picture cards, and nothing else I'm even remotely interested in owning uses that, so I'm left (now that I finally killed it) with a bunch of XD memory that I paid good money for and don't have a use for. Other than that, it was fantastic.

Also, if the price is close to the same, get it at a local store with a good refund policy, and you can return it and get something else if you're not happy with it. If the price is significantly different, then go the online route.

 

[ncjharris]

Shed aquarium in Chicago?

You lucky so and so, we went there at the start of the year, and the damn thing was shut for refurb!

We had to make do with the Field Museum and the Planetarium instead, which were both mighty fine anyhow!

Oh well, gives us a reason to go back to the Windy City I suppose!

 

[3fsh]

If you can get $10-20 more, the Canon PowerShot SD300 would be a good choice. 4 megapixels and it's been recommended to me by my (photographer) boyfriend who works at Wolf Camera. He said that the flash is amazing and it takes extremely clear pictures.

 

[Nidge]

There are so many cameras out there now in your price bracket that its hard to recommend.

Somebody already posted this link, Its probably the best independent camera review site on the web http/dpreview.com/.

Its hard to go wrong these days when buying a camera as they are all fairly decent.

If you go for a good brand you will be happy and they all take good pictures

 

[Puffer_freak]

Kodak DX 7590, if you can find it.

 

[SirMinion]

You've all said how much you like my pictures.

Well that's Kodak.

I think kodak make the best value for money DCs on the market.
Sure there's better cameras out there, but not for what a Kodak costs.

 

[Opcn]

thanks for all the input, keep it coming please.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Ah! You're coming here? :gets ready: What stores are up there? I.e. best buy, etc.

 

[Seahorse]

Kodaks are great for snap photography (people who take pictures of the kids etc), and can be maneuvered well enough by people such as Sir Minion to take a decent photo. However, keep in mind that megapixels do not make a camera... Kodak for instance offers 5MP for a cheap $180, which attracts a lot of people. However, the same can be achieved with a 3MP Canon.

I'm just saying, don't let that fool ya

Anyway, I highly recommend a Canon A95, as I am sure plenty of others do as well.

 

[Opcn]

best buy(expensive as all hell), circuit city, CompUSA(screw you over big time city), Walmart(i hate them but may use them) and thankyou very much for the input seahorse, I hear good things about cannon, My girl friend seems to love them too, its an obsesion I tell ya.

 

[Bloo]

I have to say I vote for Canon all the way. I've had Sony, Fuji & Pentax but by far prefer Canon on all accounts.

 

[Arfie]

I have a Canon S500 (Ixus5), not sure how much it is over there though, probably half what we get it for.

It is small which was more important for me, otherwise I wouldn't take it out, it's 5mp and 3* optical zoom, but my mate has an Ixus 3 (S300) which is 3mp and is also very good.

Arfie

 

[Opcn]

I looked at it alot and at 4 and a half stars with everyonw who reviewed it I think I'll go with the canon snapshot A95, Its pushing my price range if I can find it at average price, but once I find my batteries and get them charged It should work well, So thankyou Very much seahorse and all the others who contributed.