First Camera Ever...

[sublime]

Hi

I have never owned any other camera than those ten cent ones you win at the fun fair, so I know absolutely nothing about cameras. I'd like to buy my first camera, but there are so many out there that I have no clue which one to choose.

My specifications are not too strict: cf memory and something as inexpensive as possible. I'm working with a very tight budget, so I can't afford to get a great camera, just the best bang-for-my-hard-earned-buck.

What would you suggest?

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

If you can still find them, grab the Nikon 2100/3100 before they disappear! Should be under $290 for the 3100.

The Canon A60 and A70 have more features, but are bigger and a tad more expensive.

If you don't mind not having optical zoom there's the Canon A200/A300.

Right now there's a shift away from CF for the low end consumers, so these are the only cameras I can think of right now!

[backpackerx]

The A series from Canon sounds pretty good. You'll most likely have to forgo a zoom lens for cost savings but a 3x zoom isn't really that impressive anyways.

For the cheapest look for a non zoom camera with 2 megapixels. That'll get you good 4x6s and will stretch to do a fair (but only fair) 8x10. I'd stay with major name brands though and don't go under 2 megapixels or you'll find the camera next to useless for good quality 5x7s etc.

[Gary Sheynkman]

Tight budget is a bit vague, give us some numbers to work with

[sublime]

Sorry...say, under $200 :(

...or should I just postpone buying one for now and get a more expensive one a year or so later? Are there any cameras worth buying in that price range?

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Well, if you don't mind going second hand, I'm sure there're a few cameras that you can find. Second hand A60s should be quite cheap. The one's I mentioned can also be found second hand.

[sublime]

Well, I'm an impulse buyer, so I went for the a300. It was $140, so that was alright.

Thanks for your help.

[backpackerx]

I think you'll be happy with that camera. It will give you a good introduction to digital photography and in a year or two you can upgrade and not worry too much about what you paid for your first camera.

[sublime]

I changed my mind and went with the a70. I found a refurbished one that cost cheaper than an a60, so I went for it. It cost $290 canadian, which I would assume would cost around 210 american, give or take ten bucks.

Woo hoo!

[backpackerx]

You'll be happy with the A70. I have it and like it. Just be sure to get some good (2100 mAh or so) NiMH rechargeables with it.

[Suhit Gupta]

So what did you do with the a300?

Suhit

[sublime]

cancelled my order on it

[ale2999]

hey guys. I want to get a digital camera too. My dad has an hp with no optical zoom :? (I dont remember the model now) and only 2 megapixels, so I want to get my own camera. The reason why I want a good camera is that I will take a 2 month trip this summer to the belpaese and this time I wish to take as many pictures as possible.

So the problem as Always is money. It would be awesome if I could get a camera for 350 canadian or less. Also I wish that this camera could use both sd and cf. I was wondering how many pictures (good quality) may I expect to fit in a 256 card? which is faster sd or cf? I was thinking in getting a microdrive for the camera and my pda (from the muvo2) but is that a wise choice?
Please gurus help this noob! :P

thx
Edit: I forgot to say that I would like the camera to achieve good low light pics (nit and etc) and I am most likely printing this pictures

[backpackerx]

1. I'm not aware of any cameras that take CF and SD. Most new models use SD.
2. CF cards write and read faster but the difference won't be noticeable much in less than a pro model
3. The 256Mb card question depends on the megapixle of the camera and the overal quality setting. The higher on both, the less shots you can take because the files are bigger. On my 3.2 megapixel camera at highest quality with my 256 card I can fit around 150 pics on it.
4. Digital consumer cameras usually aren't as good as film in low light
5. The muvo drive would need to be checked for compatibility with the individual camera.
6. If "shooting as many pics as possible" is important you probably need a computer to download to so you can free up your card when full, or stay with film for now.

Hope that helps.

[ale2999]

thx man. I wish there was a camera with cf and sd

[Bob12]

Well, there is one camera that uses both CF and SD, the new Canon EOS-1D Mark II. But it's not anywhere close to the price range you mentioned.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

The Canon A75 seems to fit all your needs, except that it doesn't have a SD slot.

[sublime]

Under $350 Canadian? Check this out:

What I did was go to Henrys (or you can go to the website, Henrys.com) and got a refurbished Powershot a70 for $289 before taxes (the a60 brand new is $299). 3.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and lotsa fun. I wound up paying $400 altogether because I got a two year warranty and a carrying case. It only takes CF, so tough cookies for your dreams of both.

Yeah

[backpackerx]

You can actually find the A70 new online for $240 now, unless you were talking Canadien dollars.

[ale2999]

ya I am talking canadian dollars. but what is the link to get the a70 for that price anyways? :cry:
also I ran into the samsung digimax 420, and the review that I read online are pretty good. What I like about it is that it takes only 2 AA batteries, and it is supposed to be smaller. Does any1 have experience with this camera? do you guys think it is a good deal for 370 Canadian?


edit: do you guys think that some price of some camera like the canon a70 and a80 are going to plunge in the next months?

[backpackerx]

Amazon has it for $249 and shopharmony.com for $239 and mpsuperstore.com for $225. Shipping is higher for mpsuperstore but it ends up at like $245.

[Littleshmee]

Hey, if you're looking to spend around 370 canadian you can get a Canon A75 for that price at http://www.cameracanada.com. These guys are really nice - I bought a pentax 430 (think that's what it was), and when it arrived here I just didn't like it (I was frustrated with the lack of manual features). I called them, and they let me return it for no real reason. When I decided to buy the Olympus C-5050, I found a really good deal at another store, called Camera Canada, and they matched the price for me!

That same Olympus takes CF and SD... and xD, and MMC - pretty much whatever you have you can throw in there. It's probably a bit more expensive than you're looking for though.

Finally, http://www.steves-digicams.com and http://www.megapixel.net both have really good in depth reviews (megapixel is Canadian too).