July 20. 2007 00:22

I have a DSLR... but need to get a point and shoot again so I have been hunting.
I really like this one (www.dpreview.com/.../canon_a640.asp">www.dpreview.com/.../canon_a640.asp) because it has a good optical zoom, the functions of the SLR (shutter aperture etc) along with the simplicity of a point and shoot (macro setting, auto setting, etc), and best part the swivel screen for taking angled photos
this site can help you look and compare side by side, which is invaluable (www.dpreview.com)

stinkerbell |

July 20. 2007 00:53

I love my Fuji E900, purchased last year after I literally wore out my old Fuji digital if such a thing is possible.  This is not a slip-into-a-shirt-pocket digital, but it's considerably smaller than an SLR.  You can take close-ups, film short videos with sound and more.  What I don't like:  lacks some sort of anti-shake adjustment and the self-timer is way too short (only ten seconds).  This camera is a bit more than a point & shoot, but it allows for a loooong learning curve if you want to gradually experiment with trickier functions and expand your expertise.

threadingwater |

July 20. 2007 01:26

Condolences! My Canon Digital Rebel is currently at the mother ship for repairs. I gulped and ponied up the money, because otherwise it's a very expensive paperweight, even if I did buy it used.

I like Olympus digital cameras a lot, especially the ones that focus through the lens.

Catherine D. |

July 20. 2007 02:04

I inherited a Panasonic Lumix that works really well.

One thing to consider is how easy it is to get the photos off the camera. I personally would avoid Cannon because, as far as I know (and I could be wrong), they want you to install special software on your computer if you want to plug the camera in with a USB cable.

Extra software like that always assumes it knows what you want to do better than you do, and I hate that.

You can get around the software issue by using a card reader (but I'm always paranoid that excessive handling will mess up the card), or make sure that your camera can be plugged in and simply read like an external drive.

Just food for thought.

Kitt |

July 20. 2007 02:53

I love my tiny Pentax Optio -- also known as the Altoid camera as it fits in an Altoid tin.  I bought it at Wolf Camera (I know, I know, it is no longer truly local as it was bought by Ritz) and took one of their free digital photography classes which I found helpful.

I wanted a camera I could always have with me so size was the determining factor.  I would recommend you get a camera you don't have to plug in to charge (my Optio is actually too thick to fit in a tin because it takes AA batteries but it is so disheartening to have your camera die without being able to charge it because you are out and about that I have been thankful the store didn't have the thinner version in stock).

This camera is very easy to use -- my mom picked it up and took lovely pictures without any lessons from me (Mom's not exactly technophilic).

I do wish mine had anti-shake abilities and more zoom (mine has 3x optical and 5x digital).  I see Pentax has added anti-shake to the Optio E40 and M40 so now you can get that in a small package.  The Lumix recommended above has anti-shake and 10x optical zoom so since Kitt likes it you might want to check it out.

P.s. I use a card reader all the time and have had no issues with my cards messing up.

Harper |

July 20. 2007 04:58

Here's a vote for Canon, at least the PowerShot A540, which is not very expensive (*I* have one [grin]). Donna Druchunas loaned me hers to use when we were in Alaska last fall. It was a cinch. (Donna also got me started on both blogging and digital photography by setting me up with her old 3.5-inch-disk-based camera, with which I discovered I could actually fit this into my life. Sort of.)

I have not had any extra software installed on three of the four computers where I've downloaded images--I've transferred files by either direct-plug-in USB (drag and drop files from camera directory to computer directory) or, and this is cool and follows on the notes above. . . .

I spent $11 online at Crucial for a Crucial Hi-Speed USB SD/MMC Card Reader. I take the card out of the camera, put it in the reader, put it in the USB port, and play away. Don't even have to fish out the cable. I LOVE the card reader. It can handle a variety of different cards, if I ever want to.

I keep it tucked in the back zipper area of of my camera bag, which is Case Logic Medium Camera Case SKU-TBC-3 ($10; 5.25 x 4.75 x 2, and fits easily into luggage or jacket pocket). It holds plenty of recharcheable batteries, two extra SD cards (which I haven't used yet, but I'm ready . . . ). Not the battery charger but hey, I don't need that when I'm taking photos.

Can you tell I like this set-up?

I was a BIG hold-out from digital photography because of expense and learning curve. But I am one happy camper. For relatively little money.

With thanks to Donna for helping me test the waters.

Deborah Robson |

July 24. 2007 12:37

Two highly rated cameras are:
Fuji F40
Canon SD800is
Both are good at low light, have the face capture programs, and are very good at battery usage.
The price of the memory cards has come down so much - one 2GB card can hold over 900 photos!
My family members have one of each of the above cameras, and we really find them easy to use.

Lisa RR in Toronto |

July 31. 2007 15:39

I highly recommend Canon for digital cameras.  I'm on my 3rd one now & have loved all of them.  I gave the first one (3 MP) to my daughter when I decided I wanted one with more MP.  Then that one was stolen not too long after I bought it & I replaced it with the G6 (7.1 MP) which takes great pictures.  The only problem is that it is a bit heavier than I like.  I may give it to my other daughter or keep it for home use & buy a smaller one for trips.  All have been quite reliable & taken great pictures.  In deciding to buy, I did a lot of research & the Canon ones are generally rated as amongst the best in each category.  In other words, no matter what your price range, if you choose the Canon, you'll probably be getting the best photos that you can for the money.

mwknitter |