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Thread ID: 57488 2005-05-04 01:55:00 Buying a Digital Camera Raewyn (946) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
351902 2005-05-04 01:55:00 Hi Everyone,

I am wanting to buy a Digital Camera and wondered if I could get some advice? Not looking for anything fancy, just something to take photo's for emails and websites. What sort of spec's should I go after? Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you. :)
Raewyn (946)
351903 2005-05-04 02:04:00 Almost anything would do that. Perhaps you should give some idea of your budget first. PaulD (232)
351904 2005-05-04 02:06:00 Ooops, yes. Only wanting to spend around $300 and under? Raewyn (946)
351905 2005-05-04 02:07:00 Have a look here (www.dse.co.nz) they have some cheap ones on there you will just need to search for 'Digital Cameras' Overdrive_5000 (4950)
351906 2005-05-04 02:08:00 It's probably more useful if you set a price limit. At $500, you will get a 4+ megapixel, 3+ x optical zoom camera with enough bells and whistles to do everything as an amateur photographer - emails and web pics included. When I bought my first dig cam I did a google search for reviews, comparisons and tests (use this search string in google: digital camera ~test ~comparison ~review). Then I looked at local shops for availability and prices (you should check out pricespy.co.nz). At $350 - $500 you will get a fairly good camera with 3+ Mpx and 3+ x optical zoom. vinref (6194)
351907 2005-05-04 02:12:00 Ooops, yes. Only wanting to spend around $300 and under?

In that case, I can highly recommend the Canon Powershot A75. Pricespy says DSE are selling it for $317. The Canon Powershot A-series is very good.
vinref (6194)
351908 2005-05-04 02:16:00 Im very happy with my HP m307!

Very nice quality pics.. I'll post a sample here in a sec

Cost me just under $200

m407 is 4mp, which is another $30-40 odd, the HP m307 which I got is only 3mp, 3x optical, 5x digital zoom :)
Chilling_Silence (9)
351909 2005-05-04 02:20:00 I guess this is what I'm finding confusing - the same specifications but different prices? :confused:

Kodak CX7300

3.2 megapixel
3X Digital Zoom
16MB Internal Memory

$180.00


Canon Powershot A400

3.2 megapixel
3.2X Digital Zoom
16MB SD Memory Card

$330.00
Raewyn (946)
351910 2005-05-04 02:34:00 All brand named digicams would be fine.
The Canon A series Powershot would be v good, they have manual settings too and a few diff types of metering ... (you will learn in due time). Very good for venturing into more of photog. It also uses CF cheap cards. A v popular camera model. IMO its the best out there for such a price. Many cams in this price range don't have as much features.

You can go to www.dpreview.com and check samples.
If you wanna venture into action or low light photog, I recall one guy who posted a question on this forum. If that is your type of work look for higher ISO rating (over ISO 800), lower f# (aperture).

Edit:
The A series uses AA batteries. 3x optical zoom which is the best all round lens. IMO get 3x or 8x. Nothing much in between ..... 8x would be sports and wildlife or isolating objects but from ur message, 3x woudl be fine, I go with the Canon A75. Didn't thought that was still available ... thought they were all $400-500 ....
Nomad (952)
351911 2005-05-04 02:44:00 The comparison for those 2 here:
Here (www.dpreview.com)

From first glance the Kodak has no optical zoom. Only digi zoom. Its a 37mm fixed lens. ISO 200. Canon is ISO 400. Faster shutter speed on Kodak but you don't really need it. Kodak has 1 metering mode, Canon has 3 types - useful later if you get more into it. Continous 1.3 FPS for Canon. None for Kodak. LCD screen has more pixels by 1 fold vs the Kodak.
The A400 is the more trendy model and smaller. It lacks manual controls which the A75 has although manual controls isn't for everyone....


Edit, the Kodak is just fixed lens. Digi 3x zoom means using Photoshop and zooming (on the computer) - not using a real lens to do it. Kodak has no autofocus. A fixed focus - maybe its something like a disposable camera? It might be a closest subject focus system - my feeling is it may focus on something else and not on the person ... if something is in front of the person ....
Nomad (952)
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