Oh no, another digital camera thread - Seriously, please help!

Spilchy · 04-04-05, 08:20

Here we go again, another digital camera thread

I need a camera - but - I am not interested in printing the photos.

I am looking to take pics of the cars I detail so I can catelog them and share them here.

I am not a camera buff and I don't take photos on vacation or anything. DOn't ask me why.

With this in mind and say up to a $250 budget, what camera would provide the best quality images for posting on the Internet and getting some real good closeup shots along with ease of use.

I see some images here, and the clarity, crispness and detail is AWESOME and other pics just stink.

I did a search here and get those review sites, but it's too complicated for me because I don't know the first thing about them so I don't know what I am reading!

If I can get three or four recommendations, I can then narrow it down.

I have heard that Canons are excellent, but don't know which to choose.

Remember, I am not printing these images. I just want the best image quality and closeup ability for Internet posting.

Thanks for bearing with me. I have to admit, I am a technical guy, but this area is foreign to me

Sci-Fi · 04-04-05, 10:58

Canon A-80 or Canon A-85, Nikon 4100 or Nikon 4300. All are about $250 or less, 4mp cameras, use standard compact flash (CF) storage cards, and are easy on the batteries.

Could save a few more dollars by looking at 2-3mp cameras or last year's models. But for the the price, it's better to get the 4mp Canon or Nikon cameras.

Spilchy · 04-05-05, 08:56

Thanks! Like I mentioned, I heard good things about the Canons.

So I purchased the A85.

I used a few sites to find the lowest prices and, believe it or not, WalMart had the cheapest price at $199.00. I also got a 128mb memory card from Simple Tech at WalMart for $14.00. It was $10.00 to ship. All together, this was still cheaper than most of the other places including shipping and the memory card.

Look out Autopia, I'll be posting pics soon enough!

G35stilez · 04-05-05, 10:00

I did a lot of searching and talking. For what I use it for (a little more than what you use it for), the Canon A85 is the camera for me.

CANT WAIT FOR SPILCHY PICS

SilverLexus · 04-05-05, 12:56

I might add that the Canon A95 that Todd just got is making some very good pics....it's $330 at Target. Canon cameras are critic's faves.

ScubaStevo · 04-05-05, 12:59

I love my Canon, but its a little out of your price range.

Lost Pup · 04-05-05, 02:39

I own a 2 Meg Canon S100. Small, compact and durable.

SamplePix:

Simple to use Point and Shoot.

TW85 HHI · 04-05-05, 02:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Spilchy
I also got a 128mb memory card from Simple Tech at WalMart for $14.00.

Not sure what kind of memory card the A85 uses but be careful with the inexpensive cards that are on the market. They are known to stop working so always transfer your pictures to a more reliable storage drive (the same should be done with even high quality memory cards).

JohnnyDaJackal · 04-05-05, 04:31

Quote:

Originally posted by TW85 HHI
Not sure what kind of memory card the A85 uses but be careful with the inexpensive cards that are on the market. They are known to stop working so always transfer your pictures to a more reliable storage drive (the same should be done with even high quality memory cards).

Just curious what kind of memory cards have you heard have problems with?

I did a decent amount of searching up on reliability of brands and SanDisk which seems like a very popular/reliable name brand was coming up with all sorts of problems. When I had my older camera I was primarily using a Kingston 256 SD card(which you can get for $12 on sale at Dell.com now) and never had problems with missing photos. Granted I usually uploaded them on my computer within a day or 2 of shooting, even the ones I never erased stayed entact.

TW85 HHI · 04-05-05, 06:14

From everything I have heard and read, SanDisk, Kingston, Kodak, etc., are all fine cards. It is the inexpensive, almost no-name brand cards available at Wal-Mart, Target, even Staples or Best Buy, that seem to become unreliable.

JasonC8301 · 04-05-05, 07:50

I currently use a Konica Minolta Dimage X20 (discontinued and replaced with the X31.)

Here is a picture of my car after detailing it today with Zaino.

I used no flash at 1600X1200 with the fine setting.

The camera lacks a viewfinder, sometimes its good to have when batteries run low.

I also have a Canon Powershot A10 (1.3 MP) somewhere. Thats also nice, with the A75, 85, and 95 the later models of that.

www.newegg.com is where I go

STBear · 04-05-05, 11:21

Like said above the Canon A series will meet your needs. Lexar is also a reliable brand of CF card.