Wednesday, October 3, 2007

i need some camera help

What is going on with electronics these days?? First, my camera breaks. Then, Nat-Mat's portable DVD player takes a dive. Now, CC's laptop has crashed, with all her info, pictures, and programs on it! What is going on?? C-Chow, look out, you're next!! Oy!

So I've spent the better part of the afternoon looking at wal-mart.com and ebay and other sites looking at cameras and reading reviews. I'm so clueless. I really need your help folks. OK, here are my perameters: $200 or less, so that pretty much limits me to a point and shoot, yes? I'd like something a little better than what I had before (a Konica Minolta DiMAGE, 5mp, $200 1.5 yrs ago) but that may not be possible within my price range. It took great outside shots, but my inside shots were horrible, and anything with a flash was so washed out and icky. I'd love to upgrade from that.

I recently discovered the FujiFilm S5200 FinePix. Anyone have experience with it? It's roughly $200 with the look and feel of an SLR, but really, it's just a fancy point and shoot. And it takes video, which is a plus.

Or, on the cheaper side, there's the Nikon Coolpix, roughly $120, so obviously basic, but a good name. If I'm gonna go for cheapness, I could likely find a Barbie Digital Camera for $30 if you know what I mean.

So I'm not sure how cheap is too cheap. I'd love your opinions. Can you share some advice?

13 comments:

Delfina said...

I have the fuji film fine pix. I believe our is 7meg pix. I love it. It does an awsome job. You can try it out if like before you make you decide.

OneHappyfamily said...

Hola,
Well I wass doing some major research this same time last year and I think I told you I got the camera instead of the diamonds.;~). I had many people in the "biz" or many years tell me only buy Cannon. Also the pixels are not a big deal unless you plan on poster size prints. You will get a great print up to 16X20 with a 6 MP. I have owned two Cannon's and loved them both. Why don't you go with a cheap one for know like under $100 and then keep your eyes open and save up for an SLR. Let me know what you get.

Toni said...

Kohl's has the Canon PowerShot A410 on sale right now for $99. It even comes with a little printer for your pictures. This is what I have and it takes pretty good pictures and also does video. All the pictures and videos on my blog were taken with it. Here is the link to check it out: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/electronicsgames/bestsellers/PRD~192454/Canon+PowerShot+A410+Digital+Camera+Set.jsp

Jaime said...

I got a new camera this past christmas and I LOVE it! I can put it in my purse or even in my front pocket it's so small. It's a sony 6.0 cybershot, TJ got it @ Sams Club for about $250.00. It takes the most awesome pics & videos, if you want to go to sams and don't have a membership, let me know & I'll go with ya.

Natalie said...

Wow! Shawnette gave you some good insider info. I didn't know Cannon was that great. I'm going to go look into it. I'm a believer in Overstock these days, but I'll look around - since I'll be searching in electronics myself. What's the deal with that? Christine's laptop crashed??? That totally stinks! What has been said about the MP is right. We have a 6 and I have some awesome 16x20 prints that were made from pictures taken with that camera. I have another little insider tip for you... but maybe I'll save it for a private email. We'll see. :)

Liz said...

Amie,
Fuji I have heard good things as well as the powershot (usually like on sale 149.00 then the sony one to.. Look at office supplies to they have them on specials. they are all pretty good in side and out for that price you get a lot more these days that's for sure I think it's like 5.2 pixels.I think you will be pleased wtih any of those you get.. they even had a nikon cool pix i think it's called on 139.00 which was 5pixels so there is some deals out there just have to watch... I think you can get plenty with a $200.00 budget that is a great picture taker especially with the holidays around the corner.. Good luck let us know what you get...

Heidi said...

I need an alternate e-mail for you - apparently I was tagged by MSN for being a spammer - yah - go figure!?! And everything I try sending to hotmail or msn bounces back - but I have a huge dissertation on finepix - which I LOVE! That was the old camera I had for 4 years before my friend dropped it in the water. I want it back...but I've been test-driving cameras since July - that's what my post was about! so e-mail me w/ an alternate addy for you!

The Bluths said...

What kind of camera are you looking for? A standard, sleek & slim, or advanced with all the fixings? I had a standard one, but I think I want a slim one this time. Ethan got one for his work that we use every once in awhile and now my old one feels so clunky even though it's not. I like to take it with me in my bag so small is good.

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy,
I just bought the FujiFilm FinePix S700 has 10x zoom 7.1 Mega pixel and because I take pictures of the kids racing, I can do superfast pictures, which come out awesome!!
I love it. Though my hubby did think we were buying a SLR!! I do love it and am quite happy with it.
That's my two cents worth!!

Christine said...

You know I'm a Cannon girl all the way. I say if you're gonna buy one right now go for under $100 and then save for your SLR and get it when you have all the cash ready.
Oh BTW the song I'm requesting is John Michael Montgomery's Home to You. I have it on my playlist that's on my blog right now, go check it out. I totally think you can rock it. It was DJ's and my first dance song :-)

Jesika said...

Ah!! My computer crashed just a few days ago! I'm so praying that we'll be able to save my pictures.....*tear!

Anyway...check out www.newegg.com. I know it sounds funny, new egg, but they have really good deals on electronics. Check it out! You might find something worthwhile!

Kendra said...

I don't have any advice, but I would know what you end up buying and how you like it. I'm in the market for a new camera myself. Ours takes pretty good pictures, but it is soooooooooo sllllooooowww! It takes a god 10 seconds between shots and about 20 seconds to start it. By the time I wait for the camera to catch up, all the action and or cuteness is over. I used to use our camcorder for still pictures because it was rapid shot, but the picture quality was horrible.

Heidi E. said...

Looking forward to hearing how you are doing on your quest to find a camera.. Jed just helped me pick out a new point and shoot camera.. I show it to you next time I see you.. Speaking of which.. I would like to invite you to my exclusive Rusty Pickle party I won.. Shoot me a email and I will send you the details.. Hericks@cox.net