Looking for a camera

[Byam]

I may be in the market for a new camera in the next month or so. Can anyone recommend anything in the $250 - $300 range? I'm no where close to a serious photographer, I'm just looking for the highest possible quality for that price. Does the highest pixel count always mean the highest quality?

Byam

[NHBubba]

Does the highest pixel count always mean the highest quality?No no no no no no no!

I have made 10x15" prints which I am delighted w/ from a 'wee' 4 MP Canon G3. MP is only important for two things, making very large prints, and performing massive cropping (ie 'digital zoom'). If you only intend to email your friends and/or post to the web, you can do well w/ less than 1 MP! Very very nice (300 dpi) 4x6" prints can be made from ~2 MP.

If you think you like to persue photography as a hobby, my advice would be to look for a camera w/ full manual controls (ie Av, Tv and M modes) and can take a threaded filter, either directly or with an adapter. Those two features will give you plenty of room to grow. After that get whatever you like that meets your budget.

Personally, were I to do it all over again today, I'd look for one of the better Canon A-series. I really think they are great bang:buck ratio cameras..

[dragon300zx]

Canon A Seires it is. My family owns several (one of which I own A80) and they are great little cameras.

[LivingFiction]

Canon makes some great point and shoots. I have had an S4 for years and been pleased with it. Last Christmas I was given this little guy (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxs5i/) and he lives in my pocket now. Great little snapper when you don't feel like carrying a camera.

[Eric&Susan]

I just recently picked up the canon a510 for my wife and it's a great little camera that will go anywhere. It fits in your price range and has auto controls as well as full manual. Great little point and shoot for the price:thumb


Eric

[Byam]

Thanks guys, does anyone have any feelings on Fuji? Right now I'm using an HP and I don't much care for it. I was looking at this one:
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=property&item=30-122-042

Byam

[luckyrwe]

I just got this one at Costco for $399 complete with a case and SD card, I am very happy with it so far. It is a little over your budget but a LOT more camera, I have been looing for something pokxet size for a while!

http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=search&item=30-124-118

[Eric&Susan]

I've never used a fuji but I believe some other people here do maybe they will chime in soon. In the mean time maybe this link will help you a little:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fuji_s3100.html

Eric

[Mitchell]

I've been impressed with the Fuji A340. I bought one for my son to use so he wouldn't keep harrassing me for my D70. The pictures from this highly rated camera are great. It is small and very easy to use. Doesn't replace a DSLR, but it is a lot easier and more discrete to carry around.


mitch