Birthday Present.

Discussion in 'Tech Talk' started by The Communist, Sep 10, 2008.

  1. The Communist
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    I have come to the realization that I need a digital camera. My birthday is coming up and im not sure which one to get. My friend has a Powershot 7.1meg. camera. I like it but was wondering if XoO had a better idea somewhere in the same price range. I know we have some camera buffs out there.
     
  2. Terror Nova
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    There are alot of powershot models and quite a few around 7mp. Just give your price range. DSLR/Digital Cam? High zoom? Do you want to be able to take videos? Do you want a really easy to use camera or more options?
     
  3. The Communist
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    Well... that shows about how much I know about cameras. Taking videos is ok but not necessary. The price needs to be around $200 or less. So mostly price range is the key here. I just really want a good crisp picture and it needs to be digital.
     
  4. Frag
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  5. Terror Nova
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    If you don't want to think about it then that sony camera will probably be fine for you.

    If you want to think about it a bit and compare then look for:

    -Size (point and shoot cameras will be the smallest, weight/dimensions are usually listed)

    -Battery Life (How many photos/Video Time, Li-Ion rechargeable or AA - remember LCD screens take alot of power, if you leave them on all the time)

    -Zoom (Look for optical zoom, minimum you'll see 3-4X, for your range you probably won't see 6x and definately not 12x. - ignore digital zoom)

    -Image Stabilization (unless you are using a tripod your hands will shake the camera slightly and may cause the image to be blurry. some settings can be changed to reduce this but IS will help reduce it. These days you can probably find cheaper cameras with IS)

    -Misc Settings (Most cameras will come with standard stuff like red eye reduction, iso settings up to 1600-3200, white balance. Look for other settings like shutter speed, macro, timers, aperture settings)

    -Memory type (You will usually see SD in consumer digital cameras and compact flash in professional digital cameras, Look for SDHC not SD because it has a higher capacity - the speed of these cards go from Class 2-4-6 with each number representing speed in MB/s. An 8GB class 6 card will go for about 20$. You're camera may or may not even need that much speed depending on it's processing speed but it's not that much more expensive so who cares)

    -Face Detection (I can't say I really use this much but it's gotten much better recently)

    -File Types
    (You don't really have a choice here, consumer DC will save in jpg and professional cameras will allow you to save RAW files - i.e. compressed/uncompressed, but don't worry jpg is fine for your uses)


    If you want help on taking photos just post in this section or I can give you a bunch of sites to visit.
     
  6. The Communist
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    All I know is I want the clearest picture imaginable for around $200. So that Stabilization thing might be nice.
     
  7. Terror Nova
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    They will all be clear if you use the right settings for the location/lighting conditions. If you can't be bothered to play with the settings then that's why they make point and shoot cameras.
     
  8. The Cox
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    If you need help with SD or SDHC cards come talk to me. I worked for the worlds number one manufacturer of SD cards. Sandisk. Even though they did fire me, I still have my knowledge on the subject.

    ALSO! IMPORTANT! If/when you buy memory, make sure you get it from a legit place, and if you can get the serial code off the back of the card, not the package but the card, then I can tell you if it is a fake or not.
     
  9. EF2
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    I want some Ducati cards pretty please.

    Oh yeah, and any of the Canon SDxxx or SDxxx cameras should be in your price range. Try here

    http://dpreview.com/

    Avoid Sony's like the plague. Canon or Nikon are the real deal. But Olympus makes some nice P&S's as well, except they don't take SD cards and neither do Sony's (retards).

    P.S. the camera world's "E3" is coming up next week (Photokina), so expect what you buy to be obsolete in the next couple of months.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2008
  10. Zarash
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    Can you tell me why my Sandisk Sansa View will not play MP4 movies even when that is one of the formats it is supposed to run and what the best format is to use for it.
     
  11. kviolet84
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    I use the Canon powershot A590, it is not that great, but still quite nice. dpreview.com is a nice place to read reviews if want to know more about a camera.
     
  12. EF2
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    IQ is all the same with compact cameras. Buy for the features you want.
     
  13. EF2
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  14. The Communist
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    Holy crap your amazing!
     
  15. zecuat
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  16. EF2
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    If you're going to go over $400, get a Canon Powershot G9 or G10 (just announced today). Nothing compares in that price range.
     
  17. Grumble
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    I've had two Canon Powershots so far and I've loved them both. I plan to get one of the newer ones soon. Picture quality is superb and they are very durable... my classmate dropped one down a canyon and it still worked after bouncing a hundred times on solid rock. :p
     
  18. Klocknov
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