FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » I need the best digital camera in the world...

   
Author Topic: I need the best digital camera in the world...
Lalo
Member
Member # 3772

 - posted      Profile for Lalo   Email Lalo         Edit/Delete Post 
...and it needs to be able to store tons of pictures on very little battery juice, have a flip-around screen that I can view myself on at arm's length, and make coffee.

And survive a bike trip.

I can scrape together a couple hundred bucks for this one, since I've needed it for quite some time now, but it's got to be top quality -- it's going to have the hell abused out of it.

Can anyone recommend any particular digital camera? It doesn't necessarily need the flip-around screen, though it'd be a nice touch. What I do need is a camera that can take top-quality pictures from far away, in all lights, and withstand a fair amount of abuse. And make coffee. While my budget is limited -- I'm already dipping into my savings for it, so I can't exactly spend more than a few hundred at most -- I need the best, and I'm willing to break my bank to get it.

So. Any recommendations?

Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TomDavidson
Member
Member # 124

 - posted      Profile for TomDavidson   Email TomDavidson         Edit/Delete Post 
On one hand, you say you're willing to break the bank. On the other hand, you say you can scrape together a couple hundred bucks.

The best digital photo camera in the world costs about $15,000, without lenses.

You can get a presentable camera for $200 -- and, in fact, can probably find a really great used one for that price -- but you're going to have to pick some corners to cut.

Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lalo
Member
Member # 3772

 - posted      Profile for Lalo   Email Lalo         Edit/Delete Post 
Yeah, I have no idea why that title's there.

I hunted down another Hatrack thread on the subject. I'm rather torn between Mac's recommendation of the Canon Digital Rebel and Kasie's recommendation of the Canon S400 Digital Elph. On the one hand, the Digital Rebel's exactly what I want, sans a flip screen -- unfortunately, it costs $1000 and may not be the wisest choice for a crime-prone bike trip across the country. And the Elph looks portable and usable and suitable for my purposes -- and within my price range.

But then, will the Elph really capture the landscapes I'll see? Will it operate in all lights? Will I be disappointed with the size and quality of the pictures it churns out? Will the battery last several days at a time and recharge quickly? Can I store hundreds of pictures between uploading opportunities?

Gah...

Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lalo
Member
Member # 3772

 - posted      Profile for Lalo   Email Lalo         Edit/Delete Post 
And heh, Tom, when you're broke and usually poor, scraping together a few hundred is breaking the bank. I really can't make this a habit -- which is why I need to pick up a quality camera the first time around.
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Suneun
Member
Member # 3247

 - posted      Profile for Suneun   Email Suneun         Edit/Delete Post 
Hmm if you haven't looked yet, the best source for reviews and opinions IMHO is here. They link to a nice Buyer's Guide as well, which might be able to narrow down your price points.

I've used an Olympus and now I have a Sony. The Olympus lasted me 3.5 years with no problems (D-450Z). The Sony broke after 3 months, but I got it fixed after paying their labor fees (grr). I've heard great things about Canon. Your most likely price point is $300, maybe $250. Don't forget you'll want a memory solution, either a portable hard drive with memory card slot, or a huuuuge memory card, or a laptop. You'll also need 3-4 changes of batteries so you can charge them all at once for a length of use on the road.

Can't help about particular hardy lines, though Mike (#55) suggests Canon Powershot A80, it has a flip out screen.

Posts: 1892 | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lalo
Member
Member # 3772

 - posted      Profile for Lalo   Email Lalo         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm willing to go up to $500 for this puppy, possibly more if it's really worth it -- I learned early on that there's no point in buying cheap electronics.

That looks like a great website, dude. I owe you.

I'll check out the Canon line. Thanks, dude.

Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Suneun
Member
Member # 3247

 - posted      Profile for Suneun   Email Suneun         Edit/Delete Post 
(cough) dudette (cough)
Posts: 1892 | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lalo
Member
Member # 3772

 - posted      Profile for Lalo   Email Lalo         Edit/Delete Post 
Heh. I'm from Los Angeles. Everyone's a dude.
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
fugu13
Member
Member # 2859

 - posted      Profile for fugu13   Email fugu13         Edit/Delete Post 
You don't want the Digital Rebel for this sort of use.

The elph woudl probably be pretty good, actually, its a quality camera, and fits most of your specs.

Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
mackillian
Member
Member # 586

 - posted      Profile for mackillian   Email mackillian         Edit/Delete Post 
I was about to say that. Or any of the Nikons (5400...etc.)
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
raventh1
Member
Member # 3750

 - posted      Profile for raventh1           Edit/Delete Post 
Lalo, all of the pictures I took from wenchcon were from my s400. *resized of course*

www.dpreview.com is a good place for reviews on digital cameras, and good information.

[ February 01, 2004, 05:32 AM: Message edited by: raventh1 ]

Posts: 1132 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2