...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?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
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.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
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...
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
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.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
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.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
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.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
(cough) dudette (cough)
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Heh. I'm from Los Angeles. Everyone's a dude.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
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.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I was about to say that. Or any of the Nikons (5400...etc.)
Posted by raventh1 (Member # 3750) on :
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.