Digital Camera Help pls

[wareagle]

I am looking to purchase a digital camera. One that is small in size and can film short clips like a camcorder one min or so. My limit in in the around 1500$. Anything will help as far as name brands, model numbers, ect...

thanks in advance

 

[dawgball]

For $1500 you can pretty much get anything you want in the pocket-sized cameras. I have a lot of experience with the Canon Digital Elph series and have been very pleased. They have the movie function as well. To get a minute out of one, you will need a very large memory card, though. (This will be where the $1500 comes in). Just buy the largest one on the market for your camera, and you will be set.

In my opinion, you CAN go too high on Megapixels. Once you get past the 3.2 megapixels, it will be overload unless you are blowing your pictures up to be larger than 11X14. The 4 megapixels is as high as I would suggest any amateur photographer to go.

I would also suggest to only go with a camera that uses a rechargable battery pack rather than rechargable batteries. Buy an extra battery pack, and you will rarely find yourself in a situation where you run out.

Other than that, price usually dictates what features you can get. With your limit, you will not have a problem.

 

[in2fitness]

wareagle,

I have the the Canon Powershot s40, which is small in size and can do the film short clips. However, I would suggest looking at the Canon Powershot s45, which just came out earlier this year and is an updated version of the s40. Good luck!

 

[acehistr8]

Like dawg, I have had great luck with the powershot digital elph series by canon. I can take 30 second movie clips, although from the shopping around I did you will be hard pressed to find a digital camera that takes decent movies. Even at that price range, although maybe a professional digital video camera may also take stills? I dont know. Anyway, Ive been more than please with the powershot series.

 

[theGibber1]

get the canon g5.. its not small but is the best camera on the market

 

[dawgball]

The G5 is awesome, but like Gibber said it's a full size camera.

 

[wareagle]

thanks guys. It looks like the Canon powershot s50 will be the one for me

 

[kreationz]

good choice if u go with either one. I have the G3 and it used to be the best on the market til the G5. I;ve used the S45 .. also an excellent camera. S45 very similar in features as G3, minus a few minor features.

have fun with the new camera

 

[saint]

So do you guys all agree with Dawgball that for amatuer photography anything over than 3 megapixels is overkill? A friend told me that as well. I too am looking to buy one and have been debating if it's worth it to shell out the extra money for 4 or 5 mp.

 

[dawgball]

saint--you are probably looking for a second opinion but let me clarify mine because I wasn't clear. If you don't have financial constraints I would go up to the 4 megapixel line, but I would not go higher than that unless you expect to be blowing up your pictures. If that is the case, then one should not be in the pocket camera market and should be going with something like the G5.

4 megapixel is a little bit of overkill if you are on a budget, but there may be some advancements in printing over the next couple of years that makes it worth it to have 4 mega. BUT if you are taking simple snapshots of trips, friends, etc. with a pocket camera then 3.2 megapixels should be more than sufficient.

 

[theGibber1]

saint,

if you want to print work.. 5x7 or larger.. you will like the 4 meg better...

try the cannon A80.. its new but its awsome for the price..

its under 400 bucks..

do not! i repeat do not! be fooled by the Gateway cameras! 5 megs for $249!... trust me i work for gateway these cameras are trash..

spend the money and stick with canon

gl

 

[Myron]

Anybody know much about these cell phone/digital cameras?

 

[saint]

Thanks for all of the responses guys. I was looking to spend up to 400 or 450, so I will most likely go with a 4 megapixel. What other features do you find helpful with your digital cameras? 3x zoom, display size, etc?

My friend has a cannon (not sure which one but it's 5 mp) but I borrowed it one time and liked the design, the handle and the ease of use very much.