My old camera decided to stop working, so I am in the market for a new one.  My budget is between $200-300.  I just want to do simple things like details projects, the occasional photo day around the neighborhood, and print a photo once in a blue moon.  I wouldn't even consider myself hobbyist material, more of a lazy amateur.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

By your price range I assume you're looking for a decent point-and-shoot model. If so, I just bought a Canon PowerShot SD780 and I couldn't be happier with it. 12.1mp, lots of features, big LCD screen, and it's smaller than a pack of cigarettes. The normal list price is about $280, but I've seen many places carrying it for about $250.

 

My recent batch of Cincinnati photos was taken with the SD780. I only had to recharge the battery once all week.

This thread might be of help.  It helped me when I was researching a camera for my nephew.

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3694.0.html

That's a good thread, but the last post was 2 years ago and most of the info is from 05.  Thanks for the post though, I appreciate it. 

I've been thinking of upgrading to one with more capabilities.  Want to check out mine?

 

This was just reviewed on the NYT. I have no personal experience with it, but it seems to fit your criteria, plus you can shoot HiDef video with it!

 

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/samsung-puts-1080p-in-a-mini-camcorder/?ref=technology

 

 

Edit: I see it's meant primarily as a camcorder, but it still takes 10 megapixel stills and it's only $200.

That's a good thread, but the last post was 2 years ago and most of the info is from 05.  Thanks for the post though, I appreciate it. 

 

No doubt.  I'm sure the HBIC, DJ Orion, Hayward, ProkNo.555555555555, Seicer, cincyimages & Rob will chime in with camera advice as they seem to be the most up to date on camera hardward and technology.

If you're also in the market for a new phone as well, I believe the new Sony Ericksons have 12.1 megapixel cameras

My old camera decided to stop working, so I am in the market for a new one.  My budget is between $200-300.  I just want to do simple things like details projects, the occasional photo day around the neighborhood, and print a photo once in a blue moon.  I wouldn't even consider myself hobbyist material, more of a lazy amateur.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

I was also considering a camera in that price range (in my case, the best "point-'n-shoot-for-dummies" model). As a matter of fact, in the the current (or it may be last month's) issue of Consumer Reports there's a lengthy story on digital cameras...should still be available on newsstands (not sure about CR's online presence; but I'm sure it requires a subscription fee)

My old camera decided to stop working, so I am in the market for a new one.  My budget is between $200-300.  I just want to do simple things like details projects, the occasional photo day around the neighborhood, and print a photo once in a blue moon.  I wouldn't even consider myself hobbyist material, more of a lazy amateur.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

I was also considering a camera in that price range (in my case, the best "point-'n-shoot-for-dummies" model). As a matter of fact, in the the current (or it may be last month's) issue of Consumer Reports there's a lengthy story on digital cameras...should still be available on newsstands (not sure about CR's online presence; but I'm sure it requires a subscription fee)

 

www.cnet.com is also a good source

I have a Sony DSC (couple years old now, and I can't remember the specific model) but as a general rule, as a P&S camera it's pretty good. They have big LCD touch screens to look through / operate the camera with, take decent video and the picture quality is good. Actually, my outside shots with it can be fantastic. The inside shots are the sticking point, but that seems to be the case with all P&S cameras. Flashes are too weak, and the shutter lag is too slow to allow for really crisp pics inside, so a lot of mine get that dark grainy look, especially when the light is low. But they have most of the standard presets you look for in a P&S, and they have the Carl Zeiss lenses. All in all, I'm very happy with mine.

 

Cnet has a couple reviews of the newer models that appear to be in your price range.

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/1770-5_7-0.html?query=sony+dsc&tag=srch%3Ba

Even though I am big on Canon products, the Nikon Coolpix Series point and shoots are pretty awesome.  Easy to use menus, and they have a variety of price levels.  I got my mom one last xmas and she loves it.  I haven't had much experience with the Canon point and shoots but I know they are pretty popular and high quality.

 

I agree with AJ93 about the Sony DSC cameras.  I have a three year old Cybershot DSC-S600 and it's awesome.  For a 6mp camera, the picture quality is fantastic.  I know the newer versions of my camera are very popular.  I'm not sure what the new models are called, but I know one of them looks like an updated version of mine.

I haven't had much experience with the Canon point and shoots but I know they are pretty popular and high quality.

 

 

The NY Times every so often reviews point/shoot cameras (look for it in the tech section, found in Thursday's edition) and they always give Canons the highest marks. A few months ago they raved about the Canon SD880 IS, and I can never find it, especially at Best Buy (this store is essentially useless; then again, I doubt if serious photographers ever go there! lol)

Another thing I've learned is don't get caught up in the whole megapixel hype. I think mine goes up to 8 megapixels, but I've 'dumbed' it down to 5, only because unless you're blowing the pics up to poster size, you'll never tell the difference on a standard sized picture. All the higher megapixels are doing is eating up your hard drive. So having 12 mp is great...but don't make that your only criteria.

I use a Nikon Coolpix S4, not bad for a point and shoot (check my Glacier Park photos).

 

6  mega pixels, 10.00 optical zoom (38-380mm eq.)

 

Had it for over 5 years with no problems.

Does anybody on here have a Nikon D3000?

Does anybody on here have a Nikon D3000?

 

I do.

Does anybody on here have a Nikon D3000?

 

I do.

 

Do you like it?  Pros/Cons (besides the obvious no live view)?  I would love a Nikon D90 like we have at work, but it's a bit too 'spensive!

It is my first and only DSLR.  No live view doesn't bother me too much.  I do wish it has automatic bracketing for HDR.  You can definitely tell it is an entry level DSLR both in size and controls, but being new to them myself it does the job for me.  I feel like for the most part anything I can't do now isn't because of the body, just that I need to get different lenses.

 

I shoot mostly in aperture (which I keep telling myself to get away from as I'd learn more shooting in manual).  It does have a feature that teaches you the camera, but you probably don't need that if you have experience using the D90. 

 

Overall it does what I need it to do but maybe in hindsight I would have spent a little bit more on the D5000 to get a larger body and additional features (live view that tilts, auto bracketing, etc.).

 

All of the pictures in my blog below were taken with the D3000, so I like to think it still takes some pretty good pics.

 

Here is the PopPhoto review http://www.popphoto.com/reviews/cameras/2010/03/camera-test-nikon-d3000

I bought a Canon PowerShot 790 IS several years ago.  It recently broke in an unfortunate accident during the Crawl for Cancer over Memorial Day weekend in Columbus.  I mourned it; it was the best camera I ever owned, and Canon has earned my brand loyalty.  When I get another camera, I'm going to look at what the newest model in that general series of cameras is and just run with it.  That said, it was $400.  However, that was years ago, so cameras in the same series might have come down in price.

 

My previous Olympus was a disappointment, as was my sister's Polaroid digital.

It is my first and only DSLR. No live view doesn't bother me too much. I do wish it has automatic bracketing for HDR. You can definitely tell it is an entry level DSLR both in size and controls, but being new to them myself it does the job for me. I feel like for the most part anything I can't do now isn't because of the body, just that I need to get different lenses.

 

I shoot mostly in aperture (which I keep telling myself to get away from as I'd learn more shooting in manual). It does have a feature that teaches you the camera, but you probably don't need that if you have experience using the D90.

 

Overall it does what I need it to do but maybe in hindsight I would have spent a little bit more on the D5000 to get a larger body and additional features (live view that tilts, auto bracketing, etc.).

 

All of the pictures in my blog below were taken with the D3000, so I like to think it still takes some pretty good pics.

 

Here is the PopPhoto review http://www.popphoto.com/reviews/cameras/2010/03/camera-test-nikon-d3000

 

Yeah, I don't know how to use our D90 totally for real, hahaha.  Okay, and now everyone can say shame on me for having access to a kickass camera and not knowing how to use it to its full capacity.....  I am still learning all the nitty gritty stuff of manual mode.  At any rate....  the no live view thing doesn't bother me.  People were witching about it online, but even though our D90 has live view, I use the optical viewfinder.

 

Thanks for your review :)

I use a Nikon Coolpix S4, not bad for a point and shoot (check my Glacier Park photos).

 

6 mega pixels, 10.00 optical zoom (38-380mm eq.)

 

Had it for over 5 years with no problems.

 

Marc, I guess that's a solid testimonial that good photos depend more upon the photographer's eye and skill than on the camera. Your photo threads kick butt, and I assumed you had moved up to a DSLR. The Nikon Coolpix cameras are good stuff, too, especially when you compare the price with a DSLR.