LowMileLude

Which one should I get?

I have a Cannon A60, that I got for free through work. I like it, easy point and click, decent photo program.

She used to work for a photographer and she likes to take artsy photos of bugs and trees and stuff; B&W/color/contrast... all that stuff.

She likes her dad's Sony (something like the MVC-CD500) that burns to CD.

So, I'm looking for something under $400 with a decent program, good camera, with lots of options.

She gave me a link to this one:
HP Photosmart M407
• 4.1 megapixel total resolution
• 18x total zoom (3x optical, 6x digital)
• 16MB internal memory, expandable with Secure Digital cards
• 1.8" color image display
• Video clip capture with audio
• Direct photo printing

I was thinking the Fuji FinePix S5000 or Canon PowerShot G6?

Am I looking at ones that are TOO "professional quality" ? I want something she can pick up and shoot but something she can use for her creative side too. Would a Cannon Powershot A95 be good?

Or, should I try and find her something different? Jewelry? She sent me some links to Tiffany's where the cheapest thing was $1500 :eek

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migel628

I've heard that Canon Powershot series or the Nikon Coolpix series is the way to go. Basically anything over 3.2 Megapixels would be wasted unless you're making big prints.

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LowMileLude

Doh! Forgot about Nikon. Thanks! I'll check them out.

hijinks21

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...5&modelid=9827

I have that camera is the canon sd110 and LOVE it. It takes great pictures and its very small. I had it on a family trip and already 4 family members have gotten one.

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LowMileLude

^^^ I can't even find a place that sells it. Only the SD10... not the SD110

Looks good though. Decent options vs price... might get her something else she wants as well, then.

Edit: Nevermind, found it on Best Buy. Why do they make it so hard to navigate?

Chairboy

Saying anything over 3.2 is a waste is shortsighting your future. Your photos are your memories, do you really want to look back 20 years from now at cruddy low rez pictures and say 'What was I thinking?!'

I suggest the Canon S500. We have the S400, and it's great. Super pictures, and small enough that youc an carry it anywhere.

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frodobaggins

No recommendations without pix of your woman

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migel628

If you are going w/ the standard 4x6/5x7 print, then a camera over 3.2 would be wasted. That's why I said, "anything over 3.2 Megapixels would be wasted unless you're making big prints." Also, chances are that in 20yrs, you wouldn't have a digital copy of the picture, you'd have the print. So it's not "shortsighting your future", it's being practical and trying to get the best bang for the buck...

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Chairboy

Bad idea, why the hell do you think you can predict what you'll do with the photos in 20 years? Maybe we'll all carry our digital pictures around in some format for viewing on mega screens?

Also, why limit yourself to the standard 4x6 print resolutions? Sure, you might print out to them now, but who knows what you'll do in the future.

The S400 and S500 are priced so attractively that it's pretty silly to limit yourself to 3.2 because that happens to match a low grade 35mm camera in picture quality. That's like saying 'Why buy a sports car when you can only go 55 on the freeway?'

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kandyman676

I personally have a Canon PowerShot A85:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10462

It can do 8.5" x 11" with no problem...add in 4 re-chargeable AA batteries, case, and memory, and you will be about $400 total. this camera was recommended to me by my photographer friend since it has a great deal of auto modes, and also you can tweak its settings manually.

in addition, it has a built in histogram to show the light levels of a taken pic. you can also add additional lenses and other stuff...

if you need to see some picture samples, here you go:

http://detrimental.org/eyecandy/2004-10-10-MDRenFair

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migel628

It's a fact of life, Softcopy will never truly replace Hardcopy. I still stick w/ my recommendation that anything above 3.2 Megapixels will be wasted unless you do larger sized prints. Now that's like saying, "Why should I spend all that money on an E-class, when a Nissan Maxima will suit my needs just fine." Of course, if an E-class is what you want, then do it up. The same goes for if the S400 and S500 are priced nicely. I'll never be one to say don't do it. However, if a 4-5 Megapixel camera is priced way more than a 3.2 Megapixel camera and larger prints are not in the equation, then in the interest of saving money, go w/ the 3.2...

Just so you know, I didn't pull the 3.2 Megapixel rule out of my ***, I researched a bit and even asked a couple photographers their opinions on the matter...

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hijinks21

here's a ton of examples of the sd110

http://www.zcentric.com/pictures/

most of them are taken with medium resolution

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LowMileLude

You see, there's the catch, I wouldn't have a woman if I posted pics.



Edit: Hijinks, I am starting to like the SD110, more. Only downside is I have some CF media but this takes SD media.

I guess next step is to go check them out at the stores...

LowMileLude

As far as the whole megapixel debate. Most of the time we lower the size and quality and go for quantity. I know I can only get ~180 medium/fine pictures on my 64mb CF card. Or, I could get as few as ~60 large/superfine or as many as 600+ small/normal.

I go with the medium/fine. It makes big (enough) pictures, in a picture quality that is virtually unnoticeable (especially when I shrink them down for internet/email size).

Of course, by looking at it, the Medium1/Fine on the SD110 is my A60's Large/Superfine setting...

Hmm... BB has a sale on media too. Might have to get me some.

hijinks21

its really not a matter of how many megapixils it has.. now i'm no expert.. but doing research before i got my camera.. its all on the lense and the ccd.. if those suck then a 5 megapixil camera is not going to take good pictures.

That one fit my needs with good day/night shots.. very crisp and it is very small but powerfull for its size.

Here is the website i got mine at

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNPSSD110

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