Want to buy a new camera....help! About This Page:

[eff051102]

I really want to by a new camera but I'm not sure which one is the best. We
have a Fuji FinePix 3800 with 3.2 Mega Pixels and 6X Optical Zoom. I like
the camera even though it is bulky but there is 1 thing I REALLY don't like.
When I'm trying to take pictures of DD, there is a lag time from one picture
to the next. Since she is only 19mos. I can't get her to just stand still so I'm
really wanting a camera that takes faster pictures.

Does this make sense? Is it possible to get a smaller/thiner camera with a
high optical zoom and mega pixels that will take a faster picture? I'm not
as picture savy as I should be but I know we have some experts here that
can help me. Oh and what price range should I pay for a camera like that?

Thanks!

[PhilsEagles08]

I am having the same difficulties with my Fuji! I have the FinePix F20se and really starting to hate it.

Another poster just got the Canon powershot SD1100IS I believe is what it was. I'm looking into that based on her posts cause she said someone else had it here.

[Colexis Mom]

I have the Canon SD1100 IS. I don't think it's too bad of a lag (compared to my old 4 MP Nikon)! There are pictures in my trip report (link in my sig). It's a great camera, small and compact, and I just kept it in my pocket (no more camera bag needed). Holds a lot of pictures on a 2G SD card, and comes with a lithium battery which lasts for along time! Right now it's about $150, and it was one of the higher rated ones when I bought it back in July.

[LizardCop]

My best advise is to shop around, and surf the internet to check out what's available. Shutter and write-time lag are common complaints with point and shoot cameras. Some are worse than others.

[mom23k9s]

If you subscribe to Consumer Reports' website, their ratings chart for digital cameras has first shot delay information and next shot delay information.

I have a Canon 2SIS and I LOVE it. It's got a setting where it takes pictures rapidly for as long as I hold the button down. I've used that one to get some really great pictures of my dogs. I just hold the button down and see what I get and then delete the rest.

[Miss Ang]

I just ordered a new camera tonight! After reading reviews and all kinds of spec sheets, I decided on the Canon 880SD IS I also ordered a bigger SDHC card and card reader (combo), also another battery. The battery in this camera is supposed to last for a long time, but there is not much that irritates me more than wanting a pic and not being able to take it. I can't wait until I get it!

[Squirrley]

Originally Posted by Miss Ang

I just ordered a new camera tonight! After reading reviews and all kinds of spec sheets, I decided on the Canon 880SD IS I also ordered a bigger SDHC card and card reader (combo), also another battery. The battery in this camera is supposed to last for a long time, but there is not much that irritates me more than wanting a pic and not being able to take it. I can't wait until I get it!

I have a Canon S5IS & the bigger sdhc card is a plus, if you have trouble with batteries, try Sanyo eneloop batteries , they are a little pricey, but worth it. They last a lot longer than any of the others I have used.

[Mares75]

IMHO, Pentax cameras are often overlooked. My Dad who used to do photography for a living bought me my first Pentax, a 35mm, and it took the best pictures. Right now I have a Pentax Optio A40. It's very compact, 12 megapixels, 3.0x optical zoom (after which it switches to digital zoom up to 13x) and takes great pictures. One of the nice features it has is Shake Reduction - it has to do with the internal mechanics of the camera - which really helps cut down on blurry pictures. I paid around $200 through Amazon.

I'd suggest getting a memory card with a high write speed. It helps decrease the amount of time needed to take pictures.

[MaumeeMom]

There are lots of great cameras out there but I love my Canons. The one I am currently using is a Powershot/Digital ELPH. I can't remember exactly which model off hand but it is my favorite. It is small but not too small, the pictures are clear and the color is great. It has a "optical" zoom which is a must for me.

Good luck with whichever camera you choose.

[karadisney]

I would say go for a Canon or a Nikon and you shouldn't have any troubles. Just shop around. Good Luck!

[J603]

I took the time to go to Best Buy one Sunday as soon as they opened and spent almost an hour playing with all the different cameras. I wrote down all the ones I like, then researched them online and REALLY shopped around. (Watch out for Best Buy) the same cameras online may be a different price than in-store. One week it was lower, next week it was higher. I ended up getting a Canon SX10 IS on Amazon.com.

[LizardCop]

Originally Posted by J603

I took the time to go to Best Buy one Sunday as soon as they opened and spent almost an hour playing with all the different cameras. I wrote down all the ones I like, then researched them online and REALLY shopped around. (Watch out for Best Buy) the same cameras online may be a different price than in-store. One week it was lower, next week it was higher. I ended up getting a Canon SX10 IS on Amazon.com.

Good Camera, enjoy!!!!

[Cam22]

Glad your shopping around paid off! Enjoy the new camera! Have loads of fun practicing!

[Bastos]

The best advice for any camera is to play around with it - check out the settings for getting a photo going. Try pushing down the lens with any photo to 'set' the focus. After that, almost every camera should quickly 'finish' the picture.

[Deberlee]

Hi KJ,

We are a Sony family here. My husband uses the Sony H10 (8.1mp & 10x zoom) and it works very well. We had upgraded from the Sony H3 (I think that's the model) which was also a 10x zoom. It does wonderfully well with macro shots as well.

My serious camera, though, is the Sony A100 DSLR. I'll take that out when it's just me bopping around the parks in the early morning or after dark for night photography. During the day, we'll be carrying the much smaller H3 & H10 cameras. Probably not as thin or small as you might like, KJ, but the zoom is fabulous!