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Digital Camera Advice

Jeff K

Jeff K

Supporting Member
Jul 9, 2005
8,459
11,574
Memphis, TN
#1
Okay, I admit it: I'm an old guy (59) whose eyesight isn't what it used to be. I tell you that because...

I want to buy a new digital camera. My old one (a Kodak Easy Share) isn't working right anymore. I see a lot of nice cameras in my price range ($250.00 range), but hardly any of them have an optical viewfinder. Just the screen display on the back. That's fine indoors, but I find that outdoors, especially in sunlight, I can't see the display very well. Therefore, I often use the viewfinder so I can see what I'm shooting. Another problem is that I normally wear reading glasses for up close (reading), but rarely have them on unless I'm reading. So I like having that viewfinder.

Is that a problem that anybody else has had? Are the display screens made better now so that they're easier to see? (Mine is about 7 or 8 years old.)

Any advice for a camera in my price range that has both options (viewfinder and screen display)? Thanks a lot.
 
#2
There are quite a few options out there. Whatever you decide on, I would try to find the one with the greatest optical zoom you can afford. A better optical zoom, rather than digital zoom will give you a better image. As well, what will you be doing with the pics you take? Will you be making "paper prints" of them, or strictly viewing on-line or in a digital frame for example. More megapixels means a cleaner bigger picture. Just my 2 pennies tho....


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#3
I'll use it for a combination of things (basses, grandchildren, dog, etc.). I'm certainly not a pro photographer. I just need something reliable. Your link helped, but do you know why so few have viewfinders anymore?

Oh well, I'll just keep looking around. Thanks.
 
#4
Jeff K said:
I'll use it for a combination of things (basses, grandchildren, dog, etc.). I'm certainly not a pro photographer. I just need something reliable. Your link helped, but do you know why so few have viewfinders anymore?

Oh well, I'll just keep looking around. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm definately not a pro fotog myself, but I have a Canon PowerShot S5 IS that does a pretty good job.

It has both a pretty good screen that can be flipped around and/or angled in many ways and does have a viewfinder...well sort of. It's not a REAL viewfinder like one would find on an older SLR camera, but more of a ultra-small version of the screen designed to mimic a viewfinder.

Maybe it's just me, but I usually find using the BIGGER screen works just as well and is well...easier to see. You can basically see your pic after shooting and see details like un-wanted movement, or somebody blinking after you've told them not to, etc

My particular camera might be out of your price range (I got mine as a Christmas gift), but if you can find a great deal on one....


Good luck
 
#6
They still make full size digi's with viewfinders. They look like SLR's but they're not. Basically for folks who really don't need to put their camera in their shirt pocket. I believe Sony and Canon still make them.

Here's a Canon. Invalid Link Removed
Here's another. Invalid Link Removed

A little higher than your price range though.
 
#7
The Panasonic Lumix is what you want. 12.1 Megapixels point and shoot that also takes great video. Awesome little camera. We have one and we have a Cannon XTI 10.1 SLR. Our little Lumix gets way more use. I think we got it for 230 bucks.

Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FX55-Camera-1.jpg
 
#8
so many nice ones in your price range... i like the canon point and shoots... think the SD1200's go for nothing more than 150'ish? easy to use, has the viewfinder you want, transfers photos to iphoto with no needed software, and the battery's great. also takes great video for your gigs.

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#9
Hey, thanks to all!

Maki, right before I saw your message I was looking at the Panasonic Lumix. Looks great, but doesn't have a viewfinder.

Joker, I was just looking at the Canon Powershot, but the one I saw was the SD780IS. Not a powerful zoom, but the Megapixels look sufficient, And it has the viewfinder. Any opinions on those?
 
#10
same price range as me, and im in the market as well. for around 250 dollars, the best one i seen, best ratings, best quality, to my eyes, is this..

Canon Powershot SD940

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No viewfinder though, but from what i hear, the Canon SD's are amazing. I haven't found somebody who owns one and has much negative to say about it.
 
#11
santucci218 said:
same price range as me, and im in the market as well. for around 250 dollars, the best one i seen, best ratings, best quality, to my eyes, is this..

Canon Powershot SD940

[This invalid link has been removed]

No viewfinder though, but from what i hear, the Canon SD's are amazing. I haven't found somebody who owns one and has much negative to say about it.
Click to expand...

My school purchased a few of these for my media class. They're pretty good, but just kind of meh quality IMO. They were pretty reasonably priced though.
 
#12
I love my sony powershot. Pretty compact, optical viewfinder because I always had the same problem when I didn't have one, decent zoom, and easy to use.
I've been really happy with the quality of pictures, and use it for general purpose stuff as well (basses/family/outdoors/etc).

I think as long as you don't worry about getting the newest one with the most megapixels (I have a 10mp and its been pretty decent even zoomed in) they should fall into your price range.
 
#13
Digital zoom = a gimmick...It does nothing you couldn't do after the fact on computer, it does not actually zoom the image, it only degrades it. The only thing you should be concerned with is optical zoom.

I have a Cannon Power Shot that's been working well for 3 or 4 years now. I don't take a ton of pictures but when I do need it, it works.
 
#14
There are still a few out there. I'm the same age with the same issue, but I find that with bifocals I can make the screens work as long as sunlight doesn't wash them out.

Agreed about digital zoom. All it does is magnify pixels, making the image coarser. I turn it off. But I don't buy a digital camera with less than a 5x optical zoom, and I have an (old) Olympus C750 with a 10x digital zoom that's my primary camera.
 
#20
one brand ....

Fugi ... i have an older S2500 it rocks for amateur photos ... but it's kinda big... still though had a screen and view finder and takes great pics ... and i've had 0 problems in 3ish years...

i recommend to everyone though to get someting that their wife can carry in the purse at all times ... cause mine doesn't fit in the purse and my wife ended up with a sissy pink one that stays in the purse but it gets used way more
 

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