Soliciting digital camera advice

[elalan]

I am in the market for a digital camera and am wondering if anyone has any advice they could offer. I most recently had a Canon PowerShot SD780 (aka ELPH) which was 12.1 megapixels and 3X zoom. It was ridiculously small, and that is probably part of why I ended up losing it although I like the idea of a camera I can clip to my belt or otherwise keep handy.

I see that in my price range ($200-300) I can get a lot of camera, at least from a megapixel (10-12 or so) and zoom (10X) standpoint. I have no idea of lens quality or really anything else.

As far as use, I would like to be able to take good macro shots of this or that as well as take decent pics of the fish in my various aquariums. I don’t know if there is anything in particular I should be looking for as far as features to take aquarium shots, but if anyone knows, I would like to hear it.

I do document the activities of a toddler and like to blow up hard copies of pics to 5x7 (perhaps 8x10 with more megapixels). My old camera had a video feature that I really didn’t utilize all that much but I would have an interest in that as well. I hear there is image stabilizing technology or some such thing now that keeps them from being so jerky.

In any case, sort of a long-winded spiel, but I would like to make something of a reasoned decision. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[sodajerk]

With point and shoots I would look at any of the Canons. In your price range, check the specs for focus distances for the ones that focus close enough for you. Canon has various sizes, also. Ken Rockwell's and others' sites have reviews and specs.

I have a Nikon DSLR that I love but that would put you outside your target cost range.

 

[fidjit]

Have a look at the Panasonics, maybe a TZ7 ( or it's replacement TZ8 )

Long zoom, image stabilisation, good video........

 

[tam.audio]

If you go with a point and shoot, look for a model that has a long optical zoom. Optical zoom is much better than digital zoom.

 

[Uncle Erik]

They might be a little bigger than you want, but I'd go with a used DSLR. I took the Nikon path (though I think that Canon makes good cameras) and am mostly familiar with it.

I'd look for a used D50, D70 or D70s. Prices have depreciated a lot and they're still excellent cameras. I've carried a D70s for a few years and still haven't seen any compelling reason to upgrade. I'll keep it for a few more years or until it dies, which doesn't seem likely.

These will mount any Nikon lens going back 50 some years and prices are pretty low today. You'll also find a bunch of accessories - batteries, memory cards, etc. - at very good prices now.

Lenses are a whole different obsession, but you'll be able to get anything you want. If you want to shoot macro, you can get a macro lens.

I know some of this might be pricey, but consider how much good photos will mean to you. Photos are all I usually bring back from vacations and they're also a record of my family, friends and events. I didn't spend a huge amount on the camera rig, but I am very glad I invested some. These photos mean a lot to me.

 

[C Reed]

any thing around 10-12mp will blow up to 8x10 fine. more mp on a small sensor mean more low light noise at high ISO (but more clairty and resolution at low ISO)

you will never get anything near stable video with a camera that small and no tri-pod.

optical zoom actuly zooms in on an object, digital zoom crops the digital image and you lose resolution.

Stick with a nikon or cannon try and get a zies optic.