Thursday, January 17, 2008

Camera Help!

Question?

What camera do you all use?

We got a new camera for my birthday in December. It started "blacking out." Blacking out is not goof for people and likewise it is not good for cameras. We returned it (to an e-bay seller) and they do not have any in stock to replace it. They have graciously refunded our money. I love honest e-bayers.

Anyway, the camera was a Sony Cybershot. It was an upgrade of a cybershot we had previously. I've been fairly happy with these cameras. Except for the fact that the new one didn't have an option of automatically putting the date on the pictures. You had to do this to each pic manually. No thanks. This was a fact that we learned AFTER buying the camera.

So, instead of being sad that I am in the market for a camera again, I'm going to try and make the best of it and get one that has everything that I want.And here is the list of everything that I want:

  • Price range of $150-200 (retail value could be higher if able to find a deal on e-bay. My hubby is the e-bay KING and real savvy at finding great deals!)
  • Must be FAST. I hate to miss a shot because of a SLOW camera.
  • Must have ability to stamp date on pictures (Preferably small and white, not huge and bright red. What are the engineers thinking? Don't they have scrapbooking wives who hate the huge ugly date?)
  • Needs a view finder. It is difficult to take a good picture in the sunshine without a view finder. (Plus I like to steady the camera on my nose for a more still shot. Geeky!)
  • Must not use "regular" batteries (ex: AA AAA etc.) I like to "plug in" my batteries, or the whole camera to recharge. Do those kind of batteries have a name?
So, dear bloggy buddies, family members (Cindy the photographer), friends, strangers...What have you got? Let me know what great cameras you might have that fit my requirements. I need help. And I need help FAST! When I post my week in review with horrific pictures from the cheapo, terrible camera we are using, you will understand the urgency!

PLEASE INFORM!

Thanks!

12 comments:

Hollyween said...

Okay. John got me a casio exilim for Christmas. It has 3x optical zoom and great video capability. It is also 10.1 megapixels. It's tiny and has all those things you want. Plus, I TOO hate the freaking AA or AAA batteries. This has a battery pack that you can actually charge. I really wanted a canon powershot, but John researched it a lot and this particular camera has better megapixels for less money. Plus, it's a better camera overall. I love it. It fits my needs. Secretly, I want a really nice canon rebel, but I realize that I don't NEED one. SO, for the price... this is it!
Keep me posted.

Unknown said...
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Bridget said...

I have the canon powershot and I love it. That said the flash isn't working now and its still under warranty so I can mail it back to have it fixed. But this means going to the post office. Which makes me grumpy.

Pam said...

Hi dolly, I've always liked my HP R707 Photosmart. It does everything we need it to do . . . and it has the view finder! Love, Mom

Celia Fae said...

I have the Canon powershot A720. While it isn't the smallest camera around, I certainly am fond of it. I got it in Oct. and it was less than 200.

Reasons I love it:
6x optical zoom so I can get good closeups
many megapixels
huge digital screen
fancy face focusing thing

Good luck with the search. Hi Kendon!

Christie said...

I'm no help to you. I use the Canon Digital Rebel XT and would give up one of my children before giving up the camera. I've heard good things about the Canon Powershot though.

NT Weekes Family said...

Hi Lisa,
I have a Cannon Video Digital Camcorder ZR50 something... We got it a long time ago... I'm just now starting to learn how to use it. -- I know, pathetic. It takes pictures as well. -- we also use our cell phones for pictures. (so cheap!)
I wish I had just a small digital camera, opposed to this video camera, but I'll use this for now.
I'm not much help. but these comments have been a lot of help for me when I go look for a smaller camera.
Thanks Lisa!!

Grandma W. said...

As you know, Honey, your Grandma is no picture taker!!! I will leave this one up to Papa even though we do not do much picture taking any more. We do have a nice camera - I just don't know what it does! Good luck!!
Love you!

Anonymous said...

I've been dropping hints at the husband that I want a new one. I have my eye on the nikon d40. Little more expensive, but we'll see.

cindy. said...

lis...you know i am always a fan of the nikons, but they are usually in the $200-300 range. and, seems like it isn't quite as fast as i wished...dumb, but i love the darn camera. AND, i don't like view finders. i LOVE my big screen. so OBVIOUSLY, your photographer sister is NO help at all!

but i will say this, kristie has the casio exilim and i love, love, love her camera. i secretly kind of wish i had that one. but, i don't think it has a view finder either...just a rockin' big screen. but everything else about it, i know you would love. and it is even fast. oh, and you can change the sounds on it...like when you scroll thru your pictures it sounds like bubbles. a fun (and worthless, i know) extra perk!!!

let me know what you do!

GOOD LUCK!

aubry. said...

lisa... i have a casio elixim too... and it's so great. i have a couple friends who have bought my camera after using it/seeing it.

i'm sure my reasons for loving it are all the same as the rest of these people's... so go get one!

you can even get it in hot pink! (mine's black...)

*Tanyetta* said...

My email:

tanyetta (at) hotmail.com

can't wait to see your cupboard of a closet. :)

p.s. I use a Canon Powershot A530
and a Nikon L3

I have yet to figure all the cool things about them. I grew up with a 110. oh my goodness, i just dated myself. never mind :)