Looking For Digital Camera

[JSchnett]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to cameras. I'm looking for one in the range of $200-500 or so but I really have no clue. I have no problem spending $500 on a camera but I don't want to lose it, break it, or have it become out dated. I tried to use the search function and all I came up with was this one.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06...nonsd700is.asp

I'm not really sure how much I will use it, or if I need this nice of one because I doubt I will notice the difference.

Any help would be appreciated.

[kerowo]

Are you interested in getting serious about photography or just looking for something to take decent snapshots? That will answer whether you want to look at DSLRs or point and shoots.

Regardless of what you decide I would suggest looking at www.kenrockwell.com, he is all about getting a good image and not measurebating camera specs. This is a good place to start, http://kenrockwell.com/tech/2007-05-what-camera.htm but the rest of the site is full of good information as well.

[JSchnett]

not serious at all just snapshots

[SamIAm]

For me, the amount I use a camera is directly related to how easy it is to carry around. The Digital Elph line of Canons are all tiny metal boxes that are good cameras.

If you want more specific advice, ignore "digital zoom"; it doesn't mean anything. "Optical Zoom" is real, so more is better. "Image Stabilization" is the nutz if you're not using a tripod; it lets you go flashless when you couldn't otherwise, so makes a big difference.

edit: I have this one and like it a lot. < $300.

[planB]

check it out:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.megapixel.net/html/cover.php