Digital camera conundrum!
 

Hey all you electronic gadget users… I need some advice. I’m looking to buy my first digital camera. I’ve done some research, but 80% of what I’ve read means nothing to me. I don’t know what I need. I’m not a photographer (obviously). I just want something to use for fun that will produce decent quality photos. As far as megapixels go, I read that the most I need is 5.0 if I’m just going to make average size prints (3x5 to 5x7), right? Help me! Thanks bunches.

This is the one I’m leaning towards (sorry it’s so long) :D :

Canon PowerShot A95 Digital Camera

$282.00- $360.80

Lens and Image Quality
Megapixels - 5.0 Megapixel
Effective Megapixel - 5 Megapixels
Optical Zoom - 3.0 X
Digital Zoom - 4.1 X
CCD Size - 1/1.8"
Number Of CCD Pixels - 5.3 Million
Max Aperture - f/2.8
Min Aperture - f/4.9
Max Focal Length - 23.4 mm
Min Focal Length - 7.8 mm
Maximum Shutter Speed - 1/2000 sec
Minimum Shutter Speed - 15 sec
Image Format - JPEG
Focus Modes - Automatic, Manual
Exposure Settings - Program, Automatic, Manual, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority
ISO Equivalencies - 100, 400, 200, auto, 50
Metering Characteristics - Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Image Sensor - CCD
Macro Focusing Range - 5-45 cm
Minimum Focusing Range - 45 cm

Features
LCD Screen Size - 1.8 in
Shooting Modes - Frame movie mode
Self Timer - Yes
Self Timer Delay - 10 sec, 2 sec
White Balance - Custom, Automatic, Presets
Continuous Shooting Speed - 2 fps, 1.5 fps

Memory
Flash Memory Type - 32 MB flash - CompactFlash Card
Recording Method - CompactFlash
Supported Memory Types - CompactFlash Card

Connectors
Connectors - 1 x USB, 1 x composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input
Included Cable Types - A/V , USB

Miscellaneous
Included Components - Wrist strap
Included Software - Drivers & Utilities, Canon PhotoStitch, Canon ZoomBrowser EX, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft VideoImpression, Canon ImageBrowser, Canon PhotoRecord
Max Operating Temperature - 104 F
Min Operating Temperature - 32 F
Camera Type - Digital camera
Weight - 0.52 lbs

General Product Info
Also known as - Canon 9459A001AA, Canon PowerShot, Canon A95, Canon PowerShot A95
Manufacturer Part No. - 9459A001AA
Company Info - Canon
Dimension - 2.6 in x 4 in x 1. (HxWxD)

Even 3.3 megapixel is more than enough for 5x7. You can get pretty good-looking 8x10 prints out of 3.3 if you don't have to crop. 5 is probably more than enough for almost any non-pro.

For my money, I would want something with more than 3.1 optical zoom. But YMMV. Also the range of apertures looks kind of fishy.... if f/2.8 to f/4.9 is accurate, that doesn't seem like much, and might limit some of your focusing option in some situations.

I'd suggest a trip to www.dpreview.com.

I have the Canon Powershot A70 with 3.2 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom and find it good for standard shots. If I take my pictures to the pharmacy or Jacks Cameras for digital prints, it is impossible to tell that a 4 X 6 was taken with a digital camera.

I also like the software that is bundled with the Camera. ZoomBrowser EX is a very easy way to download and organize photos and Photostitch does a good job of joining prints into panoramas.

I do use the freeware Irfanview if I need to simply crop or stack prints next to or on top of one another as well as cutting down the size and quality for Internet posting. I always shoot at the maximum resolution and size, figuring I can crop and chop easier than getting back what I didn't shoot.

I also like my A70 for using regular AA batteries instead of lithium. This lets me carry an extra set of NimH rechargables and even running out and getting alkaline AA's if my battery runs down.

The 3X optical lets me get a shot at a concert from about 50 feet back that fills up the entire field of the camera. If you were at a concert and sitting 200 feet from the stage, you would have to blow up the picture and lose resolution.

If it does take AA batteries, get a NimH charger and at least two sets of batteries, minimum 1800 milliamps. Also a minimum 128 MB card, better to get a 256 or 512 if you want to take it on vacation and not worry about downloading photos for a week.

Have fun.

Olympus

I bought this one for $189 at Costco a couple of weeks ago. I don't know much about digital cameras, but it seems ok. the 3X optical is fairly weak, but for the price i didn't mind. I've always liked Olympus point and shoots anyway, so i figured i couldn't get hurt too bad with this one. we've been really satisfied with the results up to this point.

I know two people that have earlier versions of that camera and have been happy with them. neither consider themselves serious photographers but like to take good pictures. :)

I gotta agree with Steve on this, go to www.dpreview.com. One of the best camera review sites I've found to date, it has a great side-by-side comparison feature that you can use once you've narrowed your choices down to a few similar models.

Thanks so much!
 

You all were a big help. I did some more comparing online and went to purchase it last night (the Canon Powershot A95). I'm in the process of reading the user guide and have actually understood most of it! I'll test it out this weekend and report back. But so far so good! Thanks again. :)