Digital Cameras

[mowark]

I have narrowed it down to a Canon SD500, SD400 or A620. I have found them for all about the same price ($400) including a gig memory card and an extra batter for the SD's (the A620 uses AA). Anyone have any knowledge here. I've done plenty of homework and I can see the pluses and minuses of all of all of them, but if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Also, I would still consider another brand, but I've just seen and read great things about these particular cameras.
Thanks.

[kameleen]

I don't know anything about cameras, but I'm pretty sure you can get any of those for a lot cheaper than $400. I just bought a Kodak v530 (not as nice as those cameras, I was sold on the designer colors...) but I saw the SD500 for $259 on one website.

[voyd]

^ Yes, but he's including a gig Flash card and batteries...

I'd go with the SD400 or SD500 because they're smaller and AA's are bulkier.

As far as between those models - I'm undecided myself right now. The SD500 is a tad bigger and has a bit more features - but I think the LCD screen may also be a bit more vulnerable to breakage cuz it's so big.

[McHopsky]

I'd go with either Canons. I personally have the SD400 and I love it so far. Its tiny! When I put it in my pocket its barely noticable. However, it's easy to lose too. I know someone with an SD500 and the image quality isnt all that better than the 400. They both have really cool features. I believe the 400 is a little cheaper, so I'd go with that.

[mowark]

Yeah, I'm thinking the smaller is the way to go. The A series is significantly better quality, but overall the versatility of the SD seems better. From what I've seen the 500 isn't really much better, so you're right Mc. Voyd, are you sure the 500 is bigger? Because I could have sworn it was actually smaller. I'm gonna go actually test both of them tommorrow. I think the A series is pretty much out of the picture.

And yeah, I've seen the both SD's for around $220, but I'm looking at an extra battery and a gig memory. But I've actually seen both of the SD series for virtually the same price. I think that's because the 500 wasn't released to rave reviews. A 3rd option, just to complicate things, is the SD450. What to do, oh what to do.

[space virgin]

Screw the size, go with quality.

I have the Canon A610 and I it. Seriously, it's not THAT big-- it fits in my pocket fine-- and the photos I get are freakin' amazing. I was debating between that and the A620, but ultimately went with the 610 instead. Even though it may not be visible to the naked eye, you're essentially getting better picture quality at 5mp vs 7mp on the same lens.

[Joker]

I know you are all talking Canon's, here, but for the money, the Nikon Coolpix series are pretty decent. More customability than a lot of the others out there. I brought the 5600 with me, and for $230 for a 5mp (in December), not so bad.

However, if I had it to do all over again, I'd have gotten this:



Panasonic DMC-FZ7. 6 mp, smaller than an SLR and Zeiss optics!! w00t!

(and only $400!)

[mowark]

Yeah, that's a sweet camera, but I'm thinking size and durability. I want something that will slide into my pocket without trouble, and can take a beating. Every review I've read says that the Canon's are built to take a beating. Plus 400 is really out of my range when you add in memory card and an extra battery.

[McHopsky]

Im not sure if someone answered this question, but yes, the 500 is a little bit bigger than the 400. Or atleast the older (2003-2004ish) model was.

The only thing I have to say bad about the 400 is durability. If its in your bag and getting knocked around it should be fine, although, on the bottom of the camera, the battery and memory card is covered/held in by a plastic ... latch/cover/flap/whatever. On the 500, it seems to be a stronger plastic, however, on the 400 it's a pretty cheap plastic. Even when I close the little cover/flap/whatever I'm afraid that if I put to much force on it, it may break. The only time this could be a big problem is if you dropped it from 3 or more feet, it may break. Yet, if you drop any camera from 3 feet onto concrete, something is bound to break off.

The 400 should be right down your alley.


PS: The battery life is awesome! I went an entire 10 day trip without recharging.

[voyd]

Originally posted by McHopsky@Feb 24 2006, 03:35 PM
battery and memory card is covered/held in by a plastic ... latch/cover/flap/whatever.

[snapback]104182[/snapback]

Well, those lids are integrated and don't "stick out" or anything. I've never had a problem with them - but I've never dropped my cam 3' onto concrete either!

[mowark]

Update......I bought the SD450. It rocks. Can't wait till it shows up.

[mowark]

The results are in

Ted on the right


I look scary when I'm drunk...who am I kidding, I look scary all the time...who am I kidding I'm drunk all the time

[tumblezweedz]

Hmmm, well I just bought the Canon A620 yesterday. Haven't even tried it out yet, but now that we're digital, you all may see some pics.

I have another question, actually. I have an old EOS 620 film camera that I love (there must be something about that number I like!), with assorted lenses (35-70mm, 50mm macro and 70-210mm zoom) and flash. My 35-70 mm lens is shot, and I'm considering getting the new digital EOS Rebel (which comes with a 35 mm lens) but I'm not sure if my old EF lenses will work on the digital body. Anybody know? The sales clerk at the store was ... not knowledgeable. I did look at the lens on the digital Rebel and noted that it was also an EF lens, so I'm hopeful, but I don't want to spend $900 on a new camera and then not be able to use my zoom/macro lenses. The other alternative is to replace my 35-70 lens, but my husband is keen to move away from film.

[tumblezweedz]

Okay, so I tried out my new Canon A620 yesterday, and it froze on me after taking all the pictures (thankfully) that the card could hold. I called the Canon service desk and was basically told, well, try this and if it doesn't work, return it... So I tried it, and it didn't, so I did. Problem is, the store doesn't have another A620 and I don't know what to replace it with. Again, the clerk was clueless about the cameras in stock, so I'm turning to the pros who actually use them in the field. They have a couple of other Canons in stock - the A610, the SD550 (?) and some others that I don't remember. I want to be able to get an excellent, high res enlargement at least 8x10, possibly 11x14. Will the A610 (5 megapixels) work for that? Or do I need more - they had one that was 6+ and one other 7.1.

Thanks all. I'm so annoyed at this whole thing.

And thanks Roz for your suggestion - it was basically what the guy told me to do, too but for a different reason. But it didn't work.

[mowark]

I don't know much about the A series, but I love my SD450. I think the 450 is actually better than the 550 because it's smaller and made of metal rather than plastic and the view screen is bigger. Do you live in a small town or something? I only ask because I was wondering why you didn't go to a camera store where the clerks are more knowledgable. Just curious

[space virgin]

Tamara, get the A610. It's what I have. It takes absolutely beautiful pictures. You will be pleased. Unfortunately I'm kinda missing it right now because I let Mr. Legs and Ms. Dorian take it to the UK with them!!

I'm pretty sure you can enlarge photos up to 11x14 if not 16x20 with that.

[Stev0__]

i just purchased the Pentax Optio Wpi its a decently priced camera ($399) and has a fair sized lcd screen, 6.0 mp, and has 30 minute water resistence(not really sure when i will ever use it in water but i thought it was cool so i bought it and have heard many great reviews about and am planning on taking it with me to western europe in the fall

[futboller]

2 Questions about the Canon SDs:

1) Do I need special software to get pictures off it, or does it just show up in Windows like a thumb drive or something?

2) Do you get universal chargers that can work anywhere in Europe? How much do they cost?

I'm thinking about finding an SD400 but if I can't take the pics off it or charge it, I'll probably just use my awful old camera that holds around 400 pics and takes AAs.

[space virgin]

1. All Canon cameras come with a cd of their own Image Browser software and a mediocre photo editing program. But (when I was using a PC) I never had trouble getting the camera to show up as an external drive when I plugged it straight into the computer, bypassing the need for the software. Then it's just click & drag to your heart's content.

2. I don't have any experience with the SD's... I think it has a proprietary battery? If so the charger *should* be multi-voltage, in which case all you'll need when you travel outside of North America is a plug adapter. My A series takes AA's, so I have a stash of NiMH's and bought a multi-voltage battery charger and a plug adapter. But one big caveat: Make sure you do not forget your charger in the outlet when you leave town!!! It's really easy to forget something like that as you're packing up. I work in a hotel and you should see the stash of phone chargers we have from people leaving them in their rooms. Seriously-- we have hundreds. The good side of that is now I have about 8 chargers for my cell phone!

Would anyone who currently has an SD care to check their charger and see if it says something about the voltage such as 110v - 240v or something? That will clear up the question...

[futboller]

Thanks space! (Sorry I haven't learned everyone's name yet.)

So if it's a multi-voltage charger I can get away with a plug adapter? Excellent.