I want a damn camera.

[GutterClown]

Looking in the market for a camera.

I don't want anything professional grade, I'm not looking for awesome quality. I'll be using it for still photos, probably requiring some medium depth of quality. Thought most will be web-usage, and would be resized anyway.
Video will only be some youtube stuff, and won't need to be top-notch at all.

Won't be used in rugged conditions, so a big display screen would be useful.


What things should I look for.

What brands are decent in cameras?
What useless addons \ features should I avoid.
Places\websites to buy from?

[Chebyrator]

I got a cannon atm and very happy with the picture quality. Heard something about Sony cameras having good lenses but that might only be in the mobile phones

[snowy51]

What sort of money are you looking at? Do you want a compact (pocket) camera or something larger with a decent zoom? i assume that as you don't want anything professional you don't want an SLR?

I use Canon IXUS compact cameras (at home and at work) at have never had a problem with them. Pocket size, metal body (almost indestructible), good lenses, good screens great image quality etc. Typically around the AU$500 mark. The one i have atm is the IXUS 850 IS and it does all i need.

Can't help with websites to buy from cos i always buy from Teds cameras, but yeah, as far as reviews go check out www.dpreview.com they are about the best on the web for info.

Features your camera MUST have are:

-IS (Image stabilisation)
-2.5" screen minimum with minimum 230000pixel res
-metal body (unless durability isn't really an issue then plastic is fine)
....and the rest you would have to say what your price range and typical use is....

hope that helps

[Fenaughty]

avoid digital zoom use, try and get the highest optical zoom in your price range.

Optical zoom uses the lense in the camera and gives you great picture quality, digital zoom will enlarge the pixels causing loss of quality and not giving a true image.

I use Canon SLR's myself 300d and 400d are in my arsenal but i also have an old poweshot A70, that always took good pictures for a small compact.

[kleph]

a solid point-and-shoot under $500 should do you fine. canon and nikon are solid mainstays of the industry and tough to go wrong with. that said, i've had my olympus SP310 for two years now and it's come through like trooper.

[GutterClown]

I don't even know what the fuck SLR is.

Not looking for anything large, it'll just be a utility cam. good all-rounder.

Metal case would be cool, but not needed really.

is there anything wrong with a "Canon Digital IXUS 70"?
better or worse that the "PowerShot A720IS" ?

[kleph]

i'd suggest popping over to Digital Photography Reviews (http://www.dpreview.com/) and poking around. they've got solid reviews on just about every camera you can think of which, although they have all the technical data needed, aren't tough for the layman to go through.

the ixus 70 is also known as the sd 1000. the dp overview of it is here (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd1000.asp) and some test shots can be found here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasmund/sets/72157600004615265/). that said, its a pretty good slab of camera for the price.

[GutterClown]

score!

[kleph]

good stuff. if you are looking for web-ready images it should be what you need. i've pretty much found that between it and touch up in photoshop, i can get just about whatever picture i need.

keep in mind fenaughty's point about the zoom and the limitations of the camera. landscapes aren't going to be too impressive and low-light shots will be limited as well. the sample photos on that flickr account sort of give you an idea of the range of stuff you can work with.

[kleph]

you might want to visit this thread (http://www.zgeek.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72175).

[sullomate]

I own the Ixus 70 as a backpocket-take everywhere camera. It's fantastic and doesn't miss a beat. I've had 3 smaller digital cameras (canon s45, olympus u70 and an old nikon) and this is by far the best. If you shop around you can get a fantastic price as well.