digital camera

[evan]

best digital camera for under $250. Go! (primary uses: vacationing - my paris trip, random pictures just around, volleyball tournaments, big events on campus, etc.) Really just looking for an easy-to-use camera that takes nice, clear pictures, is relatively cheap, and portable. My brother's got an old(ish, now) Nikon d50 and I don't think I would get an SLR at this stage in my life, too big to lug around everywhere I would want to take pictures.

[Gargoyle]

I am thinking about getting the new Panasonic Lumix (not the slr one). 12 megapix, 12x optical zoom, and HD video.

Edit: This one - http://www.panasonic.co.uk:80/html/en_GB/Products/LUMIX+Digital+Cameras/Overview/LUMIX+TZ7+-+Some+things+are+unexpected/2379650/index.html#anker_2379652

[evan]

A bit pricey but has me looking at the older model: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ5A-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0011Z6D9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246416966&sr=8-1

[joveblue]

As I mentioned in another thread, I went on a trip in January with 26 people. When we left, 2 people had that camera, and they were so good that another 3 had bought them by the time we got back home! :)

[PB PM]

In the under $250 price range, go with a Canon. I'm not sure what the best models are right now though, so I've lave that to someone with better knowledge of the current lineup.

[evan]

more comparable to the newer lumix (in price), what about this one? : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SER456/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=photo

[PB PM]

That or the Lumix would be a good choice, as so many compacts don't have that wide angel ability.

[torifile]

I've read that the fujis are much better point and shoots than the competition especially at low light because of their superccd sensor. Fujis can be harder to find locally but might be worth thinking about. Have you checked dpreview.com for reviews? That's a good site.

[evan]

Got the older lumix at Sam's for $200! I'm getting it charged up and ready to go and I'll post some pictures with it later! Thanks for the input and especially Gargoyle/joveblue for pointing me in that direction!

[evan]

Sample Pics! Went golfing with two of my friends yesterday and brought the camera along. Note to self: Never walk 18 holes in Houston with a tee time of 1:22pm. Never again.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3687866802_90aa28dbf9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3687064739_4322ff43a0_o.jpg

High Speed Burst:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3687064983_626510cd3b_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/3687867560_4ac9d202fb_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/3687065443_7437c87b84_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3687868036_ac8ce6dd83_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3687065931_f481243cdc_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3687066197_5628b04c0f_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3687868790_93b7e98149_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/3687869112_073eb0bcd1_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3687869406_528125097b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3687067253_34d3f024b4_o.jpg

[evan]

I'll try to take some fireworks shots tonight too and we'll see how that goes...

[thegeriatric]

Nice camera and pic's.

I have an older Lumix model, although i am not into photography that much, it is a well built camera that takes a good picture, and that's all i need.

[PB PM]

Not bad at all, seems to blow the sky out in almost everyone one of the shots though. That said those are tough shooting conditions for getting both the foreground and background exposed properly, so it did a good job.

[ronmexico]

For $281 just purchased this (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD960IS-Stabilized-Silver/dp/B001SER46K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1247714754&sr=1-1) Canon Powershot SD960 IS today. It fulfills my requirements to record HD video with .mov files, expanded memory, great low light and bright light shots, and image stabilization. I will be using it more, and will let you know if I have any issues, but so far so good!

[kieran]

I was looking at that Canon a few weeks ago. I really would love to get a small camera that shoots HD video. I don't have anything to record video on right now, so I'm looking.

I may just wait a while and save up some money and finally buy the DSLR that I've been wanting to get for years.