I get asked this question all the time from my friends so I figured I would write up a little post about it so anyone who was in the market could take a look and get some info. One thing to remember right off the bat is that Megapixels are not that important. You should be fine with any camera that has over 6MP unless you plan on blowing up your images beyond 8×10, which I know for most of you in unlikely.
Right now I have an Canon 870IS (below). It is a fantastic camera with 8 megapixels and Image stabilization, which basically means that the camera will help keep your hand steady when taking a picture in low light or when your using the zoom capabilities. Its got a fantastic large lcd screen and is super easy to use. One of my favorite things about this camera is its movie mode, you can shoot regular and time lapse video and the quality if pretty good. Another aspect that made me select this camera is the wide angle capabilities, it really helps to capture more of the scene when shooting landscapes or outdoors.
Note: There is actually a newer model of the 800 series canon’s called the 880IS, its a great camera as well but really didnt add anything that the 870IS doesnt have besides a few megapixels (which we now know are not that important)
Cost as of 10/8/08 - $226 (Click on the price to see it on amazon.com)
If your looking for something a little cheaper the Canon SD750 is a fantastic option. I know alot of our friends have this camera because of the good price and the big LCD screen on the back. It lacks Image Stabilization and doesnt feel quite as sturdy as the 800-series canons, but is a good option for a little less money.
I used this camera until someone stole it at the 49ers game. Stupid 9ers fans.
Cost: $200 (click price to head to amazon.com)
For those of you who put a beating on your camera (ERIN LAUDERMILK) by dropping it on the ground, in water, etc. The Olympus Stylus 1030SW might be the best bet for you. Its built to be dropped and really can handle a rougher environment. But the best thing about this camera is its underwater capabilities, most of these cameras you can buy a cheap underwater housing to do the same thing but the Olympus comes ready for a dip right out of the box. Its good to go for a swim down to 33 feet and Dev and Erin would proclaim that its the camera for them.
Cost: $300
If you looking for a step up from your basic point shoot and maybe see your self wanting to learn how to manipulate your cameras aperture and shutter speed. Canon has a high powered compact camera called the G10. This camera has alot of the capabilites of an SLR in a nice compact package. Its has a 14.7MP sensor and also has Image stabilization but the real benefits from this camera are in its ability to get out of AUTO mode and manage all of the camera’s settings manually to get the image that you want. If your looking for a camera that will help you to become a better photographer, this is a great option and it’ll still fit in your pocket.
Price as of 10/10/08 - $493 (click to head to amazon.com)
Another option in the same boat as the G10 is new panasonic lumix DMC-LX3. It has a 10.1 MP sensor and also has Image stabilization . This camera also has alot of capabilities to take your camera out of auto mode and manage your own settings. This one is a little more unique because it will also record HD video @ 1080i (similar to most HD cable content)
Cost: $461
Ill try and keep this page updated as new cameras come out. Let me know if this is helpful…
vs.
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