I have a 2 megapixel Olympus camera that is almost 4 years old (ancient, I know).

I'm looking for a replacement as this one has some problems with speed of capturing images and the lens cover is a pain.

I'm looking for something that's point and shoot. The number of megapixels isn't critical because I rarely print larger than 4 x 6. I would like a powerful optical zoom, couldn't care less about the digital zoom. Rechargable batteries are a plus, but it is nice to be able to use off the shelf ones in a pinch. I don't print my photos at home, I just take a CD or the memory source to CVS or Walgreens. Basically I'm looking for something simple and fast with a good zoom.

Wow.
You should see the one Ngaire and Ken have.!!

check www.dpreview.com for some great advice and comparisons. I personally feel that for the price you can't beat the canon's or nikons. They have some of the best lenses.

Can I ask... what is an optical zoom and what is a digital zoom? I am thinking about getting an ultra compact digital camera, but don't really know anything about them. I have looked at dpreview. Good site. But, I really don't know digital photography. I'm of the Pentax K1000 era!

here's a great article that is actually understandable.

http://www.photoxels.com/article-optical-digital-zoom.html

I love my Minolta Dimage Z3. My son recently bought the new version, Z6; I drooled but there wasn't enough of a difference to go buy yet another camera.

Seadog, I am computer and digital camera challenged, but I love taking pictures! In plain english, the way I see it is that once you go into "digital zoom", really you are just putting a microscope onto the best "optical zoom" and chopping off a bit of the whole picture, basically enlarging what was already there, and compromising the photo quality. I never let my shots go beyond the line that my viewfinder has marked as the limit of the optical zoom. They are never good when I do that (fuzzy)

Laurie, Ken has great equipment, but that camera JimB is talking about is a SERIOUS camera, not one you can just put in your pocket! Just depends on what you want!

Editing to say that I just went to that site that Arlene referred you to! Maybe I did the Reader's Digest Condensed version for the answer I gave you, but nice to see that a better authority than me can give you the specifics.

Olivia,

You explained it perfectly! When you have digital zoom the megapixels really do matter.

Laurie,

I just had a friend get the Canon A510 (Now replaced by the A610). You might find some closeouts on the 510. She is not a photo person, and she took it to Europe, did lots of snapshots and used it over the holidays everywhere she went - she can't stop raving about that camera. It uses AA batteries (you can buy rechargables with a charger) or what else I like is if you forgot to recharge, you can buy those batteries anywhere and not be powerless! It would do exactly what you like and it's very highly rated.

I am going to get a Digital Elph 550 for snapshots sometime before my next cruise, just for sheer size, quality, and all those features that I like when I don't want to schlep my Digital SLR all the lenses and tripod for some serious photography. ;)

Seadog, for super-compact, I love my Olympus Stylus 300. It's obsolete now, it's 3.1 megapixels, but the newer models are higher. It's small enough to put into a pocket or purse, rugged and moisture-resistent (there are seals around key areas to keep our sand and splashes). And it takes great pictures. The only downside for me, for a point-and-shoot, is that it doesn't do well with action shots--it's not fast enough to take pictures of things that are moving.

Very good explanation, Olivia! Thanks!

Arlene, Excellent article and I'm looking forward to reading more from that website.

I've been considering the Konica Minolta DiMage X1, but I'm concerned that there is only a LCD monitor, no view finder. When I have to use my GF's Nikon Coolpix, a lot of times I can't see what's on the LCD and have to look in the little viewer. It's really becoming clear to me that our picture taking priorities are very different. Hence my interest in getting my own camera!

Editing to say: Thanks, Wendy! I'll check out the newer models and probably won't be too concerned about the action shots problem.

Kim

Arlene,
That's a great website! I'm now dithering between the Canon A520 and the A610. Well, I don't need it right away, maybe the prices will come down on the A610 especially since they now have the A620.

Lauri -

The A610 and A620 are models with different features. The A620 is the same camera with a little different features. The prices would probably come down on both at the same time. They are both new models.

When megapixels matter (or not)...

Several months ago, I came across a page on the internet and I can't find it now. It charted whether or not another megapixel or two it was worth it (as in, really made a difference). For example, 3 megapixels is way better than 2, but 5 isn't much better than 4 (just making that up as I really don't know).

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Kim

Kim,

You can probably find that article on dpreview somewhere.

For the hobbyist who does snapshots, will never blow up beyond 8x10, 4 or 5 megapixels is fine. I borderline on advanced amateur and I frequently shoot with a 4 megapixel Canon G2 that's 3 years old and it's acceptable to me.

If you were shooting in RAW (a professional level type of image) you'd want more megapixels.

Very helpful, Kathy. Thank you!

Now that I've wasted far too much time reading reviews, I've settled on the Canon A610. It's got just about everything I want; a 4x optical zoom, fast shot to shot time, can use AAA or rechargable batteries and at 5 megapixels I can print the occasional 8 x 10 if I want. And I found it for $236 on the internet (a store I've purchased from before). A few extra dollars for a 1 GB memory card and I'm set!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Congratulations Lauri! :woh:

I just looked it up. Looks like a great camera! I noticed it has a Print/Share button that allows printing straight from the camera. Any idea how that works? We have a Canon S9000 photo printer, but it's always a major undertaking to print something. But, we have a Nikon camera. I wonder if with a Canon like you're getting, it would be easier to print???? (I'm so uninformed.)

Anyway, hope you get your camera soon and have fun with it!

Kim

I know next to nothing about printing photos at home. I just take my memory card or a CD loaded with edited photos to CVS and let their printer do the work. Maybe someday I'll look into a photo printer, but for now it's just not a gadget I'm dying to have.

I really need to slow down anyway...lately I've got an iPod, speakers for the iPod, digital cable with a dvr, digital internet and a new washer/dryer. Enough electronics for now!

Kim, there can be a port and wire to the camera and you can just pretty much hit the print key following the printer's on-screen directions.

My printer has a card reader and I take the card out of the camera, plug it in the slot, and tell the printer to print from my computer's desktop.

Lauri:

A few years ago I got Andi a Cannon Digital camera for her European adventure. She took wonderful pictures with it.
I was so impressed with whatever computer stuff they use to 'take' the pictures that I got a Cannon myself last fall. Love that 7 megapixel puppy!

Doug

Lauri,

Great purchase. The Canon A 610 is a wonderful digital camera with 5 mega pixels and a big 4X optical zoom lens. The only difference between the A610 and the A620 is that the A620 has 7 mega pixels. Normally the difference between the 5 mp and 7mp is not that great if you are going to print 4x6 pictures. The only time it does make a difference is when you are enlarging and croping pictures and the 7mp does make a difference. Otherwise your A610is a winner. We just purchased the A610 for our business and we are so happy with the pictures it takes. They are the sharpest pictures we have seen.

You should invest in at least a 512 MB memory card and four - 2300mah AA NiMH rechargable batteries and rapid cahrger. You can pick up the batteries and rapid charger on the Thomas Distributing web site.

My personal preference, because of its size, is the Canon SD550 because of its small size ( fits easily in pocket) and 7mp.

Have fun with your new A610.

Maurice

Well, I haven't actually purchased it yet; after spending way too much on an iPod, accessories and home appliances this week, I'm going to hold off for a little while. :cool:

But it is great to hear how happy everyone is with their Canon cameras. I knew I'd get great advice here. :nw: