Cameras... Need some advice..

[BrideInCuffs21]

Well I have been wanting a new digital camera for quite some time.. I figured why not get one here soon and then start taking pictures...

I have found two that I really like but the thing I don't understand is megapixels... the one I really want is 10.1megapixels and is 250.00 the other one is 8.1megapixels and is 150 dollars...

So does megapixels mean better quality of photo and clarity?? Or what are the specs I want to look for in a camera to ensure better quality pictures??

[BrideInCuffs21]

Here are the cameras I have been looking at... what do you think would be a better camera and to be honest I am not worried about the price... FH has finally agreed to allow me to take pics with him (he was very camera shy until we had a blow up about getting pics taken, but that another story)

So I want a camera that is going to take dang good pics..

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-T70-8-1-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Pink-DSC-T70/sem/rpsm/oid/189831/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Fujifilm-FinePix-Z20fd-10-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Pink-FINEPIXZ20PNK/sem/rpsm/oid/204919/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Casio-Exilim-EX-Z100PK-10-1-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Pink-EXZ100PK/sem/rpsm/oid/207314/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

The last link is the camera I am leaning towards but just not sure which of these brands is also better or more reliable???

Any help is appreciated... thank you

[PGDesigns]

I'm not a lot of help on these particular cameras since I prefer Canon (sorry), but more MP does not necessarily mean better quality. Also, I'm not sure what all you plan on using this camera for, but one thing to look into is zoom capabilities. Optical zoom is better than digital zoom, the higher the optical zoom, the better.

Here's a link (http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm) to some reviews and general camera info for new cameras:

[mtigercat]

i recently got a 6.2 megapixel camera and it takes really nice pics. we got it at radio shack and it was 129.99 and it came with a printer. I was told that the bigger the mega pixel the better the picture. fyi plan on getting lithium batteries. we used regular batteries and it ate them super quick. and also get a memory card. without the card you can only take like 10 pics or less. we got a 1gb card and we can take about 1000 pics now. these are things that we learned right after we got our camera. I am still not a pro at it just some beginner advice

[SerendipityCrafts]

More mega pixels means bigger file sizes; meaning you can (if you want) make bigger prints from the photos you take. It doesn't always mean better pics .... this is determined by the processors inside the cam and the lens quality.

IMHO A better way to judge a cam is by the photos that it takes. It doesn't hurt to read customer reviews. Some sites let you compare side by side shots. Camera stores should also have examples of photos the different cameras have taken.

Try searching for the cams that you are interested in here -

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM

Our first digital cam was a Fuji FinePix. We love that little thing ... LOL It's still kicking after 7 years.

It's only a 2 megapixel but we have taken some really nice shots with it and have had prints made, up to 8 x 10". If I want to take a "quick shot" it's still the cam I pick up. We also own a Nikon SLR.

I agree ... it's always a good idea to purchase a bigger card as well.

[NOTKT]

I also recommend www.dpreview.com

[spuls5]

I personally have a Sony Cybershot, almost like the one you posted. Mine looks just like it, but mind is an older model of that style. My sister has one that is a model newer than mine. I LOVE mine. It fits in my pocket so I can carry it with me all the time.

I don't know about the other two since I have never used them. But I have had 2 sony cybershots, my sister has also had 2 and they have been great.

[Krimangel]

This Is A Good Thread, We Will Be Getting A New Camera Before The Wedding, Great Info!

[alli816]

I personally like the Nikon d-40 its a lot of money but the quality of the pics is breath taking...Plus I had a Sony Cyber-shot and I didnt like the delay which the point and shoot cameras have....so if you can save up for one I would definitely reccomend the Nikon.....well worth it...

[saltyveruca]

The megapixels mean you'll have a higher quality photo, as in, you can print larger without getting the pixellated effect. 8 is probably fine, but 10 is better. You probably won't find anything much higher than 10 in the consumer realm.

As far as brands go, I have no idea. But I will tell you if you want to spend money, get a Canon DSLR (digital single lens reflex). You can pick up a Rebel XTi for $700 or lower these days. It's a really great camera for the money.

Between those three, I'd probably go with the Fujifilm. It has some nice consumer features like image stabilization and face detection, and the wireless connection is pretty sweet. We don't even have the wireless on our pro cameras-you have to get the really, really nice ones ($3K+) for that. BUT the Casio sounds like it has a more advanced lens and better zoom, and it has face detection like the Fujifilm. The YouTube capture mode sounds like it can double as a low-quality camcorder, so that's nice as well. Did you notice it's only on preorder though?

Anyway, I'd go to the store and see which one you feel more comfortable shooting on. And like others have said, definitely check out review sites.

[spuls5]

I personally like the Nikon d-40 its a lot of money but the quality of the pics is breath taking...Plus I had a Sony Cyber-shot and I didnt like the delay which the point and shoot cameras have....so if you can save up for one I would definitely reccomend the Nikon.....well worth it...

I also have a Nikon DSLR. I have the D70 and D80. Looking at the D300. So I second the Nikon DSLR. But if you are wanting something small then I like my sony cybershot. When you are used to a DSLR yes the delay in a point and shoot can be annoying. But I believe all point and shoots have a delay.

[LadyDante]

I'm in love with my Canon Powershot SD 750

[BrideInCuffs21]

SOOOOoooo... looking at all of these cameras, and thinking about my past wants in a camera.. I am deciding on acutally getting a DSLR camera... I have 3-4 of them picked out I just don't have a clue what to do with... reading reviews and all that hoopla is making it harder for me to choose....

Anybody wanna help a lost girl out?!?!

[alli816]

Well like I said I love my Nikon D40 I just got it right after Christmas...I love it...we just went on a trip to Mystic Connecticut and I'm so glad I had my camera...plus I had the longer zoon lens and that was beneficial.....Plus I love that you can take continuous photos....I hope this was a little helpful to you...

[nic1124]

I have always preferred camera brands (Nikon, Fuji, Canon, etc) over electronics brands like sony or casio. Idk I think they just have better lenses or something. I'm going to get a Nikon Dslr. Prob a D40 or D40x to start.

[uptowngirl]

I have always preferred camera brands (Nikon, Fuji, Canon, etc) over electronics brands like sony or casio.

That is a great point. I used to work at a camera store and we would definitely recommend a camera made by a company that specialized in cameras over one that made stereos and tv's. The second criteria was one that you liked and felt comfortable using! Seriously, even if you buy it online it is still a good idea to go to a camera store and pick them up and play with your top choices.

[saltyveruca]

SOOOOoooo... looking at all of these cameras, and thinking about my past wants in a camera.. I am deciding on acutally getting a DSLR camera... I have 3-4 of them picked out I just don't have a clue what to do with... reading reviews and all that hoopla is making it harder for me to choose....

Anybody wanna help a lost girl out?!?!

Which cameras are you considering?