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andreskrey
856 days ago
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Average (Good) Camera - Under $200
Hi, I'm looking for a camera. Simple, isn't?
I just want a good camera, the best camera that i can buy for $200/$250.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
Andres
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Ankou
856 days ago
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Assuming you're looking for a digital camera ... and that you're not including accessories in that price:
I have the Canon PowerShot A620 (before I got the Digital Rebel XTi) and I love the thing. Great pictures, easy to use and the price was right (got it from Amazon.com). I took a look at Amazon.com and the PowerShot A630 (new) is $196.46. For the price you're looking to spend and the quality of camera I personally think Canon would be the best fit.
If that price is a bit high or you're looking to save a bit and still get a great camera Canon has a number of other models for less: PowerShot A530, A540, SD630, SD20 (Ultra Compact), etc...
You may want to hit a camera store, check out a few to see what you like. How it feels in your hands, if the controls are easy to get to, and so on. If you want something specific in a camera you can check out www.dpreview.com. When you find the camera you like then shop around online for the best price.
Good luck!
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ben-s
856 days ago
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Ankou is right.
Just a couple of things to consider;
Get one with a decent manual mode. You may or may not need it now, but you are quite likely to need at least some control in the future.
Don't go above about 8 megapixels in a compact. The sensor is very small, and the more pixels they cram on it, the smaller each individual pixel has to be, and the smaller the spacing between pixels is.
In real terms, this means that any given pixel will gather less light, so the camera has to do more work on the signals from the sensor to get a picture. This in turn degrades the picture.
The spacing affects the amount of noise in the picture - closer together = more noise. This is caused by stray signals from individual pixels mucking each other's signal up.
As a real world example of this, I have seen images taken on a 3 year old 4 megapixel camera blow those taken on a brand new 9 megapixel unit out of the water.
Good luck and let us know what you get 
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stephiedee
856 days ago
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I'll throw in my recommendation for the Powershot A6XX series. I have 2 - the A620 & A640 and they're fully manual (what I shoot in 99.9% of the time).
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ben-s
855 days ago
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Andres; someone has already beaten me to it. Thanks Stephiedee.
I would have suggested one of the 5xx of 6xx series.
I don't know of the dollar price, as I'm in the UK, but I ordered a few 620's for work, to loan out to students. They were versatile and well specified, as well as fairly cheap.
I'm sorry, I didn't see the original message - it was posted before I joined.
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rosweed
855 days ago
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Andres,
Canon stopped making the A80. It's my favorite small camera because of the optics, the flip around screen (great for taking candids cause people can't tell if you're taking their photo!), ease of use and manual controls. It's only 4MP, but it takes spectacular photos. If you're comfortable buying a used camera, you can find one for under $200.
But most people are leery of buying used, so, I dug around a little. I think what you'd find perfect is the A570. It meets all your requirements: $200-250, full manual control, excellent optics, etc. You can compare prices from various stores and read CNET editor and owner reviews. http://shopper.cnet.com/digital-cameras … =pdtl-list
Good luck,
rosweed
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andreskrey
855 days ago
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Just one final question, which i couldn't answer with my own research:
The Powershot A6xx series, has a dedicated focus/aperture/shutter speed wheel? Or you have to navigate through the menus?
Thanks
Andres
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ben-s
854 days ago
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No, the powershot 6xx series use a quick menu sustem.
You press "func set", and get a list of options down the side of the monitor. Up and down on the D-pad select the option, left and right change the value of the selected option.
In manual mode, focus is usually controlled through the quick menu, and you set aperture and shutter speed by pressing the +/- button until aperture or shutter speed is selected, and then the left and right D-pad keys set the value.
It sounds fiddly, but isn't when you get the hang of it.
This page explains with pictures (about half way down on the right): http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonA620/page3.asp
AFAIK, the only compact to have independent shutter speed and aperture dials is the Ricoh GR digital. It's expensive, but I've never regretted buying mine.
Hope this helps
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andreskrey
854 days ago
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Thanks!, I'm going to order my Powershot!!!
Andres
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Ankou
854 days ago
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andreskrey, which PowerShot did you decide on? I know it doesn't really matter since they're all pretty darn good but I'm curious.
And like ben-s said, have fun. You'll really enjoy it, I'm sure of it.
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crossmage
854 days ago
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I love my powershot cameras. My latest is the Powershot A710 IS, which I bought off of eBay for the under $250 price range. Not only a 6x zoom and image stabilization with full manual, but there is also a hack available that ets it shoot RAW.
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andreskrey
852 days ago
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I've decided for the A620. The problem is that I live in Argentina, and, in the eBay of Argentina, only the A640 was available. And overpriced.
I'm looking on photo shops, but still without luck.
Andres
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superdewa
848 days ago
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You should be able to order from US Amazon or another one outside of Argentina. I have friends from New Zealand who do this. Just watch the shipping charges.
I'm curious. Are there many people on here who just use a powershot or other good compact camera and don't even own (or just don't use the one they have) a dslr?
Deirdre
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ben-s
848 days ago
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Deirdre;
I read a rather interesting article in the renowned UK magazine "Amateur Photographer" a few months ago, about a photographer who was forced to leave home at very short notice. He had only his phone and a high end compact.
He went to live on a mobile home site, and spent about a year documenting the lives of the people on the site. The body of work that came out as a result of this was really very good.
I'm afraid I've forgotten his name and the camera he used though.
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sandinmysh
oes
848 days ago
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right here. i own a dslr but don't use it. just use my canon powershot.
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andreskrey
847 days ago
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Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't ship electronic devices to latin america...
I'm still looking for my Powershot...
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superdewa
846 days ago
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Thank you. I'll look for that article.
I have an old Olympus D-40 which takes some nice photos, but I'm itching for more manual control and more flexibility with the lens.
I've been wanting a DSLR, but I don't have the money. I'm not sure whether I should save up until I have it, or save some money and go with a newer high-end compact.
While I think I could be happy with a powershot, I'd like to leave the possibility of eventually maybe making some money off of photography open. I don't know if I have what it takes, but I'm assuming I'd be putting myself in a better position if I save for the dslr rather than going with a better compact. Any thoughts?
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ben-s
846 days ago
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A DSLR will offer you more options for the future, if you can scrounge the money from somewhere.
The SLR system is good because you can add bits to your camera as you go. You can start off with a basic kit which will do more than most compacts, and then later add perhaps a macro lens or a long telephoto. You could buy a battery grip for better battery life.
Actually, basic DSLRs are coming down in price now. Look out for the Nikon D40 or the Canon EOS 400D (AKA Rebel XTi)
It is really a choice only you can make, but I'll pass on what happened to me;
I started out with a compact, and after about a year, found it rather limiting. I then saved up for the then new Canon EOS 300D. It nearly bankrupted me at the time , but ultimately it is a decision I have not regretted. I have now got 2 digital and 2 film bodies. They all use the same lenses and flashes, so I have got a really versatile system.
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