Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with digitalcameras

Digital camera advice

piratebowling — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:38:14 -0800

It's time for a new digital camera. Please help guide me, as I feel overwhelmed by the research process. I am looking for suggestions of specific cameras OR features I should be searching for in a camera. Specific requirements inside. Budget: ~ $250.

Needs: I am getting this to take photos for a new etsy store, featuring my video-game embroideries. I need something that can take clear, sharp pictures, in both regular and macro mode, in natural light. I want to be able to show both how the pieces look in a natural-looking setting (i.e. on a wall, in a room) and details of the piece. My current digital camera is about 6 years old and take either horrible, blurry, orange-y shots in natural light, or washed out, ugly pictures with a flash.

The pieces range from 4"x4" to 11"x13" in size. There are also occasional smaller pieces (hairclips, etc) that I need to shoot as well.

Help me find a cord

bradth27 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:55:08 -0800

Can I buy a new cord for my camera's battery charger? I have a new Olympus camera that uses the Li-ion LI-40c battery charger. I can't find the cord. It looks like this.

Now, I don't need a new charger - just the cord that plugs in the wall. Is there anything special about it, or can I pick one of these up somewhere? I can't seem to find something like this online.....

The old one served faithfully until it was dropped four feet onto concrete

showbiz_liz — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:19:12 -0800

Why SHOULDN'T I buy a Canon PowerShot A590? I can finally afford to replace my old, broken digital camera, which was also a PowerShot. I think I got it about four years ago. I never had a problem with it, although friends who used it noticed some shutter lag. I'm planning to get the A590 because it's gotten good reviews and because I'm already comfortable with the Powershot. But, if it (or Canons in general) have some major defect I should know about, OR if there's a sub-$200 digital camera that's way better than a Powershot, I'd love to hear about it before I run out and buy this.

7.2 mp vs. 8.1 mp Sony Cyber Shot? Where to find the best deal?

caveat empress — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:34:02 -0800

7.2 mp vs. 8.1 mp Sony Cyber Shot? Where to find the best deal? I want to buy a new point and shoot digital camera, and my trusty old Cyber Shot (and I mean old!) has been an ultra reliable workhorse, so I plan on sticking with this line.

I am a basic use type of person - I take shots to archive life, so to say. I rarely blow them up farther than 5x7, and take videos infrequently.

I do want to get a model with a Li battery, and I want to find the best deal I can (plan on buying online).

There is about $50 difference on average between the 7.2mp and 8.1mp Cyber Shots.

Any thoughts on if the 8.1 has enough pros that I should spend the extra money? Any thoughts on the other brands out there?

Also: I planned on buying through Dell, does anyone know of a better deal out there and/or coupons?

Thanks!

'Prosumer' digital camera recommendations?

Kreiger — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:35:50 -0800

Greetings Photo-Hive. It's finally time to retire my DSC-V1, but I've ignored the camera scene since I bought it in 2003. Help me pick a new camera! If I could buy the 'DSC-V1 2008 Edition', I would. It's been a great camera.

I liked:
- the level of manual control. You can fiddle with just about everything. I might only use this for 15 - 20% of the shots I take, but it really comes in handy.
- the lens, which was great for the time.
- the Nightshot.

I hated (or now hate):
- the start-up time. Not to mention the wait between shots.
- the lack of image stabilisation.
- the incredibly short battery life.
- the low-res video, even though it was great at the time I bought it.

I've got a K800i for a pocket camera now, so I'm not too worried about the size of this potential new one. I'll be using it mainly when I travel, rather than at the bar. I'm a bit leary of buying a full on DSLR, partly for budgetary reasons, partly b/c I don't think I'd really use it enough, or use enough of its features to justify one. I like the speed of some of the new cameras that I've used in the last year or so. I like some of the photo-stitching/continuous shooting/face-recognising craziness as well, although that sort of thing would be a secondary concern.

I'll probably spend about £600 ($1200, for those of you in the States and Canada), but I'm not wedded to that figure. If there's an awesome camera for a couple hundred more, I'd buy it.

Speaking of travelling, I'm flying out for a five week vacation on the 25th, so if it's coming out in March, no matter how cool it is, I'm not going to buy it.

I haven't looked at still cameras since about 2003, so I don't even know what to look for these days. Who's making good cameras? Who's fallen off? What about these 'semi-DSLR' things like the Sony DSC-H9? What sort (and size) of sensor should I look for?

Specific model recommendations, manufacturer recommendations, or suggestions of particular technologies to look for are all welcome.

Where can I find a list of physical sensor sizes for digital cameras??

mrkinla — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:05:17 -0800

Where can I find a list of physical sensor sizes for digital cameras? So, I love photography - film, Polaroid, digital, you name it - and everybody knows that the larger the image sensor, the better it is for the picture (I realize that's a generality and other factors come into play, but hear me out). However, of the many fine digital camera information resources available online, I've been able to find no site that lists as part of a camera's specs the actual *physical* size of the camera's sensor as opposed to the ratio, like "1/2.5" or "1/2.35."

Anybody aware of an online resource that has this info? I'm specifically looking for a sub-compact digital camera that I can just throw in a pocket when I don't want to tote the 5D around all day.

Why do digital camera batteries conk out in the cold?

schoenbc — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:11:17 -0800

A friend asked why (I thought) his digital camera batteries conk out after 3, 4 or 5 pictures. The situation: he is a real cold weather outdoor enthusiast. He's tried a number of battery types and it happens with each kind. I assume it has to do with the cold, but is keeping it enveloped in warm packaging, yanking it out (risking fogging) then wrapping it up again the only answer. (I tried searching "AskMeta" and could not find a specific repsonse to this problem. Thanks.

Memory cards: brands and pricing

matteo — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:35:50 -0800

Question about memory cards from a digital n00b.

free my filmmaking

Infernarl — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:32:34 -0800

What are the best digital (still) cameras for video? I hate tape. I hate bulk. I don't mind built in compression. So which digital still cameras have the best video capabilities? Im looking for something that is at least 30fps but having the capability to do 60fps would be a major bonus. Must be at least 640x480 with no time limit. Im looking for personal opinions/samples as well as the internet consensus on niche cameras that rock for video.

bonus question: what are the problems with this type of video compared to hard drive based 3ccd video cameras that can also take high resolution still shots?

p.s. I'm thinking of getting the panasonic lumix LX2 for this purpose.

Help a complete novice get into digital photography.

katyggls — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 07:19:19 -0800

I need help and advice on buying a good digital camera and some resources on digital photography for a beginner. I'd like to take up digital photography as a hobby/form of artistic expression. I want to buy a camera that will take very nice photographs, but it has to be something that I, a complete novice when it comes to photography even of the analog type, can operate or learn to operate. I do have an aptitude for learning tech type things though, so as long as I don't have to obtain a degree to use the thing, I should be fine. I would like to spend somewhere around $300 on a camera, $350 on the outside. Can I get a good camera for this price? I know some basics, like looking for optical zoom rather than digital, but what else should I look for? What type of media storage is the best? What accessories do I absolutely need? Also any recommendations on good books to get me started with photography (composition, timing, light, etc) would be appreciated. So to recap:

I want a camera that can/is:
-take high resolution photos that will print well in pretty large sizes (8 x 10, possibly larger)
-be easily operated by a novice, but have enough advanced features to produce quality artistic photos once I get advanced enough
-costs around $300-$350 dollars

I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but really, I just want the best camera I can get for the amount I want to spend. I've done a bit of research but the amount of information is a bit overwhelming. Help?

Goodbye Nikon Coolpix 995

soviet sleepover — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:26:22 -0800

Long after they've become obsolete, I'm still using my old Nikon Coolpix 995. I'd like to upgrade, but I've got a few amateurish requirements for my next camera. Specifically, I like the sturdy heft of the Coolpix in my hand, and the separate, rotating lens & LCD screen has become essential for me. I've used a Cannon PowerShot with the fold-out LCD, but they feel flimsy and aren't an alternative (I'm not partial to compact cameras at all, in fact). Though I'm a fairly amateur photographer, I appreciate the ease in switching between auto, manual, and semi-manual settings the Coolpix has (full disclosure: I stick with auto most of the time nevertheless), & I'd like something with equal intuitiveness. Finally, I also have some hand-me-down macro lenses & filters for a 35mm film SLR, and it'd be nice but non-essential if those were compatible.

For the most part I carry a camera while traveling, & walk around town for a few hours a week taking pictures, but I'm not particularly serious about photography right now & thus can't justify spending a lot of money (my outer limit is probably $500 and I'd be thrilled at spending a few hundred dollars less). Any suggestions or helpful advice in camera buying? (FWIW, I'm not opposed to buying used or graymarket--which is how I afforded the Coolpix on the dregs of student loans & a $7/hr job, so any tips on how to do that wisely are welcome, too.)

Looking for a place that rents digital cameras.

cheero — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:18:41 -0800

Hello all, I am having trouble find a place that rents out digital cameras. I am looking to either rent a Nikon D50, D70, or D100 or possibly, a Canon Digital Rebel XT. (Renting time-frame, 2-3 days.) I am wondering if anyone had any experience with renting high-end digital cams such as these and which place I should trust. I called up a couple of places where I live (Boston, MASS) and none of them offered this.

Inexpensive Camcorder Solution?

Independent Scholarship — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:47:20 -0800

CheapCamcorderFilter: I am looking for an inexpensive camcorder that would give adequate performance for videos. It does not need to be nice and fancy, perfectly crisp, etc. - just adequate. The CVS one-time-use camcorder offers a quality that is passable, barely. The cost though is way too high when you consider it's only 20 minutes of video for about $40 with "processing." Anyone know of something that would give comparable performance as the CVS camcorder, but could be used more than once? I have heard of hacks for the CVS camera, but I'm not interested in doing that. I'd have to buy it all hacked and ready-to-go with the USB port. But really, I would prefer a different solution. Thoughts? Ideas? Thanks in advance!

Looking for digital camera recommendations for kite camera work

mathowie — Sun, 19 Jun 2005 17:58:31 -0800

I've been playing with kites lately and I want to try my hand at kite photography soon, but I'd rather not use disposable film cameras -- I'd like to rig up a digital camera. I'm looking for a small, light camera that can shoot automatically. First consideration is weight. Most small digital cameras are lighter the smaller they are, so the smaller the better I would think.

The next most important thing to me is the ability to shoot automatically, over set intervals. I once had an olympus camera that you could set to shoot every 30 seconds until the memory card filled up or the battery died. I think that'd be a good mode to shoot in if I got a kite up, strung up my camera rig, then let out more string to get some height for photos. I could leave it aloft for a few minutes and bring it down to find a handful of usable images among the beginning and end images.

In terms of megapixels, I think 3 to 5 would be fine.

Price, I would say cheaper the better, but I'd say $300 max (buying used is a consideration).

Anyone know of small cameras with those kinds of shooting modes?

Cheap, waterproof and digital

moonbird — Sat, 30 Apr 2005 17:08:34 -0800

Going to S. America in four weeks and will be doing some white water rafting. I'd like to find a waterproof digital camera... Cheap is key. Even disposable, if they make such things. I've looked into enclosures for my Minolta, but think that'd be too risky. This is only a small part of the trip but I want to be able to document it, and don't care much about high res while in the water. Gracias in advance, amigos.

Upgrading Canon Lenses

Shanachie — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 06:15:51 -0800

I've got a Canon Digital Rebel. I'm interested in upgrading the EF-S 18-55mm zoom lens it came with to something a little more professional. Has anyone done this?

Digital Cameras : Help me with my memory card error

fenriq — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:08:05 -0800

DigiCamFilter:
A follow up my last question about my Canon Elph S400 that, I thought, had a dying CF card. Now it appears that it just doesn't like large storage cards. With a 256 or 512 card I run a 50% chance (it seems) of encountering a memory card error. With a 128 card, I didn't have any trouble at all. [MI] The lens makes a buzzing noise when it extends or retracts now and I'm really just wondering if there's any use in looking into repairing the camera? Obviously, I'd like to have the camera working again properly but I've also been thinking about upgrading to a Sony DSC-T1, still.

I have used the camera quite a bit but I don't think its wearing out, is this something that Canon might repair for me or am I screwed?

Also, my wife's S230 seems to have forgotten how to focus some of the time. What should be a standard pic comes in out of focus and some great shots have been lost to the Blur Gods this way. Anyone got any ideas? I can elaborate if necessary.

why won't my digital camera turn on

costas — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:22:52 -0800

BrokenDigitalCameraFilter: My 18-month old Casio Exilim Z3 stopped working a few weeks ago (will not turn on). More Inside. The camera was bought in the US at a Radio Shack, 18 months ago with a 1-yr warranty. Extensive googling (and mostly thanks to the forums at dpreview.com) points to a known problem in the main board of the camera. So, I sent the camera down to the local Casio dealer which promptly asked for €200 ($250) to replace the board, or $60 less than the same camera costs new back in America. My question is: is anybody aware of any shop or online service that will fix digital cameras for something more reasonable? I know it's a long shot...

Powerless!

jacobsee — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 17:39:16 -0800

Digital Camera repair: I have a Canon S-40 that has stopped working. It just doesn't power on. What is the best way to go about repairing it? Do local camera shops do this kind of work these days or will this entail sending it in to Canon world headquarters? If you think I should just pitch it and buy a new one, what do you think of this one?

ccd on Minolta Dimage s414

Grod — Fri, 16 Jul 2004 16:31:04 -0800

Why did the ccd on my Minolta Dimage s414 stop working earlier this month? I used it the night prior to its death. The next day I needed to take some pics but all I got was a black screen with horizontal static. I tried new batteries. Does the camera hate me? It is still under warranty but I can't find any contact info and I am wary of just mailing it off and hoping for the best.

Infrared with Canon Powershot?

luriete — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 16:58:54 -0800

I have a Canon Powershot s50 digital camera which I dearly love. Is it possible to take infrared shots with it? I had a infrared filter for my old nikon fm slr, which, when used with infrared film, worked very well. I assume there must be some way to mount the same kind of filter on the digital camera, but will the sensor pick up the resultant filtered infrared image?

I'm looking for a compact digital camera with a fast wide angle lens.

carter — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 18:34:08 -0800

I'm in a twisty maze of compact digital camera reviews, all alike ... and I know digital cameras have been asked about before ... but I'm looking for recommendations for a basic compact digital camera, preferably with a lens that is fixed-length, wide angle (<=35mm), and fast. I can't really find one, apart from the new SONY Cybershot DSC-P43, but they have to be out there, surely? Basically, I want something digital to replace my beloved Yashica T4.

What settings make for the "best" photos with the least manipulation afterwards?

oissubke — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 09:55:53 -0800

Digital cameras do tons of photo manipulation in-camera, before you ever upload it. Knowing this, I'd like to configure my camera to do as much in-camera as possible, so that I don't have to spend as much time photoshopping (contrast, sharpening, etc.) afterward. Any recommendations on settings I could use, or resources that would help me determine what settings make for the "best" photos? (I have a Nikon CP4500, if it helps.)

Should I get the kit lens for my Rebel or save up for a better lens?

timeistight — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 10:55:53 -0800

I'm probably getting a Canon Digital Rebel soon. Should I pay $200CAD (about $155USD) for the kit lens, or should I put that money toward a better lens?

How do I find a transformer / adaptor for my Sony DSC-P3 (purchased in the U.S.) to make it usable in Italy?

teenydreams — Sat, 20 Dec 2003 09:05:57 -0800

I'm traveling to Italy from America in a couple of weeks, and I want to take my digital camera (Sony DSC-P3) with me. I went to go buy a power transformer and plug adaptor and the transformer said on the back that it was not for use with computers. Google and the Sony site aren't helping me determine if a regular transformer will be sufficient; they haven't suggested any alternatives either though. I thought I would try mefi travelers before I ask the dude at Radio Shack. The AC power adaptor that I use to charge the battery right now has the specs of AC in ~100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 11W; that seems like a pretty good range but I'm not an expert.