Cheap digital cameras

I can go to Best Buy or Wal-Mart and buy a digital camera for $200-$300. I can go to the local discount dollar store and buy a cheap one for $20-$40. What is the difference? What will I gain from buying the expensive one? What will I be able to do with the cheap one?

 

you will get the features of an expensive camera with a cheap one it's just the picture quality you will get is not as good. Expensive camera's generally use a top of the range lens which gives out sharper images and have a better renderer. With the expensive cameras, u get what u pay for which is better quality pics and stuff.

If ur not bothered about quality then get a cheap camera.

 

If a digital camera is priced at $40, there's no way it has an LCD screen to preview or review pictures. I have one of these cheapo cameras that was given to me as a gift. The quality on the pictures was so-so to sub-par. Some didn't even come out at all. The amount of pics I could take was also limiting, more than a standard roll of film mind you but compared to a higher brand camera it felt short handed.

I'd invest in a quality camera with a LCD screen so you know how the pictures look as you take them. Plus the photo quality will be much better as RS pointed out. Also you will have more memory to store pics.

 

I think you really need to define what it is you want to *do* with a digital camera before everything else. a cheap 3.x mega pixel camera with an optical zoom (don't use digital zoom, you can do that in any image software that comes bundled with the camera if need be) is fine for a lot of people. its no different than any point and shoot film camera you can buy except that you're getting rid of the future cost of film and processing.

If you are only looking at basic memory capturing (trips with family, friends etc) then a cheap intro model will likely suit you well. you can take photos, send emails and print nice 3x5s without issues. Choose a good brand like Canon and the lens is still nice so your pictures aren't affected by the "cheapness".

If you want to get close to the subject, have complete control over a cameras features like ISO, shutter speed, f-stop and make nice, large prints there are slightly more expensive options while still retaining portability and keeping cost down (relatively speaking). You are still tied down by lack of growth options like new lenses but these are very nice cameras in their own right.

Then there are D-SLRs. more expensive (899 - 1799) but you have complete room to grow. 6.2 and up MP, changeable lenses and full control over how your camera views the world. This is the "prosumer" model and is for everyone with the cash to spare and the wont to do more than just point and shoot.

Like I mentioned earlier, I think you need to lay out what you want to do with the camera and then look at the features that support your intentions. You can buy a cheap camera and regret it later if you go soft on function just like you can buy an expensive camera and realize you should have saved your money for something else.

I also recommend borrowing one for a day and seeing how it suits you. its a great way to discover what you want/expect out of a camera.

GE

 

Over the past couple of years I have been gaining weight slowly (about 5 - 8 pounds per year), and now I am about 10 - 15lbs overweight. I plan to start a diet/excercise program to lose it slowly, 1pound per month. I want to take photos of myself so that I can document the changes over time by saving the photos on my computer.

Do I need an expensive camera to do that or can I go the cheap route?

 

dude. you could webcam and be happy with the results. If that's your only reason for getting a camera get a cheap one. or just borrow a friends every now and then (this is what I would do) and put the money to something else you enjoy.

GE

 

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Mcoleman2 said:

Over the past couple of years I have been gaining weight slowly (about 5 - 8 pounds per year), and now I am about 10 - 15lbs overweight. I plan to start a diet/excercise program to lose it slowly, 1pound per month. I want to take photos of myself so that I can document the changes over time by saving the photos on my computer.

Do I need an expensive camera to do that or can I go the cheap route?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yah you could just use a cheap digicam for that job. Most of them these days have the LCD screen on them if you want one. Here are 2 suggestions off a website every PC guy in the US like to shop at called newegg.com:

Expensive one: Canon A410 3.2MP with Optical Lens

Cheap one: Vivitar 3785 3MP digicam

Not sure how good these are but I got you the cheapest branded model with optical and a everyday digital camera thats really cheap yet stamped with a brand I heard of.

Feel free to browse that site for a good one you like.