Digital Camera Help ?

I think in picking a digital camera you have to be really honest about what your going to use it for. When picking film cameras, most people are satisfied with instant cameras, but when choosing a digital, they go out and buy something really exotic. For me, I only send pics to people on the internet or save them on the disc. Gone are the days when you have print photos that you put in a photoalbum. So 1 megapixel is more than enough for the highest resolutions and large size you have on a pc screen. If you really think that your going to use photos to frame and put on a wall or something, then you should go 3 megapixel. Since taking photos with a digital cam is almost free, it makes using high end photography more accessable to what it was before, so if your willing to learn, an SLR might not be bad idea.

Olympus C350… check out this pic of the moon i took 😀

Oh i did use a telescope too before you get too excited

Get the one that feels right to you, make sure that it has a good pixel range, good lens and is a recognised brand. Everyone has their own preferences some are better than other but it really down to personal choice.

Personally I wouldn’t cross Jessops thresh-hold.

Thanks for all the advice folks i will bear it in mind. Thanks again.

Originally posted by pierrepjc
my local Jessops has had one chap working for them for many years who in the past has given me good service and also once helped sort out a problem that a more senior person in the company screwed up.
Paul

Jessops regularly employs people with the gift of selling things to customers without any knowledge of photography… I used to work for a camera chain where the top salesman boasted about getting the customer to pay as much as they could – rather than what they needed. I was sickened when a little old lady came in for a compact camera for her holidays and was sold a full Minolta SLR kit (lenses, flash, branded camera bag) by the store ‘hero’. When I moved across to Jessops I found that: a/ there was no real difference; and b/ my previous ten months experience plus subscription to a photographic magazine meant I had more knowledge than the boss (who couldn’t work out why a dedicated flash for one maufacturer wouldn’t work on a different manufacturers camera…).
I got out quick.
Shop at the large camera chains by all means but unless you strike particularly lucky try not to take their advice. – Nermal

Originally posted by user
just buy a camcorder with built in digital camera. 😀

No because the quality is crap. I got mine from www.internetcamerasdirect.com decent service and prices, with a vast range on offer.

just buy a camcorder with built in digital camera. 😀

Go to all your local PHOTO DEALERS. Ask them to show you and explain what they have got. Get as much info as you can, work out which camera fits your needs best.
Go on the net find the cheapest deal for your chosen camera print out a copy of the deal. Phone round the dealers (it saves time) ask them can they better or match any deal. Any that are prepared to do a deal will ask for conformation, give them the print out.
I have recently bought a digi camera, I used a similar route however I’d already decided who I was going to buy from if I could get the best price, my local Jessops has had one chap working for them for many years who in the past has given me good service and also once helped sort out a problem that a more senior person in the company screwed up.
Paul

I like the Olympus C740UZ myself. I have some pics posted today in the AFM and AW forums.

At this time of night…
Very important: Go for maximum optical zoom not digital.
Go to a camera shop (a [I]camera[/I] shop – not an electronics store) and have a chat with the guy behind the counter; explain what you want the camera for and ask his advice: then walk away for a bit and think about it.
If you live near a Jessops then have a look at one of their catalogues – there is a comparison chart in there so that you can see what is available and drool over what you can’t afford. There is usually a glossery of terms, which does help defeat the jargon. Should give you a few hints too.
Then go and try to buy your whizzy new camera for as little as they will sell it to you for; go armed with prices from other shops/stores (not off the net – managers know you can make up a website and give huge discounts with desktop publishing these days) if necessary – some will go lower, some might throw you a memory card in for half price if you buy from them, some will tell you to take a hike – but it can be worth the effort.
Or find a mate who is going out to the Middle East and get him to get whatever takes your fancy – some of them are only a third of the UK price.
Or take a chance and buy it off the web, hoping the postman is feeling charitable.
What ever you choose be prepared for it to be half as cheap after twelve months – thats just the way it goes.
Take a few pix with your new camera and post them on your favourite forum – then get shot down in flames; it is the only way to learn.

Flood.