Hey guys,

I was going to buy a digital camera today ( a gift for some one ). The person whom I am giving it to, will basically use it for family pictures sending e-mail pictures etc.. just basically to replace the conventional camera and scanner.

Which of the three do you recommend? (preferably from first hand experience)

1. HP 320 Photosmart http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&WLBS=fsweb8&sku_id=0665000FS10021929&catid=&newdeptid=14

2. HP Photosmart 612 http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&WLBS=fsweb8&sku_id=0665000FS10012462&catid=&newdeptid=14

3. Kodak CX4230 http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&WLBS=fsweb8&sku_id=0665000FS10015192&catid=&newdeptid=14

Happy Holidays :)

I would say "Have you considered another choice?" The Sharp CG30U or CG40U (I think that's their approximate designation, you can check on outpost.com)
It's a 3 or 4 megapixels camera, you get the feel or a real camera, its lens is a Canon, it offers manual settings as well as automatic ones, has many fancy features and goes for about $299 right now...

I would also consider Fuji. Have never had problems with there digital range and good quality sharpness.

If they will use it mainly for emailing and displaying photos on the web, I would say to not bother with a high megapixel camera. 640x480 is ideal for that use. A 1.3 megapixel camera will be a good choice and they are now under $150.

I have an Olympus D-460Z which is a nice 1.3 megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom. The menu functions are ok to use. Olympus makes a great camera.

I also have a Fujifilm A101. My favorite for everyday use. The menu is very easy to use. No optical zoom but I just use a higher resolution and crop the photo. It takes 20 sec. movie clips (no sound). I recently saw these at Radio Shack for $125. Great buy.

Just whatever you get, don't get an HP. They're absolutely horrible from reviews I've read. HP can't make anything decent except for printers nowadays.

I'd pass on the 3 listed. I do have a Fuji Finepix 2600 and it's a great, simple to use point and shoot camera.

I had an Olympus but it never worked right and returned it.

Canon Powershot S45 (4 Megapixel) is Camera of the moment here in Europe as far as I know . .price is about 800 EU though ...

I don't have any of those personally, but my parents have the Kodak you mentioned and love it. It has a nice, convenient docking station for downloading images and works well for them. The quality of the photos is quite good. For what you're going to do with it, I think it's a good choice out of the three.

Just bought my Sony Mavica MVC CD 400 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_cd400.asp). 4 Mega pixels resolution, records on CDR/CDRW. A little bit bulky in size, but considering what this camera can do, I will recommend it. Have been happy so far (fifth day on using it). Can use this camera to record mpeg movie up to 86 continuous minutes! That's quite good :)

My advice is not to buy any camera you have not handled. Make sure it feels good in your hands, that it isn't too easy to hit controls by accident, that whatever memory it uses will be compatible with your lifestyle (if you don't travel with a laptop you may need a substantial memory upgrade or replaceable media).

And Hey! that comment about hp! You are so mistaken; They make excellent switches!

Nikon all the way.

We have loads of digital and non digital cameras and I would have to say the best are:

Digital:
Sony cyber-shot 4.1 megapixel DSC-S85 (Carl Zeiss lense) perfect if you are going to have them printed as photo's. (Great Camera!).

Non Digital:Nikon 6006 But its not a digital.

I would not recommend any Hp cameras we have 3, they all suck!

ok thanks guys, going to get the camera in the morning.

I also asked a few other people, and the general idea is don't get hp. I think I will go with the Kodak ( I know there is better ).

If they like it they can upgrade etc.. like if they actually turn this into a hobby.

Happy Holidays :):santa: :deer:

I've only had experience with a Canon digital camera (bought a Canon Digital Elph S110 last winter) and am happy with the purchase. Very nice quality pictures although I am having a bit of trouble with redeye every now and then

but also Sony, Nikon, and Olympus came up a lot when I was looknig for a medium-grade camera

good luck with your search

Just get a Nikon D100 :D

lol, CDHost beat me to it.. but I was going to be considerate and recomend only a D60 ;)

We have an HP, its ok for email and web, but not much more. But hey it was cheap. I also had a nikon coolpix 775 which just stopped working. The lens motor broke and it won't open anymore. Bummer, not under waranty anymore.

So, I am back to using my trusty Canon EOS Elan 7E 35mm that still takes pictures 1000 times better than any digital (ok, so the D60/100 can probably about match it, but for 5 times the price) :D I guess it depends how into photography you are. For me, its quality or don't bother. So I'm saving up for a DSLR in the next year or two :)

Originally posted by Lamont
If they will use it mainly for emailing and displaying photos on the web, I would say to not bother with a high megapixel camera. 640x480 is ideal for that use. A 1.3 megapixel camera will be a good choice and they are now under $150.
I'd tend to agree here. I have an old Sony Mavica FD81 that does 1024x768 and I still end up dumbing down the pics for web use.

I cringe whenever people post huge pics straight out of the cam. Not everyone's on broadband.

Kodak makes the absolute worse consumer digital cameras ever.

:D

A follow-up on the Sharp CG40 camera:
I bought one for myself at $299. What really blows me away is the quality of macro photography with this camera. A friend of mine, who bought the same camera, took close-up pictures (about 6 inches far) of flowers at the L.A. Arboretum and the quality is absolutely flawless.

At 6" that's not really a macro. Try it at 1" or less!

Unfortunately the Canon A40 isn't that great at taking macro shots :(

What are some good digicams which take EXCELLENT macro shots (for auctions)? Pref price range of $350 or less.

For auctions? Less than $100 for the Logitech 4000 :D
I thought we were discussing photography cameras.

canon s30