I need digi cam advice!

I am comparing brands and it's between a Canon, Olympus and Sony.

-I'd like it to be 7 or above megapixels.

-I'm on a fixed budget of $200.

-I don't care if it has a rechargable battery pack or if you have to replace the batteries. Advice on which of these if better is appreciated...

-I want it to have zoom, of course.

-I don't understand any of the names of the cameras, i.e. canon a570.

Suggestions? Thanks!

Of the three choices....I've heard Canon has the better lens.
I bought a Nikon for my daughter for Christmas. It was $129 on sale for $99 but only 6 megapixels.

Whitey, this is a good review site..

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

And another...

http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera/inputSummary.do

whitey, we just got our Consumer Reports 2008 Buying Guide in the mail yesterday, and we're looking for a new camera ourselves. I'll see what's in there that fits your specs, if you want. Not sure if you'd rather have firsthand/user recommendations.

Whitey, this is a good review site..

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

And another...

http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera/inputSummary.do

Oooo, I like quizes like this. It told me I should get a Canon A570 IS, which is the main one I've been looking at online. I think I'll go with this one! That was easy. Thanks, OL!

Maybe...I still like the Olympus too.

Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, lens! That should be your #1 priority.

Don't get hung up on megapixels. What they don't tell you is that the only way that you will get the full 7 megapixels is if you are shooting on the largest file setting usually on the .tiff setting. The files for your pictures at those settings would be gianormous. An average 8 x 10 setting of 1280 x 96 pixels equates to about 1.2 megapixels if I did my math right. Spend your money on the lens. That's where the clarity and quality comes from!

Sorry...I'm a little bit of a techno geek sometimes!

Oh...the Sony Cybershot line uses Carl Zeiss optics which are really really good. Glass elements...not plastic.

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Oooo, I like quizes like this. It told me I should get a Canon A570 IS, which is the main one I've been looking at online. I think I'll go with this one! That was easy. Thanks, OL!

Maybe...I still like the Olympus too.

Is it going to catch that memorable NYE photo this year?
I have an olympus FE-280. Works for me.

Oh...the Sony Cybershot line uses Carl Zeiss optics which are really really good. Glass elements...not plastic.

Lens, huh? Ok. It's a whole new ball game now. I like the way Sony looks too...yes it has to be cute.

Is it going to catch that memorable NYE photo this year?
I have an olympus FE-280. Works for me.

You know it!!!!!

Make sure that the resultant file can be copied to the computer and edited using standard movie editing software. We got a Sony last year that doesn't let us do this, at least not easily and without nasty conversions.

Make sure that the resultant file can be copied to the computer and edited using standard movie editing software. We got a Sony last year that doesn't let us do this, at least not easily and without nasty conversions.

Odd...are you creating JPEGs?

Oh, by the way. I'm buying it this afternoon.

I am comparing brands and it's between a Canon, Olympus and Sony.

-I'd like it to be 7 or above megapixels.

-I'm on a fixed budget of $200.

-I don't care if it has a rechargable battery pack or if you have to replace the batteries. Advice on which of these if better is appreciated...

-I want it to have zoom, of course.

-I don't understand any of the names of the cameras, i.e. canon a570.

Suggestions? Thanks!

Canon A570 IS... this uses 2 aas[use nihm rechargeable batteries for longevity], 35-140mm zoom, proven design with easy to use menus, incredible color saturation on vivid mode, and it has image stabilization for easy handholds in drunken bar scene photo stupors.....the non image stabalized model goes for 125 bucks....same camera 7.1 megapixels.... no one manufacturer has this image quality and product content at this price level

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SD1000 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black): Camera & Photo same 7.1 megapixels in tiny package, proprietary lithium ion battery, incredible image quality, easy to slip in pocket, and lose! No better bang for the buck in micro cameras. Canon's software is easy to use. Has a 35-105mm zoom

sd1000 size

Oh, by the way. I'm buying it this afternoon.

Okaaaay, we wanna see pictures soon!

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot A570IS 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom: Camera & Photo A570 IS link

Oh, by the way. I'm buying it this afternoon.

Go to Best Buy, Costco, Wal Mart Target camera shop.....these models are everywhere

Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, Lens, lens, lens! That should be your #1 priority.

Don't get hung up on megapixels. What they don't tell you is that the only way that you will get the full 7 megapixels is if you are shooting on the largest file setting usually on the .tiff setting. The files for your pictures at those settings would be gianormous. An average 8 x 10 setting of 1280 x 96 pixels equates to about 1.2 megapixels if I did my math right. Spend your money on the lens. That's where the clarity and quality comes from!

Sorry...I'm a little bit of a techno geek sometimes!

I'm not sure her first priority should be the lens in a 150 dollar point and shoot, although I'll put the optics of the tiny Canon lens against some DSLR garbage out there. With this camera it's about convenience, user interface, and image quality. Canon's 7.1 meg sensor has been on the market for over 2 years now, and they've sold millions. The menu allows you to select file size and the software let's you resize for email. These cameras have their shortcomings, but 90 percent of the time, they give outstanding results w/ very little effort.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh..._1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1198189251&sr=1-1Canon A570 IS link

Ok, I think I'm about sold on this one.

As singingchicken pointed out, it's all about the lens, well, mostly. I mean you have to look cool using it, too. lol. Personally, I'm willing to sacrifice a little in the way of a lens for a camera which comfortably fits in my pocket. It's a give and take thing. When you reduce the size, you typically, reduce the lens quality. While on the subject, the first thing you should do when you get the cam is turn off the "digital zoom" which is a bunch of hogwash used to sell you a camera. NEVER use a digital zoom. My last camera I purchased is waterproof and can take underwater photos. It also claims to be "sand proof." It is an Olympus Stylus 790SW (shock and water proof). I like its compact size and the photos are pretty good, even with an internal lens. I can use auto settings or go manual, to help out with night photos. Night photos without flash are a bit "noisy." It can also shoot video. Get a 2GB card to go with your camera. I'm satisfied with my camera.

I have also used my friend's Canon powershot sd750, and was pleased with its results. It has a nicer lens than my Olympus, and does better with photos taken under low light. It isn't water proof and shock proof, but it does feel like it has some good quality to the housing, and is nearly as small as my camera. It is easy to operate and also allows you to turn off the auto features and go manual, which I've been liking lately. I have not played with the video on that camera. I've had three Olympus compact digital cameras, and I like their features. I think quality is a bit less than the more expensive Canon comparable cameras. Both are easy to use, and should suit your needs pretty well. Good luck with your decision. Either should work fine for you.

Ok, I think I'm about sold on this one.

It's a good camera, and has a good optical zoom, especially for that price point. Hard to go wrong with that camera at that price.

It's a good camera, and has a good optical zoom, especially for that price point. Hard to go wrong with that camera at that price.

I wish it fit in my pocket but I think you're right. It has all the features that I'm looking for at a good price.

I wish it fit in my pocket but I think you're right. It has all the features that I'm looking for at a good price.

I think you've made a good decision!

I wish it fit in my pocket but I think you're right. It has all the features that I'm looking for at a good price.

The sd750 will fit into your pocket, but it will cost you probably double the $150, if I had to guess the price. (haven't looked.)