Best Digital Camera

[katie blue]

I'm getting itchy for a good new digital camera. Any recommendations?

I want enough megapixels to produce noise-free 14x20 photo quality prints (ie, 6-9 megapix), good macro/zoom (either built in or with changable lens) for intense close-ups, image stabilization, RAW capability, and um, not too expensive :roll: . Man, I'm needy! Don't need video, and doesn't have to be super-compact, though obviously the smaller the better. Ideally with short shutter lag, but most important is superior image quality. Any of you have a camera that comes close to those specs that you can recommend?

 

[Mermaid]

I wouldn't recommend mine, Katie, but the one Smiling JOe has takes damm fine pictures! If I need a new digital camera, I'd go for his in a heartbeat.

 

[Kurt]

I'm getting itchy for a good new digital camera. Any recommendations?

I want enough megapixels to produce noise-free 14x20 photo quality prints (ie, 6-9 megapix), good macro/zoom (either built in or with changable lens) for intense close-ups, image stabilization, RAW capability, and um, not too expensive :roll: . Man, I'm needy! Don't need video, and doesn't have to be super-compact, though obviously the smaller the better. Ideally with short shutter lag, but most important is superior image quality. Any of you have a camera that comes close to those specs that you can recommend?

Any of the higher end models from Olympus, Canon, Nikon - got to www.dpreview.com and look at the offerings from those brands.

 

[katie blue]

I know!! My thoughts exactly Mermaid, that's why i included the macro/zoom capability. I want to take really good close ups like he does. ;-) And capture light quality like Kurt does.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Last March when I was shopping around for cameras I wanted a camera with a good zoom (at least 10x) and image stablization too. At the time there were not that many available. I guess I was a little ahead of my time because they're everywhere now. I wanted to stay at or under $500. I ended up with a Konica Minolta Z5 (after much research) and have been very pleased. It's a digital SLR not too big but won't fit in your pocket. The Panasonic Lumix was in the running also. The site Kurt mentioned is a good one to look at and I used these too. Oh, I would have considered Canon but at the time they did not have the image stabilzation...now they do.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM06.HTM


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

Once you decide on a model ...shop around online to get the best deal. (www.cnet.com)


Check out the butterfly pics in my album for close ups. Also, keep in mind I'm a total amatuer! LOL For some dumb reason, I thought I might get some pictures that would look like Kurt's when I went to the beach. Reality check! $400 camera vs. $5000 camera ...it's not even close. But that's okay. I love my beach pictures.

Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[CastlesOfSand]

My hubby just bought me a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 ?!?! I'll let you know! I quess I better start snapping some pics.... hmmmm, I need to plan a trip to the beach.