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[DarienA]

I've decided I want to get my mother a digital camera for her birthday... she still uses those cardboard disposable things and I'm tired of seeing her with them... I'd like to pick her a camera that is really easy to use, and maybe has a FEW advanced features(though I doubt she'll ever explore any of that).

I'm figuring it's going to be between $150-$200, and it's definitely got to have SOME amount of optical zoom(no digital zoom only).

Any recommendations?

 

[DarienA]

Nobody? Bueller?

 

[Matlock]

Read the links for more info...



3.2 MP, 3X Optical Zoom, ~$190

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-4450574-1728711?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

3.2MP, 4X optical Zoom, ~$160

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-4450574-1728711?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

 

[Useff]

Powershot a510

 

[sprsk]

just make sure it has manual settings.

 

[Instigator]

just make sure it has manual settings.

Bad advice for a beginner. He shouldn't pay extra for features he will not use. He should go for a no-brainer camera that takes great pictures with limited manual features. Things like price, portability, performance and just plain looks are also factors.

In the case of the cameras shown off in this topic, the Canon SD series is a better choice than the A series. The latter are too bulky anyway.

 

[Matlock]

In the case of the cameras shown off in this topic, the Canon SD series is a better choice than the A series. The latter are too bulky anyway.

Depends--the A series is more traditional in build, which might work better for his mother.

 

[DarienA]

Depends--the A series is more traditional in build, which might work better for his mother.

Yup as we were just discussing via IM I'm leaning towards wanting to pick up something for her that looks to her like a traditional camera... trying to make this conversation as painless as possible... though now that I think about it... those cardboard disposable puppies probably look more like a shorter SD camera than a traditional camera... I'll have to go check them out in the store.

No Kodak or Fuji recommendations? I'm surprised, I always thought from the brief time I spent with them the Kodak's had very easy to navigate menus.... at the very least they are a series of cameras were when you adjust the mode it tells you in text in the display what the mode is you just switched too... weird how not every camera does that... instead you must translate this Egyptian Hieroglyphic....

 

[Instigator]

Depends--the A series is more traditional in build, which might work better for his mother.

The SD series is closer in weight, size and shape of those disposable cameras refered to in the topic header.

 

[sprsk]

er yeah, im not saying buy a DSLR here. Make sure it has some sort of apeture\shutter\iso control.

 

[Doth Togo]

Canon PowerShot A95

 

[DarienA]

Canon PowerShot A95

Hmm that seems slightly outside the price range I posted...

 

[Desperado]

A510

 

[Instigator]

No Kodak or Fuji recommendations? I'm surprised, I always thought from the brief time I spent with them the Kodak's had very easy to navigate menus.... at the very least they are a series of cameras were when you adjust the mode it tells you in text in the display what the mode is you just switched too... weird how not every camera does that... instead you must translate this Egyptian Hieroglyphic....

Yeah, those brands would be fit the recommendations just fine but a lot of folks in these forums have a deep-rooted hatred for anything that isn't Canon-manufactured. Recommend with caution. :lol

 

[DarienA]

Yeah, those brands would be fit the recommendations just fine but a lot of folks in these forums have a deep-rooted hatred for anything that isn't Canon-manufactured. Recommend with caution. :lol

:lol thanks for that insight.

 

[Desperado]

Yeah, those brands would be fit the recommendations just fine but a lot of folks in these forums have a deep-rooted hatred for anything that isn't Canon-manufactured. Recommend with caution. :lol

YEAH GAF IS BIASED ABOUT EVERYTHING LOLOL

 

[Draff]

Canon's recommended because they have the best image quality
If you're only looking at ease-of-use, then by all means, look at Kodak.

If you want a good camera that's great in low-light conditions, check out the Fuji F10.

Edit: If the A95 is too expensive, the A85 should be cheaper. Unless you plan on printing anything greater than 8x11's, then 3.2 megapixels should suffice. More megapixels means you can crop though.

 

[teh_pwn]

A510 or A520 Canon Powershot.

 

[zackattack]

http://www.dpreview.com/

good research site. Not going to make any personal recommendations because the last time I read about compact digitals was when I bought my Sony 2 years ago.

 

[Koshiba]

I recently got the A510 Canon Powershot and rather like it. Haven't had any difficulty using it. It's my first digital camera.

 

[DarienA]

Thanks folks, the A510 seems to be in high regard here and in many of the reviews I checked... so I guess that's the one it'll be...