Digital camera experts

[Cruz]

I’d appreciate any opinions on this. As a graduation/ Christmas gift my folks got me a digital camera and a new printer/copier/scanner. They are as follows the camera is a HP Photosmart M417 and a HP Photosmart 2575 printer/copier/scanner. Before I tear open these I’d like any opinions or suggestions on these two items. I’ve never had a digital camera but I’ve been planning on saving up and buying a good quality cameral I’m willing to spend perhaps up to $400 on one. Now I can return this nearly $200 camera and put up my own $200 and get a better one. I think the new printer is good I just think I can do better than the camera they got me. Any opinions as to a good digital camera in the $400 price range? Should I even consider a good old fashioned film camera? Thanks guys. :dunno: :Imconfuse

[imanaknut]

My 2 cents, if you have never used a digital camera, use the one you just got to learn on. Find out what it does that you like, and what it doesn't do that you need it to do. An optical zoom of 4x is nice, and a picture quality of 4 meg is nice for a starter as well as an all around camera. I am not familiar with the one you have, but if it is anywhere near what I just described, I would keep it and learn from it. You might find it does exactly what you want.

[Blackrobe]

Today's $200 cameras are much better than yesterday's $400 cameras. I agree with the other responder, use the one you have to gain knowledge and experience, then move up.

[hair trigger]

If you've got 400 to spend I'd suggest the Canon A620. I just got one and the pictures are amazing. Its a 7.1 megapixel with a 4x optical zoom as well as an additional 4x digital zoom. It uses an SD memory card, I got a 512 mb card and on the highest resolution gives you 150 pics at over 2 mbs a pic. It also shoots video with sound and the 512 mb card gives you 3.5 min of video.

[ZEKE/PA]

Cruz,
Digital photography, as most computer stuff is advancing at a very rapid pace.
So much so that what is great today, isn't so great next week.
I think that with the set -up that you have, you can do some very good work.
Maybe down the road consider a Digital SLR.
Zeke

[fat bastard]

ditto on the A620,I got the A610 being a cheap bastard and I really don't need anything over 5 megapixels as most of pics are taken on the road from my bike and shared to the web.

[Woodworker]

I would second the advice of learning with what you have. Use that camera to learn frmaing your shots, play with the white balances to find out how they work, use it for low light and bright, basically learn how to take the best photos you can with that camera. That way when you do upgrade, the enhanced features will simply augment the skills you have developed. You will be surprised at the photos you will get with a 200 dollar camera.

WW

[Rod MI]

I just bought a Casio EX-Z750 and it’s in the $400 range. But they have a week lens and if not careful it can brake on you. For further research on any brand go to link below good luck on you decision.

http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_category.php?id=13

[Cruz]

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ll keep the camera and hopefully it will be better than I expect. It’s a 5 MP and with a 3x optical zoom and a 7x digital that doesn’t sound bad. I’ll just put my $200 toward the M1 Garand fund.

[hair trigger]

Now your using your head. When you get it take a photo of it with your new camera and let everyone see it.

[HAL-9000]

Well the first thing I'm going to say is don't talk yourself into more of a camera then you need. Your M417 is a 5.2 mega pixal.more then enough for everyday use.
Unless you plan to do some real artsey/professional work you don't need anymore then that. As far as printers go ....if you plan to do tons of scrap books, calanders, portrates then get a better mulp ink printer. But for everyday use and standard photo album have your photos done off your card at kinkos(a lot cheaper), or just transfer them to a disk you can play on your DVD or computer.
I know this all sounds fun to do fantastic photos on a home system....but how often are you gonna use it? Invest in so good photo soft ware.
good luck with your decision.
PS I use the HP 945, and a HP 7960 photosmart

[Tomac]

How much do you want your camera to do? Professional? Enthusiast? Point&Shoot? I use the Pentax Optio 43WR http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/O43WR/O43A.HTM because it's water resistant (so I can take it rafting and such), uses my preferred AA batteries and takes excellent 640x480x30fps movies w/audio (30 minutes worth on a 2Gb SD memory card). It's been discontinued but you can still find them on Ebay for around $250 new. HTH...
Tomac

[Gewehr43]

disregard