Best Camera w/ a $450.00 max...?

[HIgH_ScHoOL]

Ive got a few old cameras that are amazing but just aren't digital, just havent had too much experience with GOOD digital cameras.

So just based on what you guys use/have used, what do you think is the best camera for around $450.00 or so just to start out with?

[The Yousef]

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/836/30040526.JPG

:goodjob:

[Nemesis]

If 450 dollars is your max, stick with a high end point and shoot, and learn how to use it (you can run circles around a few DSLR guys with it). 450 bucks will get you a mediocre body with a low end lens in the DSLR world. Just being honest and straight up.

[Kyle]

Why not get a D50 george?

[SuperBox]

Believe it or not, I bought a Casio ex-z600 for 299, with 6 mega pix. It does videos and a bunch of presets. It's nice to have so I'm not carrying my nikon gear everywhere. Check out wolf camera.

[The Yousef]

If 450 dollars is your max, stick with a high end point and shoot, and learn how to use it (you can run circles around a few DSLR guys with it). 450 bucks will get you a mediocre body with a low end lens in the DSLR world. Just being honest and straight up.

:2up:

SHAKE IT LIKE A POLARIAD PICTURE!!

[AZN_Pride]

I had an Olympus SP430(I think it was)but I lost it in college.Damn thing cost me around 300. I loved it. It had tons of features and was 7.1MP.

[quickdodge®]

LINK!!! (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A540/A540A.HTM)

I picked up two of these two weeks ago(one for my wife and one for me on the road). Jaime has looked at this camera and was very impressed with what it can do. All day long on Ebay for $130/shipped. But you also get a 1 gig SD card and case and a battery charger with batteries. It's anormal $400 camera.

EBAY LINK!!! (http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-A540-POWERSHOT-6MP-DIGITAL-CAMERA-3-BONUS-1GB_W0QQitemZ180144926583QQihZ008QQcategoryZ107896 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Later, QD.

[deady]

checkout the Canon SD630. It's a bit under that price range, and in typical big box stores you can get out with some free accessorys, especially around holidays. I did tons of research before buying my gf a point-and-shoot, and couldnt really find one i liked more than this model.

Anything in the Canon lineup i feel is a superior product to most digital camera's ive dealt with.

[HIgH_ScHoOL]

Thanks for all the input guys, im looking into all of the suggested!

[DemonEyez]

if you look hard enough u can still find some Canon Rebel XT's around. Most places have them for 399.99 new with their basic lense as their discontinued.

[atlantamx3]

For a point & Shoot, you want something with a lot of OPTICAL zoom.

This new Sony has a 15x Optical zoom and is right in your price range:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/H9/H9A.HTM

[BUGMAN]

Olympus Evolt E-500 SLR Dual Lens Digital Camera (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=320363&pCatg=5753)

Sam's has this one for $599 but shop around or wait for it to go on sale. It is by far one of the best cameras that I have ran across for the price and it comes with 2 lenses. It is a point and shoot with auto focus and quick shots that snaps pictures every .05 seconds.

I now have probably 15 digital cameras and this is definitely my fav. so far.

Model: E-500

Image Capture Device: 8.0MP
3.2x zoom
TruePic Turbo Image Processor
Full frame transfer Kodak KAF-8300CE CCD
<li>64MB image buffer for up to four TIFF or RAW images at 2.5 frames per second Lens:

14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length: 14-45mm (28mm – 90mm 35mm equivalent)
Lens Construction: 12 Elements in 10 Groups including 2 Aspherical Lens Elements
Lens Mechanism: Floating focusing mechanism
Angle of View: 75 to 27 Degree
Closest Focusing Distance: 0.38m
Maximum Image Magnification: 0.26x (0.52x 35mm equivalent)
Maximum Aperture: f3.5 Wide – f5.6 Telephoto
Minimum Aperture: f22
Number of Blades: 7
<li>Filter Size: 58mm Additional Lens:

40-150mm f3.5-4.5 Zuiko lens Focal Length: 40-150mm (80mm – 300mm 35mm equivalent)
Lens Construction: 13 Elements in 10 Groups including 2 Aspherical Lens Elements
Angle of View: 30 to 8.2 Degree
Closest Focusing Distance: 1.5m
Maximum Image Magnification: 0.12x (0.52x 35mm equivalent)
Maximum Aperture: f3.5 Wide – f4.5 Telephoto
Minimum Aperture: f22
Number of Blades: 7
<li>Filter Size: 58mm Focus:

TTL Phase Difference Detection System
Focus Mode: Single AF (S-AF) /Continuous AF (C-AF)/Manual Focus / S-AF + MF/ C-AF + MF
Focus Area: 3 points
Detection Range: EV 0 to 19 (ISO 100)
Focus Tracking: Available in Continuous AF Mode
Digital 14-45mm f3.5-f5.6 lens (equivalent to 28mm-90mm in 35mm photography)
<li>Matched to the Four Thirds System standard image sensor for the optimal balance between image quality, camera, and lens size, and expandability LCD:

2.5” HyperCrystal LCD (215,250 pixels)
<li>160° viewing angle on the vertical and horizontal axis Aperture and Shutter:

Electronic Controlled Focal Plane Shutter
Shutter Speed: A,P,Ps: 1/4000 to 60 Sec. (depends on conditions); S: 1/4000 to 60 Sec.; M: 1/4000 to 60 sec. and Bulb (up to 8 minutes); Auto: 1/4000 to 2 sec.; Scene: 1/4000 to 2 sec. (depends on selected mode)
<li>Self timer: 12 or 2 sec. (possible to cancel) Light Metering Method:

<li>5 Metering Modes: A new 49-point digital ESP Light Metering Built-in Flash:

TTL Auto FP/TTL Auto for Olympus dedicated flash
<li>Auto/Red-eye Reduction/Slow synchro/ Fill-in for exclusive flash Exposure:

25 exposure modes (easy, basic, and creative)
<li> Exposure Compensation: Up to +/- 5 EV in each 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV step White Balance:

<li>Auto WB, Preset WB, Custom WB, One-touch WB Shooting Specifications:

15 pre-programmed scene select modes
<li>Unlimited burst mode with HQ JPEG images and extreme-speed Compact Flash cards Playback Specifications:

Single/Zoom ( 2/3/4/6/8/10/14x)/Index (4/9/16/25 frames)/calendar view/slide show/light box view
<li>Picture Mode: Vivid/natural/muted/black & white/sepia Package Contents:

EVOLT E-500 Body
USB Cable
14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Len
40-150mm f3.5/4.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Video Cable
Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1)
Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2)
Shoulder Strap
OLYMPUS Master Editing Software CD-ROM
Manuals
<li>Warranty Card

Power Supply: <li>Rechargeable Li-ion battery Pack BLM-1/3x CR123A with LBH-1

Additional Software Included and Information:

Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic wave filter
<li>Patented ultrasonic technology that shakes at 35,000 vibrations a second to remove dust from in front of the camera sensor Physical Specifications:

<li>Menus that make sense and buttons on the body that are easy to understand and operate, adding automatic settings for every imaginable situation; making the LCD big and bright Dimension and Weight:

Dimensions: 3”H x 4.21”W x 2.59”D
Weight: 15.75 oz.

[deady]

sony camera's FTL

[BUGMAN]

I have several Sony cameras including a Sony Alpha A100, Sony Cybershot H9 along with a H7 and they are all great cameras but I prefer the Olympus SLR for all around use, and simplicity.

[BUGMAN]

For a point & Shoot, you want something with a lot of OPTICAL zoom.

This new Sony has a 15x Optical zoom and is right in your price range:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/H9/H9A.HTM

That camera is awesome for the price no doubt. I have one and it does everything I need it to do and is not very hard to use. Just make sure that you get a picture card instead of a standard card for the extra storage.

For your price range this is the one that I would recommend by far unless the Olympus goes on sale first. :)

[patrick4588]

i have the canon 20d and rebel xti. i say extend your budget by a cuple hundred and get something you can be very happy about and not always think what you could have gotten. 600 dollars really separates the mom and dad cameras from the professional ones.

[Humphrizzle]

D40 used with 18-55mm lens

[HeLLo iM iZzY]

For a $100 bucks more you could get a new Nikon D40, which is an awesome camera.

Good luck to you.

[BUGMAN]

These are shrunk to their lowest quality but taken with the Olympus.

[BUGMAN]

Here are 2 of them taken with low settings o the camera but not shrunk on the PC.

http://corruptedstangs.net/Sunset/sunsetfull.jpg (http://www.corruptedstangs.net/Sunset/sunsetfull.jpg)


http://corruptedstangs.net/Sunset/sunsetfull1.jpg (http://www.corruptedstangs.net/Sunset/sunsetfull1.jpg)

You have to copy and paste the links.

http://corruptedstangs.net/Sunset/sunsetfull.jpg

[coolcat]

An idea for you - check out www.dealnews.com (http://www.dealnews.com) If you are lucky you can get a 600+ dollar range camera for more in the 450 dollar range if a good deal is going on.

[zakkkaliscious]

i have the sony cyber shot t50 and i love it its thin enough to fit my my pocket too.

[speedminded]

If 450 dollars is your max, stick with a high end point and shoot, and learn how to use it (you can run circles around a few DSLR guys with it). 450 bucks will get you a mediocre body with a low end lens in the DSLR world. Just being honest and straight up.exactly, you're limited to what lense you'll get with a DSLR if it even comes with one. Unless you're plan on upgrading glass, maintenance (sensor cleaning, etc.) , and willing to carry around the extra mass then a high quality point & shoot is far more practical.