Camera shopping! Looking for suggestions

[opinion_rush]

Hi all!

I've been enjoying the photos in this community a lot.  I'm looking to join in more actively, but this requires a camera, which I haven't got.

I'm looking to buy a basic digital camera, one that is not too intimidating or expensive.  Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

Comments

[meloukhia]

I am a huge fan of the Canon A-Series cameras. (Not sure what your price range is but they usually aren't unreasonably expensive.) They are pretty good little workhorses!

[opinion_rush]

Thanks! I'll add to the research list!

[jesse_the_k]

I have one of the A-series, which gets seriously great reviews all over the net. I've found it very easy to use, feature packed, and nice in my hands. But there are known design issues with the battery doors. If you have any trouble with low battery life, you must contact Canon right away to get a replacement. Some users have had to get three replacements before they got a keeper.

(Mine was out of warranty when I discovered this; I've kludged it with toothpicks & aluminum foil, but I don't yet have enough data to know if this will be an adequate fix.)

[sasha_feather]

I just love my Nikon Coolpix L22. It runs on 2 AA batteries and fits in my pocket (though I have a case also to protect it). I think it did not come with the SD memory card so that would be an additional cost. The camera was $130 US. It is easy to use-- I never did read the manual.

[opinion_rush]

Thanks!

[delight]

My Casio Exilim is pretty awesome, and only sometimes out-awesomed by my mother's Casio Exilim, which is a year younger. I would say they're only improving.

[opinion_rush]

Oooo that is good to hear. Thanks!

[jesse_the_k]

+10 to this. I just managed to restrain myself from buying an Apple QuickTake (the first real consumer digital) and I've had four. Each one has cost half as much, and done twice as much, and been better designed. It seems like one needs to spend at least $100 to get decent optics, but not a whole lot more.

After you've been taking pix for a while, you'll have a better idea what features you could want.

/bossy consumer advocate

[kyrielle]

I had and loved a Nikon Coolpix - the camera I'm using now doesn't qualify on the 'expensive' category. What I'd suggest you look for is a camera with good auto features, anti-shake/corrects for shake, and if you may want to do low-light features, infra-red / low-light focussing. If you want basic and not too intimidating, I wouldn't worry about the manual features, but 'modes' can be nice. My camera will let me do manual exposure settings, but I seldom use it - what's handy is the ability to throw it into a portrait mode, or a macro mode, or a landscape mode and have it make all the appropriate settings for me. (Yes, I'm lazy. :)