Digital camera for Christmas, but I know NOTHING about what kind to get. Can you guys give me some ideas. I thought about just getting a regular camera, but I would really like to be able to email pictures and get them developed.
Thanks!!

By Boxzgrl on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 01:43 pm:

I don't know *too* much about them except my Dad said to stay away from the Kodak Easy Share brand if I want good quality pictures. The one I want is a Sony Cybershot 7.1 megapixel. The only thing I know about megapixels is the higher the number, the more professional looking the quality. I think between 4-5 is what I see most. Other than that, i'm still trying to learn. I need to learn about the printers so I can print good quality pictures too.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 02:17 pm:

Sony Cybershots are great. I love Sony and Canon cameras. If you can afford it, I'd go with the same one Melissa mentioned.

I have the Sony 717 and the Canon 20D, which are both rather bulky cameras. The 7.1 MP Sony cybershot is very compact and takes great photos.

By Breann on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

We have a nikon coolpix and love it. It's been perfect for us.

By My3cuties on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 12:40 pm:

I have to disagree with the Kodak EasyShare comment, although it is not professional grade pictures, it is by no means not "good quality pictures" I think it is a good choice for a first digital camera. It is however in if you read the manual and know how to take pictures, if you do not know how to take pictures then any camera you get will give bad quality pictures.

Good Luck Camera shopping, there are lots of options out there. If you are like me and can't afford a $600 or $700 camera right now, there are lots of good cameras around $200 +/-...

By Conni on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 01:10 pm:

Breann- we have the Nikon coolpix too. And we love it.

Mom has a Sony and dss has a Canon... They are pleased with their's too...

By Kateg on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 01:27 pm:

I have a Fuji FinePix that I absolutely love - I use it for work (take minimum of 20-30 pics a day) and for taking pics at home. It does an excellent job & holds up great. I spent under $200 on mine & have taken professional quality pics.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 03:41 pm:

Oh My! I have a Kodak Easy Share and the photos are WONDERFUL! I always like them better than any of my friends photos who aren't Kodak. I have to disagree with that one. I would HIGHLY recommend a Kodak Easy Share. I have taken professional quality pictures with it, no doubt about it. We have 8x10's all over the house that people say "Who did that picture?" and they can't believe it was us! Part of the problem with picture quality comes in development of the photos. The Easy Share is VERY easy to use and excellent pictures. Ours is a 5.0 MP and is about 2 years old now. It has a video option as well which is really convenient and they are great. Ours was around $450 at the time, although we got it on sale for around $350. Whenever the time comes for a new digital camera, I will most definitely go right back to Kodak.
Regardless of what brand you choose, definitely get a high mega pixel.
Good luck!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 04:56 pm:

IMO, Kodak cameras take good pictures, but the software is a pain. We are getting rid of the Kodak camera at the office because of that. Once that Easyshare software is in the computer, the photos tend to get *lost* in there. We have have trouble opening those photo files in any other program and also haven't been able to burn CD's from the Easyshare software. Jules has a Kodak and has the exact same complaints. My very first digital was a Kodak. To each his own..... I'm a Sony and Canon fan. Olympus and Nikon are good cameras too, but I really love my Sony (and I've owned more than one Sony), and my Canon. This is definitely a matter of personal preference!

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 05:03 pm:

I have a Fujifilm now. It's okay but I order my prints online so that's probably why the quality is good. What we have now is only a 3.2 mp which is on the lower end. The Sony that I want is only $350 and it's quite a jump from my 3.2 mp to 7.1 mp. I have no personal experience with Kodak. I'm just going off what my Dad says, who owns probably 6 digital ones. He told me for anything hassle free just stick with Sony, especially for myself as a beginner.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 05:47 pm:

Ditto Karen on the Kodak software. That IS a downside. I don't use it at all - I actually uninstalled it. I use another photo editing program. I don't think the Kodak is easy at all!

By Kaseys on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 11:43 pm:

Thanks for all of the great advice. After alot of looking around, I think we are going with the Kodak EasyShare Z700.. Hopefully it will work out good for us.. If not, oh well, lesson learned. LOL

By Mommyof5 on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 10:29 am:

Hey Deanna,

I would love to know what software you use with your camera. I have an Easy Share and on my new computer I can't get the p.c. and camera to "connect" However, on my other p.c. that is a relic (6 years old) I have no issue. The problem there is that the other p.c. is sooooooo slow I can't really do much with the photos once i have them downloaded. I would love to find a solution so that I could download to by new p.c.

By Babysitbarb on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 02:54 pm:

I also have a Kodak easyshare and have no problems with it and I actually bought my mom one for christmas.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 11:09 pm:

Add me to the "hated Kodak Easyshare"s. The software was also caused problems on my computers, and a friend recently had the same issues with her new Kodak. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Canon G2.

By Kym on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 11:17 pm:

I have not stopped playing with my Sony dsc h-1 since Santa made an early stop at my house last week. I love the cybershots, but my last one just didn't have the zoom I was looking for, this one seems to work! So far so good. I was looking at a Cannon, since I've only used Cannon film cameras but this one was so compatible with my Sony Vaio, that the simplicity won me over. Plus Staples is having a GREAT sale through tomorrow with rebates specials and coupons!