Originally posted by scadaman29325
How cheap can I go and get a digital camera that takes a good pic for the net or email. I'm not trying to compete with the professional photographers, just something about as good disposable 35mm.
I think they are measured in "millions pixels" and "pixels per square inch"... Hi res, Lo res, # of pics stored, storage media, digital zoom, optical zoom...
How is the best way to test one before buying?
Any suggestions? Ones to stay away from?
around $50?
around $100?
TIA
Well, be careful about a few things. For one, 35mm is 35mm be it a highend SLR or a disposable. There are few digital cams out there that can match 35mm film for resolution and clarity and they're in the $35,000 range and up, so...
For web and email, 1MP (megapixel) is fine and, by todays standards is about as low as you'd probably want to go. Also, these cameras are often available in the $100 and less range.
If you are looking to print them out and want them to look as nice as your photo lab pictures, you'd want 2MP for up to 4X6 prints, 3MP for 5X7 and 5MP for 8X10 prints. (even then, the decerning eye will catch it
)
Don't just look at the megapixels either. A 3MP Olympus or Nikon will out perform a 3MP kodak, pound for pound, because they have better lenses and (for my money) better features.
Bottom line is, buy as much *camera* as your budget allows. If you're in the $100 range, look for a 1MP with 3X optical zoom (ignore digital-zoom, it doesn't do anything), with flash, rechargable batteries (use Nickle Metal Hydride (NMh), not NiCad). Very common these days are cameras with USB ports built right in, get that also, if you can.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! The one thing TRF is never short of is answers
jim
