Digital Camera Advice

[BigPete]

Need to buy a decent digital camera and I am clueless.

Somewhere between $300-$500

8+ Megapixels

Takes good action shots

Built in flash

Good zoom.

Something to keep in my work truck and take to a race every now and then.

[Davidlondon4]

I have been well pleased with my Fujifilm S1000.Its 10 megapixel and has a 12X optical zoom. As I recall I gave around $250 for it at Wally World around 3 or 4 months ago. I now see it is down to around $212 plus tax. I am sure there are better cameras out there but with the number of megapixels and the zoom capabilities for the price I have been well pleased.Most of my shots are outside and I wanted something to be able to at least zoom in a little closer to wildlife, etc.Not sure how it would be as far as used in taking pics of a race.
I think there is also a Canon around the same price range but either it didnt have the as many megapixels or as much zoom.Hope this helps you out some.

[RocketRider]

Take a look at the Nikon D40. It is a quality camera that comes with a great lens within your pricepoint. Don't get too hung up on megapixels, the camera's sensor & processor are the most important things. The D40 is 6.1 megapix & the D40X is 10.1. I've seen a huge 3'X4' blownup pic taken with the D40 and it was super sharp with fantastic color & image quality.

RR~

[BigPete]

Take a look at the Nikon D40. It is a quality camera that comes with a great lens within your pricepoint. Don't get too hung up on megapixels, the camera's sensor & processor are the most important things. The D40 is 6.1 megapix & the D40X is 10.1. I've seen a huge 3'X4' blownup pic taken with the D40 and it was super sharp with fantastic color & image quality.

RR~


I have been looking at the Nikon stuff, I am really a fan of their products. My Bino's, Scope's and even my rangefinder are Nikon Products.

I may up the money I am willing to spend and get the D60. I'm just clueless as to what I really should be looking for in a camera.

[WildmanWilson]

D40..... http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

[RocketRider]

D40..... http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

I second that! Rockwell is a good source of information & highly regards the D40.

I personally have the D60 with two VR lenses-18-55 & 55-200. Both the D40 & D60 are great cameras!

RR~

[Scott7m]

buy the d40 nikon...... i have a panasonic lumix that i take huntng with me, it does ok, it's 6.1mp i think.. has a battery that seems to last forever and has leica lenses..

what Kinda races do you go to big pete?

[BigPete]

what Kinda races do you go to big pete?

I have Kart Raced since 1989.

I also hit a bunch of Dirt Late Model races each year as well as help a couple of different teams with the cars.

[JDMiller]

I dont think theres much question on the quality of Nikon cameras.... too many quality pics been posted on here by a few. However i was in the same delimma a few months ago and just did'nt want to drop a bunch of cash on one.

My daughter has had one of the Kodak "Easy Share" series of digital cameras for several years. We have had absolutely no issues and takes really good pics.

So... thats what I began looking at. I needed a pretty good amount of optical zoom for field shots from the stands at band competitions. I also wanted decent video capabillity and what other bells & whistles would be a bonus.

I ended up getting the Kodak Z8612 IS. It has 8.5 power optical & 12 power digital. It can do more than I can with it but overall its simple to use. I gave $199 for it back in September. It takes really good pics & video and I've even carried it hunting a few times. Low light features of this camera is amazing... I've took a few at dusk of deer and the quallity is very good.

Just thought I would throw this one out there and you can put other lenses on it for additional zoom.

[Foam Steak]

If you are looking for a digital SLR have you checked out the Pentax K200D? More bells and whistles than the lower end Nikons and they are moisture and dust resistant. I don't have one so I cannot speak from personal experience but alot of people love them.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

[Al]

Ive got the Kodak like JDs but I have the 12x optical zoom and 8 mp.

Here is a couple of pics taken in the same spot. The second is zoomed in on a hole that goes clear through about halfway up the second beech tree on the right side of road.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/CDLAB/k1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/CDLAB/k2.jpg

[matewsq2]

I have been looking at the Nikon stuff, I am really a fan of their products. My Bino's, Scope's and even my rangefinder are Nikon Products.

I may up the money I am willing to spend and get the D60. I'm just clueless as to what I really should be looking for in a camera.
i love my nikon cam like you said the binos and rangefinders are good peaces an the cams are to if i didnt get the nikon id go with cannon

[JDMiller]

Ive got the Kodak like JDs but I have the 12x optical zoom and 8 mp.

Al.... I'm pretty sure we got the same one... I'm just mentally camera impared. Looking at the box it came in...sitting right next to the computer...duh...it says 12 power optical and the 8.5 I was thinking about...its 8.1 megapixel.


I like this camera and like you have shown... the zoom is really good.

[nitrox28]

I researched the HECK out of this subject several months ago. I narrowed my choices down to Nikon and Canon. In my opinion, Nikon just can't compare to Canon although they are both FANTASTIC choices. I bought the Canon XSi back in late August and couldn't be happier! In the price range you mentioned, you may want to look at the Canon XS although the XSi has come down from $999 to $600 at places like Amazon.com and Ebay!! Do yourself a favor and stay away from the "point-n-shoot" type digicams. Once you buy one, that's it. You're stuck with what you got. If you are going to invest $500 in a camera, get an SLR. Then you can upgrade the lenses to fit you needs and interests in the future. There are some great digital photography forums where you should visit before investing in anything!
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

Some shots from my XSi:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2968099421_3fa3be04f8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2976341213_7c6532fb91_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/3001166484_a8a8577c3b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2702385253_93e670330d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3072634587_b0750b684c_b.jpg

[kybadcat36]

The kodak easyshares are great cameras for a great price at Wally World rgiht now. They are 8mp with a 12x zoom. You can even get one that has 2.5" outdoor screen on it. Priced at $149.;)