You guys often strike me as a knowledgable bunch when it comes to gadgetry and electronics. I was wondering if you might help me choose a digital camera for under $300. I'd like at least 5 megapixels and a reasonably large LCD screen.

Perhaps you could tell me what camera you have and whether you'd recommend it? What brands have you bought and what did you think of their products?

As I said, I have only around $300 to spend on one, but would like something of pretty good quality, preferably by a brand like Canon or Sony. Is this possible for the price?

Thank you in advance, yours faithfully

Fauxie

Althom is an expert on this subject...

He's also an expert on expelling gas thru various orifices, but don't ask him about that.

Byron said:

I knew I could count on you to post, Byron. Not because you know anything about cameras, but because you're just an all round nice guy.

Byron said:

Thanks!

(aborts the makings of a gas expelling orifices thread)

Byron said:

He gased Nat and I ..about every 5 minutes

Fauxie said:

Just in time...

Ocean said:

Like I said, he's an expert...lol

Can we get this thread back on track? I can't believe there's anyone here that wishes to talk about Althom's gaseous emissions over ANY topic, let alone something so mildly interesting as my digital camera buying options.

http://www.dpreview.com/r...canona620/

Not quite under $300, but I'm guessing it's a pretty good buy...

Byron said:

That's nice, but I'm trying to stick rigidly to my budget. I've seen this one for quite a bit under $300.

Pentax Optio S6



Are Pentax any good though? I did see a Canon 400 something that looked quite good and was under $300.

p.s. Maybe it was the a610 I was thinking of?
[Edited 1/9/06 0:56am]

I've done a bit of research and I like the look of the Canon A610, SD450 and SD400, as well as the Nikon Coolpix S3, but I really need something that's good for macro (for example for taking pictures of a gem 1cm or less in length).

When they say macro focus range do I want that figure to be higher or lower? The A610 says 1cm and I've found some others that say 3cm. Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Reading a few articles, it seems that Nikon coolpix cameras have a reputation for excellent macro work. Anybody able to verify this?

...
[Edited 1/9/06 2:49am]