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Need some advice for a friend

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 5:54 pm
by gmattson
One of my VFW friends is purchasing a digital camera. He will be using it primarily for pictures thatr will be stored on CDs. However, on occasion, he will be printing some 5X7 or even 8X10 copies.

He would like to have storage within the camera for around 30-50 pictures if possible and video capability would also be nice. All digitals now come with easy transferring capabilities to the computer. My digital is over 5 years old and I haven't been following the technology very closely. We need some good advice from you camera gurus. How about it Al, Van and anyone else who knows what they are talking about?
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George, I'm considering buying a Fuji A303 digital camera. This camera was recommended by Ritz as a good beginners camera. Priced at $299 3.24 megi-pixels. Can you advise me on this camera or one in same price range with equal features.

Thanks, Dick Slowey

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 6:57 pm
by Gene DeMambro
Here's a review of the Fuji A303 camera from cnet.com. Actually, it isn't a review per se, but just a quick list of specs and some user comments. Apparently, it got good reviews from people who own one. It appears to be a good, first timer camera.

As for the storage, he'll need a bigger memory card than the 16Mb card that comes with the camera. Maybe a 64Mb card, mimimum. Go here for cnet.com's Buying guide for digicam storage to see more info.

Also, the camera's resolution will allow 8x10 prints, but nothing really any bigger. For 8x10 you really need a 3Mp camera. Y\This one is a 3.24, so it ought to be fine.

For comparison, go here to cnet.com's [url=dhttp://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-1429209.html?tag=st.re.9870989.dir-dc.6613935-1302-0]digicam site[/url] for all kinds of comparisons, news, a buying guide and other goodies.

I think this camera will do fine. I hope he has fun!

Gene

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2003 11:18 pm
by Deep Sea
I usually consider saving money down the road. if I were to spring for a camera to do 8x10 nothing less than a 5 megapixel camera would be in my sights. In the beginning the print quality of a 3 megapixel may look ok, but as one gets used to the blurrines of the results that person may have wished he went for the higher resolution.

I still don't have a digital camera, but the above would be the thought process I'd follow if I were in the market for one.

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2003 11:24 pm
by gmattson
In the research I've done and by talking with people who have purchased new digital cameras, one of the concerns is clarity of indoor pictures (low light) without a flash. Some that I've talked with claim their flash is only good for no more than 5 feet.

here is an interesting review:

needs at least 400 ISO"
This camera needs to have the flash on for all pictures or else they are blurred. It has 100 ISO which means that it is like using 100 film. This also means that it needs 4x the amout of light to take a picture. the Lens aperture is F/3.5 - 8.7 (lower is better). lens aperture is how much light is let into the lens. usually F/2.8 or lower is ideal. I have taken about 2,000 pictures with this camera. the biggest problem is that if the picture you want to take is further than about 15ft than you will not get a good picture indoors or when it is dark out. battery life is good but I would keep spares around and use only rechargeable. LCD is only 55,000 pixels. The Canon A40 and many other cameras have 114,000 or more with the same 1.5in screen. I suggest looking into Canon, Sony, Minolta or HP for a camera.

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 1:23 am
by Deep Sea
your man is deviating away from digital playthings and is approaching the requirements of a digital SLR camera. Exact answers are in my distant past and would have to research. However I'm getting the look and feel of an SLR.