Software
Houzz Logo Print
ellenr22

Camera question

I saw a digital camera in the drug store for only $20.00.

Do you think this could be any good?

Seems so cheap to me.

I'm dying to be able to post my pics.

The other day my poppies opened up. Oh my, took my breath away.

ellen

Comments (3)

  • 17 years ago

    Ellen - those are most likely what they term "disposable" digital cameras. Technically they're rentals. You have to return the camera to the store, where they will transfer your photos to a data CD while you wait. The store then keeps the camera. I believe those cameras store about 25 pics.

    I'm pretty sure about this, but you can check the next time you're in the store.

    PV

  • 17 years ago

    You can get a pretty decent digital camera for $200 or less, I think. That cheap camera sounds like it wouldn't be worth wasting time with and would produce photos with poor image quality.

    Save up your money and get an entry level Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Kodak; all take pretty good photos.

    The new iphone takes really sharp photos, much better than the Blackberry. They're only 3.2 mp but that is plenty good enough for 5X7 prints or maybe a little larger and web viewing. But is has no zoom. Don't go for digital zoom. Go for optical zoom.

    There is a learning curve to downloading, editing, saving, storing, and posting them on the web. That is not to mention the learning curve with the camera if you want really nice photos that aren't blurry or overexposed. What I'm seeing on GW, the quality and user knowhow has improved with the last couple generations of lower end cameras.

    I started with a $400 Olympus C4000Z, it took some pretty nice photos once people gave me a few tips, even won money on a couple of them that got published.

  • 17 years ago

    Hi Ellen-
    If you're not worried about the $20, it can't hurt to try it. I've seen those, and from what I understand, they are "ok" little cameras with no frills. They even have them in the kids section. I've never tried them, but they can't be any worse than what people take with a cell phone.

    Having said that, I've seen several types of cameras for just a little more that and are very decent. Target is VERY good about sales, and you can usually tell when a camera is about to come out with a new model there because the sales get deeper & deeper. Seems to me I saw one the other day that was 79.99 or so. That's what I paid for my Lumix just before they came out with a new model a couple years ago.
    If you're simply looking for a beginner's camera, or a "nothing fancy" model that will take decent pictures for home use, there's no need to spend over $100, since what is available at and under that price are quite good for general point & click picture-taking. There's usually a sale on some model going on so you don't have to pay too much.
    The learning curve to the whole uploading & posting thing is minimal, since your new camera will likely come with software, and even if it doesn't, your computer will likely have something on it to get your pix uploaded for you.
    There are a number of photo hosting sites out there; I personally use Photo Bucket, and find it very easy to use.
    Oh, here's a thought: Google that camera model you saw and add the word 'review' to the end of your search text to see if anyone has opinions on them. If you can't remember the model, I bet a search for "cheap digital camera review" or "$20 digital camera" would also work to find you some information.

    And if you're really into looking up user review type stuff, I bet there's a photography forum (google that term) somewhere that you might find answers, too.

    Good luck!

Sponsored
Urban Upkeep LLC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars6 Reviews
Columbus High Quality Painting Expert