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> What compact camera (7-10 MP, $200 range) like Sony DSC-W80, Olympus
> FE280, Samsung NV10, Pentax Optio--I hope these give you pocket-sized
> camera type I'm looking for--take the best image.
>
> Please don't limit to the ones I've listed.
First, I would say that while it's OK to keep your choices to the "$200
range" or whatever, it's most likely a mistake to demand "7-10 MP." If
you're looking for an inexpensive pocket-sized camera you probably don't
really need 7 to 10 megapixels.
Realistically, how are you going to view the images? If you're going to have
4x6 prints made at a Wal-Mart machine or something like that, or view them
on a computer monitor, you don't need anything more than 2 MP. If you're
going to e-mail them to other people you don't even need that much. Since
nowadays you almost certainly couldn't find a new camera with as little as 2
MP even if you wanted to, I would forget about setting any lower limit on
resolution if I were you.
Using a much higher resolution than you really need in a pocket-sized camera
is likely to give you *poorer* image quality, not better, if there's any
noticeable difference at all. This is because cramming more pixels into the
very tiny sensors inevitably produces more electronic "noise." Manufacturers
apparently make these too-high-resolution models because too many consumers
think more megapixels means better pictures, and will choose them over
equally good or better models with lower resolution. Manufacturers will make
whatever customers want to buy, whether it makes any sense or not. The huge
tailfins on cars of the late '50s is just one example of this.
There are so many good pocket-sized digital cameras on the market today that
as long as you buy a major brand you probably won't go terribly wrong.
Practically all of them will give you very good image quality and as a
casual user you'd probably never be able to tell the difference between
them. I'd look for differences in other areas, such as the type of battery
the camera uses. Do you want one that uses AA cells that are available
everywhere, or a Li-Ion type which allows a smaller and flatter camera
design?
I'd insist on a camera that takes SD memory cards, because they are the
standard and are often available cheap, on sale and/or with rebates. For
this reason I'd avoid any Olympus or Fuji models that use xD-Picture cards.
Personally I like small cameras that have an optical viewfinder as well as
the LCD monitor, rather than one large LCD that takes up most of the back of
the camera, because the LCDs can be extremely hard to use in bright
sunlight. But other people apparently don't mind that and prefer the larger
LCD. This is something that unfortunately you'd have to judge by your own
experience, and can't take someone else' word for.
My own preference would be for something in the Nikon Coolpix line or the
Canon Sureshot line. I like Nikons better generally, but for a pocket-sized
camera I'd probably pick a Canon as long as it has an optical viewfinder --
which Nikon unfortunately has abandoned in its most recent very small
models.
Go to a store, look at and handle the different models and see what feels
good to you. Your nearest Wal-Mart probably has shelves full of 'em and a
good selection. Decide whether you want a simple camera for easy snapshots
or a more advanced model with a lot of features -- and try to be realistic
about this. Don't assume that you'll "grow into" a more advanced camera. If
you don't have real interest in the technology you'll probably never use the
advanced features. Actually even the simple cameras today may have more
features than you'll ever use.
Anyway, you can always buy another camera later. Almost all of us do.
Neil
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