I am trying to decide on what digital camera to buy. If anyone out there is using a camera they like (or don't like) I would like to know what seems to be the best. I am considering the use of the camera (outside) for fishing, etc. and what features really matter.

riverdog,

Buying a digital camera is just like buying a computer. Everyone and their dog will tell what is best, but not really *why* it's best. Like computers, there's really not a *best* answer. At best, you will buy a camera that has the features you want and fits within your price budget.

Anyone interested in purchasing digital cameras should bookmark/favorite this site. It's the best out there for camera reviews.

http://dpreview.com/

Next, check the Search feature of this site, as well as ifish. This subject has come up before. I seem to recall a lot of good information came out of the discussions.

I ended up purchasing a Canon PowerShot G1. I chose that camera over the Nikon 990 and the Olympus 3030z. I did the reserach and played with all three cameras. That last sentence was important - I HIGHLY recommend to anyone that you physically get to play with the camera you are going to buy. It makes a huge difference.

Parker

Bought a CANNON S110, saved $200 off retail by buying online. Like the camera lots.........

I have the CANNON Power Shot A20. I dont know a thing about digital cameras but it seems like a good camera to me. I paid $395.00 for it at Wall Mart a while back.

My camera takes compact flash cards. I have a card reader called " SanDisk". It is way cool, turns the mem card into another hard drive. Super easy to view and move the pics. Cost about $20.00, it;s a must have...

I have the slightly larger Canon Powershot G1. Great camera with lab quality prints.

You can't go wrong with Canon's cameras.

Riverdog,

The responses here so far are so right on. Everyone will have a different opinion because there are a lot og quality products out there. As mentioned, Cannon is good as is Nikon, Olympus, Sony Etc. As Parker stated, PLAY with the cameras. You want one that feels good to you. One that fits nicely in your hand....feels solid and secure. One that the selections and options are easy for you to use.

As far as features, you are looking at resolution which is measured in the Megapixel. 1 Megapixel is one million pixels or dots per image. The higher the pixel rating the clearer the image. Especially if you want to blow up your image. With a 3 megapixel camera you can blow an image up to 8 X 10 without getting that grainy effect.

Next is the zoom feature. Obviously the more zoom, the closer you can bring an object. However there are two types, digital and optical. Optical uses the lense to zoom in just like in a 35mm camera. Digital uses software to expand or contract the image. Digital zoom does the same thing as blowing up your image. It moves the pixels apart. The more digital zoom used the lower the resolution of the image. Most cameras come with both digital and optical zoom and they work together. You want to pay attention to how much of each and go with one that has more optical than digital.

Last, check out the battery feature. Digital cameras will chew through AA batteries really quick. Some use the AA batteries and some use rechargable Lithium Ion. There are pros and cons to both. The AA bateries are easy to get and cheap but you will want to bring plenty with you for a full day of picture taking which will get expensive in the long run. You can get rechargable AA's which will help with the cost. Just get plenty of them. The Lithium Ion are more expensive but you can get a full day and many shots out of them. However on an extended outing with no charger can be a problem.

I hope this helps!!

Mike

Kodak DC240.
It's a great camera with only one fault - the back LED display is right where your nose goes when you take a picture. Everytime you look through the viewfinder the screen gets greasy. A couple observations about digital cameras. First, when you get one you'll wonder why you waited so long. They are the best for manipulating images and saving them to harddrives or CD rewriters. Second, you'll want a reasonably good printer to print out the better pics you want to put in photo albums.
Remember when you get your camera that you have to protect it from the elements more than your basic 35mm camera. Watch out for sand and saltwater!

The Canon Powershots G1, G2, and IS 90 have the longest lasting recharable batter of any camera and they come with the charger. Also, this is a matter of opinion, but I prefer digital cameras that use CompactFlash memory cards as opposed to Smartmedia and Sony Memory Sticks.

Riverdog,
My camera is a 2.1 M pixal. The pics at 8 X 10 are GREAT. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to have 3Meg or more for good 8 X 10's. I was majorly impressed, cause thats what they told me, and it's just not true when you take a pic at the highest resolution.

Thanks to all of you who have provided information. All of it is very helpful, I appreciate your time in contribution your advise. It is communication like this that makes this a great site, thanks again. If I can ever help with any info, I will.

I think the memory format is key, and I wouldn't buy another smartmedia camera again. I have an Olympus 600DL. The compactflash cameras can use any size memory module they come out with because the circuitry is on the card. With smartmedia, the ciruitry is on the camera and has to be updated when they come out with higher capacity cards. Dumb, huh? The smartmedia cards are cheaper, I think, but severely limit the storage capacity of your camera.

Everything else listed is good information.

Olympus D490

couldn't be happier with it unless it was waterproof

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Sony Mavica series. Not as compact as some, but very user friendly and no wires to the computer. Records pics on regular floppy disks that go right into your floppy drive.
Most have a video feature (15 sec. on a disk). Or you can buy extra memory sticks.

I have the Sony Mavica and love it...

TH

www.thcustomrods.com

Yeah, but in high res mode, you only get like 4 pics to a disk (if you're using the regular floppy drive). If you're using the memory stick, you might as well get a smaller camera without the bulky floppy drive.