Two digital camera questions

[Captain Sousie]

I am looking into getting a new digital camera since I am going to Europe this summer and I have decided to take a digital camera along rather than a film camera. With that in mind, I have a couple of questions and I have no clue which camera forum to try so why not try them here.

First question: I am wondering what I should do regarding the batteries. AA-batteries seem to be a pretty good option but with some of the things I want in a camera that makes the search interesting. Rechargeable cells like those in the majority of compact cameras sound like a good idea except for the little problem of the differences in power between the US and the EU and I am not keen on frying an investment of that cost.

Would somebody care to enlighten me on whether I will fry a $300 camera or a $35 battery trying to charge it in Europe? If that is not the case, what equipment will I need to make charge the batteries adapter-wise?

Second question: I have read a lot of reviews and am interested in the Nikon Coolpix S10 but I would like to know what some of you camera people have to say on the subject.

Finally, if you have any suggestions for a good digital camera that has good zoom (10X+) and not too many auto-focus problems for $250-$300 I would appreciate them.

Thanks,
Sou

[Chuck(G)]

I just bought my wife a Pentax Optio M20 at saveateagle.com. 7 MP, has a nice large bright LCD display and takes AA batteries. Takes SD cards--a 4G one claims to get her about 1000 exposures. The best part--$109.

She loves it. For rechargeables, she uses generic NiMH AA's and a charger. If you went to Europe with one, you'd just get another charger for 220v (pick it up over there).

[Norm Pearson]

Here is a review of the Nikon S10:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikons10/

Check out the site for other camera reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/

A good place to price cameras:
http://www.pricescan.com/home_digiphoto ... d=46860012


Norm Pearson

[trseaman]

I've been using Sony cameras for the past few years. I have had no problems and recommend them to everyone.

Some things to look for...

1. zoom capability - the more zoom the better
2. storage capacity - 1 to 2GB manditory (becoming less expensive everyday!)
3. batteries - make sure the camera can accept AA batteries because you may not be able to recharge your batteries everywhere you go.
4. movies - not all digital cameras can take movies.
5. megapixal - the higher the better

Pick one that fits your budget and your needs and you'll do fine! Good luck!

There are some really great webpages for reviewing cameras. Here are a couple that I like. Norm just beat me with the links!
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Tim

[bearphonium]

Sou,
I got a Nikon CoolPix L10 for Christmas. I do a lot of photography and motorcycle riding, and that little camera does a terrific job. I like the AA battery thing, as I have had BAD experiences with specialty, rechargable batteries. The pic quality is great, and it is an easy camera to use. Got it at CostCo for under 300.

[Travelman]

I have really enjoyed my Sony (another cheer for Sony) DSC-W1. I have several rechargeable batteries. I would think there would be a power converter to use overseas.

I am dreaming about someday buying a DSLR--it would be the Nikon d-200...but until then, I really like my Sony.

You can check out some recent pictures I took at a concert.
http://flickr.com/photos/7699076@N04/

[trseaman]

Go Sony!!!

I forgot to mention that I have a Sony DSC-H1... It is only a 5MP but has the 10x optical zoom and it has served me very well. Here's a link to some pics I took last November.

CLICK HERE and enjoy!

Tim

[DonShirer]

I'm not going to recommend a camera since there are dozens of good ones out there, but I do have a couple of comments:

As others have said, optical zoom is better than digital zoom, but some ultra zoom lenses don't have as sharp a picture as more modest (say 5 to 7x) ones...check the reviews.

If you get a camera which can handle AA batteries, then you can usually use rechargeables, but if you lose a charger or a charge with no AC socket nearby, you can substitute cheap non-rechargable cells.

MORE PIXELS IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER! Sorry for the capitals, but check David Pogue's blog on the NY Times Technology page. He conducted a test with ultra enlarged pictures from many different megapixel-sized cameras, and found that most people could not tell the difference. When you consider that going from 3MP to 7+MP often doubles the cost of a camera, and that the higher resolution sensors fill up memory faster, it seems politic to put a sensible limit on your megapixels.

[Tubaryan12]

1. Go with the AA bateries. NiMH are the way to go, but in a pinch you can always take along a few packs of Energizers.

2. If you go with a big zoom lens (over 5x) make sure it is stablized or you will have to shoot with a tripod. Sony, Canon, and Panasonic make cameras with big zoom lenses and image stablizers (the Canon also uses AA batteries)

3. You want a camera with an auto focus illuminator. This will help you focus in dark areas (Canons usually have illuminators).

As you could guess by now,I would buy a Canon. I personally own a Canon and if I needed another camera I would probably buy another one.

[tubatom91]

I have the Nikon S9 (very slim and handy) I love it. I can't say anything bad about Nikons.

[Leland]

Would somebody care to enlighten me on whether I will fry a $300 camera or a $35 battery trying to charge it in Europe? If that is not the case, what equipment will I need to make charge the batteries adapter-wise?

If the charger handles multiple voltages (like the Canon that I've got), it's easy. Just get a cheap adapter to fit its plug into the socket of your choice. You won't need a voltage convertor.

I recently went from a 2 MP Canon to a 7 MP Canon (both Elphs), and I don't like the newer camera's image quality. There are many more shooting options than with the old camera, but the pics aren't as clear. Too many pixels in too small of a space... they just can't cheat physics.

The megapixel race is a bad thing, IMO. I can't even buy an interesting camera with less than four or five MP. I'm now thinking of a decent digital SLR like a Rebel for high-quality photography.

[tubatooter1940]

I bought a kit of adaptors that, so far, have enabled me to run a small coffee pot, charge my electric razor,run a hair dryer, and charge my friends video camera in most any country abroad. We bring regular batteries from home and use the adaptors to charge them from AC wall outlets.
250 volts at low amperage in Siberia caused my coffee pot to heat slowly but my kit had the right plug-ins and my wife had her pot-o-day everywhere. Happy girl!