Need some advice

[MadCow809]

So I'm thinking of dropping about $130~$200 on a digital camera. I figured that since I'm going back to SA pretty soon, it will be a good idea to do some random filming and taking photos of some drag events that I will be attending.

As some of you might know, all the pictures that I've uploaded are taken with my trusty Samsung D900 phone, the picture quality is allright(acceptable for a cellphone cam), but it requires you to have an arm made out of solid steel. Any, and I mean ANY movement of your hand, and you will end up with a blurry picture. Not nice.

Same goes with recording a video, during the day, where there are sufficient light source, the video turns out allright(although I would like to record the video with better resolution) But at night, it's almost impossible to record anything.


So basically I need a digital camera that does the following :

Take high quality pictures (Not talking about professional photography)

Record video, I need to record videos at least up to 20~30min with decent quality and the abillity to record videos at night/insufficent light source.

Must have a USB 2.0 -> PC connection

Must be reliable

Must have quite a long battery life


Any suggestions?

[P5138]

Hmmm... well, it might be at the upper edge of the price range but a Canon A630 might fit the bill:

I bought an A640 (only main differences are the color and MP count) and I took it with me to Kenya on an archeological dig. It was able to survive out there (more or less) and I still use it now; though it has taken a back seat to my DSLR. The picture quality is outstanding for a point and shoot. And I seriously doubt there are many point and shoots that can take the amount of abuse I threw at it.

With a 2GB it could record 30min of movies at 640x480.

And it uses AA, so batteries are fairly easy to come across (this was the selling point for me, as I needed to take all the power I needed for 6 weeks with me at the start)

Someone else may know of a camera that's a bit cheaper though. Since the cheapest price I could find for it was $209, however, refurbished ones I found for $188. (Also, this is all assuming you are in the US)

[MadCow809]

Thanks, I will take a look.

And yes, I'm currently living in LA atm.


- edit : just chcked on newegg... Can't find the Cannon A630 on the sales list. Lots of other models though.

[cvrefugee]

I love my camera. Great lens for a P&S and it records video, 640x480 @ 30fps. Image stabilization too.

Canon SX100 IS

[MadCow809]

oui..... thats a bit on the expensive side.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120221

$208 for the silver one, dunno why they want to charge an extra $10 for a black one.

And another $20 or so for a memory card, plus shipping, plus tax.... Altogether that will add up to quite a bit...


Got anything else that you wanna recommend?

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

oui..... thats a bit on the expensive side.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120221

$208 for the silver one, dunno why they want to charge an extra $10 for a black one.

And another $20 or so for a memory card, plus shipping, plus tax.... Altogether that will add up to quite a bit...


Got anything else that you wanna recommend?

It's cheaper at Amazon because the shipping is free and you don't have to pay tax. From Newegg, the same camera will end up costing $233 vs. $219 from Amazon. I paid $239 six months ago. The cheapest I've ever seen it go for is $199 at Staples, when it's on sale. But then you have to pay tax, which is another $15, so the Amazon price is really good.

[MadCow809]

How come you don't have to pay tax if you shop on Amazon?

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

How come you don't have to pay tax if you shop on Amazon?

I think they're based out of Texas. If they don't have any operations or physical presence in California, no sales tax is collected. Technically you're supposed to pay when you do your tax return, but nobody does.