Hi Everyone,

I've poured through what seems like - thousands of digital camera reviews and still - I'm perplexed.

I want to buy a camera where I can experiment with "art". What I mean by that, is that I'm a chick who sees things, appreciates art in a big way, and wishes that "in the moment", she could capture what she sees with what she imagines she sees in her head.

SO - now that you think I am a freak :) let me be more specific!

* I'd like to explore taking arty type photos of nature and scenery and landscapes and buildings - where I can zero in on one particular area of the scene but keep the rest in the background.

* I'd like the camera not to be too complex (cause I'm a chick who abhors having to memorize books and directions)

* I'd like to be able to store lots of quality photos without having to unload them.

Alright - I know - not much. So what are you thinking for me?

I have been pondering for about four weeks. I've read lots of places (some of the terms go way over my head!). I was *hoping* to get some advice from a TRUSTED SOURCE :).

heh heh.

But hey, everybody seems to be busy thanking Andy so I guess next weekend, I'll go and find something somewhere - take my chances.

Hi Kristina,

You said, “I've poured through what seems like - thousands of digital camera reviews and still - I'm perplexed.”

Let me see if I can make this whole process (choosing a digital camera) a little simpler for you. If the reviews you are reading seem too technical (for you) zoom in on the specific parts of the reviews that will tell you what you need to know – and skip the rest, except the conclusion – they usually contain a tight summation of the camera’s strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s what you should be focusing on –

1. Ease of use – look for camera’s that the reviewer identifies as capable of being used by almost anyone right out of the box.
2. Logical and intuitive user interface – look for camera’s that have simple direct menus and logical uncluttered control arrays.
3. Sharp, color correct images with low noise levels
4. Popular models – consumers are smarter than lots of folks give them credit for - generally the cameras that sell very well do so because word of mouth and lots of reviews identify these cameras as “class champs” in terms of capability, ease of use, design, and functionality.

What type of camera should you be looking for?

Based on what you’ve outlined in your query I would say that you should avoid dSLRs, even entry-level dSLRs like the Canon Digital Rebel XSi and the Nikon D60 have a steeper learning curve and require more user input than simpler digicams. Lots of buyer remorse in the digital camera arena stems from buying more camera than what’s really needed. A young lady of my acquaintance bought a Canon Digital Rebel. She accompanied me on a recent photo expedition when I was testing the Canon SD1100 IS – and she ended up liking the little P&S SD1100 IS better than she liked her entry-level dSLR – because it was smaller and lighter, easier to use, and actually produced comparable quality images.

You should also avoid prosumer digicams like the Canon G9 – they are fairly expensive and pretty complex since they are designed for more advanced shooters.

This leaves you with three potential Point & Shoot (P&S) digicam options –

1. Ultra-compact digicams like the Canon Powershot SD1100 IS. Ultra-compact P&S digicams are small enough to be dropped into a shirt pocket or a small purse and taken everywhere. They have lots of user-friendly features like full auto operation, Scene modes, and large LCD screens. Large LCD screens make it easier to frame/compose and review/share your pictures. Cameras in this class usually have short 3X zooms, which may limit your options in venues where you can’t get as close to the action as you’d like.
2. Standard P&S digicams like the Canon Powershot A590 IS offer a bit more flexibility and few more features than ultra-compact P&S digicams, but they are also less compact. If you want a more substantial camera then you are looking for a standard sized P&S. Standard P&S digicams usually have zooms in the 3X to 6X range.
3. Long Zoom P&S digicams like the Canon Powershot S5 – IS or the Olympus SP570 UZ provide a few more options than their simpler point and shoot siblings, but they are still relatively simple to use. These cameras have long zooms in the 12X to 20X range – which give you lots of reach when shooting in venues where you can’t get as close as you might like (concerts, special events, wildlife, sporting events, etc.)

continued

You said, “* I'd like to explore taking arty type photos of nature and scenery and landscapes and buildings - where I can zero in on one particular area of the scene but keep the rest in the background. * I'd like the camera not to be too complex (cause I'm a chick who abhors having to memorize books and directions)”

All the P&S cameras listed above provide full auto and Program (full auto with user input) modes – which means the camera makes all exposure decisions – all the user has to do is point and shoot. All those cameras also feature scene modes – set the camera to “landscape” or “portrait” (or several other specific photo genres) and the camera automatically optimizes all exposure parameters for that type of shot.

You said, “* I'd like to be able to store lots of quality photos without having to unload them.”

All the P&S Canon models mentioned above store images to SD/SDHC memory media which is available in capacities up to 8 gigabytes – enough room for a couple thousand images. Once the card is full you can either download the images to your computer, or you do as the friend mentioned above does and just buy a new memory card. She keeps her full memory cards as relatively inexpensive (and ridiculously inefficient) image files.

I hope this helps in your digital camera search. If you have any further questions you are welcome to e-mail me.

Howard

Howard - I love you in the most - non-romantic way :).

Howard - went out and bought this:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=16347

I had a choice between the Bohemian Brown and the Rhythym & Blue. I picked the latter.

I wish they would have had the Pink Melody :(.

Anyway - I am off to San Francisco for the week (business trip). I'm gonna give it a try and see how it works for me.

Thanks a ton for your direction.

Yes, Howard is the best guy for this kind of thing!

I bought my boyfriend the SD750 as a simpler, carry anywhere, but get great results kind of camera. I typically only buy Canon, and I personally have the Digital Rebel, so it was really fun to find something that created great images but was actually easy to always have on hand.

So, I can't wait for your review of the SD1100!

I'm responding to your comment - have read thousands of reviews, still confused. I hate it when I visit a site and ask a question and get lots of products listed on page after page after page. I lose patience and get confused. I want to avoid having to read so much information, somehow the old world where you went into a store and relied on the salesperson's advice was so much easier...and dare I say it...better...