curdog

A lot of you are great about posting pictures of your rides, pie, and bikes. I've got several organized rides scheduled for the next couple of months and would like to take some pictures. The problem is I don't have a camera and don't know where to start. I don't need anything fancy, I guess it would be something like the old "point and shoot."
Does anyone have suggestions as to a camera that would serve my limited purposes?
Thanks!

Kurt Erlenbach

You can get a Nikon Coolpix L20 on Amazon for abut $110, whihc is a good price for a simple point and shoot. Most simple digital cameras these days are good bargain, can take excellent quality photos, adn are very easy to use.

linux_author

my US$0.02:

7 megapixel should be fine, but most are at least 10mp nowadays

i'd use a digital camera that takes AAs (so you don't have to worry about recharge if you're taking lots of pics or
on the road for a while and after a year or so when the other internal batteries crap out, your AA camera will still
be good at no extra cost)

get at least a 2GB storage card

don't shoot video using the camera (most inexpensive ones don't have the resolution for good playback)

here's a link to a number of AA cameras:

AA digital camera resource page

icyclist 

"I don't need anything fancy, I guess it would be something like the old "point and shoot."

Most cameras brands are very similar to each other. Figure out how much you can spend and go from there.

KungPaoSchwinn

My 5 cents ( inflation ).........Don't fall for the MP number,Canon is the first company dropped the MP race for style and functionality.

stapfam

Most digital cameras are point and shoot- once you understand the settings that can be ignored.

Couple of thing I have found that are usefull to have. A removable memory card and hopefully a computer that has a card reader on it. Saves finding the lead and connecting up and working through a programme to read what is on the camera- but most modern cameras will have this.

Rechargable batteries- definitely better if you can plug the camera into the charger (Or charger into the camera) without taking the batteries out.

And the screen to be as large as possible.

I have had a succession of Sony cameras and found them durable and easy to use. But saying that- Cheaper ones will probably be just as good.

Amnd Mega Pixels- High numbers cost high money. 7 megaP's seem to be adequate for everything that I want to take but have 10.1 on mine.

DiabloScott

More megapixels is not nearly as important as a better lens - I always wind up reducing the size of my photos anyway to post them on my blog or photo-sharing sites.

I don't know how to tell, but next time I'm buying I'll be looking for the reviews that prop the lens over other features.

KungPaoSchwinn

Check out the new Canon with the slide out/reverse view finder screen,just like a camacorder,for those who like to take pics of themselves ( like a guy in the hybrid bicycle forum,LOL )

Mojo Slim

I take pictures EVERY time I ride and take LOTS of pictures. I happen to have a Casio Exilim 6 MP, but as said above, most brands are fine.

I have only a 512 memory card, as I take my photos off usually the same day I take them. I can get 140 pics on a card. I got my camera for $107 (usually $225) by going with a refurbished one through Amazon. I have had no problems with it.

I have one of those "stick on" screen protectors over the screen which seems to be a good idea.

Here's what works for me. I carry it around my neck on a strap not much wider than a big shoestring. Hint: I have found the loop that comes attached to the camera to be weak and it will break off. I put a screw into the tripod mount and clipped the camera to it.

agc1976

I had a Canon SD110 that lasted me for years and was awesome. Don't know how the newer models are. I needed one that could take underwater photos for my vacations on Dominican Repubic and got a Panasonic DMC-TS1. What I like about it is that you don't have to worry about it falling on the floor (shock resist) or it getting dirty (water resist)... you just soak it in water and keep going... Records AWESOME videos in High Definition (probably the best feature).

The cons:
Heavier and not as slick as the standard cameras
Quality of pictures at low light is meh...

Wanderer

If you like this pic, it was taken with a cheap Kodak, 3.2mp point and shoot.

Wanderer

same camera, diff shot

Riverside_Guy

What strikes me is that nobody asked the OP if he was very familiar with image editing. I know a LOT of folks who have used computers for years, but only in a VERY rote fashion. Including folks whose livelihood depends on using the machine.

Absolutely it's in the glass. A hundred buck Nikon is fine.. I very much prefer it's glass to Canon, BUT that is completely meaningless to the task.

Every edited digital images? If not, I'd suggest you read up on Photoshop Elements. Pretty easy to use, not expensive and I find FAR more bang for the buck in it than most others. BUT, you also have to look at what other things you may want to do with images... as in look at all of the uses you may want.

10 Wheels

$79 Cannon A530 Power Shot. dropped it 5 times.
This one taken While moving set on Auto.

lhbernhardt

You just need a compact point-and-shoot digital camera that will fit in a jersey pocket. They are all becoming reasonably cheap nowadays, with good battery economy. I favor a camera that takes 2 AA's over a rechargeable as you can always carry spare batteries whereas you can't always recharge. I also like a camera that takes SD cards so that you're not tied in to a proprietary memory card format (so scratch Olympus and Sony).

If you have done any photography, I think you'll be used to using a viewfinder over trying to figure out what's on an LCD display in bright sunlight. I used to use Nikons exclusively, but their cheap Coolpix cameras eliminated the viewfinder, so I have eliminated Nikon from contention. I don't find that their lenses are any better than Canon's.

I like to go for more optical zoom. Digital zoom only degrades picture quality.

I'm using a cheap three-year-old Canon now, an A430. If I were to upgrade, I'd get the waterproof ruggedized Canon, but it's still too expensive. The only problem with the current camera is that it tends to form condensation when I've had it in my jersey pocket on cool days. I think you want a camera that will survive a drop from a moving bicycle into a puddle on a wet day.

Luis

BikeWNC

Most if not all the pics I have posted on this forum are from my Canon SD600, a 6mp ultra small point and shoot. Really that's all you need. If you worry about using it in the rain, get one that is waterproof. If I were buying one today, I would look for a model that offered a wider angle, something like a 28mm equivalent. I think that is more important than a long tele. Image stabilization might be nice but really isn't necessary.

agc1976

Agree



I don't like IS. At least on the ones I've tried it forces the flash off on lower light conditions and results in a blurry photo. I just turn it off.

Artkansas 

I have a little Fuji, it's a mere 1.6 mp. My Dad gave it to me when he upgraded. It takes good pictures and they are certainly big enough for any web work, 1280x960 in size.

My real complaint is that the camera is a tiny box that is difficult to hold and press the shutter at the same time so unless I have a tripod, I have to hold the camera in a strange manner and press carefully if I don't want camera motion to ruin the picture.

DnvrFox

My cell phone at 2mp takes most of the shots I post here. It is pretty darn good, and ever so convenient.

If you go high mp's, be sure you have a fast computer to handle the image and processing, and fast uploading for sharing.

I hardly ever actually print a picture any more - just share on the web.

I always reduce them to 800 x 600 for posting anyways and use the jpg compressor available free at irfanview.com in the irfanview software so it does not take forever to load in the linked photo for you guys and gals.

So, for me, simple and VERY cheap is great.

I have a couple of other digital cameras - a Canon A75 - older, but does great, and a Kodak I got for my wife. It does NOT have a viewfinder, and she can't see the screen in bright light.

To me, a viewfinder is essential on anything but my cell phone camera.