EOE: Best cheap digi camera?

[Hunter]

I've no experience with digital camera's except for occasionally snapping a picture with the wife's Sony Cybershot when she tells me to.

I know I don't want the Sony from what I've seen with hers. Short battery life and not very good pictures. I know that cheap and good are usually exclusive from each other but what is a good camera that is relatively inexpensive that I can toss in the tank bag. I really haven't set a budget for this and don't even know what a baseline should be. I'm not looking for lot's of features just something that will take a good picture and I don't have to call tech support when I try to download to the pc.

Thanks in advance

[birdrunner]

I've no experience with digital camera's except for occasionally snapping a picture with the wife's Sony Cybershot when she tells me to.

I know I don't want the Sony from what I've seen with hers. Short battery life and not very good pictures. I know that cheap and good are usually exclusive from each other but what is a good camera that is relatively inexpensive that I can toss in the tank bag. I really haven't set a budget for this and don't even know what a baseline should be. I'm not looking for lot's of features just something that will take a good picture and I don't have to call tech support when I try to download to the pc.

Thanks in advance

Cheap is relative.   What $ are you looking at?

me,  my Panasonic takes very nice shots. It has a very high quality lens for a cheap camera.
IMHO  your photo is only as good as the lense.

[MrsCablebandit]

I love my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5.  I got it for Mother's Day in 2008, so there is a newer iteration of it now.  Since it was a gift, all I know is that it was in the $300 price range.  It's easy to use, takes great from-the-back-of-the-bike-while-in-motion pictures, and many of my friends are jealous of my camera when they compare it to their digital cameras.

[Hunter]

Like I said I hadn't figured on a price but $300 seems kinda steep for something I'm going to toss in the tank bag. It wouldn't be used any other time, the wife is the photog in the house, I just wanted something to take pictures with while on the road.

I guess I need to go to Best Buy and look at what is available. I was thinking in the $100 to $150 range but I'm not sure that is realistic or not.

[birdrunner]

some of the "old model" closeouts of good cameras can be had for $200 ish.

Megapixels are no longer the end all statistic.  Find one easy to use, and you'll use it more often.

K I S S   ("Keep It Simple, Stupid') is the mantra to use while shopping.

[bluepoof]

I'm a big fan of the Canon Powershot series.    Been using them nearly exclusively for about 8 years now.

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm a big fan of the Canon Powershot series.    Been using them nearly exclusively for about 8 years now.

Completely agree.  I've had a couple Canon Powershots and they work well in extreme conditions.  Battery life is pretty good; they're sturdy and they're relatively quick.

Nikons have a good rep too, but I've never had a reason to change.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I'm a big fan of the Canon Powershot series.    Been using them nearly exclusively for about 8 years now.

I was fortunate to find one on Amazon's "Deal of the Day!" for only $50  

[ConPilot1]

I've got a Fuji J20 that's tiny and takes pretty good photos and video. I think I paid about $115 for it.

[scottzilla]

I love my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5.  I got it for Mother's Day in 2008, so there is a newer iteration of it now.  Since it was a gift, all I know is that it was in the $300 price range.  It's easy to use, takes great from-the-back-of-the-bike-while-in-motion pictures, and many of my friends are jealous of my camera when they compare it to their digital cameras.

Good camera.  Takes awesome outdoor pics, not so good indoor pics.  Sensor is too slow.

[1KPerDay]

I'm a big fan of the Canon Powershot series.    Been using them nearly exclusively for about 8 years now.

 

[Cablebandit]

If you go to a store to try some out be sure to wear your gloves to make sure you can operate the controls with the gloved hand.

[MrsCablebandit]

If you go to a store to try some out be sure to wear your gloves to make sure you can operate the controls with the gloved hand.

   (And not just because I'm married to him.)  

I have no problem with my summer gloves, but my winter gloves are a bitch to try to operate the camera!  

[ConPilot1]

If you go to a store to try some out be sure to wear your gloves to make sure you can operate the controls with the gloved hand.

Well now that's a very good point. Would have never thought about that buying a camera.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

If you go to a store to try some out be sure to wear your gloves to make sure you can operate the controls with the gloved hand.

To take that thought a step further, invest in one of these retractable key chain if you like to take pics "on the fly". I never have to worry about dropping the camera and the retractable chain is quickly out of the way when I put the camera back in the tankbag pocket  

[bomber]

some of the inexpensive models come from teh factory with their parameters set up for low-quality pictures.

fiddle with the settings, and, hey, presto, pretty damn good shots.

I picked up a Vivitar (no doubt a rebadged something else) a couple of weeks ago for a throw-away camera (that is, I won't cy if it disappears) -- 50 cash dollars american, and, after working through the menus, it does pretty well . . . . .

[ConPilot1]

To take that thought a step further, invest in one of these retractable key chain if you like to take pics "on the fly". I never have to worry about dropping the camera and the retractable chain is quickly out of the way when I put the camera back in the tankbag pocket  

"Janitor tested and endorsed."
   

[Cablebandit]

Or get a gearkeeper since you can get the proper cable length and pull strength for your particular camera.  Some of the metal-bodied point and shoots are downright hefty.

[Hunter]

I stopped at Office Depot, 'cause I had to get some prints copied as well, and they had this on the counter

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/279654/Canon-PowerShot-A2200-141-Megapixel-Digital/

Website lists it at $129 but in the store it is $119. I started to buy it but figured I'd come back here and check first. The comment about gloves really got me thinking, how does one operate these cameras with gloves on? All of them have tiny buttons.

[ConPilot1]

how does one operate these cameras with gloves on

You must razor out little finger-tip holes from your new Helimot or Held Racing gloves. Only way.  

[1KPerDay]

 how does one operate these cameras with gloves on? All of them have tiny buttons.

The Canon Powershots I use have a "wheel" that you click left or right to select photo or video mode... easily done with gloves on. Then a small power button on the top, easily done with gloves on, and you can see the lens extend or retract if you're unsure whether power's on. Then the big friendly button that makes it go. Easily done with gloves on.

[Cablebandit]

Yeah, just put the dial on full auto and press the big button.  If the mode dial likes to move a small piece of tape can solve that issue.

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, just put the dial on full auto and press the big button.  If the mode dial likes to move a small piece of tape can solve that issue.

I'm gonna do that.