Digital Cameras?

[Pretender]

I am looking at getting a camera.
I only want to spend up to $300 so I'll be looking at the lower end of the market.

I noticed most new cameras in this price range are 4 - 5.1 MP with 3 x optical zoom with the exceptions being the Tandy/Dick Smith 7.0 MP and the Fuji 6.0 MP with 10 x optical zoom (bargaining can get this one down $30 to $300). Fuji have always had well priced good quality cameras but I have no experience with their digital offerings.

Does anybody have any suggestions on a choice in this category?

When I get one I'll scare you all with pics of my VN.

Thanks for any advice.

[nomad]

I bought a new digital camera last week. Got an Olympus FE115 5 MP bundled with a 256mg memory card, rechargable batteries & charger for $299. The camera itself is about $199 & is a beauty. Has 2.8x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom, as well as 2 different macro functions. 1 is normal that you can use the zoom with & the other is super macro & fixed not with the zoom. With this you can get to 2cm from the subject.

It depends on what you functions you want. I like the idea of a lot of optical zoom, e.g 10x, but I need a macro function which is why I bought this camera.

Whatever you buy, it would pay to get rechargable batteries with a charger because using certain functions on the camera frequently, e.g zoom, auto focus etc, runs the batteries down quicker.

[minux]

There was a nice nikon going for $300 reduced from $399 only 4.0 mp but they are a great little cam.

[holdensupporter2005]

If you buy a digital camera, make sure it is one that has a rechargable battery, and will fit standard size AA batteries. I have a kodak cx7525 which came with its own battery (2x AA batteries molded into one battery). But the camera will fit standard size AA batteries as well. When I was looking around some brand camera's have a special battery, so if the battery runs out you have to get it recharged. With my camera I carry a pack of AA batteries with me in case of an emergency that the Genuine battery goes flat, I can just pop the AA's in and away I go.

[bbad13]

i just got a kodak 6 mega pixel cam from office works and it had rechargables the works

[Pretender]

As it turned out I got given a Non functioning Kodak 3.1 MP with 3x Optical, 10x digital zoom, movie mode with sound, 128MB + 64MB sd cards, card reader, book and all software.
It was given to me to try and fix but the guys parents bought him a new camera so he said I could have it all.
Two minutes to fix as the battery contact plate had dislodged and fallen inside the compartment.
I am more than happy as it suits my needs (just regular photos nothing special or large) and saved me $300.

And yes it takes AA batteries of which I got two energizer rechargables and a charger thrown in.

[ziggee]

i think olympus cameras are the best, but $300 is probably going to get you one... ebay!

[andyman]

Get a camera with a lithium ion battery, cheaper to run, easier to charge, lasts longer, but id buy a second battery maybe even a 3rd.
Ive found that sony make very good tough cameras and i have also had the opportunity to use a nikon d50 digital slr which was the absolute best thing ever