Digital cameras- help!

[Shaunsmom]

I am looking to buy a new digital camera for myself.

I have a Nikon Coolpix that is 3 years old. I forgot how many megapixels it has...maybe 5 or 6. It's a nice functional camera but I want something better.

When I crop pictures with my current camera, I can't crop too much because the photo becomes grainy.

I am looking to spend between $100-$300.

Help. Please give me insight to a new camera that has great megapixels, a built in camcorder, and takes awesome pictures.

I was looking at a Nikon Coolpix S60 online. In reading the reviews at amazon.com...I am not so sure that's what I want to buy. Does anyone here have the Nikon Coolpix S60? Love it or hate it?

ETA: My current camera is a Nikon Coolpix 5600. It has 5.1 megapixels.

[Meredith]

I *love* my Canon Powershot. I'm planning on buying a new one soon, but the one we have has survived a lot of abuse over the past 3 years, and it's doing just fine. You can get one for under $200.

[hidesome]

I am looking to buy a new digital camera for myself.

I have a Nikon Coolpix that is 3 years old. I forgot how many megapixels it has...maybe 5 or 6. It's a nice functional camera but I want something better.

When I crop pictures with my current camera, I can't crop too much because the photo becomes grainy.

I am looking to spend between $100-$300.

Help. Please give me insight to a new camera that has great megapixels, a built in camcorder, and takes awesome pictures.

I was looking at a Nikon Coolpix S60 online. In reading the reviews at amazon.com...I am not so sure that's what I want to buy. Does anyone here have the Nikon Coolpix S60? Love it or hate it?

ETA: My current camera is a Nikon Coolpix 5600. It has 5.1 megapixels.


I doubt you will find something that is significantly better than your Coolpix for less than $300. The number of pixels in a camera is a fairly poor measure of performance. I would say that is especially true for cameras with more than 4Mpix.

[Shaunsmom]

I doubt you will find something that is significantly better than your Coolpix for less than $300. The number of pixels in a camera is a fairly poor measure of performance. I would say that is especially true for cameras with more than 4Mpix.

Well this isn't very helpful advice:p

What is a good measure of performance for a digital camera?

What are some good cameras that are better than what I have now and are within or around my price range?

What is the significance of the number of megapixels?

[Meredith]

It depends on what you're planning to use it for. Are you looking for something mainly to take pictures of your kids/family?

[hidesome]

Well this isn't very helpful advice:p

What is a good measure of performance for a digital camera?

What are some good cameras that are better than what I have now and are within or around my price range?

What is the significance of the number of megapixels?

Resolution is a function of a number of different things - photo print size, lenses, exposure, number of resolution elements, type of Bayer array, printer type, size of pixels, focal length of lens, f#, shutter speed etc. People are obsessed with the number of pixels because that is what is advertised. Here is one reason I hate that obsession. For a given sensor size, all things being equal, you'll lose sensitivity by the square of the number of pixel elements. Put another way, a 10Mpix camera is 1/4th as sensitive as a 5Mpix camera. All these things have a fairly delicate balance and ultimately it does depend on the type of work you intend to do. For most people, with most cameras these days, which are around 5Mpix, I'd recommend a higher quality printer and better paper and ink if they really want to get better photographs. Vendor reputation is about as good a summary measure of performance as you'll get. Look at the reviews and look for the exact features you want. Camera buying is like car buying - it is largely a personal choice and boils down to personal preference.

In my case I'm looking seriously at a Nikon D700 because it has the same features as a Nikon D3 for $1500 less. I also demand a full-frame, 35mm sensor to take advantage of my significant investment in prime lenses. For me to make the plunge, the photo quality must be higher than I can get with scanning slides. This is the first digital camera that is serious competition in that regard. There are several cameras out there with higher Mpixels at half the price. Since almost everything can be traded for sensitivity, I prefer the lower Mpix (12 in this case) with higher ISO ratings. This particular camera would allow me to shoot most weddings without a flash and to allow me to take high quality astrophotos without an equitorial mount. It is all a trade space.