Shopping for a new camera- what to get?

[Dakota Sunrise]

I've been contemplating buying a new camera because mine is a 'still' camera, so it doesn't take very good action shots at all and the quality of the pics/vids isn't the best. This time of year there is usually some pretty good sales on electronics so I'm seriously considering buying myself an early Christmas present!:p Then I would give my old camera to my mom (after replacing the broken USB cord...:innocent:). I just told my dad my plan and he actually agreed with me and thought it was a good plan.:eek: Wow!


So, what kind of camera should I get?:D I'll probably be shopping for it at Sears or Walmart.. maybe Staples, but they are expensive.
I want one that can take good still and action shots, in and outside. Must be able to film videos, and be able to zoom. So, any suggestions? My price range is in the 200-250 range, I can't see spending more than $250 on a camera, I'll need money for Christmas presents and of course the horses, so much more then that will really tap me out.:doh: I think the camera I have now cost $100, maybe a little more. So I want to upgrade, but I can't afford anything really expensive. Can I get a decent camera in that price range?
Also, do they make cameras that can zoom in and out while taking a video?


ETA:

what about this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353448000P


or this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353470000P?mv=rr

or this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353139000P?mv=rr

or this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353472000P?mv=rr

or this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353678000P?mv=rr

or this one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353760000P?mv=rr

[JackieB]

I would stick with Canon or Nikon, but I'm a bit of a camera snob, so I might be biased. The $200 Nikon and $250 Canon both looked really nice.

You take a lot of photos and videos to share with us, so I'd get the best one you can afford. I don't think you need to spend over $250, though.

[HeartofSteel]

I'm not much help but my best friend got the first one on your list as a present for graduation. She took it hiking (it was in her coat pocket) and it snowed a little on the hike, she guesses the camera got to cold or something because it now doesn't work....

[HeartofSteel]

http://http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9604838
I have this one and I have been very happy with it. It is actually more deep pink than it looks in the picture.

[dustys_girlly]

i have an Olympus and LOVE IT! and they have a line of camera that are water resistend and dirt proof!! i am so saving my money for one of those but they are about $300 or more. but the other kind they have and are around $150-250. and they take great pictures and movies.

ill be back with some links to show them off...

[dustys_girlly]

http://www.walmart.com/browse/Digital-Cameras/All-Digital-Cameras/Olympus/_/N-2ygjZ1z0pnyaZaq90Zaqce/Ne-aq6s?search_constraint=3944&tc=0&ic=48_0&ref=125875.137971+500500.4294295938&tab_value=5969_All&exp=500500.684&path=0%3A3944&tab_value=5969_All&catNavId=1023401

here is a link to all the Olympus cameras that walmart offers, they even have holiday specials. and i showed hubby the first camera on the list, the Stylus 1030 and he said that that might be my anniversary gift form him!!!:)

[Equine_Woman]

My recommendation for your specs is the Canon PowerShot SX110is (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00353448000P). Check out it's Flickr camera specs. (flickr is nice because using it's camera finder you can check out what each individual camera you are looking at can do! I believe they have an action set as well. Here is the flickr page for that one: SX110is (http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_sx100_is/). Click on the pull down menu under content to check and see what some of the photos taken with the camera look like. The bundle at Sears includes the memory card which is a good deal!! It has 10x zoom, 9 mega pixels and it's got image stabilization!!! Not sure about the movie capabilities so you might want to check into that first!!

(oh and the flickr page is actually for the sx100is which is the predecessor to the sx110is.)

[Equine_Woman]

Okay I checked the camera that I recommended out and it shoots video in VGA at 30fps. Which is probably good. . .but I don't do videos much. And my nikon coolpix point and shoot lets me zoom while I'm filming so I'm sure the canons do too!

K. Enough from me! ;)

[Ryderd65]

I agree with JackieB and EW. IMO- I have an Olympus EVOLT 500 and its a flakey camera. Wish I were still shooting the Olympus OM10 I have in the drawer.

Sonys have good zoom, but you pay more just because its a Sony. Kodaks are super easy to use, but the photos aren't as crisp as others. Fujis are inconsistent and Samsungs...... well, same as the Fujis. Canons and Nikons are predictable and take nice pictures.

(My ex often gets free digital cameras and sends them to me to play with :).)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Thanks for your input, guys! I really like the one from sears that Equine Woman suggested. It's on the higher end of my price range, but... I think I can swing it. I really want one that can take cleared pictures, moving and still, and better videos too. And it looks like that one would. I have no idea if that one would zoom while video-ing or not, I don't know how to tell. But I definately like it.:)

[Toodlestoo]

I just bought a Kodak 10 megapixel easy share this weekend. I love it. It is so user friendly. I got it at Walmart for $179.00. It has HD video. The salesgirl, who was VERY knowledgeable, said it gets the greatest reviews. I was looking at a Canon but she said they have had a lot of returns with them recently. It's a pinky pearly color. They also have some neat touch-screens out right now but she said all the bugs have not been worked out of them yet and buyers are complaining.

[Equine_Woman]

Thanks for your input, guys! I really like the one from sears that Equine Woman suggested. It's on the higher end of my price range, but... I think I can swing it. I really want one that can take cleared pictures, moving and still, and better videos too. And it looks like that one would. I have no idea if that one would zoom while video-ing or not, I don't know how to tell. But I definately like it.:)

Another good thing is the 10x zoom. For us who have animals they aren't always close to us and that's a huge selling point!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Another good thing is the 10x zoom. For us who have animals they aren't always close to us and that's a huge selling point!


Definately! :)