Calling all camera experts

Fireman32

I'm not sure if a thread has been posted like this recently but I figured I can gets the expert answers here. My dad is looking to get his first digital camera. He has a few high end fim cameras but now wants to try digital. He has a budget of 300 dollars and i want him to get the best camera for his buck and with so many models out there i figured that i would ask you guys for advice. Thanks for any feedback that you can give.

danger boy

http://reviews.cnet.com/Digital_cameras/2001-6501_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir

the above link is for CNet.. i have always trusted their reviews.

Look for digital cameras in your price range. Canon, Nikon and Olympus are all very good digital cameras.

masanz1

What film cameras does he have? Perhaps he can get a Dslr in which he can use the same lenses. I know they maybe a bit higher but he'd probably be happier in the long run. If not I agree with Al, keep with the Nikons, Canon's, etc

disneyjoe7

With his prior use of high end film cameras I don't feel he will enjoy a point and shoot type of digital camera. Being that the Canon Digital Rebel is an entry level DSLR camera starting about $700 with a lens. So with his budget of $300 may I suggest a used Digital Rebel.

jcaut

I agree with the above post. Not that there aren't good digital cameras for $300, but for someone who has been using good film cameras - particularly SLR's - it's going to be difficult to find something satisfactory for $300. Perhaps a used Digital Rebel could be found for that amount.

Within the $300 range of P&S, I'd look at the Canon A or G series (perhaps discontinued models), the Panasonic FZ20 or 30, or perhaps some of the Sonys. It's kind of a personal thing as far as which one feels right, so some hands-on evaluation would be helpful. If you could narrow it down to a few models, then maybe someone on here would have some personal experience with them, that they could share.

Jason

lomic

You can probably find a new Pentax *ist for around $399 after rebate, but it's a pretty mediocre camera versus a Nikon or Canon.

If he can settle for a mid-range camera w/telephoto and some manual settings, Amazon has a pretty good deal going on the Canon S3 IS. $339 shipped:

Link

Like others have said, I doubt he'd be satisfied with a compact digital.

Fireman32

masanz1 wrote:

What film cameras does he have? Perhaps he can get a Dslr in which he can use the same lenses. I know they maybe a bit higher but he'd probably be happier in the long run. If not I agree with Al, keep with the Nikons, Canon's, etc

Im not sure which cameras he has. But I will take all of your advice and let him know. Thanks again everyone for all of the help.

nadams

I have a Kodak DX7590 that I love. Came in right at 300. The replacement was the z740, and I think now the z750

but they're right... he probably won't be happy with anything less than a DSLR. Like I said, though, I do love my 7590. Schneider-Kreuznach lens, 5mp, 10x optical zoom, and the availability for add-on wide-angle and telephoto lenses (I have a wide-angle for mine)