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Comparing Digital Camera Features And Accessories
Everyone wants the best of everything. The best house, the best cars, the best spouse, the best kids, the best digital camera. Hang on, maybe that last one doesn't really belong in this category, but hey, I'm just trying to make a point. What the point is, I'm not sure, but we'll get there. The best of everything, including digital cameras is something we've all be conditioned to look for. We all want to get value for our money. No matter what it is.
Acclaimed science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon was famous for a couple of adages known as Sturgeons Laws. My favorite, and the one most relevant to our discussion is, "Ninety percent of everything is crap." It's simple, direct and brutally honest. It also really helps narrow down our search. If the camera your looking at is not on at least one top ten list, then drop it from your search. If it doesn't have at least a four star review from someone, then drop if off your list. There are so many cameras to choose from these days, there's really no need to settle for anything less then the best.
The second step, and a little more effort intensive, is the trial run phase. You need to try out as many of the cameras on your now very short list (thanks to Theodore) as possible. Spend a day, and blitz your favorite camera stores. Go to two or three, and just annoy and pepper the sales staff with as many questions and requests as you can. If you go during off hours, you should have plenty of time and space to try out all the cameras you want. See if you can cajole them into letting you take a few home to try out. After this exercise, your short list should be really short. Maybe even a list of 1.
Of course if the above seems like to much work for you slackers out there, here's my short list of great cameras that are all money well spent. In the under $150 category, the Canon PowerShot A570IS. It's a simple point and shoot with 4x zoom lens, image stabilization, and Canon reliability. For the portability minded ultra compact FaceBook crowd, you can't go wrong with the Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph. Slightly less image quality then the A570IS, and slightly more expensive, but a very easy traveler. Another favorite compact of mine is the Olympus Stylus 790SW. The only waterproof, shockproof, dust proof, and freeze proof camera I know.
Every once in a while, you find a camera that seems to be the one for you. In the case of the SX100IS, I found myself somewhat wanting more. Unfortunately, I still have a few more gripes. Image quality, suffers in lighter environments. No viewfinder, which limits users options. LCD screen has no protection, and susceptible to scratching. Scroll wheel is too responsive, and prone to selecting wrong setting.
And, finally for those of you with bottomless pocketbooks, why not splurge and grab yourself a Canon EOS 5D for about $2000 plus change. With full frame technology at a very reasonable price, your bound to silence even the most ardent "film only" purists anywhere.
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