Looking to go Digital

[Houghton laker]

Looking to make my first purchase of a Digital camera!! wondering which ones you fellow outdoorsman would recomend! so far I have been thinking in the lines of the Olympus C4000...runs around $500.....too much camera or just what I would need or wrong or right brand??????any help is appreciated!!

[kroppe]

Houghton Laker,

With a budget around $500, take a serious look at the Sony DSC-S85. I have this camera and love it, no complaints. Here are the three main reasons I chose it:

1. 4 megapixels
2. Sony name, reliable in my opinion
3. Carl Zeiss lens, recognized leader in photographic lenses

The bonus things I discovered after I got it home, were a very good macro/manual focusing feature as well as good control over exposure. This is handy for low light situations when you want to give more or less exposure to your subject.

I would also suggest that the Zeiss lens on the Sony surpasses the Olympus lens in terms of sharpness. If you are familiar at all with photographic lenses, Zeiss (as well as Leica) lenses are very highly regarded.

I'm sure you would be happy with the Olympus, however if you have a chance, check out the Sony. Here is a link to the page describing the camera:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=DdyN8m-AfQON8lGTpzSH-SCQSqdbZ9walrg=?ProductID=XqsKC0%2eNQwwAAADyCFs8lS wg&Dept=dcc&CatalogCategoryID=_BAKC0%2eN3vcAAADyjWQ8lSwT

Bottom line, two thumbs up for the Sony DSC-S85.

[dieseldude]

about 1 mo. ago i got a new one, its a kodak ls443. 4.0 meg small frame size (shirt pocket) 3x optical zoom 4x digital zoom, it also has like 6 quick setting, outdoors, sport, night, landscape, etc. 4 different flash settings, really simple to use and it takes great pictures.
this camera also comes with a loading dock, what it does is provide you a place to charge your camera along with transfer you pictures into your computer with the push of a button.
circuit city has it for $449.00
extra battery and quic portable charger $29.00
128 meg card $79.00
i also purchased the extended warranty for 4 years----> $56.00
i got a case too for a few bucks
i would buy from circuit city before any other electronics place, they definately have the best service.
good luck, let us know what you decide on.....
mike

[SKUNK]

HL
I have a Olympus C-3020 and I have no complaints at all. I am very happy with it.

[Rasdale]

I have a Kodak DX4900. It is 4.0 mega pixel camera. Also got the docking station. Camera was $399.00 dock was $79.00 this is my first digital camera, had it since August, very satisfied with it.