Digital Camera ???

Hey guys

I got a question, I want to buy a digital camera, but I don’t want to spend a ton of $$ (under $150.00) I have been looking at the Kodak Easy Share C743 and the Cannon Powershot A550. I keep seeing reviews and a lot of people are complaing about battery life with both cameras. A couple of my family members have Kodaks and they have not had any problems, did something change with the newer models?? Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanx
Marc

I’d just look at buying an extra battery or two, I bought some batteries for my Canon on ebay, super cheap, I think I paid something to $13 for two batteries shipped, and they seem to be as good as my original Canon ,which was fine at the time too, I just wanted some extras. Not sure all the batteries are as good on ebay, bought a couple for my cell phone and they work, but they were not as good as the original for my phone, either way I got 2 again for around $15 shipped, in both cases a single battery would’ve cost me about $50. SO I took a chance it a paid off real well once, and I wouldn’t say I’n umhappy with the cell phone ones either, they work, I’d just like some longer life out of them, but heck I go three batteries now.

Camera wise either the Kodak or the Canon should be good choices, which ever one you want, I wouldn’t feel bad with either one.

Digital cameras that run on Double A bateries will discharge fairly quickly I would suggest a good set of Double A rechargables.

I’d prefer the Canon over the Kodak!

Thanks for the info. I think both these use the AA’s?? Is the software with the Cannon easy to use? I found a site that voted the Cannon A550 #1 for cameras under $150

Thanks again,
Marc

Myself and alot of the Staffers here use Sony Cyber shots they are a great camera and take awesome pics. The thing I like the most about them is you do not need extra software to download or access photos on the camera. You use a USB cable, plug the camera into any open USB port and you are good to go. Check out this post on the same topic.

We have a Canon powershot, I don’t remember the model offhand, but it would be compareable to the 550. It came with the necessary software and USB cable, pretty much plug & play on the computer. It may not be on your mind right now, but they make a decent printer for about a $100 that you could pick up later. Ours uses 2 AA batteries, the cheap ones don’t last long, we use good quality re-chargeable ones and get decent use before having to switch them. Good luck

FWIW…I wouldn’t get a digital camera that only takes two batteries. There are only two left in the Canon Powershot lineup that take 4AA’s, the A640/10MP & the A630/8MP. I’ve had an A95 (4 batt’s) that I was happy with, and I broke the LCD screen on and I just ordered the A640 for $255, no tax & no shipping. The A630 can be had from the same company for $190, as I recall. No tax & no shipping either. Gregory

Don’t know about the cameras but if you are looking for good batteries, I use Energizer 2500mAh rechargable AAs in my game cams and I have no problem getting 200 to 300 pics, probably half with flash, from one charge. I bought these from Menard’s. I think they’ve come out with a 2700 or 2800 mAh since I bought these. The secret to rechargables is to completely discharge them before you recharge them. Some chargers come with a discharge mode. Mine doesn’t have this feature so I put them in a little flashlight and discharge them. Works very well but bulbs don’t last long doing that. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the help guys!! I am probably more confused now than before, but I am planning on going with the Sony Cybershot?? I trust the guys on this site to steer yoou in the right direction!!

Thanks again

Find the latest Consumer Reports they have a test and article on digital cameras this month