Hey, i need some simple advice; i just need opinions from u guys on what u think is the best digicam i can get for 'bout 500$...

if you shop around you should be able to find a Nikon Coolpix 8700 - they have recently been usurped by the 8800 but there's little difference between them and the upgrade has meant that the 8700 would be dropped in to your price range now.

Well it isnt exactly a simple question. but i agree with Phil. i had the 5700 (old version of 8700) and it was a very good camera, i would suggest it to anyone.

You could probably find a used Canon digital Rebel for that price on E-Bay.

but then your into having to deal with lenses... lol and thats why it isnt an easy question there are just so many decisions... if you could give us some more detail as to what you want it for and just any info it would be better for us to help you

Nikon Coolpix 8700

Canon EOS 300D / Digital Rebel

can't have a party without hotlinks ... sheeesh ... your women prolly do all the cooking at your house

Sory I cant give you guys anymore details because I am not exactly an expert yet on cameras. I just know i gotta get a new one and I dont want to get something I might regret buying later on, but thanx anyways for the input. I'll definately check out your suggestions....

I think it really depends on what you want to do with it. Do you want to have a camera to stick in your pocket to carry around with you and snap pictures of your friends, or do you see yourself going out of your house to go take artistic pictures. Of course you may be some where in between aswell, but that is probably what you need to decide first off. Then you can decide if you want a camera that has many great auto functions and a small size if its the pocket intentions, or perhaps you want something with easy manual controls because you are thinking you may be going out tring to get some artistic shots.

Yes that is more what i ment to ask... thanks for clarifying it Milo... jackal if you cant really decide on that question you may want to think a bit further about it because it is a large enough investment to make on something so you want to make sure it is what you want

I think the most important factor you can consider when it comes to buying a camera is optical zoom. Almost all cameras are at least 3 megapixels, and that's plenty high enough for 8x10 prints or desktop wallpaper, so resolution isn't a factor. The next issue might be features, but I think optical zoom blows all of them away. If you are using optical zoom as a criterion, you should not settle for anything less than 12x zoom. You can get one for less than $400, so don't settle for anything less.

The camera must be able to accept filters. Once again you can get this, so don't settle for less. The camera must have a full-auto mode and it must have a full manual mode. By that I mean you must be able to set shutter speed, aperture, ASA setting, and white balance, as well as the resolution of the image you will store, and the zoom lense must be able to use an aperture of 2.8 for the full range of the zoom. Do not settle for less than this.

If you cannot find these features in another camera, you can buy the Panasonic Lumix FZ10. It is a large camera, and it won't fit in your pocket, but here on Caedes, few of us can get our cameras into our pockets anyway. We are known for our small pockets.

yes regmar covers some very good points there that you should follow when buying a camera. the Nikon 8700 will not be dissappointing to you i can guantee it is a very nice camera, just im not sure if it suits what you need.

and regmar most of us cant fit our camera in our pocket. i have trouble getting everything i want for the day in my backpack lol.

I, for one, really wish I had gotten a different camera .. I went from a reasonable SLR to a camera I can not control with out booking a vacation in its digital menu system ...

Canon PowerShot A75

but, hey, it fits in my pocket .... =BOOYAH .... the jealousy will cripple this site by nightfall

:o)

Well then let me answer Milo's question.....I definately need a camera for taking artistic pictures, if I wanted it for carrying in my poctet I would've bought one already. Ofcourse it would be awfully convenient to get a fairly professional camera that CAN fit into my pocket but I guess such dont exist...