Christmas Gift...???

[Michael Bottoms]

Hi,
My 15 year old has had a Kodak point and shoot digital for a few years. Unfortunately, it no longer works very well, as even with new batteries, it will only take 1 or maybe 2 shots before stopping and requiring another set of new batteries. She would like a new camera for Christmas. After looking at several threads here, the suggestions seems to be the A560 or so... I can only afford about $200... Is there something better for that price range? Are there any point and shoot cameras that don't have the dreaded shutter delay?? Thanks

[Jon]

First off, is she using rechargeable batteries? Most digital cameras will eat throwaways as between-meal snacks. The power curve of NiMH cells is a much closer match to a camera's demands than that of alkalines. Basically, the NiMH can produce a lot of current in a very short time, and do so almost to the end of its charge while alkalines need to rest after exerting the kind of effort a digital camera needs. They're better suited for "slow and steady" demands like radios, tape players and flashlights. If you put the "worn out" alkalines in a flashlight or radio, they'll give you a good bit of use; for that matter if you switch between 2-3 sets of alkalines, replacing each one when it starts to "die", you'll get much longer life from all of them than if you throw them away the first time they show "low battery".

"Shutter lag" is going to be a problem to a greater or lesser degree with almost all P&S cameras; this is in part since essentially they use the same sensor for focus, exposure determination and actually taking the picture. The sensor can only do one of these at a time; shooting in Manual mode and manually focusing will speed response greatly.

If she's interested in learning photography and actually controlling what her camera does, the A-, S- and G- series are about her only Canon options, and the first A-series in production to offer user control of aperture and shutter speed is the A570. B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484783-REG/Canon_1773B001_PowerShot_A570_IS_Digital.html) offers that within your price range, with a bit left over for memory card(s) and some NiMH batteries

[Michael Bottoms]

Thank you Jon, I will investigate the A570... In answer to your query however, I was using brand new Lithium AA's in her camera... We also did try rechargeable nimh and alcaline as well as your standard alkaline versions of same. Regardless of what we used, the camera would only take at maximum 2 shots and then went dead... In a couple of cases, it wouldn't even take one shot. I just figure it's a dead camera, and she doesn't use it anymore. Thanks too for your explanation of why there is the shutter lag with point and shoots... I was thinking of getting one for myself for those occassions when I don't want to lag the 20D and assorted paraphernalia around, and I hate with a passion this shutter lag. I guess I'll just have to lug the 20D around...

[mot]

consider canon sd1000. sylish design which great for your kid. the price is also in your rage. (price compare here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Foffer-listing%2FB000NK8EWI%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics %26qid%3D1195918954%26sr%3D8-2&tag=canon%5Fforum-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9))

[Jon]

Bear in mind, the SD series offer minimal control (only ISO and EC, no direct control over shutter speed or aperture). Same with the lower-end A-series (up to the A560).

[Michael Bottoms]

Thanks for all your suggestions and help. I'm not sure she'll ever want to adjust the shutter speed or the aperture, but if this simple camera will do that (the A570), then it may just be the right one. She's a bright girl and may very well decide to play with her settings once she gets the hang of the camera... I know she tried to do some things with her Kodak and was unable to--and therefore was frustrated... Thanks again
B