I would like to get a digital camera for my father. The following are his needs:
(1) Extremely easy to use.
(2) Around 3 Megapixel
(3) Mostly used for web-based publishing. Taking pictures and
e-mailing them, posting them online.
(4) Must have excellent battery life and memory. Take 80 pictures with
a flash per time.
(5) Should be simple to connect to the computer, download the pictures
to the PC, and e-mail them to people.

What are your recommenddations? Also, I'd like to buy it online (eBay,
Amazon, etc...) so what's a good place to get it?

Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by till-ga on 31 Aug 2004 02:22 PDT

There are hundreds of digital cameras available on the market.
Could you please provide some more information ?
What´s the budget for the camera ?
Is a big zoom needed ?
What about the flash ? Would a built in flash be sufficient ?

till-ga

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Clarification of Question by 13black-ga on 31 Aug 2004 09:26 PDT

Budget: Should be $250 or under
Big zoom isn't needed, but a normal zoom would be nice.
Built-in flash is sufficient.
Battery should be the rechargeable kind.
Point & shoot camera, nothing professional.

I tested several digital cameras in the last two years and found
Panasonic to be the manufacturer of excellent cameras.
They use optics made by Leica, one of the worlds most famous brands for cameras.
I´ve been using the Pansonic DMC LC 40 for almost two years and was
never disappointed, the image quality is superior to most digital
cameras and the built-in automtic programs will give the best results
in almost all cirmustances in photography.
Point and Shoot ? Yes, but with excellent results.

The camera cost about $ 800 and was therefore out of your budget. But
as it is not manufactured any more it´s available at $ 199,95 at
present:
( http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=2182&refererid=dealtime
)

The camera has the following features:
"4-Megapixel CCD yields up to 2240 x 1680 pixel images 
LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 3x f/2 zoom (33 - 100mm 35mm equiv) 
1.8-inch color LCD 
320 x 240 QuickTime Movie mode w/audio up to 75 secs 
Auto, Program AE, Aperture-priority, Shutter speed-priority and Scene
exposure modes
Auto Exposure Bracketing of 3 or 5 frames 
Multi or Spot metering 
Built-in multimode flash 
ISO sensitivity; Auto, 100, 200 or 400 fixed 
Five second audio notes can be attached to images 
A/V output with selectable NTSC or PAL video 
Epson PRINT Image Matching compatible 
Secure Digital or MultiMediaCard removable storage 
Lithium rechargeable battery 1400mAh and charger included"
from:
( http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/lumix_lc40.html )

All you need (beside this great camera) to be able to take about 80
pictures is another Secure Digital (SD) Storage Card with 64 MB
available at the same shop as before for less than $ 50 as there´s
only a 16 MB card in the cameras standard supplies. The rechargeable
battery pack will have enough power for many more pictures.
The camera is delivered with easy to use transfer and image processing
software and connects to a standard PC with an USB cable.
I´m sure your father will be very pleased with a $ 800 value camera !

I hope this solves you problem. Please post a clarification request if
anything should still be unclear.

till-ga

Search Strategy:
None, personal experience of the researcher.

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Request for Answer Clarification by 13black-ga on 31 Aug 2004 14:12 PDT

Hi,

It says "Shipping Availability: Sold out! - Call For Upgrade".

It's not available any more.

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Request for Answer Clarification by 13black-ga on 31 Aug 2004 16:17 PDT

Also, I'd rather buy a new camera, not a refurbished one. Since this
model has been discontinued, can you recommend something else?

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Clarification of Answer by till-ga on 31 Aug 2004 23:49 PDT

When I checked the shop yesterday it said "Ships within 1-3 days", so
the camera must have been sold out since then. And ist said "Factory
Sealed Box: Yes " which made me assume the camera were new.
Sorry about it.
Well, I got another camera I can recommend, the Panasonic LC 40 was my
first choice.
Now my proposals:

PANASONIC DMC-F1K LEICA LUMIX 3.2 MP DIGITAL CAMERA at less than $ 200
( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30012&item=3837343785&rd=1
)
The optics are a little bit weaker than the one of the LC 40 but still
you will get good results.
Same camera (NEW) with a 256 K Storage Card: ( $ 215,99)
( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30012&item=3837272828&rd=1
)

I´m sure you will get a good value for your money when you select one
of these offers.

till-ga