What's the Best Digi-Camera?

[Geekster]

We're looking for a good Digi-camera. Cheaper the better but still want a good quality camera (Don't want to pay thousands of $$ for one). Really doesn't need a dock station b/c USB/card readers are always quick, too.
Looking for:

Good shoots in low light.

Red Eye "reduction technology" (The one I'm using now I have to put pix's through Paint Shop/Photo Shop to fix red eye, 99% of the time!)

Digital or Optical Image Stabilization

And Rechargeable Batteries (That I can buy at the store and not the camera makers high priced replacement batteries, if possible.)

What is your opinion on the best "Average Joe" camera out there for the amateur shooter with pictures that will "blow me away"?

TIA

[rudeboy]

i am really digging my Canon Powershot 600SD, it's my second Canon (first one was a 410 i believe) it's a good camera for a decent price imo..

ok, it does not use batteries you can buy at the store on the corner (unless that store on the corner is an Canon dealer/reseller :}

[Der Alta]

My Wife uses a Canon Rebel SLR. Its about 3+ years old now and only a 6.3 mpixel. But, I recently picked up an Extreme III 4 gig card for here and it makes a huge difference. She's got a few nice lenses to go with it and takes some amazing shots. From Whale Watches to pics of her Reef tank corals. Low light, bright light, doesn't matter.

Now, it was an expensive camera when I purchased it, but they've come way down in price. $400 for the camera then upwards with lenses.

Now, are you looking for a "Point and Click" or something more than that? Check out http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ for some of the best prices. That's where I order my stuff from.

I'll side with Rudeboy, the Canon's that I've used have always produced nice shots, with minimal "Photography Knowledge".

[Tony Bag o Donuts]

Originally Posted by rudeboy

i am really digging my Canon Powershot 600SD, it's my second Canon (first one was a 410 i believe) it's a good camera for a decent price imo..

ok, it does not use batteries you can buy at the store on the corner (unless that store on the corner is an Canon dealer/reseller :}

As much as I hate Canon, I got my sis in law the canon powershot 1000. Great little camera. I got it from www.bhphoto.com for around 240.00 with a case and a 1g ultra II SD card.

Off topic, I just got a 850.00 lens for my olympus digital camera.

[rudeboy]

Tiger Direct currently has a Canon Powershot SD1000 for $199.99 (incl. a 1Gb card and case)

[Geekster]

Originally Posted by rudeboy

Tiger Direct currently has a Canon Powershot SD1000 for $199.99 (incl. a 1Gb card and case)

AHHHHHH!...RB! You went shopping for me!!!!!!! (I was going to say something cutesy here but neither one of us would live it down!!!)

Thanks, but not really want we are looking for (I really, really want "red eye reduction" thing). When you have several hundred pix's to fix it gets real old real fast! Someone told me to look at the OLYMPUS EVOLT E-510 SLR but that's a little pricey! Going to try Ebay & check out what they have to offer. But first going to follow Der Alta's and Tony's leads!
Thanks everyone for you help in this, & open to any other suggestions/ideas!

[Tony Bag o Donuts]

Originally Posted by Geekster

AHHHHHH!...RB! You went shopping for me!!!!!!! (I was going to say something cutesy here but neither one of us would live it down!!!)

Thanks, but not really want we are looking for (I really, really want "red eye reduction" thing). When you have several hundred pix's to fix it gets real old real fast! Someone told me to look at the OLYMPUS EVOLT E-510 SLR but that's a little pricey! Going to try Ebay & check out what they have to offer. But first going to follow Der Alta's and Tony's leads!
Thanks everyone for you help in this, & open to any other suggestions/ideas!

The 410 is olympus 510 without the image stabilization.
I own the E-500 which is older, but comes with two terrific lenses. You may get a great deal on that.
In reference to redeye, its because flashes on cameras are too close to the lens and it causes the red eye effect. Red eye reduction flash modes are annoying. Best bet, buy photoshop elements, and when images are loaded into the computer, it automatically removes redeye.

check here for the most info.....www.dpreview.com

[Geekster]

Thanks, Tony (Der Alta)
I went to www.bhphoto.com & the prices are good, but the selling point is that 2 forum members recommend it so it must have a good service record. I really am leaning toward that camera more and more. Even watched 2 video's about it (one was from CDW). Instead of getting a camera "right this minute" it will now have to wait for a couple of paychecks. No big deal there, either. Just more overtime, lack of sleep, and me getting ''cranky"! But in the meantime, if something else does catch anyone's fancy, plz let me know.

[Tony Bag o Donuts]

Originally Posted by Geekster

Thanks, Tony (Der Alta)
I went to www.bhphoto.com & the prices are good, but the selling point is that 2 forum members recommend it so it must have a good service record. I really am leaning toward that camera more and more. Even watched 2 video's about it (one was from CDW). Instead of getting a camera "right this minute" it will now have to wait for a couple of paychecks. No big deal there, either. Just more overtime, lack of sleep, and me getting ''cranky"! But in the meantime, if something else does catch anyone's fancy, plz let me know.

If you are photographing kids, nothing beats the quality of a DSLR.....just hold the shutter down and capture the pics....no delay.

[rudeboy]

Originally Posted by Geekster

AHHHHHH!...RB! You went shopping for me!!!!!!! (I was going to say something cutesy here but neither one of us would live it down!!!)

and this is how ya leave me hanging... great ;]