[adcollins]

I'm so tired of getting slightly blurred pictures of my beautiful daughter and I'm ready to throw my current camera out a window. There may be a fair amount of "user error" involved, but that's why I need something idiot proof. I'd love to get your suggestions for good, easy to use cameras.

Mostly, I take on-the-fly shots of my daughter so I need a "point and click" type digital camera that doesn't require a lot of expertise or set up time. As you know, these kids move quickly, so something with a short lag time is also important so we don't miss all the cute expressions.

I'm on a budget and, luckily, have a few gift cards to use, so that's going to be the bulk of what I can spend. Can you recommend a great small camera (to throw in a purse or pocket), with good easy to use features, great auto focus, and short lag time? Oh yeah, if it's under $250, that would be very helpful. Or am I dreaming that such a thing exists?

(Right now I'm using a Cascio 7.2 Exilim. I love how small it is and it's easy to use, but the pictures just aren't very crisp and in fact are blurry way too often.)

Thank you all in advance!

Anne

[avoel]

I have a Canon 1100IS as my take everywhere camera (I have about 3 different cameras for different reasons!) and I have been really happy with it. It is tiny, fits in my pocket, and takes great indoor and outdoor pictures of my two very active girls! The image stabilization definitely cuts down on the blur factor.

I got mine at Target but it is on Amazon now for a really great price...

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Blue): Electronics

[mommytoEli]

ooo...i totally second the canon 1100 is. it is a dream. my pics are great. and here's a funny story about how sturdy it is. so...my dh dropped it while taking a picture a week after i bought it. i was LIVID. the lens was totally askew...i tried to fix it...it was clearly broken. i could have spit nails. in a desperate attempt to not have to buy me ANOTHER new one so soon, he took it, and hit it on the floor a few times, and FIXED it. lol. he growled like a manly man, and handed it back to me and said, "that is how real men fix things!" lol. that was over 6 months ago...and my camera is still perfect. so....the 1100is is so great, that it is even "husband-proof."

[jimanddarla]

Ahem. I'm trying not to take offense to mommytoEli's comments about husbands ;-)

We have the Canon A720is and are VERY happy with it. I recommend it to lots of people. It even takes good video.

Jim

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by jimanddarla

Ahem. I'm trying not to take offense to mommytoEli's comments about husbands ;-)

We have the Canon A720is and are VERY happy with it. I recommend it to lots of people. It even takes good video.

Jim

rofl!!! ok, ok, it is at least MY "husband proof." lol.

[kerriv]

I also have the Canon 1100. I bought it based on recommendations I received here. I've been really happy with it. I got mine in July or August and it's been great.

[adcollins]

Thanks! Boy that Canon model is popular. I looked at the Amazon ratings and they're overwhelmingly positive, but I'm a little concerned about the negative ones. They mention that that model has had a lot of problems with a "Lens Error" issue. Does anyone know more about that and if Canon has fixed it by now?

Anne

[avoel]

Must have??? I have had mine for almost a year, taken hundreds of pictures and never had a problem. The only lens error I get is if I accidentally have my hand over it when I turn it on and keep the lens from popping out, LOL!

It fixes itself it I turn it off and right back on by the way...

[mommytoEli]

i've never had a "lens error" other than the one my husband caused. lol. i didn't even know that was something people were saying. are there many negative comments?

[drjeanne]

Canon's must be VERY popular! I'm currently using my second Canon Elph! I just got the SD990 IS. It's awesome! I had an Elph previously but, my DD just HAD to pour baby powder down in the lens to check it out and see if THAT would do it in! It still works but, the pics are not coming out as nice and crisp as it used to so, we got the new one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ease of it all! Throw it in my purse and take it everywhere with me! Point, shoot and go! Even taking small film clips with it is a breeze!

Jeanne

[Slatond10]

I am pretty much in the same boat as OP... need new camera. Mine is old and dropped too many times. However I was happy w/ it. It was a Sony Cybershot.

I think I will check out the new Sony and the Cannon since it is getting such good reviews.

[beverlyanderic]

interesting! i have the canon sd1100 as well. very happy with it. i really think you can't go wrong with canon's powershot line of cameras. the sd750, 1100, 790, 890, etc are all good cameras- using the same style (somewhat) and similar guts- some just have bigger zoom and more MPs. you really don't need more than 8mp so i am still pleased i have the 1100. i would like something with a 5x zoom, but then the price goes up quite a bit.

regarding blurry pics, a lot of it can be caused by operator error. i notice some of the pics from my 1100 come out blurry and those are usually in a series of pics where my subject isn't in zoom anymore. for example, i snap some pics and then my son is still running around and i don't let the camera focus again because i take the next pic so quickly.

if you aren't doing this already, please be sure you are holding down the shutter button halfway and letting it focus before taking your pics.

enjoy!
eric

[JGarrick]

Originally Posted by adcollins

I looked at the Amazon ratings and they're overwhelmingly positive, but I'm a little concerned about the negative ones. They mention that that model has had a lot of problems with a "Lens Error" issue.

Well, out of hundreds of reviews, there were a handful that complained of the problem, and most of those said that either Canon or Amazon fixed or replaced the camera. I don't think I'd worry about this too much. It seems that you're A) unlikely to experience the problem, and B) likely to get it fixed with little more than some inconvenience even if you do.

All products are going to have a certain number of customers that end up with broken or malfunctioning items. It's inevitable with consumer electronics. The other thing to remember is that the people that have problems are probably going to be a lot more likely to post negative reviews than people for whom the thing works perfectly fine are to post positive reviews.

[jeri11]

I was having the same problem as you...
the blurry shots of baby girl moving....
i was missing all the cute shots!

I just went to target on thursday and purchased the
Cannon SD 1100IS... it is blue...
i have had so much fun with it so far...
i was even able to get shots of her running....
it has an image stabilization...
whatever that is .... it works!

it is so easy to use...
i haven't even read the manual yet...
just started using it...
i believe it also takes movies...
but haven't gotten to that part yet!

I tried to attach a photo, but i can't upload it...

anyway you will love this camera!!
Oh and i wanted to add...
it was only $179.00!!

[Mudpro]

Taking a picture is like shooting a gun. One of the reasons people miss the target with a gun is they are anticipating the action or hainvg too heavy of a pull on the trigger, both causing the barrel torise ever so slightly from the aimed point.

Blurred pictures are generally caused by the camera moving as the shutter is open that fraction of a second or it is out of focus.

There are several reasonably priced digital cameras on the market today with "stability control" but this technical gadgetry is not enough to correct someone who anticipates the shot and moves the camera when they press the shutter release.

Practice, practice, practice. Digital technology is great for practicing becasue there is no film to waste, therefore no cost to practice other than your time. things to work on:

Pressing the shutter button halfway down, allowing an automatic focus lens to capture your image, and then gently pressing it the rest of the way. The press, hold, press routine will help you build control.

Use your left hand to cradle and support the camera. Try dolding your left arm almost verticle instead of out to the side like your putting on a pair of sunglasses. the verticle position of your arm will add stabiity to the camera and counter the pressure you will be applying from above when pressing the shutter release. For long shots, its helpful to let your left elbow lean inwards onto your body, giving you even more stability (long distance rifle shooters, i.e., hunters etc, do this to help stabalize the barrel.