I need a camera, need advice...

[DTolo]

Ok, If you don't know already I am leaving for Iraq in a couple weeks and of course I want to bring back some photo souveniers <--sp?. I want to get a point and shoot that runs on AAs or disposables and something around $250 range.
I have the Sony Cyber-shot 5.1 in mind right now, any other suggestions? It is probably gonna break while I am out there, but I want good photos until then.

Here is a link for info on the Sony
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6998555&type=product&id=1099391752053

Thanks in advance.

[bugzy]

Dell Home has deals on Canon Digital Cameras. Add ~$4 to the total for buying an ebay coupon. Thanks robr & growfcagnikc.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS - 5MP, 12X Optical Digital Camera (http://www.slickdeals.net/?pno=6926&lno=1&afsrc=1)
$499 - 20% off WNQLVPD?HTS$DG - $45 off ebay coupon (http://www.slickdeals.net/?pno=6926&lno=2&afsrc=1) = $354
Canon PowerShot SD550 7.1MP Digital Camera (http://www.slickdeals.net/?pno=6926&lno=3&afsrc=1)
$449 - 20% off WNQLVPD?HTS$DG - $45 off ebay coupon (http://www.slickdeals.net/?pno=6926&lno=2&afsrc=1) = $314

[DTolo]

Good deals but the SD550 can't take disposables and the S2 is a bit bulky. If I get any good shots it is gonna be a quick chance and the S2 might take up a bit too much room. I have that sony on hold at Best Buy for now to pick up tomorrow if I don't see anything between now and then... (a long time I know)

[A4wheelin]

Check out dpreview.com to research different cameras. It's the best camera review site on the web. Once at the homepage click on reviews on the left side column. From there just search what you're looking for. Once you find a camera to research and you're on that camera's page click on the drop down menu at the top of the page and click on conclusion. This page is what the editor thinks about the camera in question. It's nice to see what he has to say. Good luck and take care of yourself over there. We'll be awaiting your return. :tup2:
http://dpreview.com

[DTolo]

Check out dpreview.com to research different cameras. It's the best camera review site on the web. Once at the homepage click on reviews on the left side column. From there just search what you're looking for. Once you find a camera to research and you're on that camera's page click on the drop down menu at the top of the page and click on conclusion. This page is what the editor thinks about the camera in question. It's nice to see what he has to say. Good luck and take care of yourself over there. We'll be awaiting your return. :tup2:
http://dpreview.com

Thanks! knowing this place you all will be awaiting my pics more than the return! LOL! On a more serious note thanks a lot and now I will check out the review site.

[bugzy]

A4wheelin knows the deal, he's got some mad pics ;)
and he's using a point and shotter too

[DTolo]

Wow! there is soo much to read and take in on that site, I think I am sticking with the Sony. I do think when I get back that I am gonna get a nicer Canon, something a lil more than point and shoot but not too crazy b/c I'll get lost. The sony has some white balance options, pretty good res, image stabl. and it is a good size. It also has rechargeables that come with it to include the charger. I can also use 2 AA batts (which I will have plenty) without any adapters. Thanks for the pointers guys.

[CALL AAA]

I have a 7.2mp Sony Cybershot and I can vouch for the quality of the pictures it produces. It also makes decent movies, with decent sound. The one thing I learned about this camera is that it's a little primadonna around dust. I used it up in Fallon to take pics during a combat SAR exercise. It hardly got any dust in it, and the zoom started acting up. If you're going to take one to Iraq, I would recommend using one with a manual sliding cover over. (to cover the lens and turn it on and off) That way the zoom part is protected and if the cover gets dust in the rails, it's still on the outside. (and you can "force" it open)
I had a Canon C-50 and it survived several Iraqi dust storms, even when I was out taking pictures in them. (they weren't bad ones though)
I would also recommend getting one that runs off AAs. My ship's radar fried several of my camera batteries, and I had been REALLY careful about protecting them. Once a lithium battery has been exposed to EM radiation, it'll never hold a useful charge. (5 minutes off a full charge) So if you have a place to keep a bunch of AAs, get a camera that uses them. AAs are cheap. Lithium batteries are stoopid-expensive.

I think that's all I have for you right now. By the way, what do you do? What branch? I'm a Navy SH-60B crewman.
Take care and good luck,
Tony

[DTolo]

I am looking and I haven't seen anything in Compact with a manual sliding cover. Shouldn't I be good with a solid case. The plan is to have it out just long enough to take pics then go back in the case. If it doesn't then I am sure I will have other priorities to take my mind off whether the zoom jams or not. and by case I mean something small and sealable, maybe neoprene.

I am in the Marines, a glorified radio operator with an Infantry Regiment.

[CALL AAA]

Well, the zippers on the newer cases are prett tight, but you might need something to keep the really fine dust out. When you encounter your first dust storm, you'll find sand and dust in places you thought could never be reached. Since you will be on the ground, you might want to keep the whole case in a Ziploc bag, just to be safe.
As for the sliding cover, it would just be one more level of protection, and not completely necessary. Just make sure that you get the resolution you want and that you have enough memory to save a lot of pictures, if you are not able to download them for a while due to power outages, patrol length or computer availability. Just remember to check and see if the camera that you end up getting accepts the size card you want to use. I tried to buy a little memory card for the Canon, but the camera won't take a 1G card. I think 512 was the biggest it would take.

[Slapshotnerd]

what's wrong with your current camera?

other than the battery issue, your camera is just as capable as any other in the price range.

if you had a specific complaint (one of my old cameras had really poor color saturation on reds, so that was one of the things I looked for when I bought a new camera), then we can help you.