Digicam Buying Guide

[@Fast58Eddie]

Another thing to consider is that you may need a card reader that works with some of the more rare cards. For instance the Fuji and Olympus XD cards need a reader that works with them, the same goes for the Sony Memory Sticks. You maybe able to plug some of the cameras into your computer if they have a USB connection but not all cameras do. Specially the more inexpensive types come without USB.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Thank you for checking out the video! That's a good point you make because this could be an additional cost to purchase a card reader and in some cases, may require installation of some type. To your point, the camera may have a USB for transferring the images, but it's also worth noting that the transfer that way typically takes a good bit longer. The card reader will transfer the images faster. Thank you for mentioning this!

[@azaz911c]

More digicam buying tips from my experience. 1. Try to buy cameras for less $15. They are out there. (In general, I do not see digicams appreciating in value, so spending large amounts for old digicams makes about as much sense as spending large amounts on an old Pentium computer.) 2. If they use proprietary batteries, make sure replacements are still available if the supplied batteries no longer work. AA powered cameras are advantageous in this way. 3. Canon zoom lens mechanisms are fragile, and will result in the ubiquitous "lens error" if damaged. 4. It's always nice when the seller includes a case, or a memory card. 5. Kodak Easyshares, the basic ones, are underrated and can produce very pleasing images by using the scene selection modes. Kodak cameras are often less expensive to buy than Japanese cameras. 6. Panasonic Lumix cameras have great lenses. 7. Older digicams have one important advantage: they tended to have viewfinders, while newer ones usually did not. 8. 3MP images will look ok on a smartphone, but muddy on a computer monitor. Even 4 MP is a huge improvement, and 6 MP + is desirable for image quality and editing versatility. 9. Don't expect miracles. I have yet to find a digicam that takes nice indoor pictures. They work best in bright outdoor light. A modern smartphone camera will provide superior images. 10. Pocketability is very important. Carrying a bulky heavy, slow-firing 15 year old bridge camera is difficult to explain to your friends who don't share this hobby or your nostalgia.😂

[@ColtonMatocha]

These are excellent bonus points! Thank you for taking the time to share these and to format them in a pleasing and easy to read way! A tremendous help!

[@lihtan]

Another thing to keep in mind with digicams that take SD cards, is that many are not compatible with the newer SDHC formats. In my experience with older Canons, the largest cards they'll take is 2GB. My current A540 is actually running with a 1GB microSD card with a SD adapter.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yes that is definitely a good callout. Always good to try and read the storage specs on a camera before buying if possible or to find a few old small size cards. Luckily for me, my folks had a few small capacity cards from the early 2000s!

[@kennethgates5790]

I recently dug out my fuji for my for my daily carry and I couldn’t be happier with it compact size as they say the camera is the one you have with you .

[@ColtonMatocha]

Absolutely! Which Fujifilm do you have?

[@josephg2972]

These are very good tips on buying old digicams. As an additional point on storage media, especially with the old Olympus and Fuji cameras that use the now obsolete xD card format which could increase up the cost quite significantly. Thanks!

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yes those cards can be priced insane. Definitely good to know if it uses/includes XD picture card. I once bought a broken camera for $20 because it included 4 XD cards. 🤣

[@siofna9709]

Oh yes, realy good tips for buying digicams. Have a tiny collection of point and shoots. I have two tips for beginners. Look for cameras who uses AA batteries and SD cards. With greetings from lower Bavaria :-).

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yes the storage media specifically can vary so much. Compact Flash are still fairly easy to find but you're right. I would avoid cameras that use SmartMedia, XD Picture card, Memory Stick, etc. Thanks for sharing!

[@KajiRider1997]

I have a Canon Powershot 600. Canon's first consumer digital camera. It takes PCMCIA cards so I just used my SD adapter I use for my windows 95 & 98 laptops. It still holds a charge (batteries are rare) and comes with the dock

[@ColtonMatocha]

That camera looks cool. Does the dock still work with more modern operating systems?

[@KajiRider1997]

@@ColtonMatocha You need an adapter but yes it still works. really slowly

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@KajiRider1997🤣🤣🤣 we'll take what we can get I suppose!

[@KarySchump]

Great tips!

[@ColtonMatocha]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Just use a universal charger . Charges every battery

[@ColtonMatocha]

Definitely an option as well!

[@TruckFan542]

Would not recommend these. They can run hot or cause batteries to do funny stuff.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Bit of a contradiction in there.... If you're talking about digicams of , I quote, between the late '90's and the early 2000's, you're going to be rather sparse in your choices of digicams , of, your later quote..., between 5 -10 Megapixels.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Ah yes I see the confusion. 🤣 I meant 2000s in terms of 2000-2010.

[@ColtonMatocha]

But definitely the late 90s and the first few years of the 2000s would be a challenge to find a 5-10 meg point and shoot