On the market for 1st Digital Camera
 

Not really looking to spend more than 300 bucks.
I have looked around and found interest in two pieces:
1. Canon A70
&
2. Nikon Coolpix 3100

I like the Resolution and MP on these two items as well as the moderate zoom features.

Any help would be appreciated.

i submit you look:

http://imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM

they have a great review site, and there's also the comparo-meter there where you can take pictures from each camera and look at them side by side.

http://imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

from my own opinions... the Nikon is a better camera, has a better lens and CCD (that's what digitizes the image). The Canon is a great camera too, but they have proprietary batteries more often than not, which whatever you do, I recommend you get 1 extra battery because nothing ever sucks more than having some technology and not being able to use it because the batteries ran out.

ive got an olympus c750 uz ive been pretty happy with it... sometimes i'll have trouble with the auto focus in the dark...

if you want a camera with good zoom check out the Olympus c series... a lot of the cameras have 10x optical zoom which is a ton better then many digital cameras...

Thanks & Thanks!

This specific Canon seems to be able to use either AAs or rechargeables, which is a great thing - if your batteries ever die and you're in a pinch, you can always buy more anywhere.

My Canon uses a proprietary battery. I bought a second one, then lost it in a flurry of camera activity. :(

My aunt has a Canon A70, I love that little camera, I always hook the thing up to my Laptop and use the Remote Capture software that comes with it, turn on Macro and get some wicked closeup shots of things in natural light. Never used a consumer nikon, only one of the D100s so I cant say what they act / look like.

BTW if you get the canon, get GOOD quality NiMH batterys, 8 of them if your bank account can afford it, they last much longer and one set is such an annoyance, but if you have 2 sets, then you snap away and more often then not the other set is charged before the first set is dead...Love it.

The a70 is a fantasic camera, but the A75 is coming out right around now! This will push the price of the 70 down some.

I just got myself an olympus C5060.

If you want to check out some reviews.. head over to http://www.steves-digicams.com

They have sample pictures from all the cameras they review as well.

C-A-N-O-N, enough said.

I purchased the Sony Cybershot DSC-P72 last year and am looking to upgrade. It's a good camera but I would recommend saving a little more money to get the Canon EOS Digital Rebel SLR: Review

i know youre interested in those two, but i have a sony p72 and i love it. the lens is the main part of the camera in which you want quality. check out the reviews on those two lens'

Yea, i'm also scouring for a dig camera, and these 2 were the ones that i thought of. which one of these cameras can double-act as a webcam? lol i want something that can take video and send over internet, i know not best quality, but i just want something convienent while still dig cam.

wait. is it true that the nikon cannot take video with audio? i just looked at a comparison site and seems like nikon can't record audio...?

I'd recommend the Canon A70. Mine takes awesome pictures and the video looks pretty good too.

I have a Sony DSC-P72. It has been a great camera and does great video. It only cost me about 300 bucks.

I'd definitely go with Canon, although I have the PowerShot DigitalELPH S230, and I absolutely love it!! I would suggest looking into one on ebay or something, you can get a better Canon than the A70 for $300, and the S230 has all the same features including an optical and digital zoom.........

go with the canon... i did a lot of research about this and nearly bought an a70 last christmas. decided to go up an model with the a80. the two models are similar... and i've been nothing but thrilled with the a80.