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I've been researching for two days on the best digital camera (point and shoot) for under $100. It was all starting to do me in because the reviews were all sounding the same, everywhere I went... YouTube, Amazon, BestBuy, CNet, Costco, Target, etc.,
UNTIL I came across one glowing review for the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100. So, I researched that one and found the majority of the reviews to be glowing. (The biggest con is that you can't zoom as your filming video.)
The test videos people uploaded to YouTube were, without a doubt, amazing quality!
The price was the same everywhere... $169.00. Then, by sheer blessing, Best Buy just happened to be having a Midnight Sale. Tonight only (until 8am) and THIS CAMERA was part of it! I got it for $149.00 and can pick it up in the store tomorrow! (AND I get a free camera bag for buying it online!)
I plan to use this camera to take pictures and video for my blog. Did I do okay? Is this a good camera for a not stupid, learns quickly, non-technical gadget fan like myself?
Also, I need your advice, what kind of memory card should I buy for it? (Can I trust the Best Buy salesperson tomorrow to not slyly upsell me a more expensive one than I need?)
Be smart, don't buy the "Buyer protection plan". get a 4gb chip, it'll handle your needs. If you allow the salesman to "upsell" you,
you'll be leaving the store with a $500.00 camera. Stick to your guns, get only what you are looking for, nothing more, nothing less.
As long as you are in a low budget market, the $149.00 Canon will please you but I'd bet that you'll kick your butt because for a hundred
or so dollars more, you might've overcome that video-zooming problem. I predict that within weeks of your purchase, you'll wish that you
would have bought a different camera. Why half-step? You'll never get more than what you pay for and with your blog hanging in the balance,
you deserve the best! Go for it!!!
I agree about the half-step with the zoom feature. Actually, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 is out and HAS the zoom feature. It's pretty great. It's $199.00. Before I found Best Buy's Midnight Sale, the 100 was $169. For only $30 more, I'd definitely get the 300 model. (There's bound to be a few times I'd wish I had it.) But, when the $149 sale came along, I thought saving $50 wasn't a bad thing.
Here's what I'm thinking: When I go to pick up the camera tomorrow, I'll tell them that I'm considering upgrading to the 300 model and can I please apply the $20 off from the Midnight Sale to the 300 model? Can't hurt to ask!
As for the Extended Warranty... I only ever buy them when I buy a new computer or a car. Nothing else. Awesome tip! Thanks! And I'm good at sticking to my guns. I just didn't want to be upsold unawares when I don't know about a product.
Lets make this very simple; did I just buy a good camera ? YES !
Now the next step is to LEARN how to use THAT CAMERA to its full potential.
Any camera - is capable of creating a stunning photograph!! It has nothing to do with the camera.
Let me illustrate using my favorite example to put this into the proper context.
We have a similar explanation in bicycle racing regarding equipment. The latest and greatest equipment won't win you the race, but poor equipment can lose it for you.
Thanks SityData and PanTerra. I appreciate the reminders and encouragement. SityData, have you had experience with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100?
I'm a manual reader, so learning the functions and features of the camera won't be too difficult. I'll have fun experimenting with the different modes.
It would be swell to have stunning photographs for my blog but, honestly, that's not the biggest goal for me. Sure, I'll take the best ones I can and put effort into it, but as long as they aren't obviously horrible, they'll do.
What I really want to learn now is how to keep my videos and pictures private. I don't want them used elsewhere or embedded on other websites. Is there a way to do that?
Well, I'm off to pick up my new camera! I'll keep checking in here because I'm all ears if anyone who has worked with this camera has any tips or warnings. And I'll let you know if Best Buy let me apply the $20 discount towards the 300 model!
Thanks SityData and PanTerra. I appreciate the reminders and encouragement. SityData, have you had experience with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100?
I'm a manual reader, so learning the functions and features of the camera won't be too difficult. I'll have fun experimenting with the different modes.
It would be swell to have stunning photographs for my blog but, honestly, that's not the biggest goal for me. Sure, I'll take the best ones I can and put effort into it, but as long as they aren't obviously horrible, they'll do.
What I really want to learn now is how to keep my videos and pictures private. I don't want them used elsewhere or embedded on other websites. Is there a way to do that?
Well, I'm off to pick up my new camera! I'll keep checking in here because I'm all ears if anyone who has worked with this camera has any tips or warnings. And I'll let you know if Best Buy let me apply the $20 discount towards the 300 model!
I have been taking pictures for 73 years. Using many different types and brands of cameras.
I also teach photography. For years I taught film photography, all types. I teach digital photography the same way.
Lesson one open the books that come with the camera. find all the working parts and study them so you can find and operate them blindfolded.
Lesson two Learn all the controls that govern light and focus, how and why they do that.
Lesson three. Take your cmera out side and using the books set it and take pictures of everything blowing around, moving setting still, In the shade in the sun etc. and check your results and adjust your settings and take them again.
Never go on a photo shoot without the book. Take pictures every day and some day you will get the hang of it. You will be recording light. It changes constantly. You have to learn to read it before you can properly record it.
We have a similar explanation in bicycle racing regarding equipment. The latest and greatest equipment won't win you the race, but poor equipment can lose it for you.
Your analogy just doesn't fit here, and here is why. I don't need a pencil to draw or write - I can take a scrap piece of wood - sharpen it and burn the end and then draw or write - to make the picture.
Photography is not about a 'race'. It is all about "how you look" (@ certain subjects and such).
When I see people keep asking the same simple question... What type of camera should I buy - etc. The same answers are always given.
The first thing anyone new to photography has to learn - is how to create -- well composed stunning photographs. That requires practice no matter what you are holding or using.
No one ever approaches a ladder and puts their foot on the fourth step.
Too many people new to photography think; that if I buy this camera or that camera "then I will be able to duplicate those results".
Well as you view photos from many different people - it is obvious; some know how to see; others are still blind as to what it takes.
Some people are extremely gifted; others have to take time to learn ALL the simple basics before they can advance to the next step.
I've said this before and this is a great place to say it again.. .. and again.. The proper way to LEARN "composition" is NOT by reading books!!
The best way to learn... is to study images taken by (recognized) professionals.
Ansel Adams said: There are NO RULES for great photographs; there are only great photographs!!
It's hard to go wrong with a Canon anything.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
LOL, best advice yet.
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Be smart, don't buy the "Buyer protection plan". get a 4gb chip, it'll handle your needs. If you allow the salesman to "upsell" you, 
The best advce fo photographers
