Want a New Camera

[Hoodoo]

Hmmm, not sure how to approach this, but I am looking for a new digital camera in the $300-$400 price range. Based on a few posts around the forum I am leaning toward the Canon A650 IS.

I moved away from the Canon SD series because they all seem to have a rechargeable battery pack. I have only had one battery pack ever fail in all of the electronic gadgets I have owned, but the battery pack does require access to a power source in order to recharge when the battery is depleted.

As most of you have seen, my photography skills are meager. I also realize it is the photographer and not the equipment that makes a decent photo.
 
So my question. Is this camera OK or would you recommend something different for a novice like myself?  Any and all help is appreciated.

[Al]

That's a very nice camera and one well worth considering.  I just ordered a G9 for $443 including tax and shipping but seriously considered the 650.  Basically the same lens and sensor as the G9 with a few less options that most people will never use plus the 650 has a rotating LCD display which is a really nice feature.  I bet you will really enjoy it.  Abe's of Maine has it for under $300.


http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1083

Al

[homerboy2u]

If you are going to go for it..like Al's source Price Grabber.com lists Abe's of Maine , as the cheapest source...coming out at: $ 288.49 dlls. for your camera.

  You might want to try and check also Ebay.com, for the last resorce before committing.

[RichardM]

I have the Canon A720IS which sells for less than $200.  So far I like it.  The flip-out lcd sounds like a good feature.  Use of AA batteries was a priority for me, as you can find those anywhere.  The 650 uses 4 of them so it should last longer than mine with just 2.  dpreview.com lists a couple of retailers under $300.  Amazon currently has it for $304.38, shipped.  Dell has it for $297.49, shipped.  Might be a few other deals out there as well.

I haven't ordered from Abe's of Maine, but after reading a few reviews at BizRate.com and resellerratings.com, I'd be more inclined to go with Amazon, Dell, or someone with a local store so you can return in person if necessary.  If the retailer's first response to your order is to ask you to call them, be aware.  That's the standard tactic for "up-sellers".  There are a ton of these guys (especially in New York) that list very low prices and make it up by selling you overpriced accessories.  If you don't buy their extras, then suddenly your camera is back-ordered....often forever.

[jeffblaylock]

Like Al, I have the Canon PowerShot G9, and I've been very pleased with it.

The battery situation is a bit of a problem, as it would certainly be much easier to keep plugging Lithium AAs in there. Since I'm headed off to Yosemite for a 10-day unsupported backpack -- and projecting to take 2,000 photos -- I've had to take some steps to ensure I don't run out of batteries. The G9 uses the same proprietary battery as my digital Rebels, so I have three batteries. That's not enough juice for 10 days, so I got a Promaster Xtrapower Go! SLR charger. It's designed to recharge batteries in the field where electricity is absent. It will recharge the battery up to 5 times. It also has a USB port, so it will recharge cell phones, GPS, MP3 players, and anything else that can be charged via USB. It was pricey ($100 at a local camera store in Austin - about the same online) but cheaper than buying 5 more batteries.

[Roy]

Best site for photo gear (IMHO) is bhphotovideo.com.  Usually close to the best in price and absolutely reliable;  no upselling, they get you your stuff on time, and no big hasssles with exchanges.  And they carry huge variety of gear;  photo,video, audio, computers and peripherals, etc. 

[badknees]

Best site for photo gear (IMHO) is bhphotovideo.com.  Usually close to the best in price and absolutely reliable;  no upselling, they get you your stuff on time, and no big hasssles with exchanges.  And they carry huge variety of gear;  photo,video, audio, computers and peripherals, etc. 

I agree, BHPhoto is the best

Take a look at this to see what the NY camera dealers really have for a store.

Camera Scams

[RichardM]

Take a look at this to see what the NY camera dealers really have for a store.

Camera Scams

Well, look who shows up about 2/3 of the way down...

[Al]

I picked them for the price AND the high rating which is higher than Dell.  I have no idea the basis for the rating but I have used it before and never had a problem. 

I WAS surprised when they called and emailed me and said I had to confirm my order by talking to one of their representatives.  First he tried to sell me a converter and filters for $39.95.  (This is a silly option considering how it increases the size of the G9 to a DSLR) I told "Sal" that I had a G6 and asked if the converter from the G6 fits the G9, to his credit he said yes but that would only knock $5 off the price.  I declined.  He then tried to sell me memory, which I declined.  He then SOLD me an extended warranty for $39.95 which he represented would provide me with a new replacement if "for any reason" my camera needed replacement in the next 3 years.  I probably foolishly said OK and bought the warranty. So yes I paid more than the price listed on the internet. 

The numbers in my head were comparing paying full retail PLUS 8.5% sales tax here locally. Best Buy had had it marked down to $449.95 but the sale was over and tax would have made it cost about the same even if I had caught the sale.  The good news is the camera has been shipped and UPS is projecting delivery this Friday.  Could I have saved perhaps $20 elsewhere.  Yes.  Would Dell have added tax, yes.  Is the warranty worth having from them. maybe not but hopefully I'll never have to find out.  If I do and they don't honor it, y'all will be the first to know.

Al

[Al]

How substantial does a business have to be to have a wide range of products in stock and shippable the next day?  Bigger than I have fingers and toes!

Do manufacturers such as Canon have to have confidence that a business maintaining such a large and expensive stock of their product is legit?

Who provides the basic warranty to my Canon camera if not Canon. 

. . . Mongo only pawn in the game of life . . . (Alex Carras, Blazing Saddles)

Al

[homerboy2u]

What can i say?...when ever i buy from the internet, i try to use the best reliable source for acquiring anything that pleases me. For me, Pricegrabber.com has come thru once and again. I like the way they rate the business that affiliate with them and how clearly they state all their charges, before you commit to buying.

  I have not had an experience ,so far, like Al's where i buy something over the internet , then i have to call them in order to confirm the order so to speak. The last time i used pricegrabber.com was when i bought my Garmin 60CSX GPS and the sale and shipping went flawless, i have to admitt that Abe's of Maine is the first time shown on PG's webpage, but that is starting to happenned more and more everyday, as small businesses begin to jump to the internet wagon and increase their sales.

  The other source i mostly use is Ebay.com and with their Paypal.com system to transfer funds and stuff, i just can't go wrong plus, the way they evaluate each seller is tops with me. So for the time beign, i will stay with both. Unless somebody here , steps forward and shares a story worth reconsidering.

Homero Jimenez

[bdann]

For photo gear I usually buy from Amazon.com or B&H.  Never had a problem with either, and they both have consistently good pricing.  For used photo gear KEH has proven to be a good source, with good pricing and good customer service. 

Hoodoo,  Amazon has this camera for $304 w/ free shipping.  That deal is probably hard to beat.  B&H is slightly cheaper, but no free shipping.  Looks like a very nice camera.

[Roy]

Abe's had been around for quite a while before Internet ordering was even possible; both as a brick-mortar store and a catalog-mail order outfit.  I'd never heard anything bad about them until lately.  Looks like they're getting desperate.  

[Hoodoo]

Thanks everyone, the A650 is the one I’ll get. I wasn’t planning on paying full retail, but was also completely unaware of the up selling efforts by some businesses in the camera market.

Here is a price comparison from some of the sources mentioned above.

Vendor   Price   Tax   Shipping   Total
B&H     $299.95   $0.00   $12.30   $312.25
Dell   $297.49   $24.54   $0.00   $322.03
Amazon   $304.38   $0.00   $0.00   $304.38
Abe's    $288.49   $0.00   $0.00   $288.49
Ebay   $267.95   $0.00   $19.95   $287.90

There are a lot of them advertised on Ebay, I am still sorting through some of those. Seems most everyone is offering discounts and/or free shipping to entice your economic stimulus their way.

That's not enough juice for 10 days, so I got a Promaster Xtrapower Go! SLR charger.

Jeff, I looked for the specs on the Promaster Xtrapower SLR charger but couldn’t find how much it weighed. I am just curious how much it adds to your pack weight

[Al]

I looked back at who I bought the G6 from and it was Beach Camera.  Like Abe's they may have changed but I have no idea.  They have the 650 for $288.  I didn't check to see if they charge shipping.

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/SearchResults.aspx?cti=2014&pti=&mnm=Canon&sku=&pgn=2&kwd=&srt=&respage=&apr=&zpr=&scs=False

Al