Jude 2

My wife is a total shutterbug. She loves to take pictures. (which is kinda good)

She has a digital camera but it eats batteries like nobody's business. So...since our anniversary is coming up and she is going on a trip to Brazil (medical missions trip) here soon I was thinking of getting her a camera for the two.

I don't think one that is complicated would be good...she hates reading directions as much as me. Can roughly $100 dollars get a good one that will hold all kinds of pics and have a flash and last a good long time on one set of batteries?

I got about two weeks to do this.

I'll do a little research and see what I can find. However, sad to say, $100 isn't going to really fill all your requirements.


TW

agreed with TW. a hundred bucks will buy a bunch of kinds and models, but none of which, that I know of, will probably get what you want.

I have a couple suggestions (outside of the budgeting factor) to consider:
* Usually, the camera's with proprietary batteries will last longer than ones that use off-the-shelf batteries.

The plus side of this is that they last much longer, the negative, is that you really need to also invest in at least another spare battery and be sure you have a separate charger (so that you don't have to leave the camera plugged in to charge).

In your case, I suggest at least two spare batteries, if not more, so that you have charged batteries for the trip. Getting the camera well ahead of time for the trip is a must, so that you can be familiar with it and how long the batteries will last. you need to know how long the batteries will last, so that you can know how many to have/take with you.

* secondly - I suggest that you get a camera (for the trip) that is not "too big". You will want to take pictures, it sounds like. and in order to be able to do that, it must be handy. and when on a trip like this (speaking from experience), you don't want to be lugging around a big camera that can't fit in your pocket, bag, etc.

Part of this choice is also durability and lens protection. the device will need to be able to withstand your jostling about in your pocket.purse, etc. and the lence will need to be covered and sealed if possible, since it will be doing that jostling about.

* and finally as an OPTION, if you are really wanting to geek out, you can get a small GPS device (not like ones in cars, etc.), it has no screen and usually can go on your key-chain.

What this will do, is track your movements in a database of information that you can download and merge with your pictures. your pictures (and all media) has the potential of storing that meta-data, so that you can know the exact location where the picture was taken. I did these when I took pictures in Egypt, Jordan and Israel. when viewed on-line, you can see the google map and zoom in with satellite imaging, where the pictures were taken.

JohnDB wrote:My wife is a total shutterbug. She loves to take pictures. (which is kinda good)

She has a digital camera but it eats batteries like nobody's business. So...since our anniversary is coming up and she is going on a trip to Brazil (medical missions trip) here soon I was thinking of getting her a camera for the two.

I don't think one that is complicated would be good...she hates reading directions as much as me. Can roughly $100 dollars get a good one that will hold all kinds of pics and have a flash and last a good long time on one set of batteries?

I got about two weeks to do this.

What kind of digital camera does she already have? It might just be the batteries you are buying.

And, make sure your charger is compatible with the voltage in the country she's traveling to, along with the power cord.

recjargables are going to be out of the question...she is gonna be on a boat.
kinda like a large barge. She is gonna be out in the middle of nowhere. No stores or what have you to purchase much of anything.

Medical missions remember?

Durability is a good thing to consider. Also small...no room in the luggage.

I ain't working a whole lot so...I can't really afford much.

But I guess she is just gonna have to take wome batteries and memory cards with her.

Again... what kind of camera does she already have?

JohnDB,
Cats has a valid point, the type of batteries used in a digital camera can and does make a world of difference. Because digital cameras place such a high demand on their batteries, you cannot use standard AA batteries in most cameras and expect them to last. Even with the more exotic batteries some will preform better in some brands than others. Check the manual for the recommended type, and use them. I have a Panasonic DMC-LZ7 that I have had for a couple of years now, and I get good battery life because I use the recommended batteries, AA Oxyride.

Here's a short list of cameras that you may want to look at:

Pentax Optio E70
Pentax Optio E60
Canon PowerShot A470
Casio Exilim EX-Z 77
Kodak EasyShare Z 885
Olympus FE - 210
Nikon Coolpix P4
Panasonic DMC-LZ10

You will just have to look at them and pick the one best suited for you and your wife.


TW

p.s. When all else fails, RTM *Read The Mannual*.