I have narrowed myself down to two small cameras that I need to take on the spot photos of game that has been shot...Needs to be very compact...

A Pentax Optio 430RS 4 megapixil Digital or a Minolta Xi 3.2 megapixil....both run about $499.99 as best I can find...

I am no camera buff, and simplicity is smiled upon.

Ray,

After much gnashing of teeth and hair pulling, I ordered a Canon G3 today. The reviews were consistently better than anything in its class. It is a little more expensive than what you are considering, but it might be a possiblity.

The reason why I am going digital is because of what the x-rays at the airports do to the film. I found out that the effects are cumulative, that the checked luggage x-rays are 10 times what the conveyor belt at the gate is, and that some of those idiots refuse to hand check film. This occurs most often in countries outside the U.S.

There is a web site called www.photographyreview.com that was extremely helpful in determining my choice.

Go to www.epinions.com and you should be able to get interesting reviews on each camera, and many others.

Ray,

Have a look at these two sites. They have a lot of info that might be helpful to you before you buy that camera.

Digital Camera Resources

Steve's Digicams

Well I'm now the proud owner of a new Olympus C-720 Ultra Zoom digital. I'm still reading the manual. I've taken one shot. So far so good. I think I'm going to be well satisfied.

Ray,
Have you gotten your camera yet?
For what it's worth I am looking at the Pentax as well but I am looking at the 330GS because it also takes AA batteries and since my daughter is getting the chance to go to Europe this next summer I want something "simple" for her. (I don't want to worry about recharger and converters ...) and this model takes them. The 430 dosn't but if I did I would be going that way.

Let us know!

Kensco writes:

quote:

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Well I'm now the proud owner of a new Olympus C-720 Ultra Zoom digital. I'm still reading the manual. I've taken one shot. So far so good. I think I'm going to be well satisfied.

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At 73 pages (the internet edition), you are going to be reading it for quite a while. And from personal experience, you will find two "Main Menus" discussed, the second of which cannot be found. It has to be there, but the pursuit of it does NOT have to be so damned difficult. The online manual is pretty near worthless.

Ray, for posting on the 'net and eMail,, the Minolta Xi 3.2 megapixil is overkill since your images will likely be only 72 dpi.

Get the X ( fewer pixels) and LOWER price.

If you are printing pix on photo quality paper and cropping shots w/ enlargement to 8 X11 then the Xi is neccesary.

ONE of the nicest things about the Minolta X / Xi series is that they will go along with you....in a shirt pocket (and no camera is worth anything, if it is not readily to hand... as you know.)

The batteries are an issue though.

[ 12-30-2002, 16:53: Message edited by: Sysephus ]

Ray, After a few days of research I purchased a Nikon 4300 for the ol lady.. Ive used it for a few days since Christmas and its nice. Its going for around $430..online find the one you want then run it through pricegrabber.com. Read the reviews of the vendors before you order though...some shady characters out there. I can email some photos if you are interested in seeing the quality

I saw a nice digital camera today

FUJU 603 (thats the name in Sweden) Small in size, great monitor and full video mode that will be able to store up to 2 hours of video (30 frames/second) and I think it was 4,3 megapixels.

Sysephus,

I found one other unknown. There is a knurled knob right beside the viewfinder. I can't find its use mentioned in the manual. I'm assuming it is to focus the view finder to your eye, but I don't know that for a fact. I turn it, but see no difference.

Hard to use with my eye and thumb occupying the same space.

Without reservation, I can recommend the Fuji FinePix 2800. I was turned on to it by a fellow AR member after viewing some of his photos on line. This camera is fantastic. The more I use it, the more I love it. It sells for around $300. Some of the best money I've ever spent. I'll attempt to attach a photo: