After weeks of reading reviews and webpages, I am still at a loss in regard to which camera to purchase. As an advanced amateur, I want a good point-and-shoot USB port digital camera to connect to my blue Macintosh G3. Any recommendations would really be appreciated as I do not want to make a mistake in this acquisition!!!

-- Barbara Butler-Long (rosebud2@usit.net), November 14, 1999

Answers

USB card readers are cheap and easy to use (~50), you can buy one of those and buy a camera on the features you need, without worrying about whether it has built in USB or not.

If you really must have in camera USB, the kodak 290 has good image quality and poor manual control. The sony 505 has good image quality and manual control, 5x optical zoom, but no viewfinder. :) The epson 850 is really good, and you could also look at the toshiba m5. Canon S10 is perfect if you want the smallest size.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), November 15, 1999.

I agree in part to the the above. If you consider a USB card reader, you end up broadening the scope of available cameras.

But as to which camera is right for you, that is another story entirely. For the most part I agree with the above post on the cameras that might be what you are looking for. However, I would not discount the Sony Cybershot F505 because it does not have a viewfinder. The large 2" LCD is a great way to see the entire picture. But you should go with what you are most comfortable with. The Sony after all, is a radical design. The other camera to consider for versatility and quality is the Canon CP950 One other thing. Except for the Sony line and a few others, you will need to invest in rechargeable batteries and charger.

dave

-- David Erskine (davide@netquest.com), November 16, 1999.