Digital Camera Advice

[MasonC2K]

I have a Fuji Finepix 3800. It's 10 years old now. I paid >$400 for it back then. It is a pro camera and takes amazing pictures even by todays standards. But a year or so ago, it started acting funny. When I switch to camera mode, more often than not it just powers down. Sometimes I can get a shot off but that's it. I can got the main menu and browse the pictures and change settings. But it's just near impossible to take a picture with it now because it just turns itself off.

My wife has this cheap $60 Polaroid A800. It's horrible. Almost every picture is out of focus. It says it's 8 MP but my old 4 MP camera takes way better pictures.

I have done some preliminary research and to get a camera on par to my old one is gonna cost darn near the same as when I bought it. And I can't really spend more that $100 or so.

So, according to online estimates, it's gonna cost about $90-100 to repair my old camera.

So what would guys do? And does anyone know of a cheap camera that is actually good?

Thanks.

[kitedemon]

I am not sure I would have ever said the 3800 was a pro camera but for 100$ it is hard to find ok let alone good. I have always liked fuji's and have owned a lot (s1,s2,s3,s5) You might look at the Fuji xp30 I think it is in that range. It is a tough little guy and makes reasonable pictures for what you get I got a eflyer a while back and I think I saw it for 120$ Buy dig I think. Not too sure now and I don't have it anymore.
Alex

[foreverbored]

To get a good DSLR its going to cost a few hundred but you might be able to find a good point and shoot for around $100. If it were my camera, I'd get it repaired.

[xdeus]

I wouldn't get it repaired. Digital cameras aren't really made to last. The contacts will get corroded, the shutter will start to stick, sensor problems, etc. You will get more longevity out of a professional camera, but then you're in the $500 - $2,000+ for the body alone. Tack on another $500 - $3,000 for a decent lens.

Check out dpreview.com for camera reviews. You can get a pretty decent new camera for $100 - $200.

[Kodieh]

My wife and I recently just dropped $1300 on a Nikon D90 with an auto focus lens. It's a pretty good deal, and its a really great camera but like I said it was $1300 and that was a steal for the body and lens included.

[JohnNJ]

I would not repair the old camera. You will not be happy with a camera you can get for $100. My suggestion is to look for a used or refurbished recent model camera that is similar to the one you had. Keep saving while you're looking. dPreview.com is a good place for reviews.

I have many cameras, consumer and pro models, and I use my phone or a point and shoot most often. The best camera is the one you have with you.

[babyknees]

I have a Nikon Coolpix that I love. I don't have it in front of me right now so I'm not sure of the model number but I'd expect them to all be pretty good. Most of them are over $100 but some seem to run around $80. Look into them.

[Clear]

Any time I want camera advice I check out ken rockwells site. This guy knows his stuff!!!!