Remember back when I was making decisions? I was doing so well and then Bam! Finals hit me like a ton of bricks and I failed to finish answering all of your questions. Hopefully y'all have made the decisions by this point, a month later, but maybe somebody else is sitting around wondering whether they should rent Arrested Development (yes) or go see Made of Honor (no).
So, I'm back! Making decisions that have already been made! Coming through a day late and a dollar short!
Leah needs a new camera and asked whether she should get a digital SLR or get something small and compact.
I decide: Go small and compact. I know, I know. I almost don't want to say it because, honestly, I love my digital SLR with all my heart. But, you know, it is kind of bulky and inconvenient for regular use. You can't keep it in your purse and, what with all the lenses and flashes and whatnot, you have to carry heavy camera luggage with you every where you go. It's practically like toting a baby around, minus all the crying. (Oh, what do I know? It's so not like toting a baby around, but it's the closest thing in my world.) Anyway, if you are choosing between the two, get a compact camera first. Far more than half of the photos I take are with my point-and-shoot, just because it is easy to throw in my purse as I walk out the door--no fuss, no big backpack of gear. If only children were so easy, I'd have four already!
All that said, whatever your choice may be, buy your camera at Costco. If I give one good piece of advice this year, if you take nothing away from reading this blog except this, it is to BUY YOUR CAMERA AT COSTCO. Get a membership if you have to. The reason is that Costco has a wonderful, amazing, want-to-make-out-behind-the-bleachers return policy. I returned a camera that was a year old once, because it was "acting funny." "Acting funny" is how I described the camera's problem to the lady at the counter and she was just like, cool, so here's a whole bunch of cash.
I don't know if I ever told you about the television I returned to Costco. I had this television that also started "acting funny" after a year or so of ownership--specifically, it made a weird noise when the DVD tray ejected--so I took it down to Costso to exchange it for a new one. They had the exact same television in stock, but during the year that I had owned the television, the price had been reduced by nearly $100. So you know what they did, those crazy and wonderful Costco return ladies? They gave me a new television plus some cash. HOW ARE THEY EVEN MAKING MONEY?
So, get whatever. Big camera, little camera, a gigantic tub of ketchup. If you end up hating it tomorrow--or next year--you can just return it for something new.
Unless of course, you've OPENED the giant tub of ketchup. Then you're stuck with it. And you should probably take pictures.
Seriously. I love my digital SLR (I have a Nikon) but, it IS the bain of my existence... wish I had gone for the small and compact.
Posted by: Rachael | June 04, 2008 at 02:14 AM
So I bought the Nikon D40, and I love love love it. But I definitely agree that something to toss in the bag would be nice, so a compact camera remains on my "to buy" list. Good thing the D40 didn't eat up all of my camera budget :-)
Posted by: Leah | June 04, 2008 at 05:23 AM
decidering is back!
I also wholeheartedly love Costco. Totally second your recommendation there!
Posted by: janet | June 04, 2008 at 06:38 AM
And Costco does terrific prints!
Posted by: Nicole | June 04, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Last week I read an article about a new, compact DSLR.
But did I remember the name of the camera? NO. *sigh* Anyway, screw size issues. I'll take a DSLR any day.
Posted by: Erica | June 04, 2008 at 07:52 AM
DUDE, no effing way! How cool is THAT? Man, I wish we had a COSTCO
Posted by: bethany | June 04, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Can I just recommend the Panasonic FX500? I bought it about a month ago and love it. It's great b/c it's small and pretty compact, but has 5x digital zoom, plus you can switch the camera to use it manually. I love it!
Posted by: Clueless Cat | June 05, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Sounds like I need to start using my Costco membership more!
Posted by: Chris | June 06, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Please don't think I'm a crazy stalker. I have a job that keeps me very busy three days straight, and then insanely bored for a week, sooooooo, maybe I've been reading a lot of your blog. (Facebook, gmail, and blogspot are all blocked at work, and there's only so much online window shopping I can do before I allow myself to accumulate some consumer debt.)
I just HAD to tell you you're the first person to convince me I HAVE to get a Costco membership. I never really thought I'd use it, but I feel like I need one now, just in case!
Thanks!
(And don't be scared if you get more comments from me on posts from 08, or 07, swear I'm normal.) :)
Posted by: Rae | July 22, 2009 at 10:35 AM