Digital CameraTo start, digital cameras are evolving so rapidly that it is necessary to follow reviews of current models. The website listed below has frequent and current reviews of a number of lower cost as well as the higher ones. They also have archives so that you can read about others that are out there with comparisons and the like.
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.html
Additional sites can be found at
http://www.pcphotomag.com/
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.html
http://www.shortcourses.com/Thanks to Cliff for the comments on one model of digital camera.
"I think you have to decide what level of photography he'll be using the camera to achieve (family pics, travel, or more serious works, i.e. portraits, action pics etc.). Once you decide that...then you can determine how many pixels, changeable lenses etc. I started using a digital camera less that a year ago...I went with an entry-level type camera, the Fuji Finepix 2300. It's a 2.1 pixel camera with 2X digital telephoto. After some research I found that Fuji cameras have excellent optics. I've been able to print out pics up to 8x10 with terrific results. There are many camera out there in this category & price range, but from my research the general impression is that there is a substantial range in quality. Keep in mind that you'll probably have to get a photo printer at some time. Epson & Canon seem to have the best quality. I have an Epson Stylus Photo 780 (now discontinued) bought for $99....it does a superb job on every type of pic up to 8X10. There is a great newsgroup at rec.photo.digital that I found to be a great help."
If you get a digital camera, be sure to get one that has a MACRO mode and optical zoom. This will allow you to get quite close and fill the frame. With this combination, I have copied documents and pictures for my genealogical documentation.
These are my comments about the two digital cameras I own.
I can speak very highly of the Olympus 450z/460z. This is a 1.3 megapixel camera. The LCD viewer on the back is extremely bright making it easy to see in most all circumstances, compose when necessary and review to see if I had a good pic. They make VERY nice 5x7 prints and occasionally 8x10 with full frame. It has lots of control, but does a nice job on automatic as well. My second camera is also an Olympus, model C700UZ which has a 10x optical zoom and a 27x digital zoom. Its a more flexible camera, but is a little slower to use. Its better suited for special purposes such as very long lens shots or special lighting situations. This camera is a 2.3 megapixel unit and will do 8x10 without too much problem.
You can conserve batteries considerably by getting the optional USB reader so that you remove the chip from the camera and put it in the reader. This way, you don't use near the number of batteries. I shot over 700 pictures with two digitals while in Alaska and used one set of lithium batteries that came with the camera and 3 sets of alkalines. I had two sets of rechargeable, but the rapid charger destroyed them with heat after about a year. The only safe way of retaining the life is to use the slow overnight type of charger.
Be forewarned....digital cameras use batteries like crazy. One of the first things I did was buy 3 sets of rechargeable batteries & a charger. Be aware, a rapid charger will destroy them with heat after about a year. The only safe way of retaining the life is to use the slow overnight type of charger.
Or make sure you get an a/c adapter.
Photographic prints
Are there places I can have my digital prints professionally printed on glossy paper?
Yes, most photo shops now can take your digital film chip and make photos (long life on glossy) from those. The nice thing is that you can remove the photos that you don't want printed and submit just a collection of photos that you want printed. With a card reader rather than the camera, you can also add back photos from different sessions and cards to one card to take in. Alternative methods is to use one of the photosites where you can upload your photos and then have them printed professionally for you and sent back. I use Webshots and they will print for myself or others if they desire. I just have to mark the uploads as available for printing.
Webshots is located at http://www.webshots.com