Digital Camera for Web Stills/Video and Print - Fine Art

[naiche]

This is my first post here at Photography Review, so please bare with the low-level understanding of cameras. Afterall, that is why I am here.:mad2:

Problem:
I have at best a basic understanding of Photographic terms and concepts and even less an understanding of all the various new technologies in the field and makes and models. On the plus side I do have a pretty good understanding of general technology.
I have pretty good idea of what I want and need, but got lost in the myriad web pages that I had to cross reference from reviews to pricing to tracking down tech specs and was unable to find something that matched all of my criteria. Finally I gave up and came here.

Uses:
I will use the images from the camera primarily for websites (for example shooting artwork and then compressing for web), although I will also use it for print. I do not see myself printing anything over 8x10, and even then, rarely, and even then it does not have to be magazone quality, or whatever. For the most part it will be for standard 4x6.
I would also like to be able to shoot video w/ audio to post on the web as well, to view at about 3"x4", maybe slightly bigger, 3.75"x5".

Perceived Needs/Preferences::idea:
Megapixels: 5-7
Image format: JPEG, would lilke the option of TIF and/or RAW. Not sure if absolutely necessary for my applications.
Max. Res.: Not sure. But 8"x10" @ 300dpi = 2400x3000pixels ~ 7.2MP.
Comp connect.: USB 2.0/Firewire/something common.
Video: 30FPS
Video Resolution: Not sure.
Video Format: MPEG
Size of camera: Does not matter much, small is good but not necessary.
Memory card type: Preferably a standard type, not some rare type that is not compatible with anything else. I prefer 512mb to 1gb on a card.
Battery: I really prefer the rechargable battery system, partly because I have an environmentalist bent, but also because I do not want to incur the charges of routine battery replacement. Also I have seen longer battery life on Lithiums than on AAs, especially when using Flash. I definitely want a camera with a rechargable battery.
Zoom: Zoom is good but not sure what my needs are in this area. I know optical is better than digital.
Color quality: Because of my interest in shooting artwork, particularly colorful artwork, I think it is necessary that the camera has good color perception.
When it comes to F-stop and shutter speeds, I get lost...
Did I miss anything? probably
Here's the kicker. I am on a budget and would like to spend $200 or less, but can possibly go up to $300 as is probably necessary. I found a camera that seemed to meet all my needs but then I read that the video quality was jumpy and the audio horrible (see link below) and that was the last straw!

Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-P200 7.2-Megapixel Digital Camera
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1822383,00.asp

Question:
Can anyone suggest a camera that will suit me coinsidering needs, uses, preferences, and budget?
Thank you.

[naiche]

Can anyone recommend a Sony Brand camera?

[naiche]

I found a Sony that is advertised as Photo/Movie capable.

Unfortunately, it does not allow for manual adjustments. Since I have never owned a digital camera, can anyone share whether or not these types of cameras will still yield "good" pictures. I know this is a subjective question but I would appreciate any comments on that. Any other thoughts on this camera would be helpful as well. Thank you.

Here are the details for the Camera:

Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-M2 Digital Camera DSC-M2

Specifications
Imaging Device: 1/2.5" 5.1 Megapixel Effective Super HAD™ CCD
Recording Media: Optional Memory Stick Duo™ Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media. Tested to support up to 2GB43 media capacity
Lens Construction: 11 Elements in 8 Groups (Including 3 Aspheric Elements, 1 Prism)
Zoom: 3X Optical, 2X Digital, 6X Total Zoom
Filter Diameter: N/A
Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessar®
Focal Length: 6.33 - 19.0mm
35mm Equivalent: 38 - 114mm
Focus Area: 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center Weighed AF, Spot AF
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm) Minimum Focus Distance
Macro Focus Distance: Selectable 3 1⁄4" (8cm), Magnifying Glass Mode 0.4” (1cm)
Aperture: Auto, f3.5 – f8.0 (Wide-angle), f4.3 - f10.0 (Telephoto)
Aperture Range: f3.5 - f10
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV steps
Color LCD: 2.5" 123K Pixels TFT Hybrid LCD Screen1
Flash Modes: Auto/Forced Flash/No Flash/Slow Synchro
Red-Eye Reduction: Yes, On/Off
Flash Effective Range: 4”-8’.6” (0.1m – 2.6m)
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash
Burst Mode: 4 Shot (5 Megapixels JPEG Fine), 3 frames per second
Picture Effects: Black and White, Sepia
Power Save Mode:Yes (after approx. 3 min. of inactivity)
ISO: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400
Scene Modes: Beach, Candle, Fireworks, High Speed Shutter, Landscape, Magnifying Glass Mode, Snow, Twilight, Twilight Portrait
Self-Timer: Yes, 10 Seconds
Date/Time Stamp: Yes
Erase/Protect: Yes
Audio/Video Output: Yes, by Supplied Multi-connector Cable
DC Inputs: DC Power-in via supplied AC-LS5 Mulit-connector cable
Still Image Modes: JPEG (Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi Burst, Auto Bracketing
Movie Mode2: MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (640 x 480, 30 fps/2.88 Mbps Bit Rate); MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (320 x 240, 30 fps/975 kbps Bit Rate); MPEGMOVIE 4TV (MPEG4) with Stereo Audio (320 x 240, 15 fps/277 kbps Bit Rate)
USB Port: Yes, by Supplied Cable Connected To Cyber-Shot® Station Cradle, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed3
Battery Type/Capacity: Designed for use with InfoLithium® Ion (NP-FT1), 2.4W (680mAh)
Supplied Software: Picture Package™ for Sony v1.2 (Windows) for DSC-M2, Nero Vision Express 3. Macintosh®: ImageMixer VCD2 + Music Transfer
OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 98, 98SE, 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home and Professional. Macintosh® OS 8.5.1, 8.6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, OS X (v10.0/v10.1)
Supplied Accessories: NP-FT1 Rechargeable InfoLithium® Battery, ACL-S5 AC Adapter/In Camera Battery Charger, UC-MB Cyber-shot® Station, Stereo A/V Connecting Cable, USB Cable, Wrist Strap, Software CD-ROMS (2x). NOTE: No Memory Stick or adapters are included.
Dimensions (WHD): 2” x 4” 7/8 x 1/14” (51.2 x 123.1 x 32.0”mm)
Weight: 6.6 oz (180g) Body; 7.7 oz (210g) Body including Battery and optional Memory Stick Media
Real Imaging Processor™ Technology: Yes
AF Illuminator Light: Yes
PictBridge Compatible: Yes
Clear Color/Clear Luminance NR: Yes
Histogram Display: Yes
Mulit-Pattern Measuring: Yes
Media/Battery Indicator: Yes

[Anbesol]

unless you specifically need that movie capability then its silly to get the m series from sony. If you really need to stick with lithium rechargables then the p200 is the best sony camera to get. however it seems you have a bit of a misunderstanding to AA's. whilst alkalines do drain very quickly, getting rechargable AA's (nickel metal-hydride) last a lot longer then lithiums on a single charge, plus have other benefits as well, particularly how non-proprietary they are. within the confines of that budget the P200 is great! you could probably find the H1 for around $300 too...

[naiche]

Thanks Anbesol,

Yeah, the movie capability is kind of important, but then again, the H2 has the same frame size and rate as the M series although a different compression format.

I had no idea that nickel-hydride batteries outlasted the Lithium ones. Do you recommend a particular brand of nickel-hydrides?

If the budget were up'd to $500 let's say, would you still recommend the H series?

[naiche]

Perhaps I should go all the way and get an H5.

[Anbesol]

if youre extending the budget to $500 you might look at more prosumer type cameras. the prices on thsoe things are falling hard! check out the sony f828, fuji s9000, minolta dimage a200 and the sorts. the last camera, the minolta, has movie capabilities that would make the sony m2 cry, plus it has better performance (by a lot) then any sony h series.

[drg]

I had no idea that nickel-hydride batteries outlasted the Lithium ones. Do you recommend a particular brand of nickel-hydrides?

Energizer 2500 mAh NiMh sold in sets of 4 for $8-12. They've seen service in Canon Gear, a Sigma, a GPS or three, some battery powered accesories (including a blower), and various flash units.

They can be purchased at 'standard' outlets and there are some 'fast' recharge version available as well.

I feel they are more shock resistant. No idea why more than some but I fumble batteries in cold weather on occasion and the Energizer seem not to mind. Some Duracell and Maha went to the recycling place after bouncing.