This morning we had our first CONNECTed Conversation and it went fairly well according to the feedback I've received so far.
If you missed it, the recording is here. https://breeze.ucdavis.edu/p95522155/ and remember, the ANR TechTools site has information about these sessions and other supported technology available to ANR faculty and staff.
I want to make sure live (and viewers of the recording) participants have access to the sites that were presented or mentioned. Here they are:
My favorite camera review site--check out the Buying Guide, features search. http://dpreview.com
My second favorite, with an emphasis on the smaller cameras. http:/steves-digicams.com
Here are some other review sites:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/
B&H Photo-Video in New York is the vendor I use most for university photo purchases.http://bhphotovideo.com
B&H also provides a Digital Camera Buyers Guide that is downloadable at the end of this blog posting.
WARNING. When shopping for cameras, make sure the description includes "USA." If it says "Imported" that means the warranty is only good overseas. They are all imported; it's the warranty that matters.
Form Factors: Look for Compact (not Ultra-Compact)
Shop for:
- The most megapixels you can afford, not less than 8MP (the market has 10's and 12's for less than $400).
- Compact Flash media storage cards are becoming rare in compact-sized cameras. SD is the card of choice now.
- Buy the largest storage card you can. You will probably regret anything less than 1-2GB.
This is the compact camera I'm most interested in today. It has a 12 MP sensor and image stabilization. There is a review the Canon Powershot A650 IS at Digital Camera Review: Canon Powershot A650 IS Review
Here's some speculation about the Next Digital Rebel (Jan 08?) you might find interesting. Be sure to read through the comments at the end of the piece, they offer differing opinions, some of which I agree with.
http://www.photographybay.com/2007/09/27/canon-rebel-xti-replacement/
Enjoy the holidays and keep an eye out for the next CONNECTed Conversation in January--date coming soon.
Mike
DigitalCameraGuide

CONNECTed Conversations are frequent opportunities for you to join an online discussion with communication technology experts at ANR Communication Services. We will be using an Adobe Connect online meeting room.
There is no software for you to install. You will need speakers or headphones to hear what's being said.
At the meeting time, use your browser to go to https://breeze.ucdavis.edu/connected. Enter your name in the Guest field. No password or user name is needed.
The inaugural CONNECTed Conversation will be:
9am Friday December 14 Choosing a Digital Camera, 30 minutes, Hosted by Mike Poe, ANR CS Media Services Manager.
This survey http://ucanr.org/connected-feedback can be used to submit a question in advance that you would like answered in the next CONNECTed Conversation.
If you miss the event, there will be a link to the recording on the TechTools website, in the Toolbox, under CONNECTed Conversations. http://ucanr.org/techtools
I hope you are able to join me in what we hope will be a regular communication method you can use to get information about the latest tips, tools, and services from ANR Communication Services.

