Digital cameras and printers

I have a 4 megapixel camera and an HP DeskJet 895cxi printer. The prints come out of this printer really well. I find though that the paper is more important than the printer. I use Epsom paper. I find it works much better than Kodak as you don't see the layers of ink. As for those little printers that are about the size of a personal DVD player, they are very expensive to use. An ink cartridge doesn't last long at all. The store I last worked at sold them, and the salesman told me it was cheaper to burn your pictures to a RW disc, go to Walmart and print them off in their machine. I just upload my pictures to Walmarts photolab website and have them print them for me on Kodak paper. (Okay, so Kodak is better when a real lab does it. LOL) I think in the end, for the price of the paper and the ink I would use at home, it's more convenient to have Walmart print them for me. It takes a little longer to do it online. I haven't tried their self-serve machine yet, but know people who have and are very happy with the results. It only takes about a 1/2 hour to get your prints when you use the self serve.

I have a Fuji S5000 and I love it! It's 3.2 megapixels and gives excellent pictures! I opted for this one because it has a 10X optical zoom on it which is like using a 100/300 lens on your SLR. I've had the camera a little more than a year now. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's too big to fit in my pocket.

I also just bought a photo printer and got a really good deal. Haven't used it a lot yet but it does a nice job. It's an HP Photosmart 7960. Sam's Wholesale Warehouse (affiliated with Walmart) has it for about $159.00.

Good luck on making your choices! S

I have a Sony DSC F717and it can be linked to the computer by USB cable and the pictures are easy to download. It goes up to 5 megapixels and I can choose which # of megapixels I want to use. I usually keep it on 3 megapixels and I get great pictures with It can also be switched to manual so I can use it like an SLR. I can also add special lenses to the end (like a polarizer, diffuser, etc.). Now I have a desktop that I can stick my media card into and download the pictures easier than ever. I had to get a new printer for my home office and I bought and HP OfficeJet 6110 All-in-one. I bought the photo cartridge along with the regular ones and you use the 2 color ones to print pictures. I love the quality even when I scan a picture. I am so happy to have a flat bed scanner now!!

I want a Digital SLR so bad I can taste it but I'll have to wait.

CK magazine had a GREAT article this summer on cameras, printers & ink. I *think* it was the August edition. I don't have the magazine at the moment so I can't confirm it. It gave a great overview of digital cameras, types of printers and what are the fade resistancy of various inks. I found it to be very informative.