Digital cameras 101

[ppearce]

I'm considering purchasing a digicam for my wife.  I'm having a bit of trouble finding cameras that come standard with Date/Time Stamps.
That's her #1 priority, followed by 3 megapixel resolution, fairly small size, uses AA batteries, and under $300.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi ppearce,

Welcome to Digicamhelp.

Date-stamp...hmmm.

To be honest, I'm not sure which cameras have a date stamp as part of the set-up menu. Is there any particular reason this is so important to your wife?

I ask this because when you take shots with a digital camera, EXIF data is saved with each jpeg image. That data includes the date a photo was taken and can be viewed in may software programs, including some free programs. The software which comes with your camera will no doubt let you read the EXIF data.

If being able to put a date-stamp on an image is important, it's probably best to call around and ask.

There are many fine digital cameras with the other things you are looking for. Highly recommend you visit this page which lets you search a database of digital cameras by putting in the features you are looking for.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Unfortunately, date-stamp info isn't one of the options to select. That's why I suggest you call a manufacturer or a place where they sell digital cameras.

Here's some information on EXIF data:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-exif/index.htm

[ShutterbugGail]

DUH!

I checked deeper into my Set-up menu and, sure enough, it has a date-time stamp feature. It is a Nikon digital camera.

So, for sure, Nikon cameras offer date-time stamp, and most likely digital cameras made by other manufacturers do too.

As I mentioned previously, it's best to ask around. I'm sure you'll find the date-stamp in a camera that has the other features you desire.

[ppd]

Don't buy a Canon. That was my biggest mistake. I too am looking for  one that would date-stamp on prints. It is really important for me because I love to create scrapbooks and dates are very important, especially when it comes to baby's milestones (first crawl, first step, etc.) EXIF does not do the job... it's great if left in PC. Using freeware software is just too many extra steps do get date printed.

[ShutterbugGail]

I too am looking for  one that would date-stamp on prints. It is really important for me because I love to create scrapbooks and dates are very important

Hi ppd,

Welcome to Digicamhelp.

I see how a date stamp can be important. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, there are no digital camera databases which  give this specific information so, as I said, it's best to call a local photo shop or manufacturer.

[tjl]

All or most Sony models can enable this feature in its setup.  My sister has a Sony DSC-Pxx for at least 1.5 years with this feature.  See V1 menu here:  

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv1/page10.asp.  

I went to RitzCamera and played with many of the Sony DSC-Pxx, -V1, -T1.  Though store clerks had no knowledge of such feature, I was able to find it and saw it working in action.  

I am ready to switch my Canon S40 with a Sony just because of this.  I do not enjoy spending hours adding date stamp to photos.  Supposedly some new models made by Kodak and Pentax also have this feature.  There are a few people dislike Sony when comparing to Canon, citing loss of resolution and sharpness, etc.  

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=sony_dscw1&opinion=22504
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=sony_dscw1&opinion=22441

But there are plenty others who love Sony.  The Nov 2004 issue of the Consumer Report ranks Sony in mostly the bottom 3rd of the 4-5 Megapixel group.  So make the decision for yourself.

[MV]

All Kodak easyshare digital camera's can be set to add a date stamp to the photo prints.

[Mike]

The Canon A75 has date stamp.

[mike]

The new Canon A75 and Canon A95 powershot cameras have the date and time feature stamp  available in the PostCard mode.

Post Card mode is 1600x1200 and creates file sizes ranging from about 400,000 to 600,000 bytes. This is pretty acceptable for me.

The draw back is the date & time stamp feature is not available in the other higher & lower resolutions, I really don't know why they did it this way.

I feel you should be able to turn the date & time stamp across the board for all resolutions if you wanted to.

Anyways I still find the Canon Power shot cameras a far superior products, I presently own the Canon A60, A70 & A75.

I also use the Minolta DiMage7i at work which has the date and time feature stamp.

I have also used Kodak models that have the date & time feature stamp.

Sony cameras also have the date and time feature stamp as well as Nikon.

I would sure like to find a comprehensive list of digital cameras that can stamp the date & time on the photos.

I am in the construction field and Date & Time stamp is a feature needed for recording progress of construction.

[mike]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/a75.html


Here is a review of the Canon A75, price is under $200 dollars for this 3.2 megapixel camera.

Then Canon A95 is 5 megapixel and cost about $350, I think this camera is overkill, the A75 will more than suffice for everyday use with quality photos.

[ShutterbugGail]

Thanks Mike about all the useful information about date/time stamp features. It will be very helpful to those looking for a digital camera with date/time stamp capabilities.

[Sylvia Clulow]

I too find the date/time stamp thing very useful.  I have a Kodak DC290 and need to replace due to a broken LCD screen.  I had strongly considered the Canon A75 as a replacement, but I am buying another camera instead (not decided yet) simply because of this issue.

I wanted to get a Canon camera so I could re-use my compact flash cards, but I will get over it.  I find date/time stamp more important.

The A75 does offer a date/time stamp on the image, but only in Postcard mode.  I don't like the fact that I would be restricted to one type of resolution just so I could use this feature.