what to get?

[Noize Anomaly]

my girlfriend just bought a sony cybershot 6 MP camera.

what should i get for batteries?

what should i get for memory?

[DazedNConfuzed]

a good set of NiMH batteries. with 2500mah or higher, assuming this camera came with standard alklaine batteries.

as far as additional memory is concerned. Memory Stick Pro should be just fine for this instance. 512mb or higher preferably, depending on how many photos you plan on taking before you have to unload photos to your pc.

[frostyone]

Check the model.

You got to check to see what memory card it uses.
Being a Sony Cyber shot typically it would be a Memory stick Duo.

Costco had a 1 GB mem stick duo on sale for $39. last week.
No need to buy from Sony.

Battery for a cybershot is typically proprietary.
However there should have been a $20 coupon in the box for accessories.
And Sony style has a promotion, either $30-50 rebate for certain cybershot cameras.
Use both and extra battery could come out free,
Read promo conditions here:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/PromotionsDetailsView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&promotionId=SonyStylePromotion00465

[jovin]

Sony are good at this sort of thing; they try to make everything proprietary. Given the various types of memory cards out there, did they really need to invent another one for their products? Same goes for batteries. That's one of the reasons I try to avoid them.

[DazedNConfuzed]

Sony are good at this sort of thing; they try to make everything proprietary. Given the various types of memory cards out there, did they really need to invent another one for their products? Same goes for batteries. That's one of the reasons I try to a void them.

:lln:

[BillD]

Jovin makes a good point about the high cost of proprietary batteries. Having said that, I recently purchased a Panasonic, DMC-FZ5, which has a proprietary battery. The camera has 12X zoom, 5 megapixel, and a host of great features. The camera was $400.00, but the battery is $100.00. Fortuneately, the battery charges quickly, and takes over 300 pictures. Still, it seems absurd that the battery is 1/4 the cost of the camera. While the price was so low for the camera, because it is the end of the line, it still seems a lot for a battery. The voltage is over 7V, so AA batteries weren't an option.

[T_Totler]

It's no different with things like printers and Brita water to name but 2 examples.....

The printer is cheap, but you get hit with the cost of replacing proprietary ink cartridges.

Same with the Brita water. The jugs are cheap to buy, but the proprietary replacement filters are relatively expensive.

Lucrative business model.

[Mouse]

Because the public are idiots.

If you charge more for a laser printer, that is refillable with toner, people will almost always go for a cheaper printer.

Then they pay. ;)

[DazedNConfuzed]

Jovin makes a good point about the high cost of proprietary batteries. Having said that, I recently purchased a Panasonic, DMC-FZ5, which has a proprietary battery. The camera has 12X zoom, 5 megapixel, and a host of great features. The camera was $400.00, but the battery is $100.00. Fortuneately, the battery charges quickly, and takes over 300 pictures. Still, it seems absurd that the battery is 1/4 the cost of the camera. While the price was so low for the camera, because it is the end of the line, it still seems a lot for a battery. The voltage is over 7V, so AA batteries weren't an option.

He certainly does have a point. But thread starter asked what accessories he should purchase.

I just bought a new camera recently too...I <3 my Canon S3.
One of the few things that led me to buy this oddly enough were the use of standard AA batteries.

but anyway, I made my suggestion for accessories above, alot of smart photo people here..waiting for more ideas.

[BillD]

I get your point, DNC, and that was well covered, by you. I do tend to ramble. However, I wouldn't advise buying a camera based on what batteries it uses.

[DazedNConfuzed]

lol neither would I


:unk:

[Lesster]

I wouldn't buy a digital camera that used AA batteries. My proprietary battery that came with my Panasonic DMC-LC40 over 3 years ago is as good as when it was new. I am shopping for a newer digital camera to upgrade to newer technology and am considering the same one BillD bought or a comparable Nikon.

Something to consider doing is to go to the manufacturer's website and download the PDF of the manual for the camera, then burn it to a disc. If the original book gets misplaced you have it on a CD.

[DazedNConfuzed]

I wouldn't buy a digital camera that used AA batteries. My proprietary battery that came with my Panasonic DMC-LC40 over 3 years ago is as good as when it was new. I am shopping for a newer digital camera to upgrade to newer technology and am considering the same one BillD bought or a comparable Nikon.

Something to consider doing is to go to the manufacturer's website and download the PDF of the manual for the camera, then burn it to a disc. If the original book gets misplaced you have it on a CD.

one huge disadvantage with your "theory" champ
when your battery dies you're out of luck.
you could go ahead and purchase a backup battery but have fun spending some coin to get one.

when my batteries die..I go buy new ones at the corner store for 3 bucks and continue to shoot.

[Mouse]

Mine came in a kit, with 2 extra AAs and a charger. :d

[DazedNConfuzed]

MM when you say "mine" which are you using?
I like to know what people use for their picture taking.

[Mouse]

Just a widdle Fuji 2mp, 3x.

Sad, isn't it??

[DazedNConfuzed]

not at all.