The camera choice of a highschool student

By David Norton 

I will have to make a decision sometime within the next few months. It could alter the course of my career and social life. It agonizes my every waking moment and pervades the eerie darkness of my dreams.

No, it's not "Who do I ask to the prom?" (I'll have to miss it anyways, my brother is graduating from college that weekend). The truth is much more nerdy: should I buy a Digital camcorder, or a digital still camera? Since I won't be blowing several hundred dollars on a tux, limo, and nice dinner, I should be able to afford a midrange consumer model. In fact, I have already picked out which models I would like to get: a Canon ZR20, or a Canon S110.

Canon ZR20

Canon S110

Yes, they are both Canons. No, I did not get paid to endorse them or anything. I have researched my options, and Canon consistently comes through with better prices, style, functionality, power, and size. Simply put, they do all they want them to do, in a body small enough for me, at a price I think I can afford.

I may not get either of the current models. I am currently planning on waiting a few months and seeing if a new still camera is released (I should hope so, a free accessory deal just ended), and seeing what happens to the prices of the ZR20 in the wake of the new ZR40, 45MC, and 50MC. Currently, the ZR20 runs for about $500, the S110 $400.

The real problem comes down to this: which will I get the most use, or benefits, out of? I am heading to college in the Fall of 2003, and I will need my own digital still camera by then. For now, I can get by using the family's Kodak when I need to. But once I don't have access to that one, I will want one of my one, so that I can get great pictures of the Ohio Valley (where I'll be at school), and my friends. I would use a digital still camera nearly every day.

On the video side, it's not so pretty. My family has an old analog Sony HandyCam, which eats batteries for lunch (if we're generous enough to feed it), and can't be hooked up to the iMac. My friend's dad owns a bulky Sony DV camera, which use to make some cool short films sometimes. But it's not what I'd like to be using, and I can't be sure of having it when I need it. On the other hand, I plan on majoring in Communication Arts, where I will have all the access I need to Digital camcorders. I will only need a camcorder when I have a specific project.

I can only buy one. I do not have the funds for more than one, and even that will have to be a mid-range consumer model. My parents won't buy me either one. Currently, I'm leaning towards the still camera, for the reasons in the past two paragraphs. I have no way of knowing which way the balance will tip (and I fall over, and look stupid... that was a play on words).

So, let me know what you think. Should I get a camcorder or a still camera? Think my choice in Canon, or those particular models, isn't good? Think my money would be better spent elsewhere (other than the prom)? Would you rather just donate one of them to a budding casual photographer? Send it all in, david@macmilitia.com.

David Norton's latest short film involved borrowing his Dad's wedding ring, a disappearing act, and the word "precious". The only thing missing was the curly hair.  

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