In Reply to: Need advice on digital cam posted by traveljunkie on Monday, 26. July 2004 at 03:30 Bali Time:
I am not familiar with the Canon "Rebel". Just about any digital SLR camera still means expensive these days and the only three reasons why anyone would buy one are:
1: They are "advanced amateurs" or professionals
2: They have a bunch of good lenses already they want to keep
3: They're richer than most of us
As for so-called "pocket models", these vary considerably. There are many to choose from and they all have their pluses and minuses. Sony make some very nice small ones with good resolution. So does Canon, Nikon, etc. Many models are available here and they're getting pretty cheap. Three million rupiah or so, (about USD330/AUD500) will see you the proud owner of a 4 Megapixel job (that's good). The absolute lowest MP is 2. Anything less is just a joke (quality-wise). Anything more is a bonus. Mind you, megapixels are not the only guide to quality. For example, I used to have a 3.34MP Nikon (which got stolen) - I replaced it with a 4.0MP Canon Ixus 400 and I reckon the Nikon took better pictures.
Humidity issues: Just use plain common-sense and don't bang the camera around too much. All good cameras are delicate, precision instruments. Years ago, one could buy a Nikon SLR with a titanium body that could withstand enormous abuse (but not the lenses, of course). You could drive a car over it and only the lenses would break.
When you're not using your camera, and if you can remember, store it in a bag with silica-gel crystals. The cameras that do actually fit in your pocket pose other problems (like the moisture and heat from your own body). Maybe we should keep silica-gel in our clothes. In reality, most cameras will function just fine. Don't worry too much.
I have several cameras and I've been living in Indonesia for years. The biggest problem I see is fungus growing on the lenses. The second beiggest problem is thieves.