I have a little bit of a decision to make. Not huge or life changing, but still a decision.

DH handed me a card for my birthday that said it was "good for a digital camera". I have been needing a new smaller camera for a while now. The one I have is only 4.0 megapixels, and it takes grainy pictures and blurry if the subjects aren't completely still. So, I have been saying that I need to get one. DH agreed, and that was my "big" birthday gift.

Last night, at my brothers party, they were playing music through an ipod. Now, I know this is not rare, but it had me really wanting an ipod. Well, that and seeing that I am probably the last person on earth to have anything like that. I have no ipod or mp3 player. (I've wanted an ipod as well, but have needed to upgrade to a better smaller digital camera.)

So, DH told me if I wanted an ipod instead of a camera, I could get one. ACK! I want one!! I really do!!

So, here is my dilema....

I need the camera. No questions about it.

The ipod would be great to have too. I plan on getting one shortly (after saving up, etc). I WANT one soo badly. But, if I get the ipod, I will need to get the car connection kit, and all those things that go with it, which will mean a bigger expense if I get the ipod. (Not to mention how completely LONG it takes to get songs on itunes from CD's.)

Seeing my friend and her ipod in her car made me want to get one for my car. (I only have a tape player in mine. Why? I have no clue! People don't even sell tapes anymore! But, why they put it in a 2004 model of a car is beyond me! DH has a CD player in his car that his dad got for him. He also has an XM radio in his car as well. I only have a tape player, a meesley tape player. It's like having an 8 track in my car, or worse!)

So, being in my position, which would you get?

And, if you have any camera suggestions for smaller digitals as well. We have been looking, but I haven't been able to make up my mind.

You're not the only one! I do not have an ipod or an mp3 player either. And I don't even have a tape player or CD player in my car. I would like one, but can't afford it. If it were me, I'd go for the camera for now, that is more essential. I use my digi cam a LOT, and I have managed to live nicely without an ipod so far!

i'd get the small iPod shuffle for roughly $79 and work with the remaining balance for a camera you want.

i've had somewhat similar experiences the last few months. my Canon SD550 powershot broke before my last California trip a few weeks ago (i'd recommend Canon's similar to this for a small digital), so i had to borrow my Dad's Kodak easy share (3.2 megapixel) - yes, the pictures were worse, but for the web, they were fine, and i've just been spoiled with my Canon - but i'm sure glad i have that back now!!

as for the iPod, we were an iPod-less family until earlier this year when i got the Shuffle for my daughter - it doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it sure is fun - the Shuffle is a great way to go i think and is more than adequate for me. and with the price, hopefully it will leave a good balance to get you a good digital camera.

i hope this helps.

iPod Shuffle link (http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/)

My mom has the shuffle, and while it will "get the job done" essentially, I want the bigger version.

The main reason I want the bigger version is to have the screen that I can organize the music playlists, etc. I don't believe the shuffle can do that.

I do eventually want a shuffle though, mainly cause it is more compact for working out, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate getting different points of views.

I would think you could get a nice new camera and a Ipod shuffle or Nano too. Cameras are coming down in price and there are good deals out there. I would try to work it to get both.

I have the Cybershot 7.2 mp and I love it. They also have a 10.1 mp at Best buy right now for 269.00. I can't tell you about getting an IPOD because I don't have one.

Seeing my friend and her ipod in her car made me want to get one for my car. (I only have a tape player in mine. Why? I have no clue! People don't even sell tapes anymore! But, why they put it in a 2004 model of a car is beyond me! DH has a CD player in his car that his dad got for him. He also has an XM radio in his car as well. I only have a tape player, a meesley tape player. It's like having an 8 track in my car, or worse!)


Now the google ad is trying to sell me a cassette player. :rolleyes: You would think it could pick up on "iPod" or "XM radio" or "car". At least it didn't pick "8-track."

And trust me, nothing is worse than having an 8-track player in your car. Plus having Tony Orlando and Dawn's Greatest Hits vol. 2 be the only tape that came with the car.

I have both. I like my ipod, I love my camera. I hated hated getting grainy, blurry and over-exposed pictures. Especially when we're taking pictures of our little angels! We need to be able to get good pictures with little lag time. (My camera has just about NO lag time.)

One of the accessories I endorse for the ipod is an iHome type alarm clock radio gizmo. I do like making playlists to listen to on the nights when I can't get to sleep.

So. I would vote to get the camera first and save up for the ipod.

Adrienne

ETA: I'm really not a fan at all of smaller digital cameras - but I love my Nikon D-80 and I've heard good things about the D-40. I know that's not entirely SMALL but it's less expensive than a D-80+ level SLR ;)

One of the accessories I endorse for the ipod is an iHome type alarm clock radio gizmo. I do like making playlists to listen to on the nights when I can't get to sleep.

We have a lamp that has a dock and plug for an iPod (or, really any mp3, I'd think but the dock is sized for an iPod. It's our reading light and has 3 switches~turn once for just the lamp light, turn it twice for the lamp AND iPod, and turn once more for just the iPod.

The only thing it doesn't have is a sleep mode. Does the iHome have that, AdK:cool: ?

Steph~I think you should get both, too. :) (lots of help, I know) :p

~kisroo:)

I have a digital SLR, which was my 1st digital camera. So, I have been spoiled with no lag time, etc. Smaller cameras just annoy me with their lag time.

But, I have found that at Disneyland, or other places, I would like a more compact version of cameras, primarily for capturing quick memories, etc. Although, I have taken the big camera around with no problems. It's just a lot easier to have something that fits in my purse that I can pull out when I need it.

My cousin also told me to go for the ipod, telling me that I can just use my big camera when I need to.

I was looking at the small cameras and they have less lag time now, which is nice.

See, I'm still so undecided! :rolleyes:

The only thing it doesn't have is a sleep mode. Does the iHome have that, AdK:cool: ?

You mean like turn it on and then turn off after a specific time period?

I have no idea.

Aren't I helpful?

What I do is create sleep playlists on my ipod and play those. The playlist plays and turns off when it's over.

The alarm goes off every 9 minutes if I hit that sleep button. I'll go look at it and let you know... :rolleyes: at me

Adrienne

If you are looking for a portable "pocket" camera, I love my Casio Exlim 8.1. It takes GREAT photos, fits perfectly my purse, takes video and records audio.

AVP

If you already have a camera that you're ok with using, I would say go with the iPod.

You could get the camera and then take pictures of iPods and people enjoying their iPods and leave the pictures around as a Christmas hint.

You could get the camera and then take pictures of iPods and people enjoying their iPods and leave the pictures around as a Christmas hint.

I like the way you think!!! :~D

Dont worry about the high megapixels. Are you blowing up these images like massive? 5-6 megapixels is enough.

I highly rec. the Nikon S-50 coolpix. I would never rec. another.

Wow. I went from a job selling iPods to a job selling cameras.

I too love the Nikon S50. Is very, very thin, large 3.0" LCD screen (now thats almost like an iPod!), and comes in either brown or black.

You can listen to music or a podcast almost anywhere and on something much less expensive (did you see the Zune??). Buy the camera!!!!