What digital camera is good for taking night time pictures and fireworks?

I think your ideal camera setup would be a digital SLR with high ISO capabilities (and low noise at those high ISO settings) and a lens with image stabilization OR a tripod-mounted setup.

Reasons:

- Digital: because you will be able to review your work and reshoot as necessary. As per the other commentor's recommendation, a digital Canon Rebel should be fine.

- High ISO (~800) will allow you to use faster shutter speeds which will steady your show; however, if you are going for longer shutter speeds for that 'movement' effect, higher ISO and short shutter speeds are not so much a factor.

- Low noise is important (the digital equivalent of 'grain')...and you will see more noise as you use a higher ISO with a darker subject. The nice thing is that Photoshop has a noise remover, so even if you shoot at 1600 with a lot of noise, it can be taken out later.

- Image stabilization on the lens (or on the body if you have a point-and-shoot) is helpful, esp if you are using a telephoto range; otherwise, your firework streams will streak left and right, or up and down.

- A less expensive alternative to the image stabilizer is the tripod...takes more time to setup however. ALSO, you should not use a tripod AND an image stabilized lens at the same time (if mounting an image stabilized lens on a tripod, turn off the image stabilization.)

Other tips, your autofocus may not know what it is focusing on when dealing with fireworks...if this is the case, set your camera to manual focusing and focus at just under or at infinity.

I would use my Casio Exelim. there is even a setting for fireworks you just use that. This camera is Small. It is not a Bulky thing you have to worry about it's own Suitcase for it fits in my front pocket (in the case I bought for it at the camera shop) AND the cost os under $300.00 for it. you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for a good camera for good pics. the best thing to do would be To Take a lot of pictures. maybe practice taking some at night and have them downloaded or printed out Get extra media cards have as much as you can afford or down load them often.

the best way to capture fireworks is to have a camera that allows you to change the sutter speed and the apperture in other words you need a digital SLR. canon is pretty good to start they have the rebel its pretty affordable and you like to travel this is a great camera if you read the manual you will do really good. one other advantage with digital you can shot alot until you get the desired results good luck. ohhh and don't forget a tripot will help!

Pocket digital cameras are frustrating at best for fireworks pictures. Try an SLR, digital or film. You will need to use manual settings and a tripod. Set focus manually at infinity, aperture all the way down (largest f number), and shutter on bulb. Hold the shutter for the duration of the blast. Check my fireworks pictures for examples done on a Nikon D70.

digital camera good night time pictures fireworks

on the 4th of july i used my canon rebel xt digital and the pictures turned out excellent...if you don't want to spend the money one one of those maybe you could try using a night setting on one of the ones you have i have a smaller digital camera ( not slr ) and that usually works pretty well at night as long as i have it on the right settings