emptypockets
Member
I'm looking for my first digital camera and open to all suggestions,input,and help.I don't mind spending some money but i'm not going into professional photography.
Digital Camera
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speedyquad
Member
i currently have a sony h2. it is a step up from a normal point and shoot, but not quite as expensive or "confusing" as a full dslr. it gives some options that the point and shoot cameras do not have an took great pics when it was new about 7 yrs ago. after i dropped it on the cement garage floor from about ft, it wasn't quite the same. still takes great pics, but seems to have lost just a little clarity. it has taken a beating other than that though. i usually carried it in a backpack while riding my four wheeler(think fast rough trails with jumps). it is most similar to this one. Sony Cybershot Camera | Cyber-shot Digital Camera HX200V | DSC-HX200V/B | Sony USA
although i paid about 150 less for mine new shortly after the model was released. at that price, i would look into a low end dslr.
although i paid about 150 less for mine new shortly after the model was released. at that price, i would look into a low end dslr.
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Backlighting
Member
If the camera is going to be used for on-line posting only there is no need to get anything beyond 1 or 2 megapixels. 640x480 .jpegs (or a little larger) is about the right size for on-line posting. If u plan on printing photos 8x10 or larger get one with at least 12 megapixels.
Skeptic 9c
Member
Multiple schools of thought here.
1. Go check Consumer Reports (TM and they MEAN it!) Get at least a 10x optical zoom, because wide angle is the way your eyes see, but not the way YOU see.
2. Get a new fondle slab style cell phone with a sorta good enough camera built in, which also does video.
3. Get a camera that does video since that's the wave of the Facebook (TM) future.
4. Get a camera that fits in your pocket, carry it with you ALWAYS and learn to shoot it reasonably well by (all together now) practice, Practice, PRACTICE!
Geoff
Who has a fondle slab and a pocket video camera from Kodak but who can't carry at work. Sigh. And in FL you do not leave electronics in the vehicle in any month but January.
1. Go check Consumer Reports (TM and they MEAN it!) Get at least a 10x optical zoom, because wide angle is the way your eyes see, but not the way YOU see.
2. Get a new fondle slab style cell phone with a sorta good enough camera built in, which also does video.
3. Get a camera that does video since that's the wave of the Facebook (TM) future.
4. Get a camera that fits in your pocket, carry it with you ALWAYS and learn to shoot it reasonably well by (all together now) practice, Practice, PRACTICE!
Geoff
Who has a fondle slab and a pocket video camera from Kodak but who can't carry at work. Sigh. And in FL you do not leave electronics in the vehicle in any month but January.
Gray Rider
Member
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My wife is a complete technophobe but one who loves to take pictures of nature so she wanted a camera that could take closeups and could switch lens so she could take shots of birds. A friend of my son recommended a Canon Rebel T3 and she loves it. She is still learning to use it, I got it for her just before my daughter's graduation last month, but has had great results. If it were hard to learn to use I would have heard about it by now.
Damn Yankee
Member
Go to the top of the page and click on the search feature. In the search this forum just type in Digital Camera and you will find enough info to answer your questions.
Florida Guy
Member
1 or 2 mp? Where can you find a camera that small?
Most cameras today have at least 10mp, which is ample for almost all types of photography.
No need to spend over $200 if you don't want to.
The camera you choose depends upon on your needs, it's a lot like choosing a firearm. Do you want a small and compact pocket camera that you can take anywhere, or do you want a full SLR sized camera with interchangeable lenses, do you want full set of manual controls for the aperture and exposure, or will it be used solely in automatic mode. Basically the more features you want the bigger the camera will be.
Once you decide on your needs then spend a little time on a camera review website like Digital Photography Review to compare a few.
My personal list of must have features is,
1. a Viewfinder, lcd screens are hard to see in bright daylight.
2. a good macro mode
3. a full manual mode so I can override the computer
4. a long exposure mode
5. a hot shoe for a large or remote flash attachment
6. a RAW mode for image manipulation in photoshop
Personally my next camera will be a Canon G12 , it is a professional grade camera in a large yet still pocketable size. It is a full featured camera with all the manual controls, a viewfinder, and a hot shoe, the only feature it lacks is interchangeable lenses which cuts down significantly on the bulk. Since all my photography is basically product and macro photography I don't need big glass. YMMV
Once you decide on your needs then spend a little time on a camera review website like Digital Photography Review to compare a few.
My personal list of must have features is,
1. a Viewfinder, lcd screens are hard to see in bright daylight.
2. a good macro mode
3. a full manual mode so I can override the computer
4. a long exposure mode
5. a hot shoe for a large or remote flash attachment
6. a RAW mode for image manipulation in photoshop
Personally my next camera will be a Canon G12 , it is a professional grade camera in a large yet still pocketable size. It is a full featured camera with all the manual controls, a viewfinder, and a hot shoe, the only feature it lacks is interchangeable lenses which cuts down significantly on the bulk. Since all my photography is basically product and macro photography I don't need big glass. YMMV
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LouisianaJoe
Member
This is a good site for comparing different cameras. You will find specs and sample photos of the same subject for all cameras.
Digital Camera Reviews, Canon Cameras, Nikon Cameras, DSLR and SLR Cameras
My current camera is a Canon T1i DSLR. I find that it takes excellent photos and has more flexibility than a non DSLR.
I use it to take the gun photos that I post here.
This site has a lot of tips and examples,
http://digital-photography-school.com/
Digital Camera Reviews, Canon Cameras, Nikon Cameras, DSLR and SLR Cameras
My current camera is a Canon T1i DSLR. I find that it takes excellent photos and has more flexibility than a non DSLR.
I use it to take the gun photos that I post here.
This site has a lot of tips and examples,
http://digital-photography-school.com/
5-Shot
Member
It sounds to me like you need a camera from the "super zoom" category. That's a non SLR camera that has a built in very zoom range...from wide angle to a very powerful telephoto. (They all take extreme close ups.). I find the best place to research cameras is a site called dpreview.
Ed
Ed
Some very good advice here about analyzing your needs and figuring out in advance exactly what you will want. Someday I would like to have a large-body digital camera with interchangeable lenses, but that makes for a lot of stuff to manipulate while you are shooting, not to mention haul around if you travel to take your photos.
For the last few years I have used high-end/full-feature compact cameras. I started with a Canon G9 and moved to a G12 a couple of years ago when they became available. These are good enough for occasional use in place of a professional digital, but small enough to put in a pocket (if you have pleated pockets). The G12 rectangular proportions are about the same as other compacts, but their bodies are DEEP! Dense, too. You wouldn't want to drop one on your unprotected toe.
A camera that does what you want is the wrong camera if it is too big to keep with you comfortably.
This is another good site for evaluating camera options:
Digital Photography Review
For the last few years I have used high-end/full-feature compact cameras. I started with a Canon G9 and moved to a G12 a couple of years ago when they became available. These are good enough for occasional use in place of a professional digital, but small enough to put in a pocket (if you have pleated pockets). The G12 rectangular proportions are about the same as other compacts, but their bodies are DEEP! Dense, too. You wouldn't want to drop one on your unprotected toe.
A camera that does what you want is the wrong camera if it is too big to keep with you comfortably.
This is another good site for evaluating camera options:
Digital Photography Review
cmort666
Member
I hate point and shoot cameras. I learned photography with a couple of 35mm SLRs and simply can't take a decent picture with a point and shoot.
I've got a Canon Digital Rebel Xt. I like the Canon DSLRs, and when I finally replace this one, I will get another Canon.
I've got a Canon Digital Rebel Xt. I like the Canon DSLRs, and when I finally replace this one, I will get another Canon.
DWalt
Member
I had for years several high-end Canon and Nikon 35mm film SLRs, but found myself using mainly an Olympus Accura point & shoot, as it did everything I needed done, and was much smaller and lighter. When film essentially died, my first two digitals were Kodaks, and I liked them. When the last one went out on me a few months ago, I bought a cheap Nikon Coolpix L26 from Amazon for $90. So far, I have been delighted with it. It does everything I need done, has high resolution, and is great for close-ups. I find the main difference between good and not-so-good pictures is how steadily the camera is held. Everything else I can do in Photoshop. If I were a working pro, I would probably buy a Nikon or Canon digital SLR so I could use the lenses I already have, but I am not so I won't.
Straightshooter2
US Veteran
Being a long time Pentax user from the days when the light meter fit on top of the camera, I'm always going to recommend Pentax over the CaN*kon choices. Of course some of that relates to the 20 or so Pentax Takumar lenses I have along with about 25 Pentax film cameras. However, I'll say get what fits you best and DON'T be afraid to look at used digital cameras also. You may find you can pick up what started out as a $1000 camera for around $250 or so. Unlike Smith and Wesson's revolvers, digital cameras fall fairly rapidly in price as soon as the newer models come out so shop around.
CW
CW
Backlighting
Member
My point was there is no need to go gaga with a large amount of megapixels if you are only going to post pics on-line.
One can find used quality cameras with a few megapixels, at very low prices, on EBAY.
sipowicz
Member
I did tons of research and found this kit was good deal with an 18-55 and a 55-300. I also like the fact that the name seems a bit more old school...everyone has Nikon or Canon...great cameras in their own right, but when I find another Pentax user, it's like coming across a revolver guy....
I did tons of research and found this kit was good deal with an 18-55 and a 55-300. I also like the fact that the name seems a bit more old school...everyone has Nikon or Canon...great cameras in their own right, but when I find another Pentax user, it's like coming across a revolver guy....
I thought you got you a new cell phone here a while back for photos and here you show us this.
Go figure.
_________
James
vic3620
Member
I've taken over 10,000 pics with my Pentax K200 DSLR. The problem with a lot of point and shoot cameras is a small delay between the time you push the button till it takes the pic. In action shots of sporting events, you don't get the pic you think your getting. They are great for stills, you just need to evaluate what your going to use it for.
Vic3620
Vic3620
sipowicz
Member
I thought you got you a new cell phone here a while back for photos and here you show us this.
Go figure.
_________
James
Actually, most of my forum pics are from the camera because I'm too lazy to download from my pentax...easier to just email a pic to myself and upload it on the computer...
Actually, most of my forum pics are from the camera because I'm too lazy to download from my pentax...easier to just email a pic to myself and upload it on the computer...
If only your cell phone could talk.
