Digital Camera Advice

JSHRN

I'm looking at purchasing a digital camera (first one in about 8 years) and am confused by all of the "techno" terms. I am looking for a "mid end" camera ($500-$800) to be used for tour photography. I have looked at the reviews on Cnet and have been very impressed by the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS and, especially, the Canon Powershot SX1 IS. Does anyone have experience with either of these or do you have other recommended cameras I should be looking at? Thanks in advance.

Knucklehead

I have a Canon Powershot A590is, now its not as upscale as the cameras you mentioned but I know Canon makes some quality products. Good Luck.

jacob.simpson

Canon sx10 IS with 20X opti zoom is one of the best right now in budget range.

izafar

Those canons are as big as smaller DSLRs... So I would suggest getting something like Nikon D40 or its canon counterpart.

shawn474

In that price range you could get a DSLR and have many more options than a standard point and shoot. It will take a little learning and getting used to, but I got a DSLR a few months ago and love the versatility and the photos that I can get.
I recently got a Pentax *ist DL (a VERY entry level DSLR) and for less than the price you're talking, I got the body, 2 lens kits, a flash, rechargable batteries and a carrying bag.

everpress

izafar wrote: »

Those canons are as big as smaller DSLRs... So I would suggest getting something like Nikon D40 or its canon counterpart.

Nikon does make great cameras. The problem with the D40 though, is it's lens compatibility; you can only use newer lenses and specific automatic focus lenses. One step to the D80 leaves you able to use many older (and less expensive) existing lenses as well as newer ones.

But the D80 is out of this guys price range.

With all the Nikon DSLR's though, even though they have ll the complicated and great adjustable settings of an artists'/professionals' manual camera, the auto settings make them simple to use and take great shots with.

everpress

shawn474 wrote: »

In that price range you could get a DSLR and have many more options than a standard point and shoot. It will take a little learning and getting used to, but I got a DSLR a few months ago and love the versatility and the photos that I can get.
I recently got a Pentax *ist DL (a VERY entry level DSLR) and for less than the price you're talking, I got the body, 2 lens kits, a flash, rechargable batteries and a carrying bag.

Is that the one that also has the ability to shoot in HD movie formats as well?

AudioGenics

I bought a Fuji.
Surprisingly... they were subcontracting a digital product for Leica.

shawn474

everpress wrote: »

Is that the one that also has the ability to shoot in HD movie formats as well?

No, this is an early, entry level model. Only 6.1 mp. But it takes one hell of a picture.

Gadabout

For digital Camera reviews and comparisons I always use - DP Review

Specifically, the DSLR Buyers Guide - at DP Review

Overall a great site to do comparisons. There is a lot of Tech speak, but backed up by images for your comparison.

Just to kick in my .02
- When considering cameras, of any kind, it's about the optics. Fast and high quality optics, is what I shoot for in my budget range.

- With digital cameras it's also about the sensor. You get what you pay for, a bit larger is better (IMO). I prefer full frame sensors for various reasons, mainly for low light sensitivity (also since I transitioned from 35mm film)

- If your going to be shooting a lot of telephoto images, stabilization is going to be very important to you.

Take a look around the site, and see what works best for the images your going to take and also meets your budget.

Scott - (No affiliation with DP review)