Hey everyone, just looking for some advice. After years of having a standard point and shoot (canon and sony) I'm looking at upgrading. By no means am I a professional and the camera will not be used as such. I am looking for something that takes good pictures for things like family events and just to capture the moment. I won't be doing things like swapping lenses or things like that. Honestly I don't know if I should just get a higher end point and shoot or upgrade to a low end DSLR. I also don't want to break the bank. With boxing day sales coming I'm trying to compile as much info as possible and hopefully snag a decent camera at a decent price. I know I'm probably not helping much so I'll try and provide any other information that may be needed. I basically know nothing about cameras except how to point them and push a button but I want something that takes a good photo that I can look back on years from now and remember. Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions.
Family man camera recommendation
- Thread starter bmc1979
- Start date
I would think long and hard before moving up from P&S to DSLR. I've been there, got sucked into the hobby of buying and selling lenses, taken 20+ lbs of camera gear on holiday and in the end, I hated it. Lugged that stuff to Costa Rica and Hawaii. For those that can deal with it great, but my back thanks me for not shooting with it much anymore.
A P&S is just so much more convenient, and the best camera is the one that you're going to bring with you. I would suggest looking at the mid range P&S, something with a wide angle lens (28mm or wider) and with good ISO performance. I always find wider is better, esp for capturing the moments since they seem to be indoors alot which leads to good ISO since indoor lighting is usually pretty dim. You can easily find a very nice camera that will fit your needs in the $200-$250 price range.
dpreview.com is also a great place for reviews, or steve's digicams
A P&S is just so much more convenient, and the best camera is the one that you're going to bring with you. I would suggest looking at the mid range P&S, something with a wide angle lens (28mm or wider) and with good ISO performance. I always find wider is better, esp for capturing the moments since they seem to be indoors alot which leads to good ISO since indoor lighting is usually pretty dim. You can easily find a very nice camera that will fit your needs in the $200-$250 price range.
dpreview.com is also a great place for reviews, or steve's digicams
+1 on DSLR. I have a pretty nice P&S Canon. We had our first child last year and I was looking to get a better camera. I ended up buying an entry level Canon DSLR. One of the best decisions I ever made. I have gotten asked several times on facebook about what kind of camera do I have because people are wanting to buy a new camera and like my pictures.
While a P&S can take great pictures outside/good lighting, a DSLR will be better especially in low light situations.
Check out dpreview.com as mentioned for detailed reviews. Some of the lower end DSLR also take HD video. I prefer Canon to other manufacturers for entry level but you can't go wrong with any of the major brands.
While a P&S can take great pictures outside/good lighting, a DSLR will be better especially in low light situations.
Check out dpreview.com as mentioned for detailed reviews. Some of the lower end DSLR also take HD video. I prefer Canon to other manufacturers for entry level but you can't go wrong with any of the major brands.
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I highly recommend the newest of the Canon Powershot "G" series. I think they are on the 12 now.
I had a G7 when I was in college. I didn't have money for a good DSLR, but wanted a camera that would allow me to go fully manual without going through menus. I also wanted something small and light enough to take hiking. This camera was great. I could go full auto, or completely manual (including manual focus). You can easily set ISO, white balance, light metering, focus etc. It will even shoot RAW if that matters to you. Its also a lot better in low light situations than a run of the mill P&S. Mine had a special 3200 ISO which worked out great for shooting pictures of my roomates band during their shows (dark bar with colored stage lights/fog etc). It even has a lot of auto settings built in to help the less techy with pretty much any lighting situation (snow, beach, sports mode, back lit, underwater etc.
Overall, a great little camera.
I had a G7 when I was in college. I didn't have money for a good DSLR, but wanted a camera that would allow me to go fully manual without going through menus. I also wanted something small and light enough to take hiking. This camera was great. I could go full auto, or completely manual (including manual focus). You can easily set ISO, white balance, light metering, focus etc. It will even shoot RAW if that matters to you. Its also a lot better in low light situations than a run of the mill P&S. Mine had a special 3200 ISO which worked out great for shooting pictures of my roomates band during their shows (dark bar with colored stage lights/fog etc). It even has a lot of auto settings built in to help the less techy with pretty much any lighting situation (snow, beach, sports mode, back lit, underwater etc.
Overall, a great little camera.
I just bought the Canon Powershot A3100 IS a short while back. It's a great, easy to use little camera that sounds like it will suit your needs.
Upgrade to a DSLR. There should be some great deals around after Christmas. The reason I recommend this step is that you'll get very good kit lenses to start with and can buy more lenses as your skill develops and your interests grow e.g. you might find you have an interest in landscapes so you'll start collecting wide angle lenses. A DSLR will give you more control over the pictures you take.
something like the Canon SX30 SI is what you are looking for.. I been there and done the SLR thing with multiple lens, flashes, filters, yadda, yadda.. spent way more time screwing around with equip changing than taking pictures. I have the earlier version of this camera less zoom and mps and it will do way more than most guys will ever use. YMMV
Had a similar problem a little while back. Between the birth of my children, my Canon P&S died.
I bought the cheapest new Nikon DSLR on the market at the time - the Nikon D40. It is an AWESOME camera, and has served us very well. It's the camera a lot of pros used as their "fun" camera when not working.
After taking great photos of the birth and growing up of my baby girl, we went on a cruise. Decided that taking an expensive DSLR on a cruise ship was a bad idea - so we bought the cheapest Panasonic Lumix (on sale for $100 at Future Shop) this past summer.
The combination of both these cameras is excellent, and I love having the optoon of using either or, depending on the situation.
The reason why I tell this story is you mentioned that you were a "family man" in your post.
Hope this helps.
I bought the cheapest new Nikon DSLR on the market at the time - the Nikon D40. It is an AWESOME camera, and has served us very well. It's the camera a lot of pros used as their "fun" camera when not working.
After taking great photos of the birth and growing up of my baby girl, we went on a cruise. Decided that taking an expensive DSLR on a cruise ship was a bad idea - so we bought the cheapest Panasonic Lumix (on sale for $100 at Future Shop) this past summer.
The combination of both these cameras is excellent, and I love having the optoon of using either or, depending on the situation.
The reason why I tell this story is you mentioned that you were a "family man" in your post.
Hope this helps.
What sort of point-and-shoot are you looking to upgrade from?
I just bought a brace of Nikon Coolpix L22 cameras for the family. Dirt cheap, these. And this from a man who owns 4x5 Speed Graphics, Medium Format SLRs, and Nikon vintage 35mm auto cameras. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. The low end new digital ps cameras are at least 10 MP, with uber-sophisticated exposure and autofocus options.
Film cameras are still a viable option, by the way.
I just bought a brace of Nikon Coolpix L22 cameras for the family. Dirt cheap, these. And this from a man who owns 4x5 Speed Graphics, Medium Format SLRs, and Nikon vintage 35mm auto cameras. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. The low end new digital ps cameras are at least 10 MP, with uber-sophisticated exposure and autofocus options.
Film cameras are still a viable option, by the way.
The 2010 Popular Photography Magazine....POP Awards... selected the Pentax KX as an outstanding product. Here's what they said:
"PENTAX K-x
The K-x does almost everything a little bit better than the competition in this cutthroat price category: good noise suppression at higher ISOs, burst rate of 4.7 fps (the best in its class), 720p HD video. Its Pentax K-mount can accept decades of lenses, including some inexpensive opticsnice for the student or budding hobbyist. And, with any lens, you get image stabilization via the sensor-shift system. "
A friend has one, after using a Sony P+S for a number of years and she is very happy with it.
"PENTAX K-x
The K-x does almost everything a little bit better than the competition in this cutthroat price category: good noise suppression at higher ISOs, burst rate of 4.7 fps (the best in its class), 720p HD video. Its Pentax K-mount can accept decades of lenses, including some inexpensive opticsnice for the student or budding hobbyist. And, with any lens, you get image stabilization via the sensor-shift system. "
A friend has one, after using a Sony P+S for a number of years and she is very happy with it.
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This guy goes through the pros/cons of each of a bunch of different cameras all the way from factory refurbed point and shoots for $85 all the way up to the $8k pro DSLR's
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm
Hello Byron,
The only advice I can provide is that I have always had good luck with N-i-k-o-n products.
Thanks,
Mike
MODS: Can one of you please address the issue of N-i-k-o-n (the international optics/photography corporation) erroneously showing up as a filtered vendor.
The only advice I can provide is that I have always had good luck with N-i-k-o-n products.
Thanks,
Mike
MODS: Can one of you please address the issue of N-i-k-o-n (the international optics/photography corporation) erroneously showing up as a filtered vendor.
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- Thread starter
- #14
We are currently using a Sony DSC3000 I believe which we won in Stars Lottery. We gave our Canon to my parents as they needed a new camera. I liked our Canon better. The Sony takes a decent picture but I just really don't care for the camera and both myself and SWMBO are looking for something a little better.
Thanks everyone for your advice so far. Got some ideas and now I have to start looking at narrowing down the options.
I recently had to do all my homework on a new digital camera.
There are more digital cameras then you can imagine ranging from 25 to 400 dollars. I was teetering on going with a DSLr but opted out for much the same reasons you described. I'm just not going to use it, make the effort to use it, nor do I want to be a semi professional photographer.
I came to the realization that the best thing for me was to find a quality camera with a good blend of Optical zoom, Mega pixel, battery run time, and easy to use features.
There are many even in this category. Turns out this is the best selling type of camera, because it is easy and feature rich.
I ended up going with the Lumix zs6 because costco had a special buy with extra battery and memory included.
I refused to purchase anything branded sony after some poor service and the canon seemed to be geared more toward people who know what they are doing and want to get everything out of their camera. I'll never used half of that stuff, nor did I want the bother of having to figure it out.
Whatever you decided, for about 250-325 you can't make a wrong choice.
There are more digital cameras then you can imagine ranging from 25 to 400 dollars. I was teetering on going with a DSLr but opted out for much the same reasons you described. I'm just not going to use it, make the effort to use it, nor do I want to be a semi professional photographer.
I came to the realization that the best thing for me was to find a quality camera with a good blend of Optical zoom, Mega pixel, battery run time, and easy to use features.
There are many even in this category. Turns out this is the best selling type of camera, because it is easy and feature rich.
I ended up going with the Lumix zs6 because costco had a special buy with extra battery and memory included.
I refused to purchase anything branded sony after some poor service and the canon seemed to be geared more toward people who know what they are doing and want to get everything out of their camera. I'll never used half of that stuff, nor did I want the bother of having to figure it out.
Whatever you decided, for about 250-325 you can't make a wrong choice.
+1 on the Canon Powershot G series. I have the new G12, which basically added 720p video (if I'm remembering right). Unless I'm trying to do something crazy like one color shots or whatever I just leave it in Auto mode and let it do its thing. It is nice to have low light mode, aperture mode, manual mode, etc. right on the dial.
We bought it for the birth of our daughter, which just happened 3 weeks ago. We put the pictures up on shutterfly, and I've received a lot of compliments on the quality of the pictures - which never happened before. These aren't properly composed pictures, just point and shoot and people tell me how clear and great they look.
However, it's beginner DSLR money. It's about $450-500 depending where you look, but so far it's been worth every penny. I'm sure it's not a nice as an DSLR but you can attach flashes and get a lens converter attachment to attach lenses to it if you want. It's also bigger than a normal point and shoot. We found a small case for it but it's something you have to put in a bag or on your belt. You won't be slipping it into your pocket. Maybe your coat pocket? Really the thing is a DSLR with a point and shoot lens.
We bought it for the birth of our daughter, which just happened 3 weeks ago. We put the pictures up on shutterfly, and I've received a lot of compliments on the quality of the pictures - which never happened before. These aren't properly composed pictures, just point and shoot and people tell me how clear and great they look.
However, it's beginner DSLR money. It's about $450-500 depending where you look, but so far it's been worth every penny. I'm sure it's not a nice as an DSLR but you can attach flashes and get a lens converter attachment to attach lenses to it if you want. It's also bigger than a normal point and shoot. We found a small case for it but it's something you have to put in a bag or on your belt. You won't be slipping it into your pocket. Maybe your coat pocket? Really the thing is a DSLR with a point and shoot lens.
- Thread starter
- #17
Away from the SLR for a moment. Does anyone have experience with the new Canon Powershot SX30? Seems to have decent reviews and the price point is about right too. If I were to get something like this I don't think I'd need a new camera any time in the near future.
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...fp-10156032-canoncanonpowershot141mpdigita-en
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...fp-10156032-canoncanonpowershot141mpdigita-en
I'd go with this instead http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product..._Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&topnav=
Smaller, lighter, same sensor, wider (24 vs 28) but not as long. Also saves you $100. If you need a super zoom and don't mind the size, the Sx30 fits the bill.
I agree. They have video tests of cameras on their website and I bought a Pentax W90 as a result. Here's that test done by Camera Store staff.
http://www.thecamerastore.com/articles/2010/05/19/new-waterproof-camera-pentax
I would go to their website, their store and check things out with them regarding cameras that suit your needs.
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