Hey guys I'm getting to the point where the iPhone camera isn't cutting it anymore. I have budgeted around $300 dollars for what I'm calling my "camera project". I'm very picky about how I view things. Ever since I bought my first HD TV I will not watch anything that s not available in high def. I feel the pictures I take should look much better than they do. I'm looking for a camera that will take quality photos of my family, vacations, and of course my shaving gear. I'm looking for suggestions as to what you guys think would be a good start. I would be considered a beginner as I do not know what is good and what is not. Any help or guidance will be much appreciated. Thanks.
Looking to buy my first "good" camera. Need advice/help.
- Thread starter Macbreezy
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Colin, are you looking for something new or used? Reflex or bridge?
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- #3
Preferably new. Can be used but must be in like new condition. I'm looking for a digital camera. I don't know what reflex or bridge means. I'm as green as it gets when it comes to cameras.
I'm a fanboy of about anything Canon. Nikon...not so much.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
Well, you are going to get a TON of answers...because frankly there are a ton of great cameras out there. If you are interested in starting to learn real photography, and how to use a camera to manipulate your vision, I'd suggest one of the Canon Powershot G series cameras. I think they may be up to 15 by now. I had a G9 all through college and it was a great camera. Easy to carry, zoom lens and very easy to switch into full manual mode, but also easy to shoot in auto as well.
if you are looking for something smaller, and more "point and shoot", Id suggest the Canon S110. My dad just got one of these. Awesome little P&S that really packs a punch.
if you are looking for something smaller, and more "point and shoot", Id suggest the Canon S110. My dad just got one of these. Awesome little P&S that really packs a punch.
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I just picked up a Nikon D3100 and I love it. Super easy to take pictures on.
Just remember the body is one thing and the lenses are another.
Just remember the body is one thing and the lenses are another.
There are quite a lot of features and qualities that a camera can have and none of them has it all.
To just name a few:
Good low light properties
Easy to carry around
Possibility to swap lenses
Versatility without the necessity to carry lenses or swap lenses in situations you really do not want to (like a beach)
Good (foolproof) auto settings
Manual settings
Good user interface, no important features burried deep in the menu (I missed quite a few good photo oportunities when I was fiddling around with the settings on my Sony NEX 3)
flip screen (great for taking pictures of children (low point of view and the possibility to keep eye contact)
focal range (how much it can be zoomed in and out)
Speed (boot up, focus, trigger)
If you have an idea where your priorities are, we can help you better.
To just name a few:
Good low light properties
Easy to carry around
Possibility to swap lenses
Versatility without the necessity to carry lenses or swap lenses in situations you really do not want to (like a beach)
Good (foolproof) auto settings
Manual settings
Good user interface, no important features burried deep in the menu (I missed quite a few good photo oportunities when I was fiddling around with the settings on my Sony NEX 3)
flip screen (great for taking pictures of children (low point of view and the possibility to keep eye contact)
focal range (how much it can be zoomed in and out)
Speed (boot up, focus, trigger)
If you have an idea where your priorities are, we can help you better.
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- #8
Think I may have to bump up my budget, looking at maybe the Cannon SX50 HS. Any of you guys have this camera or thoughts about it?
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- #9
I'm not going to get to crazy with it. I want a camera that will take quality photos that will record video in HD. I'm completely new to photos and photo editing so I'm really not sure what I want or need for that matter.
I have a Canon G 12...the G series is very good. You have many of the controls on a G that you have on a DSLR (reflex) camera....but it does have a smaller sensor and you cannot interchange lenses.
If you have the $$$ for a DSLR...I would suggest a Pentax camera. They are an old, venerable camera line that don't advertise like Canon or Nikon. I think the Pentax K-50 or a K-30...rather than a Canon entry DSLR.
The Pentax is weather sealed...a very good quality machine. I have Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica and Mamiya medium format.
I think if you get a Canon, Pentax, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic....you can't go wrong. But go to a camera store and try it...first.
If you have the $$$ for a DSLR...I would suggest a Pentax camera. They are an old, venerable camera line that don't advertise like Canon or Nikon. I think the Pentax K-50 or a K-30...rather than a Canon entry DSLR.
The Pentax is weather sealed...a very good quality machine. I have Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica and Mamiya medium format.
I think if you get a Canon, Pentax, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic....you can't go wrong. But go to a camera store and try it...first.
An entry level slr will give you the option to add to your camera as your experience and budget allows. They have fully automatic modes, but will also allow you to go manual and control exactly how the picture looks.
A camera like the Canon 600d (or whatever it is called in America) should fit the bill, and will give you unlimited potential to grow should you really get interested in the hobby.
Camera brands are very like shaving stuff. YMMV. But the advantage of Canon and Nikon is a much larger range of bits, and more people use them. This will increase your chances of being able to borrow compatible kit from friends, and also buy second hand.
A camera like the Canon 600d (or whatever it is called in America) should fit the bill, and will give you unlimited potential to grow should you really get interested in the hobby.
Camera brands are very like shaving stuff. YMMV. But the advantage of Canon and Nikon is a much larger range of bits, and more people use them. This will increase your chances of being able to borrow compatible kit from friends, and also buy second hand.
I think a bridge camera like the one you mentioned is an excellent starting point and should keep you happy for quite a while. It's a major step into the world of photography when you come from shooting with a Phone.
Sure, camera's with larger sensors (like most interchangeable lens camera's) generally have better low light handling and allow for more creative use of sharpness (depth of field) but with the standard zoom lens that is usually included in an entry kit, you would only be scratching the surface of the capabilities. (these camera's are a trap!)
If you go with a bridge camera, be mindful of what you like about it and what could be better so your upgrade will be an educated one. If you care for it and keep the box and accessories, it's should retain some value.
This is a review of the SX50 (dpreview is a great site for reviews but the forum is not nearly as friendly as this one, lot of fanboys bashing other brands instead of enjoying taking photo's):
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-powershot-sx50-hs
Last year I got the Canon SX40 HS and it's what I'm currently using. It's very easy to handle and take pics with and the final results are excellent IMHO. Most of my latest SOTD shots are taken with this great camera.
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- #14
Thank you guys! I'm going to head to Best Buy tomorrow and look at the SX50 HS. They have it "on sale" for $369.
SX50 is not bad. I help manage a camera department at work and it does a pretty good job of being an all around camera. You will probably be quite happy with it. There are better cameras out there, but at $369, you are getting a camera that will do pretty much everything you need it to do.
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- #16
Well I bought the SX50. Took a few quick shots with it this afternoon and I have a lot to learn I guess. Going to keep playing with it and see if I can get my shots to look like some of you guys SOTD pics. I'm guessing there's a good amount of photo editing after they are downloaded. It came with a little software so I'm going to start there.
Congrats on the new camera! For most everyday photographs, I will generalize and say that most photo buffs try to avoid excessive photo editing by making sure they use the technical controls of the camera for the the condition of the shot such that the resulting photo will require none to minimal editing, save a crop or contrast adjustment (this of course excludes intentional manipulation for a desired aesthetic or compositional effect).
Editing software can help correct issues in a photo, but sometimes, severe technical flaws that get over-corrected in editing software end up creating other flaws in the image that many photo buffs can spot. I often see excessive editing from newcomers to photography. I'd just suggest that you play with the controls and even read a basic photography skills book to try to get the technical part of photography to become second nature. After that, you can let your creativity explode in either the shooting phase, and/or the editing phase.
Have fun with the new camera
