Digital Camera Help

[Dutch]

I am in the market for a new digital camera. My current camera is an ancient FujiFilm FinePix 1.1 mp camera and it's on it's last legs. I'll be moving to Germany and rather not bring that camera along for the ride. So, I think it's time to invest in a new/better camera.

MP really doesn't matter too much as I don't plan on blowing up my shots to poster size. But I am guessing roughly a 6MP camera will be fine as far as image size goes. It's all the other features that are spinning my head right now.

Something for family photos but also for scenery pics. I'm thinking $300-$400 for a new camera is reasonable. Can anybody help me decide on a good digital camera in that range?

[sovereignstar]

This is a great site to check out: http://dpreview.com/

I bought a Fujifilm FinePix e550 last August and have been pretty pleased with it, but there are probably better options out there now.

Edit: Check out the Buying Guide link

[Antmeister]

The two places I look for reviews are usually Amazon and Epinions and sovereignstar gave a good one too:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_st/104-7162322-9123902?page=1&rh=n%3A502394%2Cn%3A281052%2Cn%3A12942391&sort=price&x=15&y=8
http://www.epinions.com/Digital_Cameras--reviews--at_least_6_0_megapixels--prices--price_range_350_440

[Dutch]

Thanks, I have been looking at Amazon and just checked out dpreview. I definately like to check out reviews so I'll keep an eye out

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MGeBkNwLZwg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=11310&id=features_and_specs&i=133FZ7K#Tab

Here's one that I stumbled upon @ Crutchfield, it seems to have decent features for a "zoom" camera.

Lens 35mm Equivalent 36-432mm (???)
Optical Zoom 12x (That's Good)
Digital Zoom 4x (This is not important)
Aperture Range f2.8-8 (Wide range is good)
Manual Focusing Yes (Good if I knew what I was doing I suppose)
Manual Exposure Yes (???)
White Balance Yes (???)
Built-in Flash Yes (Sure)
Picture Effects Modes 4 (???)
Program AE Modes 19 (???)

Internal Memory None (Doesn't seem important)
Memory Media Multi media flash card SD flash card (Okay)
Included Memory 16MB SD Memory card (I would upgrade that)

CCD Size 7.182mm (1/2.5") (???)
CCD Megapixels 6.4 (Sounds good)
Effective Megapixel Count 6 (???)
Highest Resolution 2816 x 2112 (Seems like overkill, so okay)
Standard Resolution Capacity 110 images / 16MB (irrelevant)
High Resolution Capacity 4 images / 16MB (irrelevant)
Motion JPEG Movie Mode Yes (Video by slide show?)
MPEG Video Mode No (I kind of want video capability)
MPEG Video Capacity (seconds) ---
E-mail Mode No (???)
Image Formats JPEG TIFF (Works for me)

[cartman]

To me, optical zoom is the most important feature for a camera. Digital zoom looks like crap at super high zoom levels. 4X optical would be the minimum amount I'd settle for, and in that price range 10X optical is achievable. Off the top of my head, there is a Kodak model that has this, but I can't think of the exact model number off the top of my head.

So yeah, the 12X on that one seems pretty damn good.

[Lorena]

To me, optical zoom is the most important feature for a camera. Digital zoom looks like crap at super high zoom levels. 4X optical would be the minimum amount I'd settle for, and in that price range 10X optical is achievable. Off the top of my head, there is a Kodak model that has this, but I can't think of the exact model number off the top of my head.

So yeah, the 12X on that one seems pretty damn good.

I agree with Cartman, optical zoom provides the same type of zoom as regular cameras but digital zoom multiplies the pixels which makes for ugly looking pictures.

[mooreadamc]

I bought a Canon A-620 last November and have had no problems what so ever. It has 7.1 megapixels which I thought was too high for me as well but decided to just go for it. I am in no means a digital camera expert but when it comes to buying expensive things like this I always research a ton. And most review for the A-620 were very good.

[jbmagic]

What you guys think of this one?

Nikon Coolpix 6.0-Megapixel Digital Camera

Model: S6

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7642143&type=product&id=1134698030358

[Bee]

Nikon is supposed to be very good for Macro photography if that interests you.

[OldGiants]

What you guys think of this one?

Nikon Coolpix 6.0-Megapixel Digital Camera

Model: S6

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7642143&type=product&id=1134698030358

You're paying for built-in Wi-Fi in that model camera so you'd better have it. and 3X optical is poor, too.

>>> Picture Effects Modes 4 (???)
Program AE Modes 19 (???)>>>

The pictures effects are likely the pre-sets for night and/or sport shots. If you don't know much about f-stops and light, then you want these when you shoot kid pictures or at night. The Program AE modes are important once you get past the camera autofocus (and that works about 90% of the time for me). I've only begun to use these adjustments for indoor shots or unusual ones (a flower in a ray of sun where the rest of the shot is in shade is tricky to shoot correctly unless you manually adjust for the camera basing the exposure on the shade--produces a washed out flower). You'll want to use these options once you get to know your camera.

I may have those labels the wrong way around (each manufacturer names them differently) but the concepts are what to look for.

[Dutch]

Yeah, I *want* good quality features so I can have them available as I get better (and expect better). I just don't want to overpay for something that I need a degree in Photography to ever use. However, the 300-400 dollar range is for SLR wannabe camera's, which seems safe, and also seems to be right up my alley. :)

[Bonegavel]

I highly recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting a nikon D50. You'll appreciate it in the long run.

[Dutch]

That is a sweet camera, but outside of my price range. Seriously, my wife thinks I'm crazy wanting to spend $400 on a camera.

Remember now, I'm in the U.S. Air Force, I get paid in pride, not cold hard cash. :)

[ISiddiqui]

I spent $250 on a digital camera. Not like I really take many pictures, but my new Canon Powershot SD-450 is pretty sweet. Though 5 MP and 3x Optical Zoom. Like I said, I don't take many pictures and don't make that much, so $250 was great for me :D.

[Castlerock]

Optical Zoom is important but IMO shutter lag is more important. I had a POS camera that took forever to take the picture after you pressed the shutter release. I was taking (more like trying to take) pictures of my niece one day and by the time the picture was taken, she was off doing something else. Never got a single good shot and never used the camera again (actually gave it away). I've got a digital SLR now so no shutter lag.

But... if you only take pictures of still things (landscapes, people looking at you and saying 'cheese') then you can live with shutter lag.

[Bonegavel]

That is a sweet camera, but outside of my price range. Seriously, my wife thinks I'm crazy wanting to spend $400 on a camera.

Remember now, I'm in the U.S. Air Force, I get paid in pride, not cold hard cash. :)

Damn, sorry about that. If I wasn't married ( aka, my money is not my own ) I'd donate one to you to thank you for your service to our country.

A friend has a Canon S2IS and loves it. Has a 12x zoom and takes great pictures.

hxxp://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=GoogleBC02&sku=CNPSS2

Now, he just bought a D50 ( which is why I know it's a great cheap SLR ) but it isn't because he didn't like the S21S.

[cartman]

I've been really happy with my D50 as well. But it can be a money pit if you get hooked. The starter lenses aren't too expensive, but once you move past those, each lens could be as much as $500 to $1K! :eek: Not to mention filters, tripods, and other crap that goes along with it.

But again, that one you are looking at seems pretty sweet, Dutch. But I haven't heard much about Panasonic digital cameras. I think they are just now entering the market, at least here in the US. I'd be interested in finding out if this is their design, or if they bought one from someone else and modified it.

[jbmagic]

What your opinions on 3x optical and 4x digital zoom?

[cartman]

What your opinions on 3x optical and 4x digital zoom?
To me, 3x optical isn't enough, and the 4x digital won't help overcome that. Let me give you an example. I took the following pic with my digital camera that was 3x optical zoom:

http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/pictures/NewMexico/vallevidal2000/bear3.jpg

Do you see the bear in the middle of the pic? The zoom wasn't enough to make him easily visible. It was a lot bigger and easier to see in real life than it came out in the pic.

That being said, if you are mainly going to do macro photography or indoor pics, then zoom isn't that big a deal. But for anything outdoors or scenery related, the more zoom the better. For me, 8X would be the minimum optical zoom I'd be interested in.

[jbmagic]

Cartman

Thanks

So many good digital camera out there. Still looking for a good one in the range of $300-$600 bucks. I want one that does a great job outdoors and inside, action, no action, etc. One that has a great quality picture.

[cartman]

Here are some links to pics I took with my Nikon D50. I think all of them were taken with the 55-200mm lens. These are all from various things around my house. I made them links, because they are pretty big, and didn't want to embed them.

http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0017.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0025.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0029.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0033.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0037.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0079.JPG

[jbmagic]

Thanks for the info.

I am going to check out the Nikon D50.

[Celeval]

My wife and I picked up a Konica-Minolta 5D about six months ago that we're happy with... she wants a telephoto lens, and I'm considering picking one up for her for our anniversary. The camera shop workers I've talked to are recommending a 28-200mm... but those are pretty expensive, when it seems the biggest benefit it not changing lenses (our standard is 28-80mm). I'm considering 70-300mm instead - any recommendations, for focal length, brand, etc?

[cartman]

My wife and I picked up a Konica-Minolta 5D about six months ago that we're happy with... she wants a telephoto lens, and I'm considering picking one up for her for our anniversary. The camera shop workers I've talked to are recommending a 28-200mm... but those are pretty expensive, when it seems the biggest benefit it not changing lenses (our standard is 28-80mm). I'm considering 70-300mm instead - any recommendations, for focal length, brand, etc?

I'm not familiar with that DSLR, but hopefully I can help with the lenses. I'm still trying to figure it all out myself. Not sure if yours is the same way, but from what I gather, the Nikon DSLRs are 3/4 frame, compared to film SLRs. That means while you can use the film lenses with a digital SLR, the special DSLR lenses won't work with a film camera, because 1/4 of the film will not be exposed.

Another thing I found is that, for the Nikons at least, you multiply the mm by 1.5 to get the 35mm film equivalent lengths for the lenses. So a 55-200mm DSLR lens is equivalent to a 80-350 film lens. But the focal length also comes into play. This is the part I'm still trying to struggle to wrap my head around.

This camera is my first exposure (pun intended :) ) to SLRs, and I'm still trying to figure a lot of this stuff out. That being said, the D50 will automatically take care of most of the settings for you, and seems to do a good job of it. But you can override the settings if you want for more control, and that's the part I'm learning about now.

As for the lenses, the ones from the manufacturer are always a good choice. Sigma seems to be the most prevalent 3rd party lens manufacturer out there, and their lenses appear to get good reviews.

[Antmeister]

Here are some links to pics I took with my Nikon D50. I think all of them were taken with the 55-200mm lens. These are all from various things around my house. I made them links, because they are pretty big, and didn't want to embed them.

http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0017.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0025.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0029.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0033.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0037.JPG
http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/DSC_0079.JPG

Good pics, Mr. Cartman. SLR cameras are great investments. The only thing that I should warn about SLRs are that most pictures require some post processing.

With many of the non-SLR cameras, a lot of editing is done within the camera and that is why the picture comes out sharp in the foreground and background with usually some good even lighting.

SLRs give you the ability to set your own exposure, exchange lenses, choose what you want to have in focus, etc. But a number of pictures will require some post processing to sharpen the image, boost color, and you could even change the exposure after the fact. This is not a bad thing since the editing is left to you instead of letting the camera choose how to edit it. All I am saying is that for SLRs, expect to learn some sort of post processing software.

[Celeval]

As for the lenses, the ones from the manufacturer are always a good choice. Sigma seems to be the most prevalent 3rd party lens manufacturer out there, and their lenses appear to get good reviews.

You're in a similar spot as we are, sounds like. :) We thought about the D50 - actually had walked into the store expecting to get one, and somewhat let ourselves get talked into the Konica, before they got bought/sold out to Sony - but are happy with what we ended up with. I'm pretty sure the 1.5 ratio applies across the board, so the 70-300 would "really" be 105-450... I'm sure as long as lens as we'd need anytime in the near future. The 28-200 is probably as long as we need as well, but at a price difference of nearly double in some cases, I don't know if it's worthwhile.

[cartman]

Thanks, ant. I've really enjoyed this camera. I couldn't believe that group of turkeys, and I was amazed the fawn stayed around after it saw me.

And Celeval, I'm also amazed at the range of prices for the lenses. I haven't quite figured out why the 55-200 zoom lens I bought was $125, but a 17-80 telephoto is $600.

[Castlerock]

Thanks, ant. I've really enjoyed this camera. I couldn't believe that group of turkeys, and I was amazed the fawn stayed around after it saw me.

And Celeval, I'm also amazed at the range of prices for the lenses. I haven't quite figured out why the 55-200 zoom lens I bought was $125, but a 17-80 telephoto is $600.
Check the F-number. A lower number is a faster lens and is much more desirable. A 300mm f/5.6 might be $400, and a 300mm f/4.0 might be $1000 while a 300mm f/2.8 might be $4000.

[Franklinnoble]

We have a Kodak EasyShare DX 4530. It's a 5MP camera, very easy to use, comes with decent software, it's affordable, it takes great pictures, and it can even withstand photographing my ugly mug:

http://noblebrown.com/photogallery/100_3318.jpg

I'm sure Kodak has newer models now, but I'd buy another one, and I'd recommend it to anyone else. We've taken over 3,000 photos in a little over two years with it, and it's never failed us.

More cute kid photos at: http://noblebrown.com/gallery.html

:D

[Dutch]

Just so you know,

I ended up purchasing the DMC-FZ7 LUMIX camera from Panasonic.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz7/

It's not a bad camera for the price (<$400). It's a sub-DSLR however. Which is okay for my experience level.

Thanks for all the link action, it was helpful in my final determinations here.

[mrsimperless]

I bought this guy and have been extremely pleased with him.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7323229&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat44100050011&id=1118844389765

Read some reviews on the net and see what you think, but it seemed like a great deal for the $300 price range.