buying a new camera...need advice

[tinksgilrs251520]

So I went to Disney in August was not impressed with my camera .. AT ALL
Some of the problems i came across were these:

CAMERA TYPE:: pentex 7.1 (thats what I currently have)

Most of the pictures that were taken while things were moving (safari, shows, etc) did not turn out

The length of time that when you took a picture and the screen would come back to take another was about 10 sec or longer.

The manual (if thats what you want to call it) was NO HELP AT ALL!

So my question is what a good camera for Disney without breaking my budget?

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

Maybe check out Olympus, they sell some waterproof/shockproof models for a reasonable price.

 

[Golf4food]

First off, 7.1 is not a model, it is the amount of Megapixels.

Any point and shoot of any brand is going to give you the same result. If you want clear shots of moving subjects (or stationary subjects while you are moving like on the safari) or good night and low light shots you need a dSLR. And even more than that you need good lenses on said dSLR. If you don't want to learn how to use a dSLR there are higher end point and shoot and bridge cameras that might be good enough for you. What price range?

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

price range around 200

 

[disneyboy2003]

So I went to Disney in August was not impressed with my camera .. AT ALL
Some of the problems i came across were these:

CAMERA TYPE:: pentex 7.1 (thats what I currently have)

Most of the pictures that were taken while things were moving (safari, shows, etc) did not turn out

The length of time that when you took a picture and the screen would come back to take another was about 10 sec or longer.

The manual (if thats what you want to call it) was NO HELP AT ALL!

So my question is what a good camera for Disney without breaking my budget?

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with your camera.

I tried looking up your camera on Google & Amazon, but I'm not sure I found a camera called Pentax 7.1. The best I could find were:

• Pentax Optio W30 / E30 / M30 / T30 - a 7.1 megapixel camera from 2007 and costs $199 to $299.99
• Pentax K-7 - a 14.6 megapixel DSLR for $1400 (with the kit lens)

If you've got one of the Pentax Optios, then you'll have to realize that that's one of the limitations of small point-and-shoot cameras. They typically do very well with easy daytime photos. But when it comes to safaris (fast-moving, super-bumpy/shaky) or shows (very dark / low-light photography), point-and-shoot cameras really don't do well in those situations. What you'll need is a DSLR (digital SLR camera).

If you've got the Pentax K-7, then you've got the right camera, but probably need to adjust the settings and/or get a lens specifically for low-light situations. Any good Intro to Digital Photography book should help you with the correct settings and lens(es).

When I re-read the description of the problems you're encountering, I have a feeling you've got one of the Pentax point-and-shoot cameras, and not the Pentax K-7. DSLR cameras typically don't have that 10-second delay between pictures, like you describe. DSLRs are pretty instantaneous and can take pictures in very challenging conditions (such as on the safari and low-light shows). You just need to be able to adjust the camera settings and use the right lens for the situation. The camera's not going to know that you're on a safari or watching "Finding Nemo - The Musical".

You mentioned that you wanted a camera that wouldn't break your budget, but you didn't mention what your budget was. A good budget DSLR would be the Canon Rebel T1i for $719 (includes a kit lens). You can find it on Amazon, Target, Best Buy, etc.

All the other brands (Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, etc) all have budget DSLRs, as well. I'm only familiar with Canon cameras, so I'll let others tell you about the other brands.

Oh, and don't forget to invest in a good Intro to Digital Photography book, too. Your local bookstore / library should have tons to choose from.

Hope that helps.

 

[disneyboy2003]

price range around 200

Oops!

I must have been in the middle of composing my lengthy reply when you wrote this. Boy, do I feel stupid.

Yes, as Golf4food said, you're going to get pretty much the same results from any other $200 point-and-shoot camera.


Edited to add:
I thought about what I said, and I didn't mean to comment specifically about your budget. I meant that I should have asked a few more questions first before spending time composing my lengthy answer. That way, I could have used the time to give you an answer that was more specific & relevant to your needs.

 

[Frantasmic]

You need to be able to take pictures of the events you describe with large apertures and quick shutter speeds. You can improve your pictures by learning how to do that. However, as others have said, your camera and any point and shoot really isn't going to provide spectacular photos in these situations.

So, you are left with either learning how to improve your picture taking skills with the equipment you have, or saving for a better camera with exchangeable lenses.

In sunlight, point and shoot cameras can take really good pictures. In low-light, action shots, and the really difficult one low-light AND action shots, they are limited. Some people here on this board have done tremendous things with their point and shoot cameras. The action shots thread on the front page now shows various indoor shots. But, these people have learned more about photography taking skills and then used their knowledge to tweak their cameras.

We don't mean to discourage you; rather we don't want to see you get another camera and be disappointed with your pictures AND be out $200.00.

I'd suggest investing in some sort of photography basics book, a good set of high-amperage rechargeable batteries, and a fast media card. These three items will help you take better pictures and recover your turnaround time for taking pictures (the wait you had to do between your pictures).

If the pentax is more than 4 years old, it probably doesn't have the processing speed of newer ones and a new sdhc card may not matter.

 

[zackiedawg]

Unfortunately I'll have to agree with the rest - I hope it doesn't sound discouraging or like everyone is telling you something you don't want to hear - but there is something to be said for photographers' skill in getting a good result, be it a basic P&S camera or an advanced DSLR. And though basic P&S cameras can be quite good and a skilled photographer can get surprisingly good results from them, there is a reason some folks still choose to walk around with those massive bulky big cameras! They can still do some things those little pocket cams can't. Otherwise we'd look quite the fools if a person with a camera the size of a deck of cards could get the same performance as we can with a toaster-sized 8lb rig! The phrase 'it's the photographer, not the camera' is true to a degree - but when it comes to certain types of photographs, the tool has to be upgraded too. Action & low light are two of the hardest categories for cameras...and P&S cameras are out of their league even in the hands of Sports Illustrated's photographers!

So twofold - first step you should do if you really do want better photos and enjoy taking photos, is to learn more about photography. You can probably get 400% better results from your current P&S camera just by learning photography basics. Then when you get really good, and know you are more skilled than your camera can support, move to a more capable camera to step to the next level.

 

[capitolhill]

I have always been happy with Nikon cameras, I have had them for years.