Camera help...from a Mommys view

[Camping Griswalds]

I know there are other camera threads, but I wanated opinions from real moms. Not professional photographers. I would like a digital camera that works quickly for actions shots, but still good at close ups. I don't want to have to take a college degree out to figure out how to use the thing. I am willing to spend 500-700. Any advice? What type of camera do you have? Do you love it? Hate it? Wish you had bought something else? Christmas is coming and i want a new "big boy" camera!

 

[auralia]

I am the same i talked my husband into letting me get a DSLR and i researched them alot. I got a sony a300 it was around 700 for it w/ 2 lenses and I LOVE IT i can take pictures so fast it is amazing i can take 5 or 6 pics in the time it takes our old compact digital camera to take 1! for instance i took 15 pictures of my daughter going down a rather small slide before she got to the bottom. I like the sony line of DSLR because they have 2 sensors... when i got this camera it was the only entry level that has that... if you only have one sensor you usually don't have a view screen and you have to use the eye hole view and can't see what you are taking a picuter of on the screan but the sony has 2 sensors so you can do either. I absolutly love my camera i was torn between a nikon and the sony and my sony has a tilting screne to make shots of smaller children easier and that's what sold me on it (ps i know my typing/spelling is horrable sorry). It is a big camera but i would carry it over my compact camera any day because the shots are just amazing!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have a Kodak Easy Share and a larger digital by Fuji Film. Both have good picture quality but I dislike the delay on both. The best pictures are still with my 35mm Cannon Camera. Both of my daughters have a Sony Cyber Shot and love them.

 

[ktlm]

I have a Canon Powershot. The really small one that easily fits in your purse. I love it because it is easy to work; takes good pictures; and with the small size it is no problem to cart around to WDW and other places. The only thing I have found I didn't like about it, is I could not figure out how to get any good fireworks shots at WDW, but that probably is just me not knowing how to set the camera right (I basically know and use 2 settings -- 1. automatic and 2. flash turned off). One thing you have to keep an eye on is that sometimes at shows at WDW and otherwise, you get better pictures with the flash off, but with the flash off in the dark you have to be sure you hold the camera very still or it will blur. I really like my Canon.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Thanks I was looking for a new camera I will have to check this one ouT

 

[ogreenlee]

i'm a part-time professional, but i'm also a mom.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm

http://jasonscrapyard.blogspot.com/2009/05/digital-camera-shutter-lag-comparison.html



http://digital-cameras.toptenreviews.com/compact/tips-to-shorten-shutter-lag.htm

 

[Chelley00]

I have a Canon S5 IS. I ADORE it. It's not as advanced as a DSLR, but it has plenty of settings to make it a little more than just a point and shoot. I have 3 kids playing sports and it takes fabulous action shots on just the automatic setting without even having to use the sports setting (if my DH forgets to switch it, which he does often!) It has a 12X zoom and image stabilization so it rarely takes a blurry shot.

I love it because I have been reading on the more advanced settings and can play when I have the chance, but I don't have to worry about anything other than auto in a pinch. I know there is a thread somewhere on the photography board that has people who have posted pictures taken with the IS cameras.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have the Canon S3 IS. Not sure if you can find it anymore, but I went back and forth between it and the S5 and chose the S3. Love it! Looks like "real" camera but it still basically simple.

 

[DisneyBabies]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Sony a200! Bought it from amazon and paid $625 for the camera kit (small lens) + 75-300 lens + 2 4GB CompactFlash cards (they came in handy on our trip to WDW) + extra battery (this came in handy as well). And I didn't pay shipping since it was over $25.

 

[flying_babyb]

I adore my kodak camera. I take action shots of my students (2-6 years old) and most of them come out. I think its like 1 of 5 that dosent turn out.

 

[brandylouwho]

I had a Canon Powershot A70 (from like 7 years ago) that I LOVED, but it broke and for the cost of repair I could buy a new camera.

So, acouple of years ago I upgraded to a digital Rebel xTi, which I also love. I love being able to take lots of pics in rapid succession (to catch the kids). I like a larger camera (something I can actually get a grip on in my hands). I like looking through an actual viewfinder to take a photo. I didn't really need a DSLR and I am no photographer, but I love this camera and have been happy on many an occassion to have it.

It has been nice to be able to use different lenses too. My husband got some nice shots of me coming down the big drop on Everest (he was waiting by the gift shop while I rode). I think there is a good selection of automatic "dummy" settings, so it's not like you have to manualy focus or set the camera if you don't want to.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I have the Canon S5 IS and love it, lots of setting choices, great zoom and i have even programmed a few settings myself with help from camera gurus.... It is bigger than the point and shoot kodak easyshare i had, but i think the trade off is well worth it. The screen tilts so makes viewing easy, takes great videos, you can even zoom in and out during them which some cameras dont. Would highly recommend it if you wanted to stay away from the slr's.

 

[Goin2Disney2006]

I had the Cannon Powershot S3 IS and just replaced it with the Powershot SX20. I only had it 2 weeks and so far I love it!!! I find it easy to use and it has a 20x zoom and 12 mega pixels.

 

[cogero]

When I started as a mom I bought a DSLR through the years I have upgraded and now own a Sony a-900 but for your price Range I would go with the Sony A-300 or 350 OR the equivelant Nikon

I recommend DSLRs over point and shoots because of the Delay.

 

[Pixieflip]

You know what, I think all the SLRs are so high in pixels, they all probably produce very good quality photos. My Canon Elph lasted for 5 years and yes, it was convenient to toss it in my purse, but 3.2 megapixels just does not compare to the 10.0 I now get from my bog boy SLR.

I went to the camera store and held all three of the SLRs in my price range. One felt very comfortable in my hands, the other two had issues. I looked at the way the buttons were configured, if the general use of the camera made sense to me and how easy it was to shoot a photo and view it on the screen. I know people are die hard brand loyal, but I just wanted the one that worked for me and I'm glad I picked it. It has a lot of features that I need to learn yet, but in time I will. For now, it takes awesome photos in more environments that my little Elph ever could.

 

[sharibrat]

I have a Canon S5 IS. I ADORE it.

I am a mom who takes MANY pictures and I second the Canon S5 IS. The main reason I love it??? NO DELAY??? I was so sick of missing shots of my kids. When they are little they do cute stuff and they do it once, you either get it or you don't.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

We have a DSLR (Canon 20d) and love it! It is a bigger camera but there is NO delay whatsoever!

 

[kid4everala]

I bought a canon rebel over 4 years ago and love it. I am not an expert. I have picked up a few tips over the years but maily use the auto mode and have great shots. I can't recommend it enough. Most of my friends have this camera and love it to.

Check out the different REBELS on Canon's website

Hope this helps.