Camera Pt2

[Ivette1980]

okay so I have been shopping around for a camera as a gift to myself but im stuppmed with amounts of camera's there are out there.

can anyone please help in suggesitons on cam corders with still picture or vice versa, digital cameras with video options. i dint want to spend to much - one day i will make a great investment in one but right now its for here and there pics and upcoming vaca. i have a program that makes pictures look like it was taken from a one thousand dollar camera.

thanx in advcance!



oh and how do post pics here??????

 

[PJAY]

Are you looking for a DSLR or a P&S?
So many options for both but for DSLR's optics on Nikon and Canon's are superior to many of the models out there. They also offer more in the variety of lenses and both have excellent processing units but not much in the way of video recording. Both P&S ,models do however have these features. That being said, I picked out an Olympus P& S for my parents and I LOVE that camera. It's small, easy to use and the flash exposure on it is far superior to any Nikon P& S I have ever owned. Unfortunately, I can't remember the model # at this time. Pretty much any P& S model nowadays will have video features along with a few different modes to take pics (including night photography and/or fireworks.

 

[ukcatfan]

So many options for both but for DSLR's optics on Nikon and Canon's are superior to many of the models out there. They also offer more in the variety of lenses and both have excellent processing units but not much in the way of video recording.

Not sure why you even mention anything about this since the OP is obviously not looking at DSLRs, but I have to say that this statement is simply just not true. There are extremely excellent optics available for many brands. For example, some of the Pentax primes are considered to be the very best of their type available for any brand. Basically, there is no need for your inaccurate blanket statement in this thread. Also, Nikon has the only DSLR with video, but you obviously did not know that.

 

[ukcatfan]

okay so I have been shopping around for a camera as a gift to myself but im stuppmed with amounts of camera's there are out there.

can anyone please help in suggesitons on cam corders with still picture or vice versa, digital cameras with video options. i dint want to spend to much - one day i will make a great investment in one but right now its for here and there pics and upcoming vaca. i have a program that makes pictures look like it was taken from a one thousand dollar camera.

thanx in advcance!



oh and how do post pics here??????

Neither do both really well, but a real camera will do video better than a camcorder can do still pictures. As long as you are doing small clips, the video on a still camera is usually not too bad. You are usually stuck at one focal length for the entire video though. Just make sure it does sound b/c not all do. A video w/o sound is pretty useless if you ask me.

 

[bob100]

i have a program that makes pictures look like it was taken from a one thousand dollar camera.

please, I beseech you, tell us about your program that "makes pictures look like it was taken from a one thousand dollar camera", I would like to avoid spending thousands of dollars. but until that revelation my recommendation for a camera that takes good video are the superzoom type cameras, e.g. Canon SX10 or Panasonic FZ28

 

[Ivette1980]

okay now you're speaking a different language. lol. anymore model types, exmaples, websites ...

 

[jfinke]

Also, Nikon has the only DSLR with video, but you obviously did not know that.

Actually the Canon 5DmkII produces 1080i video.

But, frankly video on a DSLR sounds kinda of gimicky to me. I have seen video produced by these cameras. It is gorgeous. But, they are produced by professionals who have years of experience and in controlled environments.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/videos/5DMKII-preview.shtml
http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2008/09/22/amazing-canon-5d-mkii-hd-video-footage/
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2327


The D90 is what a grand? The 5D is 2700 if you can find one.

I do think that Canon and Nikon are used by the vast majority of pros out there. However, I hope that companies such as Sony, Pentax, and Olympus continue to push the big two to further innovations.

 

[handicap18]

My father-in-law bought a Canon A590IS for his trip to Ireland. $130 on amazon. It took some real nice pics. I was impressed with what it could do for a small little PnS. Now that he's done with the trip I've kinda taken it over because of its video. It takes some real nice video. No limit on length (though I haven't gone over 2 minutes) however the zoom function doesn't work when you start recording. It uses SD cards (of which I have a bunch from my Nikon D50) so for now we're using it as our "video" camera till I can save up some money for a "real" video camera.

 

[motherof4]

I have also asked for a camera for christmas from my husband. Lots to choose from and have had poor success with some of the pns I have bought in the past! Wondering if anyone knows how well the fuji camera's work? I am looking for a little more than a pns but not quite as advanced as a DSLR? I am not to sure what the Fuji camera is called, but it is a 10 megapixel digital camera with 12xoptical zoom, and a 2.7" LCD screen with face detection and image stabilization on sale at future shop for $198.00, my price range is between $200.00 and $300.00, any other suggestions?

 

[bob100]

I have also asked for a camera for christmas from my husband. Lots to choose from and have had poor success with some of the pns I have bought in the past! Wondering if anyone knows how well the fuji camera's work? I am looking for a little more than a pns but not quite as advanced as a DSLR? I am not to sure what the Fuji camera is called, but it is a 10 megapixel digital camera with 12xoptical zoom, and a 2.7" LCD screen with face detection and image stabilization on sale at future shop for $198.00, my price range is between $200.00 and $300.00, any other suggestions?

I don't know about the Fuji but at that price range I would also suggest looking at the Panasonic FZ28
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/panasonic_fz28.html

also, to get the best pics out of these cameras learning the different settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO , etc. really helps.

 

[Frantasmic]

You want something decent and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, right?

I've been very happy with my Canon S5. It takes pretty good video, and in sunlight is a great camera. It does have limitations in low light, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

 

[bob100]

You want something decent and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, right?

I've been very happy with my Canon S5. It takes pretty good video, and in sunlight is a great camera. It does have limitations in low light, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

right, a superzoom will spoil you and in some circumstances it can do a good job in low light, I took this last night -

 

[Pea-n-Me]

okay now you're speaking a different language. lol. anymore model types, exmaples, websites ...

Your thread has inadvertently ignited one of the Holy Wars of Photography.

The camera one chooses is extremely subjective.

 

[Frantasmic]

Bob, if I'm correct, you have downloaded the S5 CHDK program, correct? You will get better pictures with your S5 that the average user.

Yes, anyone can go and download the CHDK program, but I found it daunting to say the least. I followed two or three different means to download that program and never got it to work.

So, while I love the S5 and would recommend it in a heartbeat, it does still lack taking good action shots in the dark, IMO.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

i have a program that makes pictures look like it was taken from a one thousand dollar camera.

Wouldn't that be a disaster.

 

[MICKEY88]

Are you looking for a DSLR or a P&S?
So many options for both but for DSLR's optics on Nikon and Canon's are superior to many of the models out there. )

I agree with ukcatfan on this one...simply not true. he already covered pentax so I'll mention Sony..Sony accepts Minolta a mount lenses, and anyone with a good knowledge of photography equipment knows that the minolta g series lenses are among the best, and current sony lineup includes carl zeiss lenses

basically all of the major brands have some great stuff, and some that is less than great, it all comes down to which one suits your needs and is comfortable in your hands..

 

[bob100]

Bob, if I'm correct, you have downloaded the S5 CHDK program, correct? You will get better pictures with your S5 that the average user.
Yes, anyone can go and download the CHDK program, but I found it daunting to say the least. I followed two or three different means to download that program and never got it to work.
So, while I love the S5 and would recommend it in a heartbeat, it does still lack taking good action shots in the dark, IMO.

the CHDK program is great for Canon cameras, you can go to www.s5users.com/forum for easier instructions,
And I will agree "action shots in the dark" is difficult, one reason why I will eventually upgrade to dSLR but there are ways to compensate depending on the subject lighting, (safety shift off, ISO 800 and photoshop) I've been sucessful at night football games such as

but not too successful when the lighting is poor, such as a nighttime outdoor music festival using faster shutter speeds, - but I've seen some good indoor concert pics using the S5.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I agree with ukcatfan on this one...simply not true. he already covered pentax so I'll mention Sony..Sony accepts Minolta a mount lenses, and anyone with a good knowledge of photography equipment knows that the minolta g series lenses are among the best, and current sony lineup includes carl zeiss lenses

basically all of the major brands have some great stuff, and some that is less than great, it all comes down to which one suits your needs and is comfortable in your hands..

I agree with ukcatfan and MICKEY88 on this. For entry level DSLRs, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, and Olympus are all viable choices. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Just because Canon and Nikon have about 90% of the DSLR market between them doesn't mean that they are the only choices. It's only in the pro-DSLR market that their camera systems have a lock on the market. Even there, Sony is making an attempt to eventually be competitive.