Camera Recommendations

[Miniefan]

Hi, until a few minutes ago I had no idea that the photography board even existed. I am in the process of upgrading my camera. I currently have a Kodak easyshare 3.2 megapixel camera and I am looking for something better, the camera I have now was a gift, and I really don't know that much about digital cameras. I would like to have one that takes better photos, has a better zoom, and has better reaction time. Any suggestions on a great camera and tips on making the most of your vacation photos, please let me know.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I would like to have one that takes better photos, has a better zoom, and has better reaction time.

The best quality WDW photos that you see on these boards are usually from DSLRs. They also have the fastest reaction times. The zoom range on them depends on the lens that you use. They are more complicated than point-and-shoot cameras, but they have "easy-to-use" modes as well.

They have serious downsides, though. They are more costly. They are bulkier and heavier. They don't do movies. They don't generally have preview screens (you look through a little viewfinder window).

The major DSLR makers include Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Samsung, and Olympus (did I forget anyone)?


What's your price range - $100? $200? $300? $500? $1,000? $2,000? $5,000? $10,000?

Let us know more about things like how much complexity you're willing to take to get better pictures. How important is low light performance? How important is small size and light weight?

 

[Miniefan]

Well, it looks like it can get a little complicated....I spent most of the day shopping for a camera and didn't even get one. I am not that knowledegeable about cameras except to say that I definitely want a point and shoot camera, and definitely something that is not very bulky. I would like to stay in the $500 and under price range.

I looked at so many cameras yesterday that it felt like sensory overload and the problem with best buy, circuit city ect, is that most of the people working there really don't know a dang thing about them. I can remember liking the Sony cybershot, Canon powershot and a Kodak 12x zoom one,.

Maybe now with a little more info someone can offer a better suggestion.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[twoeeyy]

not trying to hijack this thread but I also would like a suggestion of a decent camera in the $300 dollar range that is capable of good action shots such as fireworks, parades, and of course the usual tourist shots.

 

[uncw89]

I'm interested in this as well. I want a camera with a better zoom. I have a Sony DSC-W1, point and shoot which I like, but I've been looking at the Sony H9. Mark, what do you think about this camera? I like Sony.
Thanks,
Elena

 

[ukcatfan]

For super zoom cameras, if low light shooting is really important, then I suggest the Fuji S6000fd. If that is not that important, then I usually suggest the Canon S3 and/or S5.

Also, unless buying online makes you nervous, you will almost always get a better deal from places like Buydig.com, Adorama.com, and bhphotovideo.com. All of those are honest places, but beware of scammers selling cameras online. There are some real crooks out there. I always suggest checking the ResellerRatings.com website for online vendors.

Kvin

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and it's great! I recently took a trip to China. All of my friends in China had so many problems with shutter lag time, etc., and missing a lot of good shots, but my camera was able to take all sorts of shots that no one else could get due to low light conditions, movement, camera shake, etc. The Panasonic Lumix has one of the best image stabalization systems built into their cameras. I think mine was around $319 at Costco and about $360 at Best Buy. I said I would never buy another P&S, but I didn't want to lug around a heavy DSLR because I wasn't sure what our traveling conditions would be like. I would definitely buy this one again. It's great!
It beat the pants off my 3 year old Olympus P&S, and a lot of my friends with cameras just as new as mine struggled with shutter lag and out of focus shots that I didn't have to worry about!
Oh yeah it has 7.1 MP an 10x Optical zoom. 7.1 MP is more than enough for family type pictures and vacation shots. Should be able to blow up pics to at least 8x10 with no problems.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

For super zoom cameras, if low light shooting is really important, then I suggest the Fuji S6000fd. If that is not that important, then I usually suggest the Canon S3 and/or S5.

I'll second ucatfan ... I've got an S3, and I love it. You can get them for less than $300, now and the S5 is down to about $450. You get lots of versatility, great images, fantastic video and superb battery life with 4 NiMH AA's!

And, nothing (P&S) can beat a Fuji S6000fd at high ISOs.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and it's great! I recently took a trip to China. All of my friends in China had so many problems with shutter lag time, etc., and missing a lot of good shots, but my camera was able to take all sorts of shots that no one else could get due to low light conditions, movement, camera shake, etc. The Panasonic Lumix has one of the best image stabalization systems built into their cameras. I think mine was around $319 at Costco and about $360 at Best Buy. I said I would never buy another P&S, but I didn't want to lug around a heavy DSLR because I wasn't sure what our traveling conditions would be like. I would definitely buy this one again. It's great!
It beat the pants off my 3 year old Olympus P&S, and a lot of my friends with cameras just as new as mine struggled with shutter lag and out of focus shots that I didn't have to worry about!
Oh yeah it has 7.1 MP an 10x Optical zoom. 7.1 MP is more than enough for family type pictures and vacation shots. Should be able to blow up pics to at least 8x10 with no problems.

That'd be my vote, too. I picked one up at the Orlando Costco on my last trip to WDW because I didn't want to drag my DSLR around. I've been pretty impressed with the quality of the images. 10X optical zoom, image stabilization, 3" LCD screen, all in a neat little package that fit comfortably in my front pocket. Here's a pic I took with the TZ3 at AK:

 

[DISWolves]

I'm interested in this as well. I want a camera with a better zoom. I have a Sony DSC-W1, point and shoot which I like, but I've been looking at the Sony H9. Mark, what do you think about this camera? I like Sony.
Thanks,
Elena

I am a DSLR owner, but I also bought a compact, for a recent trip, for days when I didn't feel like carrying a camera bag

have a look at SONY DSC-T100. It has a 5X digital zoom, 3" screen and hardly any shutter lag. I am well pleased with the quality of photos, and the battery life is amazing !!!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

That'd be my vote, too. I picked one up at the Orlando Costco on my last trip to WDW because I didn't want to drag my DSLR around. I've been pretty impressed with the quality of the images. 10X optical zoom, image stabilization, 3" LCD screen, all in a neat little package that fit comfortably in my front pocket. Here's a pic I took with the TZ3 at AK:

Cute picture!
What impressed me about this camera as well was that I was able to take photos from the bus while we were moving fast -- and they still came out! Here's one:

And another:

The low light photos are good too and as you know you can shoot in the AS and Manual mode as well as the various Auto (simple) mode and scene modes. It really impressed me.

Here's a pic of Chinese acrobats from about 100 yards back, in a darkened theater, no flash in simple mode. I just kept my finger on the shutter and got a lot good pics:

I even got other shots where the stage was pitch back except for some low stage lights to highlight the performers and they came out.

Can't go to China and not see panda bears:

Pretty cool camera for P&S. Not to mention, I had just gotten it and never really had a chance to explore all my options w/ it. I primarily used the Auto (Simple mode). I didn't use any tripod/monopod at all -- didn't need it. The weather in Beijing was really bad -- it was smoggy the entire time we were there. I know the two at the top look underexposed, but that's because of the smog -- it literally comes down to grond level in the summer. It was horrible.