Camera Suggestions Needed!!!

[lynn46356]

I am in need of a new camera. I have an old Canon PowerShot A80. It still takes decent pictures but it is old and I want something newer of course. I deserve it right! I’m not sure what kind of camera I want is the problem. Part of me would like a high end p & s. The other part thinks perhaps a low end dslr camera is the way to go. I use my camera for pictures of the kids and vacations mostly. Our oldest son ran cross country and you can’t image the number of photos that were taken with my camera each season. I was team mom and had to capture pics for each boy running. I’m sure by the end of the season I had taken between 500-1000 photos each year. Yes, many of them did not turn out. It was definitely a challenge to get good photos. I tried using the action setting but was unable to get anything but a blurry picture. I accomplished it each year but it wasn’t the easiest. Now, our youngest son is going to be running cross country and I find myself in the same position. He also plays basketball and the inside gym pics are a problem to accomplish. I’ve been reading a lot on dpreview.com about cameras. I will admit a lot of the dslr information is over my head. I have no problem learning though but it does scare me some. I have to be honest. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We've also got a WDW trip planned for Nov/Dec so I want to have time to learn my new camera! Thanks for any help given!

Lynn

 

[Frantasmic]

A high-end point and shoot would help you if you don't want to make the jump to dslr just yet. However, for inside gym shots, you will really need a good flash (which many schools don't allow) or the ability to shoot in raw. By the time you get up to the point and shoot that can shoot raw, you are nearly at the Nikon D40 threshold monetarily anyway.

If you are going to be the designated team photo taker, I'd go ahead and go with the lower dslr route.

 

[VVFF]

A high-end point and shoot would help you if you don't want to make the jump to dslr just yet. However, for inside gym shots, you will really need a good flash (which many schools don't allow) or the ability to shoot in raw. By the time you get up to the point and shoot that can shoot raw, you are nearly at the Nikon D40 threshold monetarily anyway.

If you are going to be the designated team photo taker, I'd go ahead and go with the lower dslr route.

Almost any Canon P&S can be loaded with firmware to shoot in RAW

 

[Frantasmic]

That is true about the firmware. I forget about it even though I've had Canon cameras for the last 10 years. My experience with attempting to load the firmware was that it was difficult, even though I tried multiple methods and techniques from the online places.

So, that is an option; however, I think it isn't for everyone, but they should be aware that that capability is out there.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

I have an early rebel dslr-best of both worlds since it still has the point and shoot options or the creative side. Everyone gets imtidated when I hand it off to them to use until I tell them its ok, I have it in what I call the stupid peoples setting just hit the button. (I don't mean that meanly it just gets everyone over there fear faster for some reason and I am by no means and expert so this includes me too)

 

[VVFF]

That is true about the firmware. I forget about it even though I've had Canon cameras for the last 10 years. My experience with attempting to load the firmware was that it was difficult, even though I tried multiple methods and techniques from the online places.

So, that is an option; however, I think it isn't for everyone, but they should be aware that that capability is out there.

It wasn't actually that bad once you realize what its doing. You load it on the card and tell it to upgrade the firmware of the camera. However, it doesn't actually change any of the built in firmware. You then go into the menu for CHDK and choose to make it bootable. From then on whenever you want to load the firmware you simply put the card in with the "protect" slider of the SD card moved to the "locked" position. If you put it in without this, the default firmware will load.