Can anyone recommend a good camera for capturing the disney magic?

[tracy021083]

The one I have currently is ok but it seems to take a few seconds before taking the pic and isn't amazing for moving shots or night time.

Can anyone recommend a decent but not expensive camera I could buy for next June? I want amazing pics like the ones I've seem on here

 

[Carrie_Cat]

A SLR type camera or a Point and Shoot type ?

 

[tracy021083]

A SLR type camera or a Point and Shoot type ?

I've got a point and shoot type so probably an slr type but not an expensive professional one as wont be used much

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I'll let some one else help you then as all mine are taken with a point and shoot and I know nothing about SLR

 

[DLPdaft]

I've got a point and shoot type so probably an slr type but not an expensive professional one as wont be used much

between DD and I we have a bridge camera (kind of inbetween an slr and a point and shoot) and a point and shoot with 5x optical zoom, and they both come with us to DLP (she tends to take better photos than I do there ). The point and shoot is a lot handier when you've got autograph books, pens, kids clothes etc to sort out while you're trying to take photos . I'd quite like a 10x optical zoom point and shoot though.

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

We had a point and shoot or our last trip, it was great in day light but sucked at night

DH asked Santa for a Sony DSLR for Christmas last year and its fab, has taken some really beautiful pictures. It was on the pricy side but you can get cheaper versions, good lunch finding one for you

 

[Isila]

I also have a SLR, got it as a birthday present couple of years ago, would never change back to point and shoot one.

I have a Nikon 3100, happy with it, has everything it needs, takes great pictures and good quality videos. The biggest problem was to learn how to use it, needed lots of practice, but sometimes until now on special and important moments I still do Auto but those auto pictures are way better than the ones with point and shoot.

 

[zanzibar138]

I personally would not recommend an SLR if it's not going to get much use. They are always expensive, and big and heavy to lug around with you too. I love photography, but I also like to live in the moment, and I found an SLR far too cumbersome to be that practical - I've down-sized again now!

Currently I have 2 cameras. The first is a waterproof, snow-proof, dust-proof, drop-proof Fujifilm. It's just a little point and shoot, but it takes decent pictures in good conditions, and is soooooo handy in wet weather or on wet rides when I'm concerned about getting my other camera out. It also easily fits in any bag, or even pockets, which is very handy!

The second camera is a Sony Cybershot, but kind of an in-between point and shoot and SLR (there is also just a plain point and shoot version). It has 12x optical zoom, and I rarely feel like I need any more. I find I get this one out at night or for high speed photography (like parades etc), or for really nice portrait pictures with characters. It's a lot more sensitive than the other one, and I usually put it away the minute it looks like starting to rain. It's also a bit bigger, but it's actually easier to hold because the body of the camera kind of follows the curves in my hand. And it takes a really decent picture

ETA - I took my avatar pic using my Sony Cybershot, got lots of great fireworks pics!

 

[elstoleno]

Try to get a Nikon D40 or equivalent on eBay or something (D40 isnt made now! lol) its a consumer/amateur dslr.

Its what we learnt on in college and what my sig. photo was taken with. (Although the photo has been photoshopped).

When they still made them it was £300 for a tripod, the camera, two lenses and a bag, so I wouldn't expect them to be too expensive used

Doesn't shoot videos though if thats what youre after*

 

[zanzibar138]

When they still made them it was £300 for a tripod, the camera, two lenses and a bag, so I wouldn't expect them to be too expensive used

Wow I had no idea you could get them so cheap! We get ripped off big time here in Australia

 

[Mummy Minnie]

I personally would not recommend an SLR if it's not going to get much use. They are always expensive, and big and heavy to lug around with you too. I love photography, but I also like to live in the moment, and I found an SLR far too cumbersome to be that practical - I've down-sized again now!

Currently I have 2 cameras. The first is a waterproof, snow-proof, dust-proof, drop-proof Fujifilm. It's just a little point and shoot, but it takes decent pictures in good conditions, and is soooooo handy in wet weather or on wet rides when I'm concerned about getting my other camera out. It also easily fits in any bag, or even pockets, which is very handy!

The second camera is a Sony Cybershot, but kind of an in-between point and shoot and SLR (there is also just a plain point and shoot version). It has 12x optical zoom, and I rarely feel like I need any more. I find I get this one out at night or for high speed photography (like parades etc), or for really nice portrait pictures with characters. It's a lot more sensitive than the other one, and I usually put it away the minute it looks like starting to rain. It's also a bit bigger, but it's actually easier to hold because the body of the camera kind of follows the curves in my hand. And it takes a really decent picture

ETA - I took my avatar pic using my Sony Cybershot, got lots of great fireworks pics!

Love your avatar photo. What model Fuji & Sony do you have?

 

[cherrymarzipan]

I agree with zanzibar138, my SLR is just to heavy to wear around my neck all day long and I have downsized to a smaller camera which is great for most shots and very handy. It is a Samsung with 14.2 megapixels and 12X zoom which is important for close ups on parades etc. it is pretty good without flash indoors too so doesn't annoy other guests. Not as good in dark conditions though as my separate video camera which is better on dark rides. i prefer to take both with me all the time as the video chews up battery too quickly on the still camera.

 

[tennisfan]

To be honest night shots & fireworks will tend to come out rubbish unless you have the camera on a flat steady surface or tripod due to the shutter speed. For night shots the shutter has to stay open longer to try and capture the image and its very difficult to hold the camera still that long.

Also for moving shots in the day your better putting on the sports mode as this will allow for movement.

I agree with the others I would get a point and shoot. I have both but rarely take my slr to Disney as its heavy to carry.

My parents got the Panasonic Z18 and its a great little camera, so much so i'm always borrowing theirs.

 

[MissSkellington]

I second the Sony Cybershot....that's what we use also, and our photos always come out great (dare I say even better than the 'professional' ones taken for photo pass)....

I initially sent it to my DH while he was in Africa, so he could take photos of the animals from the safety of the vehicle...and it worked like a dream...not too expensive either.

We also use a Kodak Playsport for video taping (and it's waterproof, go underwater in the pool!)...used it to video Main Street Electrical Parade and it came out dreamy, far better than the other video cams we have.

 

[tracy021083]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will have a look at the ones you have suggested.
It's mainly for the parades/character meets etc that I want one for as dont want to miss capturing those special moments.
The Sony cyber shot sounds good, I would get a lot of use out of that in general
Are there different versions of this camera ie. Some better than others in the range? Will try ebay for one I think.

 

[Happy Tappy]

I use a Fuji Bridge camera.

I like the added quality of a bridge over a point and shoot but they're not as heavy or as expensive as an SLR.

I only paid about £70 for it from the Fuji online refurbished store. The camera came and it was brand new.

 

[zanzibar138]

Love your avatar photo. What model Fuji & Sony do you have?

Thank you

This is my Sony (taken with my Fuji )

It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H3, but I have had it for a few years now, so there's probably been a few upgrades since then. And seems I was mistaken about the zoom too - it's only 10x optical, which I've usually found to be plenty enough! It's 8.1 megapixels too.

The Fuji is an XP water/shock/dust/freeze proof. It has 5x optical zoom, which I do sometimes find frustrating being used to the Sony, but is perfectly acceptable most of the time.

To be honest night shots & fireworks will tend to come out rubbish unless you have the camera on a flat steady surface or tripod due to the shutter speed. For night shots the shutter has to stay open longer to try and capture the image and its very difficult to hold the camera still that long.

I completely disagree with this. Here's a selection of night time/low light shots I got with my Sony - without doing anything special. They're not professional quality or anything, but I would hardly call them rubbish!

OP - these character photos were taken with the Sony

And these parade pics were taken with the Fuji

 

[MissSkellington]

What gorgeous night photos!! Whenever we consider a new camera, our main debate is what kind of night time Disney photos will it take...

Thanks for sharing those....gives me hope for better fireworks photos!!

I believe I have the same/very similar camera (the Sony...perhaps just the newer version, as mine is much smaller and a flatter front...10x zoom, 14.1mp...and panoramic...cost about $150us about a year ago.)...we've been wanting a more detailed high end camera, but in all honesty, this one gives us such great results, we haven't bothered.

 

[zanzibar138]

What gorgeous night photos!! Whenever we consider a new camera, our main debate is what kind of night time Disney photos will it take...

Thanks for sharing those....gives me hope for better fireworks photos!!

I believe I have the same/very similar camera (the Sony...perhaps just the newer version, as mine is much smaller and a flatter front...10x zoom, 14.1mp...and panoramic...cost about $150us about a year ago.)...we've been wanting a more detailed high end camera, but in all honesty, this one gives us such great results, we haven't bothered.

Thank you And you're welcome

Yep, sounds like the newer version of mine. I've been so happy with it, if/when I need to replace it, I wouldn't consider anything other than just buying the newer model

 

[tracy021083]

Thank you

This is my Sony (taken with my Fuji )

It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-H3, but I have had it for a few years now, so there's probably been a few upgrades since then. And seems I was mistaken about the zoom too - it's only 10x optical, which I've usually found to be plenty enough! It's 8.1 megapixels too.

The Fuji is an XP water/shock/dust/freeze proof. It has 5x optical zoom, which I do sometimes find frustrating being used to the Sony, but is perfectly acceptable most of the time.



I completely disagree with this. Here's a selection of night time/low light shots I got with my Sony - without doing anything special. They're not professional quality or anything, but I would hardly call them rubbish!

OP - these character photos were taken with the Sony

And these parade pics were taken with the Fuji

Fantastic photos thanks for sharing! I would be happy if mine turned out this good I'm definately going to get a Sony.
Does it record video clips?

Does shy one know of a similar newer model that I can look for on eBay if they don't make this one anymore.