HELP!!! I need a decent camera

[Iluvjiminy]

I've been looking at pictures over on the theme parks boards and have decided I need a new camera. I'm kind of dumb when it comes to these things so I'm hoping someone here can help me. This is what I'd like and then hopefully someone can make some suggestions........I'm not really picky...I don't think so here goes. I desperately need a camera that will take "moving pictures" without alot of fuzziness, somewhat decent zoom, and something that would take the pictures rather quickly so that I could take them and not need my subject to stand stll long enough for the dang camera to do its job (which is what I have now)
Unfortunately, I only have about $300-$400 or less to buy a new camera with.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me

 

[YesDear]

The good news is there are many brands and models in that price range that will do what you want! The bad news is unless you are willing to lean some basic photography, none of them will do all that you want them to do.

Most of the wonderful pictures you see on this and other boards are the result of the photographer, not the camera knowing what to do. When you get a camera and set it on auto, you are asking the camera to balance everything to its lowest common denominator, getting a basic balanced properly exposed shot. It does not know that you wanted everything except the subject to look blurred or you wanted to stop the motion.

Be a little more specific as to exactly what you want to take pictures of and I am sure many specific model recommendations will come. Go to DPreview and they do a good job of keeping up with the latest.

Buy Bryan Peterson's Exposure book and the world of pictures will begin to open around you! If you want to set it on auto, spend half that!

 

[ms.tinkerpoo]

Thank you for the advice. The main thing I have troubles with my camera taking decent pictures of are the fireworks at disney. If I put the setting of my current camera on the "sports" mode it does fairly well with movement but it doesn't take pictures fast enough in any mode. Besides the "nighttime" or fireworks pictures I'd like to have something with a better zoom on it than my camera so that I can take fairly good pictures of animals and "clsoe up" pictures. We went to the zoo during spring break and I couldn't zoom in close enough to some of the animals there so the pictures look like they are landscapes instead of "critters".

Thank you and I'll look into the book you suggested.

Becky aka iluvjiminy

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

What kind of camera do you have now? What is the zoom range of that camera? Do you want just a point and shoot or are you willing to learn about photography to be able to take better photos?

 

[YesDear]

For fireworks at Disney you are going to need to set your camera to manual if it has it and you will need some type of tripod and hopefully some type of shutter release. The great pictures you see of the fireworks are usually several seconds long exposures. Even touching the shutter release can cause the camera to move.

If you look at cameras for their zoom capabilities make sure you look at the optical zoom not the digital zoom. DO NOT use digital zoom. You will not like what you get! Look at the specs and see the mm spread of the zoom. it may say 30mm to 105mm or 42mm to 220mm. It is the upper number that puts you closer to the subject.

 

[Iluvjiminy]

I knew I'd get some help here. I have a nikon coolpix not sure about the zoom range though. Didn't know about the optical instead of digital zoom either. Thanks

 

[Hoan & Poopie]

Well I don't know if you would consider a DSLR? The Nikon D40 is a great camera and not too much bigger or heavier than a point and shoot unless you're talking about those really compact cameras. If you want compact there will be trade offs. Usually they aren't 'instant' with response.

Personally I have used the Sony H series cameras (H2, H5, etc.) and find them to be great with long zooms too. They are sort of in between a DSLR and compact in size and weight.

 

[blackjackdelta]

You may want to look at the new Sony HX1 and it is a little bit above your price range but mat fit your needs. Another would be the Panasonic ZS3 which is in your price range.
Education is very important to take great photo's. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure would help you gain the know you need.

Jack

 

[PhotobearSam]

The Canon S5 IS is being phased out so if you can find one, it's an awesome camera...I love mine.

 

[bdtracey]

The Canon S5 IS is being phased out so if you can find one, it's an awesome camera...I love mine.

I second the S5. Friends of mine have it and love it. It has a bunch of really neat "auto" features that I kind of wish my XSi had...that being said I wouldn't trade my low-light capabilities with the XSi for a few neat auto features.

The S5 is very user friendly, a little larger than your standard point-and-shoot but has (correct me if I'm wrong here) 12x optical zoom.