Help me choose a digital camera and camcorder

[jenfur]

I need advice. I have been agonizing over which cameras to buy and purchase day is quickly approaching. As for the digital camera, I am debating between a simple Sony point and shoot, the Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 7.2MP, with bigger lens and better zoom, and the Nikon 6.1 MP D40 Digital SLR. Cost is a factor the lowest is around $250 and highest at $599. I like taking pictures of the family and thats about it, but I like getting good shots. I would probably be satified with the simple model because 7+ megapixels are good for enlargements right? But I want a decent zoom, and then I am like...for a little more, aren't SLRs supposed to be great? Any opinoins?

As for the camcorder. I want to stick with Sony. We are using Hi8 right now, but are wanting to switch to miniDV or DVD. I tranfers all of tapes to DVD using click to DVD by Sony (anything better out there- the menu and setup options are somewhat limited?) Which would be the better format to use for editing and and picture quality?

I am all ears!

 

[ukcatfan]

I need advice. I have been agonizing over which cameras to buy and purchase day is quickly approaching. As for the digital camera, I am debating between a simple Sony point and shoot, the Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 7.2MP, with bigger lens and better zoom, and the Nikon 6.1 MP D40 Digital SLR. Cost is a factor the lowest is around $250 and highest at $599. I like taking pictures of the family and thats about it, but I like getting good shots. I would probably be satified with the simple model because 7+ megapixels are good for enlargements right? But I want a decent zoom, and then I am like...for a little more, aren't SLRs supposed to be great? Any opinoins?

As for the camcorder. I want to stick with Sony. We are using Hi8 right now, but are wanting to switch to miniDV or DVD. I tranfers all of tapes to DVD using click to DVD by Sony (anything better out there- the menu and setup options are somewhat limited?) Which would be the better format to use for editing and and picture quality?

I am all ears!

First, congrats on reaching 1,000 posts!

I cannot speak much on the camcorder, but can on the camera. If cost is an issue, then you might want to stay away from a DSLR. The cheapest one around goes for about $415 after a rebate right now, but that usually is not the total cost. You will find yourself wanting to add things like lenses, bags, filters, etc. and could easily double that in a matter of months. They really are better than a p&s. In terms of real usable resolution, a 6MP DSLR shot is going to be better than a 10MP p&s shot, but this is only noticable in the tricky situations like low light. There are other things nice about them also, but I do not want to lead you before asking a couple questions. Why are you considering a DSLR? What about a p&s is frustrating you.

Kevin

 

[jenfur]

I was considering a SLR because I was told the bigger the lense the better the picture and the label advertised quick shutter speed and a good amount of zoom. The main problems I am having with p&s is 1) zoom capabilities 2) I hate the slow shutter speeds, everyone usually moves between the time the button is pushed and when the picture is actually taken 3) I take used to a lot of pictures at night especially on vacation, but they never turn out right. I don't even try fireworks or the light parades now. 4) If I use any function other than automatic, the pictures are blurry. DS plays sports and I would love to use the sports option that takes a bunch of pictures in a row, but they still all come out blurry. 5) I do like to enlarge a lot of pictures.

The model I am looking at now is $599. I have been saving for a camera so that is do-able, will a basic SLR do the job without add-ons, at least in the beginning?

 

[Lizziejane]

Jenfur, I think the question you need to ask yourself is, is photography something you can see yourself becoming passionate about. If you're happy snapping a couple of pictures here and there, and having them turn out "ok", then a p&s should do fine.

But I suspect from your post that you are looking for something more from your photographs. And an SLR can certainly deliver way beyond the capabilities of a P&S. Buying an SLR really isn't about the initial purchase price - it's about buying into a pastime that can, and probably will, last you a lifetime. No, it ain't cheap - however, there's nothing that says you have to buy more than a basic initial kit to get started. As your passion, and expertise grows, you'll find yourself wanting to add on.

Switching from a P&S to an SLR can be a harrowing experience. Your P&S does a lot of in-camera processing. It's not unusual for a new SLR owner to be disappointed initially with their pictures. It takes some time and effort to become acquainted with the camera and learn the functions. If you're committed and have the passion to take your photography skills beyond the basic snapshots, an SLR is the way to go!

 

[ukcatfan]

I was considering a SLR because I was told the bigger the lense the better the picture and the label advertised quick shutter speed and a good amount of zoom. The main problems I am having with p&s is 1) zoom capabilities 2) I hate the slow shutter speeds, everyone usually moves between the time the button is pushed and when the picture is actually taken 3) I take used to a lot of pictures at night especially on vacation, but they never turn out right. I don't even try fireworks or the light parades now. 4) If I use any function other than automatic, the pictures are blurry. DS plays sports and I would love to use the sports option that takes a bunch of pictures in a row, but they still all come out blurry. 5) I do like to enlarge a lot of pictures.

The model I am looking at now is $599. I have been saving for a camera so that is do-able, will a basic SLR do the job without add-ons, at least in the beginning?

The basic lens ("kit lens") is not a very long focal length lens. Comparing it back to a p&s, it is like a 3x zoom, but it starts wider, so if you are looking for a decent range of zoom, you might be better off with a bridge camera or spending more if you want to stay with a Nikon. You would be looking to either upgrade to the 18-135mm kit package or adding a second lens around the 50-200mm range. Either way, it would probably be over $100 more. If you would be willing to give Pentax a look, they have a great deal on the K100D, 18-55mm, and 50-200mm all together for around $600 due to a $150 rebate when you buy all together at the same time. It is good until the end of the month.

For the shutter speed, I am pretty sure you are talking about the delay from pressing the button to it actually taking the shot. That is the best with a DSLR, but the newer p&s models have come a long way, so don't count them out just for that.

For low light, it seems like your bad shots always involved motion. If so, you should also look into a wide aperture lens. The 50mm models seem to be the most popular due to their usually low prices. The Nikon, Canon, and Pentax models can be found for less than $200. (take note that the 50mm Nikon will only be a manual focus on the D40 and D40x) Without one of these, a DSLR will be better than a p&s due to having a usable ISO 1600, but it might still leave you wanting more. For low light shots without motion (including fireworks) it is easier. Get a decent tripod and a remote shutter release. That goes for any camera. If no shutter release is available, a camera with a 2 second shutter delay will also work, but timing can get difficult.

Also for low light, take note that the Pentax, Sony, Samsung, and newest Olympus models have IS built in to the body, so it will work with every lens. The IS built in to the lens is technically a little better, but at a huge price difference.

If you decide to go for a DSLR, it is a good idea to get out of the automatic zones. The depth of field is much more controllable on a DSLR, but when you leave that up to the camera, sometimes it makes mistakes and you will miss your old p&s. A very good book on learning more is Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure.

If you plan on using the burst mode often, then you might need to lean more towards the Nikon or Canon in the entry level range. The Pentax is limited to three RAW shots or five JPG shots in a row before having to clear the buffer. The entry level C&N are not much better than that, but are still better. I personally hardly ever use that feature, but I do not do much action photography.

You will have more to work with when enlarging with a DSLR and you should also take advantage of RAW. As I mentioned before, a 6MP DSLR will give you more to work with than a 10MP p&s. It is because the image sensor of a DSLR is so much larger.

Good luck. If you go with a DSLR, you will likely be happy with it no matter what brand you pick. They are all good.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

The "bigger the lens, better the picture" is not really true. What whoever said that is probably thinking of is probably the sensor, not the lens.

Point-n-shoot cameras generally have a very small sensor, which leads to a picture that's not as sharp and causes a lot of noise issues in low light. Here's a graphic I whipped up to demonstrate:

The vast majority of PnS cameras have the 1/2.5" sensor, and nearly all DSLRs have the APS-sized sensor. (Olympus uses the "4/3rd" sensor, which is slightly smaller.) You can see that there's quite a bit of difference in size! Also, generally speaking, the more megapixels you squeeze out of the same size sensor, the worse it'll look. A 10mp camera with a 1/2.5" sensor is probably going to have more noise and less sharpness than a 6mp camera with the same-size sensor.

However, you are more likely to spend a lot more over time to pick up extra lenses. You don't have to, but it's hard to resist when you see what you can do with some of them! You can get by with just the kit lens for a while, but if you want more zoom, you'll want to pick up another lens.

For prices, check www.beachcamera.com - you can generally find the best prices there.

Kevin did a good job with most of the details. Like he said, fireworks are easy with most any camera as long as you use a tripod, and the same goes for any static thing you'll shoot. SpectroMagic can be very difficult even for a nice setup, because it's so dark and it's moving. With a "fast" lens and an SLR though, you can probably get satisfactory results. The same setup will also allow you to get other night photos without needing a tripod.