Help me decide what camera to get

[kbkids]

I'm tired of blurry pictures, and I'm ready to spend some bucks to get a decent camera. Right now, I've got just a small Kodak digital - nothing fancy - but I want something more "grown up." Any suggestions? I still need simple - but both of my kids are involved in sports, and I'm missing some great shots. I need something that can really zoom in. But I don't know squat about cameras. Any suggestions on where to start?

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm tired of blurry pictures, and I'm ready to spend some bucks to get a decent camera. Right now, I've got just a small Kodak digital - nothing fancy - but I want something more "grown up." Any suggestions? I still need simple - but both of my kids are involved in sports, and I'm missing some great shots. I need something that can really zoom in. But I don't know squat about cameras. Any suggestions on where to start?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you are willing to learn how to take some control over your camera, you are probably not going to be satisfied with a new camera either. Even an expensive DSLR can take really bad shots if you do not know how to use it.

As for what camera to look at, it sounds like you want a bridge camera (aka superzoom, ultrazoom, etc.). I have had a Canon "S1 IS" and "S2 IS" that I have been happy with. The new version is the "SX10 IS" I believe.

 

[DisneyDreamerK]

I have a new-ish Sony Cyber-shot and a new Sony DSLR. The DSLR is fantastic, but one day I forgot the battery so I used my Point and Shoot and it still took fantastic photos. I highly recommend the Sony's Cyber-Shot DSC-T300.

 

[Frantasmic]

Agree with above post.

You have to jump in, want to learn, and read some books. You (and your pictures) will be happy you did.

A bridge camera is a "bridge" between a point and shoot and a dslr. Canon makes some that have the 12x zoom. Nikon and Olympus and I think Panasonic have 18x zoom. With canon, you can get some better shots using a program that expands your capability, but that's fairly technical.

But first, if the action you are missing is outdoors, a bridge camera will probably work best for you. If you are missing indoor sports, it's probably best to bite the bullet and get a dslr you can handle. Nikon has the d40, d60, great deals on the d80. Canon has the Rebel XS and XSi with some good deals.

Lots of recommendations for good books to learn the fundamentals of photography are found in the stickied forums up above. Additionally, google short courses. This company sells short courseware in your camera and are very specific.

Finally, Ritz and Wolf camera stores, perhaps others as well, carry DVDs with specific hands on instructions for your camera.

It's worth the time and effort to learn what a camera can do for your picture taking wants and needs.

 

[kaffinito]

I agree with the pp's about a bridge camera. Check out the Canon SX110 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28. They are both good cameras that got good reviews. They are priced fairly reasonably as well for what you get. Happy hunting!

 

[blestmom]

As for what camera to look at, it sounds like you want a bridge camera (aka superzoom, ultrazoom, etc.). I have had a Canon "S1 IS" and "S2 IS" that I have been happy with. The new version is the "SX10 IS" I believe.

That's what I'm doing...I really want to learn more about photography, but as a busy mom of 5, I don't have the time right now. (If you're a sports parent, you know what I mean!) I got myself a bridge camera, and some really good photography books, and even took a beginning photography class this fall. I'm hoping by summertime I'll be ready for a DSLR. I've gotten some pretty good action sports pictures from my bridge camera...not as good as a DSLR, but this worked out good for me for now.

Best of wishes to you! Have fun photographing those kids.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm tired of blurry pictures, and I'm ready to spend some bucks to get a decent camera. Right now, I've got just a small Kodak digital - nothing fancy - but I want something more "grown up." Any suggestions? I still need simple - but both of my kids are involved in sports, and I'm missing some great shots. I need something that can really zoom in. But I don't know squat about cameras. Any suggestions on where to start?

I know of a perfect camera. DH just bought me a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28. He paid $259 at BHphotovideo.com It has an 18x optical zoom, 10 mp. It has an "intelligent auto" mode that will help you by taking pictures in the proper settings without you having to do anything. And the zoom is amazing. It is equivalent to 287-486mm on a 35 mm camera. Go here for a write up on the camera. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072104panasonicfz28.asp

I have a Nikon dslr and sometimes struggle to get a good shot. I think I will use the Panasonic when I want to be sure not to miss a shot.
This camera also takes video in HD. It is really an amazing camera. Here is a picture that I took yesterday at the Chiefs football game. If I can take good shots at a football game, then I think this might be the camera for you. All I did was point and shoot.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Here's another action shot from yesterday's game. And here is a link to a thread I started today regarding my camera. It has a few more pictures.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29183305#post29183305