help with digital camera during vacation?

[JenAusty]

Hello. I am in search for a new digital camera to purchase for the disney world honeymoon in June 2008. If I purchase it now then I will have plenty of time to become familiar with it.

I am not a high tech photographer.. but I'm not a beginner either. As of right now I have a Olympus Camedia D-540. (I think thats the numbers.) I have had this camera for about 3 years now. I purchased a new camera from a brand that was suppose to be top of the line, and a better quality then the version of the one I have. But it didn't take good pictures at all. The pictures were always dark and never clear. In the Olympus Camedia I have never had a problem with bad pics. It takes good pictures but it doesn't take good "in action" pictures because once you push the button to take a picture it like pauses for a second and then takes. Not only that but it sucks the life out of batteries soo quick. I use the chargable batteries and no matter how long I charge them- they only last about an hour.

The new camera I am looking for is one that can take pictures instantly (as soon as you push the button) because I want to use it not only for travels but I also coach- and want to take in action pictures- when they happen, not after they are done. Other than that, just one that has zoom and video camera ability and not so bad on batteries.

As I said before, I'm not a beginner I have used a few digital cameras, so it doesn't have to be a beginners digital camera. Any suggestions would be helpful. I'm lost in knowing things about them.

 

[Suejeffali]

We have a Kodak Easy Share that we bought a few months before our last trip and it worked great. It takes great pictures too.

 

[One Year Pin]

I use a Nikon D40X Digital SLR. There is no shutter lag and the pics are great. There are many settings, but there is also an auto setting. Built in pop-up flash, and clear screen on the back.

Now, I admit, I'm partial to Nikon. I used to be a professional photographer and I have always loved Nikon. The only drawback to this is something I prefer. You use the viewfinder to frame your shot, not the LCD display on the back. It saves battery power, and it makes for a better picture. Before digital cameras came along, this is how we all used to do it anyway. The camera is not cheap. I got a package with 2 lenses, a battery charger (lithium-ion battery. Lasts a loooong time), a strap and a camera case. It retails for right around $1000 for the package. If that's too much for a camera, I would suggest the Nikon D40 instead of the D40X. Most of the same features, but a lot cheaper. You can get the camera and a good 18-55mm zoom for about half of the other package.

Also, get as large of a memory card as you can afford. I got a 4gb card for about $69.

 

[Heatherhl]

How much do you want to spend?

My professional camera is a Canon Mark iii ($5000 w/o lens). My back up cameras until recently were a Canon 20d and a Canon 10d. The Canon 40d (app $1400 w/o lens) is the upgrade to the 20 & 10d's.
The only other camera I use is a Nikon CoolPix which is what my camera rep suggested. Per the camera guy (prefers Nikon himself said "anything under $1000, buy a Nikon and anything over $1000 buy a Canon". The CoolPix is only about $300 right now and is easy to use, enough functions NOT to get bored and works really well. It's compact and takes great photos and has video ability.

Good luck!

Heather

 

[Melissa_E]

You might want to look into the higher end P&S, such as the Canon S3 or S5, Sony H5 or H7. They have very long zooms, extra functions, including a sports function, and certainly aren't a beginning camera. They are a great compromise for someone who doesn't want to spend near $1000 for a DSLR (or invest in the time to learn how to use the camera and extra lenses).

 

[mrmagicmph]

Between our October 2006 and October 2007 trips to WDW we invested in a new camera ourselves. We had originally been using a Kodak EasyShare that was "ok" but FAR from "great". Instead, we bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K.

Here are a couple of the pictures we took with the new camera:

As you can tell, we took several different types of pics (including trying & being VERY impressed with what we got for fireworks pics!) and were VERY satisfied.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Are you looking for a digicam or something more serious like a DSLR?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1681779

 

[micki7337]

MY DW has a Cannon powershot which is 8MP and is a great DSLR all in one unit that has taken some really great picture on our last 2 vacations to WDW in August and December. I really love it too I am thinking about buying one used online and trading up from my 6MP Konica camera.

Canon PowerShot S5 IS 8-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black the exact camer she has.. It is great.

 

[JenAusty]

Thanks this all helps a lot. I now have many ideas and types of cameras to look into. Although I don't want to spend $1000 on a camera, it helps me decide on different quality.

Oh and I am looking for a digital camera and something not so huge (thats easy to carry around and isn't a hassle.) Thanks again!

Any suggestions on were to get the best deals on cameras?

Thanks again!

 

[JenAusty]

I have many friends who have the kodak easyshare camera- however I know there are different qualities within that camera and I want to make sure its not the basic version.

 

[JenAusty]

Between our October 2006 and October 2007 trips to WDW we invested in a new camera ourselves. We had originally been using a Kodak EasyShare that was "ok" but FAR from "great". Instead, we bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K.

Here are a couple of the pictures we took with the new camera:

As you can tell, we took several different types of pics (including trying & being VERY impressed with what we got for fireworks pics!) and were VERY satisfied.

Enjoy the Magic!

Thanks for the pics.. they all turned out good. This helps!

 

[JenAusty]

Ohhh and I'm getting the idea that Nixon is a good camera to have.. since I have had many suggestions for it. I will Definitely be looking into those.

 

[Mischa]

I am by no means an "expert" but I love to take pictures. I just got a Panasonic Lumix (got it in October for my November trip). It is the best camera I've ever had. Of course it is a digital.

I got it at Best Buy (I think it was about $150). But what I love about it is it has the "anti-shake" (keeps the picture steady even if your hand isn't). It also has different settings. It does portrait, soft skin, scenery, sports, night portrait, night scenery, food, party, candlelight, sunset, baby, pet, high sensitivity, beach, starry sky, fireworks, snow, and aerial photo). My friends were so impressed with my pictures that they wanted me to use my photos to make them albums!

here are a few of my pictures:

This was taken with the zoom (we were sitting about 1/2 way down from the top)

Usually my night shots of the castle have come out a "tad" blurry, but I was happy with this one...

Sunrise from our hotel (SSR) balcony

Pic from Fantasmic - never got a clear shot like this before.

SpectroMagic - always blurry - not with this new camera!

Not the best location, but at least it wasn't blurry. And that was taken without a tripod.

Dancers from the MK Parade.

Sorry for so many pictures...but I just love my camera!

 

[kaylajr]

I am gonna move this over to our photography board
some there may have some other suggestions for you

 

[ukcatfan]

MY DW has a Cannon powershot which is 8MP and is a great DSLR all in one unit that has taken some really great picture on our last 2 vacations to WDW in August and December. I really love it too I am thinking about buying one used online and trading up from my 6MP Konica camera.

Canon PowerShot S5 IS 8-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black the exact camer she has.. It is great.

This is not to pick on you, it is just to keep the OP from getting confused. The Powershot line are point and shoots and not DSLRs. SLR has to do with how the camera actually works and not that there are fixed or removable lenses. There are no current production DSLRs with fixed lenses that I know of though.

That said, the S5 is probably a great choice. I would take it over the Nikons, Kodaks, etc. I have a Canon S2 and a Pentax K100D DSLR, which I also recommend. The only reason I do not have a Canon DSLR is because they are more expensive than I could afford. A DSLR investment is more than just the unit. The extra lenses often cost more than the actual body.

You could also look at the Fuji p&s models that have the larger image sensors. If you look at them, be sure it says that it has a 1/1.6" to 1/1.8" sensor in the specs. Typical p&s models have 1/2.5" sensors, which are smaller and not as good.

Kevin

 

[JR6ooo4]

Ohhh and I'm getting the idea that Nixon is a good camera to have.. since I have had many suggestions for it. I will Definitely be looking into those.

Heheheheee
Trying to think of a joke other than "it is not a crook"

Mikeeee

 

[npmommie]

I am by no means an "expert" but I love to take pictures. I just got a Panasonic Lumix (got it in October for my November trip). It is the best camera I've ever had. Of course it is a digital.

I got it at Best Buy (I think it was about $150). But what I love about it is it has the "anti-shake" (keeps the picture steady even if your hand isn't). It also has different settings. It does portrait, soft skin, scenery, sports, night portrait, night scenery, food, party, candlelight, sunset, baby, pet, high sensitivity, beach, starry sky, fireworks, snow, and aerial photo). My friends were so impressed with my pictures that they wanted me to use my photos to make them albums!

here are a few of my pictures:

This was taken with the zoom (we were sitting about 1/2 way down from the top)

Usually my night shots of the castle have come out a "tad" blurry, but I was happy with this one...

Sunrise from our hotel (SSR) balcony

Pic from Fantasmic - never got a clear shot like this before.

SpectroMagic - always blurry - not with this new camera!

Not the best location, but at least it wasn't blurry. And that was taken without a tripod.

Dancers from the MK Parade.

Sorry for so many pictures...but I just love my camera!

Hi whick lumix model do you have? i have one too, mine takes nice pics, but some of my in the dark pics did not come out as nice as yours.
what setting did you put it on? some of mine came out great, but i wasnt consistant with the settings i think

 

[Melissa_E]

Here are some pictures that I took with my Sony H5. This is what I mean about shots that would look better with a DSLR vs. the high end P&S. Though I love my camera and can't afford an upgrade right now, there are times that I get upset my camera can't do what I want in each picture. The first picture shows this well. If I used a DSLR, the background would not have been as clear, something that I was aiming for in the tulips picture on the bottom.

This is with no flash, inside

I forget if I used flash here, but I like how this came out.

The benefit of the P&S that I have, is I can take videos with sound, I don't need to carry a separate video camera. Although, the quality of the videos are 680x460.

 

[MICKEY88]

The first picture shows this well. If I used a DSLR, the background would not have been as clear, something that I was aiming for in the tulips picture on the bottom.

.

it all depends on what lens and aperture you use with a dslr, yu could have the entire pic in fairly sharp focus or blur the background, but it's a matter of lens and aperture, not just the fact of using a dslr

 

[MICKEY88]

How much do you want to spend?

My professional camera is a Canon Mark iii ($5000 w/o lens). My back up cameras until recently were a Canon 20d and a Canon 10d. The Canon 40d (app $1400 w/o lens) is the upgrade to the 20 & 10d's.
The only other camera I use is a Nikon CoolPix which is what my camera rep suggested. Per the camera guy (prefers Nikon himself said "anything under $1000, buy a Nikon and anything over $1000 buy a Canon". The CoolPix is only about $300 right now and is easy to use, enough functions NOT to get bored and works really well. It's compact and takes great photos and has video ability.

Good luck!

Heather

is your camera rep, a camera salesperson... by chance..