I need a new camera! HELP!?!

[r3ngels]

Hi guys...

I need to buy a new camera and I am not sure what to buy. I feel like I am reading a different language. I have a Cannon Power Shot A75 now and a lot of friends and relatives have the Canon Rebel EOS XT or SLR's I don't know any of the numbers...

I know most of them bought lens to add. What do you guys think? What is a good camera for the money? And would you buy an extra lens?

TIA

 

[Master Mason]

Hi guys...

I need to buy a new camera and I am not sure what to buy. I feel like I am reading a different language. I have a Cannon Power Shot A75 now and a lot of friends and relatives have the Canon Rebel EOS XT or SLR's I don't know any of the numbers...

I know most of them bought lens to add. What do you guys think? What is a good camera for the money? And would you buy an extra lens?

TIA

It all depends.

1. Budget
2. What does your current camera not do that you want it to do.
3. What are your size requirements
4. What do you usually take pictures of and under what lighting conditions.
5. Are you willing to deal with changing lenses and their subsequent cost?

 

[r3ngels]

Cost... I need it under 1,000 but hoping for more the 500-800 range.

I am thinking of this as upgrading my camera... I need closer pictures. I hate that my camera can't get very close. My camera is too slow I take the picture and the actual shot is long gone.

As far as the lense I don't now how easy/hard it is to change so I can't really answer that one.

 

[Master Mason]

Cost... I need it under 1,000 but hoping for more the 500-800 range.

I am thinking of this as upgrading my camera... I need closer pictures. I hate that my camera can't get very close. My camera is too slow I take the picture and the actual shot is long gone.

As far as the lense I don't now how easy/hard it is to change so I can't really answer that one.

Changing lenses is farily easy, on most you push a single button and twist it, and then put the new one on, it really isn't changing them that is the problem for some it is the fact that you have to, and again the cost associated with the extra lenses.

So, here is my advice then.

Current entry level cameras

Canon XT, XTi and XSi this is in order of release and also of cost, the XT is beiing fased out so you might get some good deals on it.

Nikon d40, d40x, d60 again in order of release and cost (has an issue with using using only some of the nikon lenses you need to be aware of)

Pentax K200D

Sony A200, A300, and A350

Olypus E-4x0 and E-5x0 (sorry this is the brand I know the least about the x would be the current model I just don't know what it is)

you can check reviews at dpreview.com on all of these

Then go and hold them at the store, one of them will just feel better in your hands than the others, either because of size or the way the menu's work. You might also place a premium on the brand or brands your friends have so that you can borrow lenses etc.

Places to look at online for cost. Beach Camera, Buy Dig, Amazon, B&H photo, Adorama these are online places. If the price of the local shop is close you might want to buy there as then you have local support if you need.

 

[miami]

First of all, do you want a DSLR? Personally, I prefer a compact camera that fits in my pocket. You won't get the zoom range you get with a DSLR.

You mentioned that your camera is slow. Part of this could be the memory card. Memory cards have different "speeds". Example: SanDisk has a standard (cheapest), an Ultra II (faster, cost a little more) and Extreme III (fastest, more expensive).

 

[frugal_mar]

If you want to share/test lenses, I would recommend going with the system that your family/friends uses. If they are predominantly Canon shooters, go with Canon, if Nikon, go with Nikon.

Also, borrow the camera or go to a shop and try one out. See what is comfortable in your hands. It could have the best specs in the world, yet if you are not comfortable shooting with it, then the camera would be useless to you. Pretty much in that price range, you will get great results.

You should start out with the "stock" lens and depending on your shooting needs, then lenses over time. When adding a lens, look at how you will be using it. The faster lenses are much more expensive. They can cost much more than the camera body. If you are just shooting outdoors, speed is not necessarily a factor, except if you are looking to do sports or low light.


Another later add on would be an external flash.

Get yourself some good books and read and try out. I just got "Understanding Exposure, Revised Edition", by Bryan Peterson. It is a great book. There are even pointers for point and shoot cameras too.

 

[ukcatfan]

I personally do not think you need a DSLR. They are not for everyone. I usually do not recommend one unless you are desiring something that a p&s just cannot do. You said that you want to get closer to the action and have a faster response. A bridge camera (also called superzoom) sounds perfect to fill those needs. Some examples are the Canon S5, Panasonic DMC-FZ50K, Fuji S9000, and Sony DSC-H50 but there are a bunch more. Look for a zoom of a least 10x.

 

[Groucho]

If you can't go wide enough, your PnS is probably one of the many that starts at 36mm (deja vu, I just wrote this in another thread )... some start at 28mm, which will give a wider view to start with, actually just a touch wider than a Canon DSLR with the kit lens (which I'm guessing most of the people you know with them are using.)

I'm not sure off the top of my head when your A75 came up, but newer PnSs are much faster than old ones, so that may help you.

 

[ukcatfan]

You mentioned that your camera is slow. Part of this could be the memory card. Memory cards have different "speeds". Example: SanDisk has a standard (cheapest), an Ultra II (faster, cost a little more) and Extreme III (fastest, more expensive).

I had an A70. The A75 is just barely an upgrade to it. It was very slow and not capable of taking advantage of high speed cards.