I need a new camera! Help!

[almburr]

I am wanting to get a new camera here with in the month. I am wanting a camera for portrait taking and action sport shots. I like to do outdoor pictures. I had a very good Cannon that was a film camera. Which I loved so much. I took great photos, plus I think the film camera pictures look better than digital. then I moved on to a digital Kodak its ok but all of my indoor sports pictures are grainy. I can take ok outside shots, it did well with swim team pictures. portrait style shots seemed to be the best with this camera.

Im looking at a Cannon EOS Rebel XS EF-S 18-55mm IS kit. Has anyone here liked this camera? If anyone has a recomendation for a good camera up to $600.00 I would love to hear your input.

 

[ukcatfan]

For the money, the Pentax K-x still cannot be beat in the entry level mark. I think the Rebel T1i is pretty much its equal in capabilities, but last time I checked it was still more expensive. The Rebel T2i is probably the best entry level out there right now, but again even more expensive. The Nikon D5000 is also a close competitor in features, but I still see the lack of an in-body focus motor as somewhat of a frustration. I do not know the models, but there are also some very capable Sony's out there.

If there is some compelling reason that you should go Canon, such as family that will loan a lens, then go with them. If not, then you should keep your mind open to all the options. I could not be happier with my K-x, but that does not make it the best option for you. As for the XS itself, I would not go with it since there are so many better models out now, even just from Canon.

P.S. If you still have lenses from your old camera, they might work on a digital. If they were not great lenses though, I would not let that narrow your brand choices.

 

[almburr]

I will look at all brands. What is SLR?

 

[ukcatfan]

I will look at all brands. What is SLR?

It means single-lens reflex. They have a mirror that shows the image in the viewfinder and it moves out of the way when you press the shutter. What it means to you is that it is a camera that has interchangeable lenses and large sensors that capture better images than a p&s. When it is DSLR, that just means that it is a digital camera and not film. The small mirror-less electronic viewfinder DSLRs are technically not SLRs at all, but many include them in this category since that have similar capabilities.

 

[zackiedawg]

I agree with UKcatfan - if your previous Canon film camera was an SLR, and you still have lenses from that camera, the Canon DSLR above that you mentioned would be your best bet - though Canon DSLRs are often a bit pricier, they are every bit as good as any other brand (they're all really just about equal nowadays) and the fact that you have lenses already to go with it might make it more cost effective.

If your previous camera was a point-and-shoot film camera, then you definitely would be best served to keep your options wide open, and don't rule out any brand. They are all so good, yet with different designs and features, that part of the selection process should be to decide what features you most want, which cameras have all the right checkboxes checked on your list, then handle those cameras to see which ones feel best in your hands. Different grip designs, button locations, weights, sizes - so much can vary between them!

When it comes to image quality - don't worry - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus...they're all fine. They can all do respectable low light, and action and scenics.

Consider whether you care about: image stabilization - some offer it in the lenses you buy (Canon, Nikon), others in the camera body (Sony, Pentax, Olympus); live view (most have some version of it - Canon, Nikon, Pentax with main sensor and slower focus and shooting, Sony and Olympus with faster autofocus versions with less closeup accuracy, and some Sony models with both versions); grip design - do you want a fat grip, a deep grip, a thin grip, a shallow grip? Handle each, and figure out which works for you; Specific features - look into whether any of these are important to you...battery % meter, MLU, DOF preview button, spot meter, tilting LCD screen, high-res screen, HDR, wireless flash control, long battery life...just to name a few. Each camera has different combinations of features - just make sure the ones important to you are on the camera you get.

Consider too whether you want to carry a full-size camera around...DSLRs are bigger and heavier. if your previous Canon film camera was a P&S model, and so was your Kodak, you might find yourself not using the camera as much because it's too big or bulky than what you were used to. There are some very good P&S digital cameras out there, that may not be as capable as the DSLRs, but far better than your old Kodak...and there are other interesting options that might be worth considering such as the Micro 4/3 cameras from Olympus and Panasonic, which have larger sensors and interchangeable lenses like the DSLRs, but have no mirror assembly and are smaller and lighter more like a P&S.

Hope all that helps!

 

[almburr]

Thanks for all the info. I will be looking into all my options.