Need camera good for low light/motion

[pilgrimage]

I am seeking a camera good for low light situations. Also
good for motion (we will be on a boat part of vacation).
I have budgeted up to $400. I am not a skillful photographer,
so goof-proof is needed. Thanks for your help.

 

[pilgrimage]

Camcorder mode is not needed, if that makes a difference.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

If low-light is the most important feature, the Fuji line probably has what you're looking for and should all be under $400:

(compact) 3x zoom: F30
10x zoom: S6000fd

There is also a newer 10x zoom S9100, but I haven't seen a review of it on DCRP's site, yet.

Motion isn't really a problem for any decent digital camera, and nearly all of them have a movie mode.

 

[pilgrimage]

Thank you very much!! By motion, I meant when the
subject is moving, like trying to catch a child diving into
the water without being smeary. I do not even know the
proper vocabulary, but hope that makes sense. Thank you
for your kindness and assistance.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Thank you very much!! By motion, I meant when the
subject is moving, like trying to catch a child diving into
the water without being smeary. I do not even know the
proper vocabulary, but hope that makes sense. Thank you
for your kindness and assistance.

I thought that's what you meant ... fast shutter speeds are the only way to handle motion. All of the digital cameras have fast enough shutter speeds to freeze "normal" motion.

One of the advantages of the Fuji cameras is that they can use higher shutter speeds in low-light than most other digital P&S cameras.

But, out in bright sunlight, they all can do it.

 

[YEKCIM]

There is also a newer 10x zoom S9100, but I haven't seen a review of it on DCRP's site, yet.

Here's one: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/s9100.html

For most purposes, though, I think the S6000fd's a better choice. I don't have any personal experience with either one, but do have a Finepix S5200 and have been mostly happy with it. The S6000fd is a pretty good leap forward from the S5200, at least on paper.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

The Fujis will be your best bet, but will still not be stellar in very low lighting - only DSLRs can really deliver satisfying low-light performance. Your budget would get you a DSLR but only a single lens, one which is not ideal for low-light situations.

As long as you are aware of what the limits are, you will probably be very happy with one of the Fujis.

 

[pilgrimage]

This will be a shared anniversary gift and the vacation is costing us
nothing because of a friend's good heart. What would I need to pay for a
camera such as you describe needing
two lenses? This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we will
probably never go to such beautiful places again. Many thanks.

 

[YEKCIM]

This will be a shared anniversary gift and the vacation is costing us
nothing because of a friend's good heart. What would I need to pay for a
camera such as you describe needing
two lenses? This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we will
probably never go to such beautiful places again. Many thanks.

I think you are referring to a dSLR, which has a larger sensor and uses interchangeable lenses. If that is correct, you are talking about a quantum jump in technology and, to some extent, price. Entry level dSLR's start in the 6 megapixel range (perfectly adequate, too, btw), and around $400 for a Pentax K110D with kit lens. Beyond the basic body and kit lens, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can spend for lenses and other accessories.

Canon and Nikon also offer entry level dSLR's but their prices start at around $600 and $525, respectively, and go up from there. Prices based on buying online.

If you decide that a dSLR is the way you should go, keep in mind that a dSLR is meant to be a system, and to use it to its full potential, one needs (and will probably want) more than just a body and kit lens.

My personal opinion, even though I'm a Nikon driver, is that the Pentax K110D and K100D represent the best ROI in entry level dSLR's at this time. The others are fine, and I am very happy with my Nikon stuff, but dollar for dollar, it'd be hard to go wrong with a $400 K110D.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

Well, "goof proof" is not quite possible and there are many who will argue that a DSLR will not be as good of a choice if you're not confident about what you're doing.

I think that if you keep it in Program (or even Auto or one of the scene modes), you should be able to beat any PnS pretty well with most any DSLR. One of the things is that once you get to a DSLR, chances are that if you're getting bad photos - you can't really blame the camera, it's something that you're doing.

If you are doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would lean towards picking up a DSLR, planning on spending some time beforehand practicing and learning the camera as well as possible, so that you'll be comfortable using it when you're on the trip. You will likely come back with much better photos that way.

The bang-for-the-buck king is the Pentax K100D, if you buy it along with the kit lens (18-55mm) and longer zoom (50-200mm) lens, you can get it for about $575 after rebate. Add a 50mm F1.4 and you're all set for low-light environments, for a total outlay of approximately $750. You can also get a K110D for $50 cheaper, but you lose image stabilization, and that extra $50 is saved if you buy the K100D and the 50-200mm at the same time (larger rebate.)

The competition includes the Nikon D40 (which can't autofocus with the Nikon's basic 50mm lens) and the Canon Rebel XT and XTi.