on the market best P&S and best DSLR ( beginner )

[4 mickey]

Hi
well the title says it all I am not sure really wich one I'll finally buy ok point and shout is fairly easy but with all the new ones on the market wich one is the best quality as I love to snap pictures wither in vacactions or at any event .
as for DSLR with me having no clues about those wich one is user friendly ( easy but with good quality )
is canon best or Nikon ?? wich models ??
thanks

 

[havoc315]

Best point and shoot depends on budget and depends on your priorities.
There are quasi point and shoots that cost $2000+.

But on a more economical level, most people would probably say the best P&S is the Sony RX100, at $650.
Though if a big zoom is important to you, then it's not the right camera for you.
For under $400.... Probably the Canon S110.

For dSLRs --- I think there is more equality across brands. At that point, you can even say the lenses are more important than the camera body. (With P&S, that's one and the same as the lens is built in).
And of course, you have full-frame dSLRs that run $2500+.

But for consumer grade dSLRs, Sony's flagship is the A77. Nikon's flagship model is the D7000. (I think they will be releasing the D7100 soon). Not sure which Canon's flagship model is, maybe the 60D?

You can really achieve very very similar results on each of these cameras. It's more dependent on the lens you use. But each camera has some little advantages and disadvantages. Nikon is known to have slightly higher image quality. Sony has some nifty features like a live-view EVF, and really fast shooting. (12 frames per second).

 

[CopperWife]

I am by-no-means a camera expert, but I just wanted to add my two cents. We had a Canon G10 (point and shoot) for that past 3 years. I loved it. LOVED IT. We never had a problem with pictures beng out of focus, it was a good size (not too small where it felt cheap, but not to big as to where I couldn't shove it in my purse), and it was easy to use.

We had to buy a new camera about a month ago (our old camera was dropped and the lens was scratched) and we decided to upgrade to a Canon Rebel EOS t3i - I think that's the full name, lol. It's a dslr. I was really scared when we bought it because it's intimatdating, but I've been pretty happy with it, overall. You can always keep it on the automatic setting and it's pretty much just like a point and shoot. The only thing I'm not happy with is that it doesn't zoom that far, I have to buy an additional lens for it. But I have been amazed with the picture quality - I thought our Canon G10 was great, but this pictures are just phenominal. Crisp and clear. Once again, I'm sure someone who is a photographer would have a better vocabulary to desribe how great the pictures are, lol, but you get the idea! Also, we bought our camera our local Best Buy and they offer a free class to teach you how to use your dslr. I'm hoping to get to one soon!

 

[photo_chick]

Best is really, really subjective.

Neither Canon or Nikon is the best... it's all about what fits the photographer. And that includes Pentax, Sony, Olympus and other brands.

As far as DSLR's go, you can't really go wrong with any that are out on the market right now. It's a matter of finding the right one for your needs. Point and shoots are a different matter, mainly because there's a whole lot more of them and while most are at least OK, some are definitely better than others.

Make a list of features you want. Set a budget and in the case of a DSLR consider your future lens budget, as some lines have more entry level lenses than others. Also ask yourself how much you might want to spend down the road on other things, like off camera flashes. After you've done all that, go to the store and play with the cameras that have the features you want and fit in your budget.

Places like dpreview.com have good, fairly unbiased reviews and buying guides that can help you.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I just got a Sony a37 and it is awesome for a DSLR beginner.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The best camera is the one you will take with you and feel comfortable using.

 

[hakepb]

Within point and shoots, (since they are all compromises of size/price/performance) its more of a best for you vs "the best". You need to consider size/feel, needs for zoom, speed, video quality...

But other to consider, the Canon G1X has a larger sensor than the RX100, which gives an IQ advantage in some situations, but it is larger and operates slower.

If you want a bunch of zoom, the Panasonic FZ200 with its constant aperature f/2.8 zoom to 600mm, plus RAW and a mic input for video.

And then you didn't mention the whole category of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras... They can offer better IQ than a PnS and are more compact than a DSlr.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Neither Canon or Nikon is the best... it's all about what fits the photographer. And that includes Pentax, Sony, Olympus and other brands.

The best camera is the one you will take with you and feel comfortable using.

 

[SplashMo]

The SONY RX100 stands out from the crowd as a point and shoot.

The Olympous OM-D is a nice alternative to a DSLR. If you have a kid in sports it might not be the best choice.

For a DSLR Canon and Nikon are the largest names with Pentax and SONy in the mix as well.

A current camera that is at a good price point is the Nikon D5100 as it is being replaced by a newer model. Still a very nice camera for $650.00 with a kit lens.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The Olympous OM-D is a nice alternative to a DSLR. If you have a kid in sports it might not be the best choice.

In the right hands it could do very well.

This is just one guy's experience and opinion. There will be more as more people use it and more lenses become available, improvements are made on subsequent models, etc.

Definitely a camera to consider.

http://admiringlight.com/blog/olympus-e-m5-sports-shooting-field-report/

Just a reminder that Olympus is the official camera system of the US Open (tennis). It was also the camera system that NASA chose to photograph earth a few years back from one of the space shuttles. The OMD has an improved sensor from the older 4/3 cameras. It will do a fine job in most situations, again, in the right hands. (Like anything else.)

 

[SplashMo]

The olympus OM-D is a wonderful camera. Having very fast autofocus. Most folks with DSLRs will not be willing to buy the big lens needed for field sports or even the fast primes needed for indoor sports. (However the indoor sports are less money.)

For some a Nikon D7000 or Canon 7D with a 70-200/f2.8 lens will be their ideal camera. That is a nice chunk of money and even more if they want to go full frame.

If you like to bike, travel or hike the Olmpus is almost certaintly going to be the better camera.

If you were to go to a football, soccer or lacrosse game with the Olympus OMD you would get some great shots. If your main use of the camera is sports events then the DSLR is likely the better choice.

 

[SplashMo]

Here are some sports pictures taken with Olympous OM-D and other cameras simialr to it. The Olympous OM-D being at or near the top:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3339127

 

[kacaju]

http://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3100-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.11622027.html


does anyone have this camera from costco?

 

[havoc315]

It's a good camera. Not sure if that's such a great price though. Guess it's an ok price.

 

[hakepb]

It depends on how much you really like the D3100. Nikon has released the D3200 with a better sensor.
For a little more ($699) I see a few Black Friday deals on a D5100 package with those 2 lens lengths..and the D5100 has the great D7000 sensor (but some argue the D3200 might be better) and a swivel LCD, but its a bit larger...and Nikon has announced the D5200..

 

[SplashMo]

Amazon has a deal on the Nikon D5100 with lens for about $550.00

 

[hakepb]

Amazon has a deal on the Nikon D5100 with lens for about $550.00

But does that include the additional 200mm or greater zoom lens like that D3100 package?
The D3000 series is Nikon's smallest DSLr, so if that size is the most comfortable in your hands, its the best camera. (Although the D3200 should also get strong consideration if higher ISO performance is desired)