What's the best camera for me, or Buying a Camera for Dummies

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Gearing up for my first solo trip to Disney and considering buying my first digital camera. I have always used my phone for Disney pics and have been so disappointed in the picture quality, especially with moving objects, distant objects, and low light situations. Don't need professional quality pics and don't want to spend a whole lot of money, or to buy a camera that needs a lot of additional pieces or equipment. I know practically nothing about photography or cameras. Just want some decent pics.

What I want:

Small and easy to use (no need for lots of photographer choices- I want simple and I would like to be able to transport the camera easily)

Not exceptionally delicate- I'm not known to be easy on the things I own

Takes pictures of moving objects without lots of blur (would like to take pics of rides and plan to use this later to take pics of my constantly moving children)

Takes good pics in low light places (I like taking pics of food and so many of my pics are too dark- I'd also like to be able to take decent photographs inside dark rooms and at night)

Any suggestions? I have looked online, but there are just so many out there and I don't understand the photography legalese.

Thanks for your help!

 

[havoc315]

Gearing up for my first solo trip to Disney and considering buying my first digital camera. I have always used my phone for Disney pics and have been so disappointed in the picture quality, especially with moving objects, distant objects, and low light situations. Don't need professional quality pics and don't want to spend a whole lot of money, or to buy a camera that needs a lot of additional pieces or equipment. I know practically nothing about photography or cameras. Just want some decent pics.

What I want:

Small and easy to use (no need for lots of photographer choices- I want simple and I would like to be able to transport the camera easily)

Not exceptionally delicate- I'm not known to be easy on the things I own

Takes pictures of moving objects without lots of blur (would like to take pics of rides and plan to use this later to take pics of my constantly moving children)

Takes good pics in low light places (I like taking pics of food and so many of my pics are too dark- I'd also like to be able to take decent photographs inside dark rooms and at night)

Any suggestions? I have looked online, but there are just so many out there and I don't understand the photography legalese.

Thanks for your help!

One of the newest smart phones, like the iPhone 7 or Google Pixel, will fulfill those needs the best.
They are the simplest to use. There are certainly better cameras, but they can become very expensive and won't out perform an iPhone unless you learn how to use them, upgrade lenses, etc.
I've compared a $1,000 camera to iPhone, and if you're sticking to basic auto modes, the iphone wins.

In terms of taking pics of moving objects without lots of blur -- You just need to increase the shutter speed. You go into manual settings and increase the shutter speed. Problem is, if the camera isn't great in low light, then there isn't room to move up the shutter speed.
That's also the obvious issue in terms of taking low light pictures.

If you want to step up from an Iphone in terms of low light ability, the minimum is something like the Sony RX100 or Canon GX9. The iPhone 7 (I'll stick with this as the example), is already far superior in low light than most sub-$300 cameras.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

One of the newest smart phones, like the iPhone 7 or Google Pixel, will fulfill those needs the best.
They are the simplest to use. There are certainly better cameras, but they can become very expensive and won't out perform an iPhone unless you learn how to use them, upgrade lenses, etc.
I've compared a $1,000 camera to iPhone, and if you're sticking to basic auto modes, the iphone wins.

In terms of taking pics of moving objects without lots of blur -- You just need to increase the shutter speed. You go into manual settings and increase the shutter speed. Problem is, if the camera isn't great in low light, then there isn't room to move up the shutter speed.
That's also the obvious issue in terms of taking low light pictures.

If you want to step up from an Iphone in terms of low light ability, the minimum is something like the Sony RX100 or Canon GX9. The iPhone 7 (I'll stick with this as the example), is already far superior in low light than most sub-$300 cameras.

Interesting. I am so used to getting a free phone with a contract that I have been putting off buying the iPhone 7. It just seems so expensive when I am used to getting a new phone for free every couple of years. Right now I have an Android (that my husband swears takes good pics and I completely disagree with) which I do not like at all for a number of reasons, but it was free because my husband gave it to me when he upgraded.

Might be best to get the iPhone 7 before my trip, especially since my Android frustrates me so much. I far preferred my old iPhone.

I assumed that since they still sell digital cameras and practically everyone owns a smart phone, the digital cameras must take significantly better photos.

Thanks for your input.

 

[havoc315]

Interesting. I am so used to getting a free phone with a contract that I have been putting off buying the iPhone 7. It just seems so expensive when I am used to getting a new phone for free every couple of years. Right now I have an Android (that my husband swears takes good pics and I completely disagree with) which I do not like at all for a number of reasons, but it was free because my husband gave it to me when he upgraded.

Might be best to get the iPhone 7 before my trip, especially since my Android frustrates me so much. I far preferred my old iPhone.

I assumed that since they still sell digital cameras and practically everyone owns a smart phone, the digital cameras must take significantly better photos.

Thanks for your input.

Point and shoot sales have dropped something like 90% in the last few years.
DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and advanced point and shoots have far more -potential- than an iPhone.

But to realize that potential, you need to be willing to really learn photography, possibly even buying additional lenses.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Point and shoot sales have dropped something like 90% in the last few years.
DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and advanced point and shoots have far more -potential- than an iPhone.

But to realize that potential, you need to be willing to really learn photography, possibly even buying additional lenses.

Nothing against photography, but I have just have too much going on to pick up a new hobby. My favorite hobby is travel- especially Disney travel- and I just want a good way to take pics of my adventures.

Probably better to just buy an iPhone 7. I've never spent more than $50 on a phone, so it will be painful. Maybe I will find a deal on one in the next couple of months.

 

[wenrob]

Nothing against photography, but I have just have too much going on to pick up a new hobby. My favorite hobby is travel- especially Disney travel- and I just want a good way to take pics of my adventures.

Probably better to just buy an iPhone 7. I've never spent more than $50 on a phone, so it will be painful. Maybe I will find a deal on one in the next couple of months.

The iPhone 7 will take very nice pics, however, it's not magic. Nor is any other camera, even the best of the best. To get good photos especially in the conditions you describe (low light, moving subjects, rides) you need at least a very basic understanding of how light/exposure works so that you can turn that into the photos you want. I have cameras and lenses that cost a ridiculous amount of money yet I caught the elusive "ghost pirate" in POTC with an iPhone 6. It was not because the camera on that phone was any better than any other, it's because I knew what I needed to do to get it. My advice FWIW is to take a little time and read up a little bit on exposure. You don't have to know everything or make it a hobby but having the knowledge will go a LONG way in helping you get the photos you want. (there are many tutorials out there on cell phone photography that are easy to read and understand) Otherwise, you're likely to be disappointed.