Which camera should we buy?

[Tazicket]

Dh and I want to get a digital camera for our trip to the World this Christmas. He's an artsy type who wants to be able to take artistic-y photos, and I want good character, parade, and maybe fireworks photos. We want something that can zoom in enough to capture good detail without having to be right on top of the subject. He likes to blow up photos into 8x10s, so we'd need something that could do that without making grainy pictures. AND I like the cameras with the displays, so that I can see what I took immediately (forgive me if this is on all of them...I'm a bit camera illiterate)

Does this camera exist? Can we afford it?

Thanks!!

 

[Sonno]

Do you want a basic point and click, a point and click with a decent zoom, a dSLR...? What price range are you looking at?

 

[Golf4food]

I'm the DH in question... simple is better, digital, but with enough features for me to go nuts with on occasion for more artistic stuff. I studied painting and drawing and such for a number of years, but since I don't have time for that any longer I fancy using my art training on photography instead. Price range anywhere up to $500 ish (for everything - we aren't going to be making money off of these pictures, no reason to spend a fortune).

In fact, my wife (and me too) wants something fairly small and compact, light enough to carry around all day at the parks. Maybe a cheaper small camera for her and a bigger fancier camera for me.

We're not picky, are we? Haha

 

[YEKCIM]

Are you looking to buy *two* cameras for "500-ish" for both? You can currently own a Pentax *ist DL for sub-$500, online, including kit lens, but the zoom range would be somewhat limiting for zooming in on somewhat distant subjects. Something like the Canon S2-IS or one of the Sony "H" models (H1, H2, H5) might fit your needs better, but without the ability to "grow" in the hobby, that a DSLR offers. I suggest you start with this little search engine on dpreview.com: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp as a starting point. Also, www.steves-digicams.com is a good resource. Once you narrow down the specs you are looking for, you can begin to compare the strengths and weaknesses of a few specific models, to ascertain which is the best "fit" for you. If you are shopping online, I suggest www.pricegrabber.com and www.resellerratings.com as two excellent resources.

~YEKCIM

 

[Golf4food]

Thanks, Yekcim! We'll check out the sites you mentioned. They sound like a good plan for us.

 

[webshark3]

Any good zoom camera should print fine at 8x10.

However, if you want really low noise out of a digicam, the Fuji Finepix F10 has an ISO 1600 mode that competes well with DSLRs. That'll help you get those "silkly smooth" images in low light. It's still no replacement for a DSLR, but it's only $325 US.

 

[Sonno]

Get a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.
Just checked bizrate.com, $565 from a reputable dealer.
You can add a halfway decent lens for $100-200 more with a package deal.

Honestly, don't mess with the point and click stuff, get a dSLR.

 

[webshark3]

Get a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.
Just checked bizrate.com, $565 from a reputable dealer.
You can add a halfway decent lens for $100-200 more with a package deal.

Honestly, don't mess with the point and click stuff, get a dSLR.

I definately agree with you on the XT. However, the lowest price with kit lens is about $669 (Beach), add $50 for a spare battery. Don't know their memory card situation...

Plus, if they never used a DSLR before, they can expect a good number of their pics to be poorly exposed or blurred in the AUTO mode. Sharpening is not automatic (DSLR users tend to post-process), and learning is needed for the parameters. I'd only reccomend the DLSR if they have a 6+ months to play with it prior to the trip.

Going from a P&S to DSLR is like driving a Volkswagon Bug, and upgrading to a Semi. Sure you have a lot more power, but can you control it?

 

[pyrxtc]

I say get an Olympus, I would get an olympus Sp-500 UZ works like a DSLR but also has the ease of use like a point and shoot.

It si 10 optical zoom built in plus 6.1 MP's. AHs all the manual shooting modes plus 27 auto ones. you and your Dh could both use it. Alos you can buy other lenses for it and get lots of mileage. It is also not as expensive as a DSLR. Digital point and shoots are as good if not better than some film camers, so just because you would buya SLR film camera, does nto mean you need a DSLR. PLus the SP is much lighter and easier to carry arou8nd than a DSLR in the parks.