Which digital camera should I be looking to buy?

[mickeyluv]

I am looking into getting a new digital camera and was wondering if someone can recommend one. I took pictures last year at WDW of Wishes and they were a little blurry and dark.

What I would like in a camera...

to be able to take night shots without a lot of fuss

to be able to take action shots (moving objects)

auto focus, I don't really like having to set the settings myself, I like to just aim and shoot so to speak!

and then the basics, red eye reduction, etc.

So what do I need to be looking at purchasing??? Don't really want to go over $150.00. Can I get a nice digital camera for that price?

We are going on our first cruise this November and I really would like to update my camera. I have a Sony Cybershot 3.2 mega pixel.

Thanks!!

 

[ukcatfan]

You can get a decent camera for that amount, but do not expect too much in the way of low light shots. For that matter, not many p&s cameras do very well in low light. If that is the main reason for upgrading, you might not be satisfied. Every camera has auto focus and can take action shots to an extent. You need a quick shutter speed to stop the action, which all cameras have. The trick is getting enough light in to get that quick shutter speed. Sometimes you just have to get close enough. Having manual settings also helps.

Check out the Canon "A" series. Fuji has some models that are typically better at low light than most, but I do not know the models.

Kevin

 

[photo_chick]

IMO, for that price range you an upgrade a few megapixels to be able to make better prints, you will probably be able to find one that has a few more bells and whistles than your old one, but with a p&s night shots are hard. It is putting the camera on the tripod and hoping for the best, as you have no control over anything. Plus they have smaller sensors which i hav elearned form the gurus here is bad for shooting in low light.

I have an older Fuji that pretty good for a p&s for night shots, but if it was not on a tripod you could forget it.

I'll go see where a couple of images are...

OK, found some..

Fuji A340 no flash, hand held ---there was really a lot of light here, more than it looks. I think I could have gotten this with my DSLR and the right lens, or at least come close enough to make me happy!

same camera.. no flash, on a tripod, used self timer

same camera with a flash at night, hand held ...

SO while I think it is possible to get some ok night shots with a p&s, these are the best I really have out of hundreds of attemps.

 

[YEKCIM]

Fuji has some models that are typically better at low light than most, but I do not know the models.

Kevin

A couple of Fuji options:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms6000fd/

Note that Fuji cameras do not have IS, if that is important to you.

~YEKCIM