Good Camera for Beginner for around $350

[xtinnna]

I know this must sound ridiculous to most of you professional photographers, but I am a complete beginner and want to know if anyone has recommendations for a camera with a quick shutter speed and plenty of functions that can be found for around $350. I really can't afford to spend past $400. I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix P100 10.3 MP and I'm considering returning it if I can get a better camera. The Nikon P100 is nice but I'm not too impressed with the picture quality. Can someone please help me? Thanks so much!

[NicoleScraps]

You're okay with a point and shoot? Check out some of the Kodak Z models. They have lots of creative functions. And they really do take nice photos.

[inkista]

In the $350-$400 range, you can probably pick up a used Canon XT or Nikon D40 or D50 with a kit lens.

If you really want to time a shot precisely, a dSLR is probably going to be your best shot, because of how a camera sensor is used in a mirrorless camera, like a P&S or micro four-thirds. The sensor is used not only to take a picture, but also to feed the image from the lens into the LCD display. The physical shutter is open all the time so that light can hit the sensor and the sensor can send information to the LCD.

The problem here is that if the charge on the sensor remains for the LCD display image when you take the shot you're likely to get a ghost image. So, when you push the shutter button, the physical shutter closes to cover the sensor, the sensor is cleared of charge, and then the shutter opens and the picture is taken. That's what causes the shutter delay.

With a dSLR, the sensor is always covered (unless you're in liveview), and you use an optical viewfinder that looks at what a mirror reflects is coming into the lens. When you want to take a picture, the mirror swings up and out of the way, the shutter opens, and the sensor grabs the light. You don't have to wait to clear charge, so there's no shutter delay. This is also why the framerate with dSLRs is higher.

[dbevisjr]

I changed from a P&S to a DSLR about 8 months ago and I am very glad I decided to make the change. My recommendation is to look around for a D40, D50 or even a D60. You'll be very happy with what you get.

[WVCoalMiner]

Canon EOS 1000D / Rebel XS, 18-55mm Kit, 10.1 Megapixel - eBay (item 320572078499 end time Aug-11-10 13:23:26 PDT)

[dbevisjr]

The Canon on eBay that WVCoalMiner sent the link for is also a nice camera. (I used Canon 35mm film cameras.) If you decide to try eBay be prepared for the price to go up in the last 5 minutes and have a second option in mind. But there are good deals on there. I got my 55-200 lens on eBay but had to bid on several before my max bid could win one. The key there is patience.

[z0mbina80]

I absolutely love my camera. It is a Panasonic Lumix. The model number is DMC fz28. Its a wonderful step up from a point and shoot and is in the 300-400 range. Its been a great learning tool for me Now if only the DSLR I ordered would get here >_< ( had to send it to my mom's house as the company I ordered from wouldn't send to Japan and my mom forwarded it parcel post D: LOL )