What Camera Can I Get

[dalton]

I was introduced to photography with a crappy little 100 $ camera and have loved it since then but my camera broke so i need a new camera.
So the question is what camera would be good for me.

- REALLY tight budget( probably less than 350$ if that much)
- I like photographing nature and abstract macro
- want at least 8+ MP
im not sure if i should get a DSLR or some kind of high end point and shoot.

any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[Mr Guy]

Depends on whether you want to spend more later, and how much effort you are willing to put into learning. If you want to spend $350 total, then you may be happiest with a high end point and shoot.

However, I think for the BEST quality, I really think the absolute best bang for the buck you can get is by buying an older used Pentax body, like a K100 or *ist DS and then buying fully manual glass off ebay. Old Pentax glass is very high quality and readily available at bargain prices. Of course, SOME old Pentax glass is still pretty darn expensive, but there's plenty to get you started.

It really depends on whether you want a more flexible solution or one that you can expand and grow.

[MSidPhoto]

Ok you want a point and shoot eh ??

Sounds like you are a beginner...hmm...

So are you looking for a P&S with more control or not.

To me there are lots of options: You got Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic and Olympus.


I'd recommend that if you want Sony then you could look into DSC H20 (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review)

But don't just look into that. Check out Canon, Nikon and Panasonic too.
For your price range, Panasonic Lumix P&S might be ideal. (Panasonic Digital Cameras: Digital Photography Review)

Check out the following Panasonic Cameras :
1) Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review
2) Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review
3) Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review

You should also see into Canon Canon Digital Cameras: Digital Photography Review and Nikon Nikon Digital Cameras: Digital Photography Review and you might find cameras that suit your requirement.

As for Pentax i dont know much

Hope that you find this useful.
Good Luck !!!

[dalton]

Originally Posted by Mr Guy

Depends on whether you want to spend more later, and how much effort you are willing to put into learning. If you want to spend $350 total, then you may be happiest with a high end point and shoot.

However, I think for the BEST quality, I really think the absolute best bang for the buck you can get is by buying an older used Pentax body, like a K100 or *ist DS and then buying fully manual glass off ebay. Old Pentax glass is very high quality and readily available at bargain prices. Of course, SOME old Pentax glass is still pretty darn expensive, but there's plenty to get you started.

It really depends on whether you want a more flexible solution or one that you can expand and grow.

Well i have to say that this will probably be my main hobby once i get camera so i definitely want to expand upon whatever i get. I know that it wont be as good, but how good is an older Pentax compared with a newer model.

[JFSanders]

Dalton, go over to Ken Rockwell's site and read, read, read!
Here is the Link: Ken Rockwell

Good luck! And don't let anybody tell you, you can't do that!

Edit: 09/22/09: Well since I have evidently given the young lad invalid and unsuitable opinion. Dalton, disregard my previous statements and have a nice life...

So sorry to offend the illuminati. I was unaware that Mr. Rockwell was a clown without peer in the photographic community and incapable of running the show on the noobs. I will not bother in the future.

[OsmosisStudios]

You could always go analog. Get an older Nikon, Pentax or Canon EOS body and shoot some film. You'll learn your exposure triangle and composition and then when you get the money together for a digital, your lenses can simply port over.

[Ray Dockrey]

As far as the suggestion to read Ken Rockwell's site take what you find there with a grain of salt. I have found that the further I get into photography and learn more about it Ken's opinions are just that. His opinions. He also is very clear that the site is done for entertainment purposes and quoted from his site "I like to make things up and stretch the truth if they make an article more fun."

[inkista]

Agree that Ken Rockwell is only good if you can actually judge how far his tongue is in his cheek. While there is good information there, for a newcomer without any background in SLR photography, taking all of what he writes seriously can lead you down more than a few wrong paths. I'd actually recommend dpreview as a better site for technical information about digital cameras.

A used dSLR body+kit lens can certainly be purchased for $350, and it might be the best route to go if you want to pursue photography seriously, but nature and macro abstracts are not going to be something you can easily get from a dSLR+18-55 kit lens (unless by nature you mean landscapes and not wildlife).

I hate to say it, but it sounds like your budget is going to be restricting you to a higher-end P&S camera. I'd personally recommend looking into a superzoom bridge camera that offers you the option of shooting in full manual mode. It's chunkier than a pocket camera, but will give you a lot more options and features. The Canon SX120IS is priced around $250. Its 10MP, has a 10x zoom, and it can be 1cm away from objects for macros.

[A@EPOCH]

I'll second inkista on the SX120IS, it is my P&S option when I dont feel like lugging my DSLR equipment everywhere and I am pleased with the results. But for $350-400 your best option would be a Canon G-10 or 11 if you go for a bridge camera. Full manual controls to allow you to get used to shooting manual, a whole bunch of creative modes, 10X zoom I believe...basically everything to get you started in the world of DSLR. As far as shooting with the 35mm as others suggested I would tend to stray away from, as someone starting with photography as a hobby the biggest asset for growth is instant gratification in knowing whether you have the shot right and if not, what adjustments through trial and error will fix it. If you shoot with 35mm even disregarding the price of film, you will not know your mistakes till you took 24 shots completely underexposed and pay to have them processed.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by A@EPOCH

But for $350-400 your best option would be a Canon G-10 or 11 if you go for a bridge camera....

Actually, I don't count the G10 or G11 as a bridge camera. They don't do the superzoom thing. Those, I tend to put off in another category as the "serious" compacts, along with the Panasonic LX-3 (Leica D-Lux 4).

Also, the G10/G11 (yes, even used) is closer to $500, which is why I didn't mention it. But if the budget can stretch to $430, I'd say go with a Canon Powershot S90. The S90 has the same sensor as the G11 (which means iso 1600 looks usable), and a faster, albeit shorter, lens. Also comes with full honking manual controls and a nice control wheel around the lens. Compared to the G11, it's lacking a flip-out LCD and a flash hotshoe, but it's more compact and streamlined. A lot of folks who were thinking of going for a G11 are seriously considering the S90 instead.