Looking into purchasing a camera before our next trip to WDW. I've always had a standard digital camera. I don't know if I want a regular digital camera or a SLR type. Any suggestions?
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Camera of choice
- Thread starter disneycouple07
- Start date
bugsbunny
Well-Known Member
Basically, any medium grade and up point/shoot camera is going to do what you need and have near quality to what an SLR camera will do. That means for general pics like standing in front of the castle and getting that shot to put in a frame when you get home. Most cameras will meter light and all automatically as long as you put it on the auto setting.
That being that, any SLR owner will certainly tell you that an SLR camera is only good as the person taking the picture. SLR cameras certianly have an auto feature, but why bother getting one if that is all you are ever going to do? A $1000 SLR camera will take a better pic than a $100 point and shoot, but the average person probably can't tell the difference and it also all depends on how it was printed. If you print pics on your deskjet printer from your SLR versus getting Kodak to print them from your point/shoot, it will obvious that the Kodak pics will be better. Also, having a noise hood on the front of your camera makes a HUGE difference in the Florida sun!!
If you want to take neat pics, like leaving the shutter open for 2 seconds while filming a waterfall in AK (I did this with mine), a lot of high end point/shoot cameras will do this. The one I did below got too much light and is a little white, but I didnt have time to do more with the settings. but you get the idea of cool things you can do by leaving the shutter open. See how the water looks like milk from the bubbles captured during the 2 second exposure? I have a Sony DSC-7 that I bought about 2 years ago for $300. It can do anything that a SLR camera can do as long as you understand about fstop, iso, white balance, etc. So you can end up buying a $1000 SLR camera and if you don't bother to learn how to use its features, you just have one expensive toy. it would be like getting an HDTV and plugging it directly into cable TV to get standard def signals. It looks good, but if do your homework, it can look great!
Each brand has its ups and downs and just like cars, people have their favorite brands regardless of this. But the best camera for you is the one you are going to want to carry. If you buy a super duper SLR with all these great telephoto lenses, what good is it if want to leave it home and use your camera phone because you dont like lugging it around? So you need to compromise this are well as the desire for high quality.
And one world of advice for sure: DONT GET SUCKERED INTO DIGITAL ZOOM! If you want to take shots of the castle, etc; get yourself a good optical zoom. I have a 15x optical zoom and its good enough for WDW.
That being that, any SLR owner will certainly tell you that an SLR camera is only good as the person taking the picture. SLR cameras certianly have an auto feature, but why bother getting one if that is all you are ever going to do? A $1000 SLR camera will take a better pic than a $100 point and shoot, but the average person probably can't tell the difference and it also all depends on how it was printed. If you print pics on your deskjet printer from your SLR versus getting Kodak to print them from your point/shoot, it will obvious that the Kodak pics will be better. Also, having a noise hood on the front of your camera makes a HUGE difference in the Florida sun!!
If you want to take neat pics, like leaving the shutter open for 2 seconds while filming a waterfall in AK (I did this with mine), a lot of high end point/shoot cameras will do this. The one I did below got too much light and is a little white, but I didnt have time to do more with the settings. but you get the idea of cool things you can do by leaving the shutter open. See how the water looks like milk from the bubbles captured during the 2 second exposure? I have a Sony DSC-7 that I bought about 2 years ago for $300. It can do anything that a SLR camera can do as long as you understand about fstop, iso, white balance, etc. So you can end up buying a $1000 SLR camera and if you don't bother to learn how to use its features, you just have one expensive toy. it would be like getting an HDTV and plugging it directly into cable TV to get standard def signals. It looks good, but if do your homework, it can look great!
Each brand has its ups and downs and just like cars, people have their favorite brands regardless of this. But the best camera for you is the one you are going to want to carry. If you buy a super duper SLR with all these great telephoto lenses, what good is it if want to leave it home and use your camera phone because you dont like lugging it around? So you need to compromise this are well as the desire for high quality.
And one world of advice for sure: DONT GET SUCKERED INTO DIGITAL ZOOM! If you want to take shots of the castle, etc; get yourself a good optical zoom. I have a 15x optical zoom and its good enough for WDW.
Master Gracey 5
Active Member
A strong point - digital zoom can cause problems unless you're using a tripod or have the camera on a stationary surface. Its fun to play with, but don't expect really good pictures using it.
Are you looking for photography to perhaps become a hobby? If so, an SLR would be a great choice. If you are just after something that can take photos on vacation, and be quick and easy to use, go with a point and shoot.
No question that SLRs will deliver you the ultimate in picture quality and versatility, but it comes at a price. Expensive, large, heavy, learning curve.
No question though, if you like photography and want to go beyond point and shoot, you can't beat the fun and reward of using an SLR.
Decided against the SLR and began looking into the advanced point and shoot. Besides optical zoom, what is important? For example, how many megapixels.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for your help.
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
Megapixels only matter these days if you're printing 8x10 or larger. For the vast majority, anything over 8MP should be fine. I have a very nice PHD camera, an Olympus SP-570UZ. It has 20x optical zoom and 10MP with image stabilization. I really like it, but I don't use a lot of its features yet.
EDIT: PHD = Push Here, Dummy! :lol:
EDIT: PHD = Push Here, Dummy! :lol:
RiversideBunny
New Member
Look at cameras like these.
They offer a lot of versatility for you because they are in the middle, between a simple Point & Shot camera and a DSLR.
Good luck.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643179-REG/Canon_3633B001_PowerShot_SX20_IS_Digital.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673587-REG/Fujifilm_16018645_HS10_10MP_Digital_Point.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680538-REG/Pentax_16561_X90_Super_Zoom_Digital.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/608517-REG/Sony_DSC_HX1_Cyber_shot_DSC_HX1_Digital_Camera.html
They offer a lot of versatility for you because they are in the middle, between a simple Point & Shot camera and a DSLR.
Good luck.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643179-REG/Canon_3633B001_PowerShot_SX20_IS_Digital.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673587-REG/Fujifilm_16018645_HS10_10MP_Digital_Point.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680538-REG/Pentax_16561_X90_Super_Zoom_Digital.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/608517-REG/Sony_DSC_HX1_Cyber_shot_DSC_HX1_Digital_Camera.html