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Good Camera's
- Thread starter Aroleggim
- Start date
bamillerpa
Active Member
Do you want a point and shoot or SLR (the kind with interchangeable lenses)?
bamillerpa
Active Member
An SLR camera are the bigger, bulkier cameras that the pro's use. They have plenty that are good for beginners where you can choose between full manual or automatic programs. They tend to have a lot more options and take great pictures even in low light or while moving but the better pictures are normally when you are taking them manually. The automatic setting doesn't work as well although you will still get some really nice pictures. I took an SLR on our last trip and got fantastic results but I know how to use the manual settings. The cons are they are heavier and can be trickier to use if you don't know what you are doing and they cost a lot more. Nikon makes a few really good entry level SLR's. Keep in mind that it can be a real pain to lug the camera around the park and especially on some of the rides. You also need to be extra careful about getting them wet. You will also need a bigger camera bag to account for the larger camera and the extra lenses you will want.
A point and shoot camera is small and compact and you don't really need to know much of anything to use one. You will want one with 12 mp or higher for best results. The bigger the zoom the better. Just make sure it is an optical zoom, digital zoom has a lot of distortion and noise (meaning your pictures won't be clear or sharp). Most of them have a larger optical zoom with a small digital zoom to give you a little bit more zoom. I find that it's better to use the optical zoom out to it's fullest and then cropping the picture afterwards than using the digital zoom at all. My favorite point and shoot camera is the Casio Exilim EX-H10. It has 12.1 mp and a 10x optical zoom. There are some point and shoots out there with more mp or higher zooms but this camera has given me the most consistant shots in the smallest, lightest camera body. I took this camera on a cruise recently because I didn't want to lug my SLR around the entire time. It's incredibly light, and tiny. I barely noticed it while we wandered around and the pictures for amazing! I took a picture out the car window while my husband was driving 70 mps on the highway and the picture was clear with no blurring! I also had good results in low light situations. It won't be as good as a SLR but it's still a really nice camera that will work well in most situations. I plan on taking it on our Disney trip this Sept so I can enjoy the parks instead of always worrying about my camera. Another plus is that I won't have to go through the bag check at the parks because the camera is so small I can slide it in my pocket. My husband will put the smushed down camera case in his pocket and then it will go back into the case once we are through. We found a waterproof camera case for $5 on Amazon that is slightly bigger than a credit card that fits this camera perfectly.
Any questions let me know! I love photography!!
A point and shoot camera is small and compact and you don't really need to know much of anything to use one. You will want one with 12 mp or higher for best results. The bigger the zoom the better. Just make sure it is an optical zoom, digital zoom has a lot of distortion and noise (meaning your pictures won't be clear or sharp). Most of them have a larger optical zoom with a small digital zoom to give you a little bit more zoom. I find that it's better to use the optical zoom out to it's fullest and then cropping the picture afterwards than using the digital zoom at all. My favorite point and shoot camera is the Casio Exilim EX-H10. It has 12.1 mp and a 10x optical zoom. There are some point and shoots out there with more mp or higher zooms but this camera has given me the most consistant shots in the smallest, lightest camera body. I took this camera on a cruise recently because I didn't want to lug my SLR around the entire time. It's incredibly light, and tiny. I barely noticed it while we wandered around and the pictures for amazing! I took a picture out the car window while my husband was driving 70 mps on the highway and the picture was clear with no blurring! I also had good results in low light situations. It won't be as good as a SLR but it's still a really nice camera that will work well in most situations. I plan on taking it on our Disney trip this Sept so I can enjoy the parks instead of always worrying about my camera. Another plus is that I won't have to go through the bag check at the parks because the camera is so small I can slide it in my pocket. My husband will put the smushed down camera case in his pocket and then it will go back into the case once we are through. We found a waterproof camera case for $5 on Amazon that is slightly bigger than a credit card that fits this camera perfectly.
Any questions let me know! I love photography!!
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
My suggestion is to learn how to use the camera you have. I can get bright, vibrant photos out of most any camera.
bamillerpa
Active Member
While it's true that you can manage to get good photos out of most cameras, there are some that are much better than others at getting the pictures you want. Some cameras take horrible pictures in low light no matter what you do and a lot of Disney attractions have low light. I agree that you need to learn to use the camera you have, but you also need to know it's limits.
bamillerpa
Active Member
I was worried about taking my SLR last trip and while it did end up fine I was constantly worried and being extra careful. With so many new point and shoots out there that take excellent pictures I how now switched to one while at Disney. It has taken a lot of stress away.
glennsineadkatl
Member
I got a Panasonic Lumix G1 for my wife and it is a fantastic camera and it is a much smaller SLR camera and Panasonic aren't calling it an SLR.
http://www.techfresh.net/panasonic-lumix-g1-dslr-camera-for-the-us-market/
I can't recommend another camera
Hope this helps
http://www.techfresh.net/panasonic-lumix-g1-dslr-camera-for-the-us-market/
I can't recommend another camera
Hope this helps
I have a Canon Power Shot A80, it's pretty old and crappy but I think it still works fine. I also have a newer canon powershot as well. I'm planning on just using one of those as you say it'll work pretty well. Do you any advice on how to take good pictures. I mean i'm in high school and am just starting photography as a hobby, but people tell me I take really good pictures. Any advice, even basics, would be appreciated.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I love both of those cameras and walk around, point and shoots.
My lightning over the castle picture was taken with a point and shoot.
My lightning over the castle picture was taken with a point and shoot.
Tigerace81
New Member
I would suggest getting a Canon SD 3500 IS if your looking for a great entry level camera. I have the model from last year (SD 780 IS) and its served me well as an upgrade over my PowerShot A510 which only had 3.2 MP. The 780IS has 12.1 but the 3500 IS has 14.1 and comes with alot of great extra features. It may be a point and shoot but its easy to use and you get great pictures.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=20021
If you want the 780 IS its still in production but could be dropped soon but it offers about 85% of the 3500 IS but is 100 dollars cheaper.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18183
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=20021
If you want the 780 IS its still in production but could be dropped soon but it offers about 85% of the 3500 IS but is 100 dollars cheaper.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18183
ddbowdoin
Well-Known Member
it all depends on what you want to shoot, and the type of conditions you'll likely be facing. there are some "point and shoot" cameras that have some great features (see Canon G9) where you can shoot raw and have some features you'll find on an SLR.
cheaper point and shoots have limitations to the controls you have... ie manual modes. with a high quality SLR plus a nice lens you can control your aperature (the amount of concentrated light that is allowed in), shutter speed (the length of exposure or time that the camera hole is open and the chip exposed to light). So, if you're shooting at night and you want to grab as much natural light as their is a point and shoot is not for you.
problem with a DSLR is cost... I'd suggest buying an older model body ( I use a year old Nikon d80) but invest in a nice lens. Money is a factor here, big time. A quality DSLR will run you 1200-1500. The low level Nikons and Canons are a little cheap and not built well so they should be avoided if you want a camera that will go the distance for you.
cheaper point and shoots have limitations to the controls you have... ie manual modes. with a high quality SLR plus a nice lens you can control your aperature (the amount of concentrated light that is allowed in), shutter speed (the length of exposure or time that the camera hole is open and the chip exposed to light). So, if you're shooting at night and you want to grab as much natural light as their is a point and shoot is not for you.
problem with a DSLR is cost... I'd suggest buying an older model body ( I use a year old Nikon d80) but invest in a nice lens. Money is a factor here, big time. A quality DSLR will run you 1200-1500. The low level Nikons and Canons are a little cheap and not built well so they should be avoided if you want a camera that will go the distance for you.
So I'm going to return to this thread. So last year I went to Disney and used a Canon PowerShot SD1300. I got some really good photos that I've used in the contests here and such. However, recently I've been playing around a bit with some of my friends' DSLR's. I want to take my hobby to the next level by getting a DSLR. Just wondering what a some good ones, not too expensive, that are easy to use and produce good quality photos. I've looked at some that have fewer Mega-pixels than the Point and Shoot I own. I don't really know what to make of that and if it should be a turn off. Some of the ones I've looked at are the Nikon D40, Nikon D3100, and a couple of the Canon Rebels. Unfortunately, I don't know nearly enough about photography to know what I should be looking for in a camera. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Best tip on the board!
Saying "which camera takes better pictures" is like looking at Word and WordPerfect and saying "which one writes better stories?"
Some cameras have more options, some are more versatile, some are cheaper and some aren't.
Don't fall for the megapixel hype. Anything over 6 will print a good 8x10. When cameras went from under 1mp to over 2 or 3 it was a big deal. It proved a good sales point, so they continue to push it. A full frame 35mm sensor at 8mp is going to be sharper and cleaner than a tiny point and shoot with a 14mp sensor. The ONLY advantage to the extra megapixels is the ability to zoom and crop and print larger images. But if your lens isn't great, zooming and cropping will magnify any blurriness or other problems.
If you know nothing about cameras your best shot might be a point and shoot with "scene" modes.... Sports, night, portrait, etc. The camera makes all the decisions for you.
A slightly more advanced, larger one may allow you to select your own shutter speed or aperture, etc.
The biggest advantage to SLRs is the ability to change lenses. Its other advantage is RAW mode, which lets you modify the image without the degradation that jpgs suffer under manipulation.
ddbowdoin
Well-Known Member
Megapixels are a selling point... dont pay attention. A 10MP sesnor in a point and shoot is not as powerful as a 8MP sensor in a DSLR. The DSLY sensor is the size of a two or more stamps, as supposed to a point and shoot being a 1/4 the size of a stamp. That means that the mexapixels have to be crammed on a smaller surface. Bigger pixels = better pictures. Hence why people go with FX or full frame cameras for images that are more vibrant, contain more texture, and have more clarity.
if you go with a cheaper / low end DSLR it will be a good starting point. But you'll get to a point where you'll want to upgrade. Be prepared to spend a decent amount of money on this hobby.
if you go with a cheaper / low end DSLR it will be a good starting point. But you'll get to a point where you'll want to upgrade. Be prepared to spend a decent amount of money on this hobby.
CP_alum08
Well-Known Member
If you're totally new to photography, I would start with a point and shoot. No use spending the money on a SLR if in a year you loose interest. Look into P&S's that have a Manual mode or at least are able to control the ISO and Aperture settings. This will help you learn and help creativity.
And yes, megapixels are nothing to worry about. Seriously. The difference between 10mp and 18mp on a P&S is so small it's not worth it. And actually, the quality of the (printed) photo can be worse with a higher MP on such a small sensor.
And yes, megapixels are nothing to worry about. Seriously. The difference between 10mp and 18mp on a P&S is so small it's not worth it. And actually, the quality of the (printed) photo can be worse with a higher MP on such a small sensor.
Thanks for the advice on MP, it makes a lot more sense to me now. However, I do own a point and shoot and took around 600 pictures on my trip last september, around 50 of them that I show to people prouldy. I feel I've sort of mastered the P&S and outgrown it. Hence, the reason I am choosing to move forward.