Help! I need a new Camera!

[gooftroop5]

First of all let me say that I'm an amateur when it comes to photography. I have a "cheap" $150-$200 point and shoot and I HATE IT! The shutter speed it so slow. We will be heading down to the World in about 6 weeks and I'd love to take a brand new camera with me. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I would like to have a better camera that takes good pictures. Suggestions?!?!?

 

[Figgy1]

First of all let me say that I'm an amateur when it comes to photography. I have a "cheap" $150-$200 point and shoot and I HATE IT! The shutter speed it so slow. We will be heading down to the World in about 6 weeks and I'd love to take a brand new camera with me. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I would like to have a better camera that takes good pictures. Suggestions?!?!?

What do you have now?

 

[WDI 1998]

What kind of budget do you have for this? Our answers could be all over the place with out knowing.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Budget information is certainly needed.

1.) what is your final destination for the images... just social media or will the work be printed?
2.) since you're currently using a P/S, what is your ideal size or do you have a size/weight limit.

I can certainly point you in the right direction, but the above information would be real helpful.

First of all let me say that I'm an amateur when it comes to photography. I have a "cheap" $150-$200 point and shoot and I HATE IT! The shutter speed it so slow. We will be heading down to the World in about 6 weeks and I'd love to take a brand new camera with me. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I would like to have a better camera that takes good pictures. Suggestions?!?!?

 

[gooftroop5]

See....told you I was an amateur.

My current P/S is very small. I believe it is a Canon Powershot. I'm not at home to look at it right now. It was purchased in 2010.

I am hoping to stay under $400-$500 for a new camera. I would like to use the pictures both on social media and print, but am leaning more towards print. I have 3 young kids and would like to make photobooks for all of them for their special occasions.

I don't want anything huge as I'd still like to be able to fit it into my purse. Reading that again I guess you still don't have a clear idea since some woman carry suitcases for purses. LOL! It doesn't HAVE to fit in my pocket, but small enough to fit in a shoulder bag.

Need anything else? Thank you so much in advance!

 

[gooftroop5]

I guess I'm looking for faster shutter speed (little kids more fast!), better quality of pictures, and user friendly.

 

[CP_alum08]

Check out the Canon G series. They make a couple different versions with slightly different features but still in your price range. it's still a pretty small camera but the image quality is nice and you get full manual controls so you can set whatever shutter speed you need.
Here is the G15 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889961-REG/Canon_PowerShot_G15_Digital_Camera.html

 

[NowInc]

I know you said between $400-$500...this ones a biiiit more...but one of the most amazing P&S's ive ever used...

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/

 

[ddbowdoin]

I know you said between $400-$500...this ones a biiiit more...but one of the most amazing P&S's ive ever used...

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/

ding, ding, ding... we have a winner!

Someone mentioned the Canon G series... smaller sensor, bigger body, slighly smaller price tag. The RX100 at the end of the day is the way to go.

But remember, you'll have to factor in a few additional costs. 1.) I'd recommend some type of camera sleeve, being able to throw it in your purse is one thing but naked it's subject to coins, pens, anything else metalic that could scratch or crack your LCD screen. 2.) memory cards are additional, instead of buying 1 large card spread out your data across a few in case a.) you lose it, b.) they fail (which they do from time to time).

Also, make note you'll need some form of advanced post production software. We all have the crap that comes with the camera or was free with our pc purchase but look into getting a version of Lightroom. I don't think you'll need something as powerful as the Adobe PS suite but Lightroom should be perfect and it's pretty cheap these days.

See....told you I was an amateur.

My current P/S is very small. I believe it is a Canon Powershot. I'm not at home to look at it right now. It was purchased in 2010.

I am hoping to stay under $400-$500 for a new camera. I would like to use the pictures both on social media and print, but am leaning more towards print. I have 3 young kids and would like to make photobooks for all of them for their special occasions.

I don't want anything huge as I'd still like to be able to fit it into my purse. Reading that again I guess you still don't have a clear idea since some woman carry suitcases for purses. LOL! It doesn't HAVE to fit in my pocket, but small enough to fit in a shoulder bag.

Need anything else? Thank you so much in advance!

it's too bad the budget couldn't be extended slightly more, this is a great little micro 4/3rd's

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842930-REG/Olympus_V204040SU000_OM_D_E_M5_Micro_Four.html

 

[ddbowdoin]

I guess I'm looking for faster shutter speed (little kids more fast!), better quality of pictures, and user friendly.

what is hindering you ... 2 things.

1.) lack of manual control... you're letting the camera think for you.
2.) there is a wicked shutter delay in P/S cameras, this shouldn't be confused with shutter speed. It's more a build issue between the timing the shutter button is pressed and when the shutter actual fires. Combine that with the reality that P/S's don't have viewfinders (and hence people hold them in front of their chest, not a secure way of holding a camera) means you'll often get out of focus images even in solid daylight

 

[fractal]

I know you said between $400-$500...this ones a biiiit more...but one of the most amazing P&S's ive ever used...

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/

Great camera.

 

[CP_alum08]

I know you said between $400-$500...this ones a biiiit more...but one of the most amazing P&S's ive ever used...

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/

ding, ding, ding... we have a winner!

Someone mentioned the Canon G series... smaller sensor, bigger body, slighly smaller price tag. The RX100 at the end of the day is the way to go.

But remember, you'll have to factor in a few additional costs. 1.) I'd recommend some type of camera sleeve, being able to throw it in your purse is one thing but naked it's subject to coins, pens, anything else metalic that could scratch or crack your LCD screen. 2.) memory cards are additional, instead of buying 1 large card spread out your data across a few in case a.) you lose it, b.) they fail (which they do from time to time).

Also, make note you'll need some form of advanced post production software. We all have the crap that comes with the camera or was free with our pc purchase but look into getting a version of Lightroom. I don't think you'll need something as powerful as the Adobe PS suite but Lightroom should be perfect and it's pretty cheap these days.



it's too bad the budget couldn't be extended slightly more, this is a great little micro 4/3rd's

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842930-REG/Olympus_V204040SU000_OM_D_E_M5_Micro_Four.html

People come here and ask for advice all the time and say they have a budget, then most of the time people just throw what the OP said out the window regarding budget anyway...I don't get it. The rx100 is great, no doubt about it, but that camera plus accessories is almost 50% more than what the OP's budget allowed. Plus now you are recommending another camera that is double the budget WITH OUT any lenses.

 

[wdwmagic]

2.) there is a wicked shutter delay in P/S cameras, this shouldn't be confused with shutter speed. It's more a build issue between the timing the shutter button is pressed and when the shutter actual fires. Combine that with the reality that P/S's don't have viewfinders (and hence people hold them in front of their chest, not a secure way of holding a camera) means you'll often get out of focus images even in solid daylight

I was going to say, I think the original poster may be confusing shutter speed with shutter lag. Most point and shoots, and even iPhones, can deliver a fast enough shutter speed to get the job done in Orlando sunlight. However, a lot of P&S have massive lag.

 

[wdwmagic]

Check out the Canon G series. They make a couple different versions with slightly different features but still in your price range. it's still a pretty small camera but the image quality is nice and you get full manual controls so you can set whatever shutter speed you need.
Here is the G15 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889961-REG/Canon_PowerShot_G15_Digital_Camera.html

I would go with the G series as well. Fits the budget, and is a great point and shoot. The rx100 is high end for a P&S, and seems to be really aimed at the serious photographer, who probably owns a DSLR, and on occasion wants a very compact camera that can deliver near DSLR results.

 

[mousehockey37]

Check out the Canon G series. They make a couple different versions with slightly different features but still in your price range. it's still a pretty small camera but the image quality is nice and you get full manual controls so you can set whatever shutter speed you need.
Here is the G15 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889961-REG/Canon_PowerShot_G15_Digital_Camera.html

$400-$500 if you're looking to possibly break into the DSLR realm, Cameta Camera has Canon T3 kits for roughly $450. They give you the manufacturer guarantee as well as a 1 year warranty through Cameta.

I bought my kit about 2 weeks before my trip and it came the next day after they sent it!!! I couldn't be happier. It's a refurb, but there's nothing I could distinguish, refurb doesn't always mean that someone else owned it first.

Hope this helps!!!!

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=...ufacturer=Canon&Price=$250 and $500&cmsid=75

It looks like currently the refurb kits are sold out, but even the brand new kits aren't too much more than your budget. The T3 is a great beginner DSLR and I'm no pro, and I have SPECTACULAR pictures from anything and everything I take my camera to.

 

[gooftroop5]

I was going to say, I think the original poster may be confusing shutter speed with shutter lag. Most point and shoots, and even iPhones, can deliver a fast enough shutter speed to get the job done in Orlando sunlight. However, a lot of P&S have massive lag.

Yup....nailed it! I push the button and by the time the thing fires the kids are on to something else. My iPhone fires faster than that!

 

[wdwmagic]

Yup....nailed it! I push the button and by the time the thing fires the kids are on to something else. My iPhone fires faster than that!

LOL right. You are looking for minimal shutter lag, not a faster shutter speed. Have a look at that Canon G series.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Can't recommend the Sony RX100 more -- it simply is the best point and shoot (with lots of manual settings too) that I have ever used -- much better than anything in the Canon series...and currently really not surpassed by anything else. I rarely use my DSLR anymore (and I have a full frame Nikon) since the RX100 does everything just as well, faster, with great shutter speed with no lag whatsoever, great scene modes, and great depth of field when you want it. Its also small enough to fit into a pants pocket.

I don't know if this link will work, but all of these photos on my Facebook album were taken with the RX100 in the past 4 months...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151876415527222.1073741826.831222221&type=3

 

[ddbowdoin]

People come here and ask for advice all the time and say they have a budget, then most of the time people just throw what the OP said out the window regarding budget anyway...I don't get it. The rx100 is great, no doubt about it, but that camera plus accessories is almost 50% more than what the OP's budget allowed. Plus now you are recommending another camera that is double the budget WITH OUT any lenses.

if you're budget floats around 500 dollars and you can't budge that a little to get up to the RX100 then you're almost doing yourself a disservice. In the long run it is a better camera for your money.

 

[thomas998]

While I might say the rx100 is a great point and shoot, I wouldn't recommend it. It really is above your budget and frankly for the price even if it was in your budget I think it is overpriced. If you go to bensoutlet.com and click on cameras they have a factory refurbished Nikon d3100 that will do everything you would want and it is priced at 370. And because it is a dslr if you decide you want to add a better flash or lens at a later date you can. To me a point and shoot is always going to be limiting because it can never be upgraded. I know the d3100 isn't a point and shoot but you will get much better photos than and point and shoot in your budget and still have money left over.