Need help with picking a new camera, much confusion, please help

[87 GN]

Ok I currently have a point and shoot Canon Power shot 400 that I have been using for about 4 years now and would like to jump up to something better.
I can shoot rather well with it using its settings however low light pictures and lack of zoom (3x) with its lens are my main issue. After our Disney honeymoon last Sept I became rather bored with its capabilities & low light picture quality so I want to step up to something better before our next trip Nov 29th-Dec 4th. I started reading up on a few camera models such as the point and shoot wide angle super zoom cameras with fixed lens but at the price of those I may as well go DSLR. Plus I do not want something as small as I have as its very tough to hold steady for low light pics in ride areas.
At this point looking at prices I think the best way to go is to get a DSLR camera with a fixed lens or inter changable len's in the $800 or under price range that would suit my needs in Disney and home. I do not need the top of the line or over complicated, just something that will work well with len's for day and night/low level shots of the parks and that will not be a waste of money on something out dated with the same features or lack thereof which I have now.

I was wondering if you folks could recommend a camera to jump up to, and more info about the different len's I would need for Disney day, night, and low light level photos starting out with this style camera. I would like a camera with image stabilization in the camera body, having a remote shutter would be a nice feature to have with the new camera. I would also like to get a tripod that is light, steady, & travel friendly in a back pack for night shots. I would probably store my pack & tripod it in a locker for the day at Disney or maybe just carry it? Maybe in a nice slim back pack? Is there a type of tripod and pack you would recommend for Disney use?

Sorry for all the questions, I have been trying to figure out which to buy reading reviews on different models but they all have pro's & con's. Suggestions on the best bang for the buck in my price range, and picture quality would be great. Being a novice with the new camera I know it will take some getting used to and learning its functions and settings so I would like to buy something soon to practice with before our trip and learn as I go.

 

[KeithVH]

Based on what you say, if you want a DSLR, I would suggest a Canon Rebel XSi with the 18-55 stabilized lens here. Don't forget to add an extra battery and 2-3 CF cards. So ~$700. There are equivalent Nikons but unless you are going to really buy into a system, one doesn't really stand out over the other (well, we could probaly argue about Nikon flash algorithms being a bit better).

If you want really low light capabilities, add a 50/1.8 for ~$100. Anything else will not compare to that. The combination of the large CMOS sensor and 1.8 prime lens CANNOT be duplicated by any existing P&S.

That being said, it is a matter of degrees as to just how much low light you want to shoot. Unless you are focusing on that as a major feature/majority of your shots, I wouldn't base a purchasing decision on that and a lot of the mid-level P&S or DSLR-like units would probably let you save some $$$. Some to consider:

Canon SX10 or 20IS or G10/11 or SX200IS
Panasonic ZS1/ZS3 or LX3 or TZ5

Me, I would always go with image quality and would get a Canon G11 (or A650IS if you could find one). I am not aware of any other P&S with a 1/1.7 chip - everything else is a 1/2.3 or 1/2.5 and SIZE MATTERS:animwink:. But the reach is definitely lacking.

 

[Linda_On]

Need help with picking a new camera much confusion please help

I absolutely love my IXUS very muchly, but this isnt going to help you decide if you need a camera I really like the photos i can take with it especially with CHDK after messing a lot for an ultra portable its astounding.

 

[mkt]

IXUS

That'd be an ELPH in the US

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I'm going in a different direction -- I don't like Canon cameras, and come from the Nikon school...

The New D3000 is an excellent entry-level dSLR -- it's light, has a great image-stabilized kit lens, and only 100.00 more for a zoom lens to boot in your kit. It's also available everywhere, including places like Costco so if you have a membership you can get it even cheaper. For a couple hundred more dollars you can upgrade to the D5000 which adds even more bells and whistles. A few years later when you want to upgrade to an even better camera, your lenses and things will still be topnotch and work for you down the road too (the same as Canon). Over the years, I have always worked with Nikon cameras and have never been unhappy with the results (I currently shoot with the full-frame D700 which I adore, but which is probably out of your price-range. If not, it's one of the best digital cameras I have ever used in my life).

If you want to bypass the dSLR route and stick with a compact point and shoot that has great zoom and really good low-light shots, try the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. If you take a look at my Cedar Point amusement park gallary, you will see that every single shot there was taken with the ZS3, and it's a great, pocketable camera. It comes to life at nighttime. See https://ronannarbor.smugmug.com/Other/Cedar-Point-2009/8317795_cRqWb#544890321_gq756 That's the closest gallery I have in my photo account that would approximate WDW needs.

My own personal advise -- for Walt Disney World, you don't want to lug around a big heavy dSLR with a bunch of lenses. If you do decide to go the dSLR route, I would get something like the all-purpose Tamron 18-270 lens for whichever camera you select. It's about the same price as the dSLR camera at the entry level, though.