Question for resident photographers

Gig 'Em Mickey

Gig 'Em Mickey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Wanted to post this on a photo thread, but didn't want it to get buried. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I'm a pretty good photographer. Problem is I don't have money for high end equipment. I still use a 7.1m sony cybershot that I bought 5 years ago. I still manage to get great pictures out of it. I really feel pictures are more about the photographer than the equipment. Good equipment can make a good photographer better.

Anyway, I'm looking for a step up to something newer with a little more capability. Definitely cannot afford a DSLR, and really prefer something pocket sized for vacations. My camera now is about the size of a deck of cards.

Throw me you recommendations for a good point-and-shoot camera. No realy preferences on features other than greater than 10mp, and quick focus and shooting. Don't like any shutter lag.

Thanks in advance!
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
well unfortunately to pick up a P+S with manual controls (to remove shutter lag delay) you're talking about the same money as low end DLSR's. Canon G12 is a favorite of mine when I don't feel like carrying around my 12 lb camera (Nikon D7000 plus a 70-200mm VRII f2.8).

As for gear, I agree... but you need some baseline basics. Unfortunately to get some great results the higher end point and shoots are packing some price punch. I have been looking for prices to fall, but they just aren't for the better cameras.

The Canon S95 has received great reviews:

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s95/4505-6501_7-34154931.html
 
Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall

Well-Known Member
I'm far from any type of good photographer. While I would love to get into the hobby, the cost is a bit restrictive for me right now. I just purchased a new Canon 300HS point and shoot and have been very pleased with the results. It's very company and fits comfortably in my pocket when I am not using it, and there are a lot of options to add some creativity to your shots. Here is a link to my Flickr page so you can see some of the shots I have taken at WDW since getting it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67523211@N04/
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
I think shots coming out of P&S's are just fine when being shot in ideal conditions... bright. sunny, clear days.

Better equipment buils a gap when those conditions disappear... low light, really ramp up the performance of 14 BIT RAW images to save detail and information from the file.

Photography is an EXPENSIVE hobby. Luckily I make money off my work, unfortunately I have a day job but hopefully (my 10 year plan) will be to dedicate 100% of my time to photography.
 
Gig 'Em Mickey

Gig 'Em Mickey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks. That gives me a good starting point. I'll need to play with several before I decide. Just think I can get something more than what I've got right now. They've progressed a lot in the last 5 years, although this one still takes great shots, focuses fast and is very compact.
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
best of luck... unfortunately, the rule of thumb is that you start to lose quality when you gain things like size and portability.

The only thing that would go against is that say, a Leica M9 which is amazing in every sense but also costs about 9,000 bucks
 
CP_alum08

CP_alum08

Well-Known Member
Have you thought about just saving money over time so you can buy what you want? You seem to like your camera now and say you can get good shots with it. If a DLSR is what you really want, than no P&S is going to suffice. A P&S of the quality you are talking about is going to be fairly expensive, you could probably get a used entry DSLR for the same price actually.

Other than that, the Canon G12 is probably your best bet.
 
PirateFrank

PirateFrank

Well-Known Member
Gig 'Em Mickey said:
Wanted to post this on a photo thread, but didn't want it to get buried. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I'm a pretty good photographer. Problem is I don't have money for high end equipment. I still use a 7.1m sony cybershot that I bought 5 years ago. I still manage to get great pictures out of it. I really feel pictures are more about the photographer than the equipment. Good equipment can make a good photographer better.

Anyway, I'm looking for a step up to something newer with a little more capability. Definitely cannot afford a DSLR, and really prefer something pocket sized for vacations. My camera now is about the size of a deck of cards.

Throw me you recommendations for a good point-and-shoot camera. No realy preferences on features other than greater than 10mp, and quick focus and shooting. Don't like any shutter lag.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Money should not be the issue here as to what camera you get. For about 150 clams on ebay, you can get a Rebel XT (which is a model that's about 3-4 years old) which will give you 8mp shots of FAR greater quality than any P&S.

There are also very good point and shoots out there.....

You need to decide on the type of camera you want first. I would concentrate on what type of camera you want, then figure out how to make it work in your budget.
 
CP_alum08

CP_alum08

Well-Known Member
ddbowdoin said:
well unfortunately to pick up a P+S with manual controls (to remove shutter lag delay) you're talking about the same money as low end DLSR's. Canon G12 is a favorite of mine when I don't feel like carrying around my 12 lb camera (Nikon D7000 plus a 70-200mm VRII f2.8).

As for gear, I agree... but you need some baseline basics. Unfortunately to get some great results the higher end point and shoots are packing some price punch. I have been looking for prices to fall, but they just aren't for the better cameras.

The Canon S95 has received great reviews:

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s95/4505-6501_7-34154931.html
Click to expand...

There's no way that set-up weighs that much, even with a flash and battery grip!
 
Gig 'Em Mickey

Gig 'Em Mickey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PirateFrank said:
Money should not be the issue here as to what camera you get. For about 150 clams on ebay, you can get a Rebel XT (which is a model that's about 3-4 years old) which will give you 8mp shots of FAR greater quality than any P&S.

There are also very good point and shoots out there.....

You need to decide on the type of camera you want first. I would concentrate on what type of camera you want, then figure out how to make it work in your budget.
Click to expand...

I really prefer something closer to pocket sized for vacations. I'd definitely like a DSLR eventually to get more into photography as a hobby, but for everyday use and just carrying around for random shots I prefer something I can just drop in the cargo pocket of my shorts and go.

Had some recommendations for this one too. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-34547260.html But the Sony's I've used recently have not thrilled me. Whereas the Canons I've used have taken great pictures. A little slow to focus and snap sometimes, but good picture quality.

What I love about my current camera is size (about a deck of cards) speed. I can turn it on and have it focused and snapping pictures in 3 seconds. And it focues so fast. Once staged there is very little shutter lag. And it does take good pictures, but the newer cameras just have better image quality.
 

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