|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
Help me find a good digital camera
#7758162 - 12/14/07 12:17 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Hey guys, I'm trying to find myself a nice digital camera, something along the lines of a Canon Rebel Xti. Thing is, I'm only trying to spend between $150 and $250, but I want something that will take pictures of similar quality to those taken by a Rebel. Something simple to use, with good options, that takes professional looking pictures.
I'm a noob when it comes to cameras, so what exactly should I be looking for? Megapixels? SLR? What does SLR even mean?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759062 - 12/14/07 04:22 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Nobody here can help me? That's odd, for some reason I thought there were a good number of peeps here who were schooled on this topic.
|
AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist



Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759080 - 12/14/07 04:24 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
i own a canon sx100 is, which is a $300 camera. it works like a charm.
--------------------
|
druqs
ALKALOIDOHOLIC


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 8,862
Last seen: 4 months, 6 days
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759082 - 12/14/07 04:25 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
just save and get a digital SLR.
|
tiny_rabid_birds
Nocturnal



Registered: 11/08/05
Posts: 15,653
Loc: estados unidos
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759092 - 12/14/07 04:27 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
i don't think you're going to find something that shoots like a rebel for only $150. that's just not going to happen. compromise, save up about 300-400 and get something in the superzoom category. they're like almost dslrs, but not.
or you could keep an eye on craigslist and see what's being sold used in your area.
--------------------
|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
|
So what is an SLR?
I'd be willing to spend up to 300.
What makes a camera shoot good quality pictures? Is it the zoom? The Megapixels? What am I looking for to make it a quality camera?
Also, what features are good to have?
|
tiny_rabid_birds
Nocturnal



Registered: 11/08/05
Posts: 15,653
Loc: estados unidos
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759214 - 12/14/07 05:03 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
look on amazon, half.com, newegg, tigerdirect, etc. see what sort of cameras fit the size and price restrictions you want. then check the reviews
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=rating
that offers very comprehensive reviews on many many cameras and will be far more informative than anything i can personally suggest.
--------------------
|
RandalFlagg
Stranger

Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759231 - 12/14/07 05:08 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Check out the new Canon Sureshots. They are about 8.1 megapixel I think and they have good reviews on Amazon. They're going for like $300 or so. I think that's the camera I'm going to get.
|
geokills
∙∙∙∙☼ º¿° ☼∙∙∙∙


Registered: 05/08/01
Posts: 23,417
Loc: city of angels
Last seen: 3 hours, 14 minutes
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759357 - 12/14/07 05:47 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
"Single Lens Reflex (also D-SLR - digital single lens reflex) - a type of advanced camera where light from the lens is directed by a hinged mirror. In this sort of camera one lens is used for both focusing and taking this picture. In most SLRs light is directed between the 2 functions by means of a 45 degree mirror which swings up as the shutter is activated but before it actually opens. The big advantage of an SLR over other camera types is that the image in the viewfinder is the same as that in actually captured on the film."
SLR's also allow the user to swap through many different lenses depending upon the shooting application. An SLR will provide for a better picture hands down, however for average users who are not so discerning, the difference may not be easily noticed if noticed at all!
That being said, I opted not to go for an SLR this time around (however I have now decided that my next camera purchase will be an SLR). Instead, I went for a Canon PowerShot S5 IS. It is relatively compact, offers excellent zoom and macro capability, as well as very good video capability. It is slightly above your budget, but after spending about 6 weeks off and on researching, I decided that this was the best purchase I could make within my budget for my purposes (largely macro and video shooting). ~$330 from BuyDig.com (which is where I got it).
Read an extensive review on the camera by clicking here.
Not that it holds much logical weight in comming to a decision, but here are some of the shots I've been able to take, completely untouched and uncompressed:




Given the excellent video capability of this camera, I am very pleased with the purchase. The largest draw backs are image noise in low-light (high ISO) or high-zoom situations, but at least the camera will still focus fairly well even if the picture does sport some graininess in these situations. The only way to get around this drawback (which probably won't affect most average users) would be to pick up an SLR.
--------------------
-------------------- ┼ ··∙ long live the shroomery ∙·· ┼ ...╬π╥ ╥π╬...
Edited by geokills (12/14/07 05:50 PM)
|
tiny_rabid_birds
Nocturnal



Registered: 11/08/05
Posts: 15,653
Loc: estados unidos
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: geokills]
#7759367 - 12/14/07 05:50 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
very nicely written geo. the powershot S5 IS is in the superzoom category i recommended earlier. straddles the line between point & clicks and slrs.
--------------------
|
Gumby
Fishnologist


Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759385 - 12/14/07 05:54 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Finding a dSLR for $150-250 is going to be impossible. You'll have to buy lenses too. Just opt for a nice point and shoot. For my point and shoot I use a Canon PowerShot SD850 IS. It's an awesome camera, and right at the top of your price range. The fact that it has optical image stabilization is a great buying point. I'd post some sample pics, but I don't have time right now. I'll do that later tonight.
Here's a link to amazon. Take a look at the customer reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000Q30420/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197679893&sr=8-1
|
geokills
∙∙∙∙☼ º¿° ☼∙∙∙∙


Registered: 05/08/01
Posts: 23,417
Loc: city of angels
Last seen: 3 hours, 14 minutes
|
|
I also just noticed you linked to dpreview - indeed, their reviews are far more comprehensive than what I could report upon.  All the drawbacks I suggested about the S5 IS are taken under detailed consideration in the review I linked to in my post.
--------------------
-------------------- ┼ ··∙ long live the shroomery ∙·· ┼ ...╬π╥ ╥π╬...
|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
|
When you say superzoom do you mean the pictures that are real super detailed, like nugshots?
|
geokills
∙∙∙∙☼ º¿° ☼∙∙∙∙


Registered: 05/08/01
Posts: 23,417
Loc: city of angels
Last seen: 3 hours, 14 minutes
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759421 - 12/14/07 06:01 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
That would be macro / super-macro. The S5 IS can actually focus on an object that is touching the lens!
I'm not sure what the exact definition of super-zoom is, but it has to do with cameras that offer high optimal zoom. For example, the S5 IS that I've been talking about sports 12x optical zoom (and something like 40x when digital is used, but digital zoom sucks ass and therefore should be avoided completely when shooting for quality pictures).
--------------------
-------------------- ┼ ··∙ long live the shroomery ∙·· ┼ ...╬π╥ ╥π╬...
|
tiny_rabid_birds
Nocturnal



Registered: 11/08/05
Posts: 15,653
Loc: estados unidos
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: geokills]
#7759439 - 12/14/07 06:05 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
yeah, i'm pretty sure 10x optical zoom and higher is the main qualifier for being considered superzoom.
--------------------
|
Gumby
Fishnologist


Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7759444 - 12/14/07 06:07 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
No, superzoom means that you can take pictures of things far away. You know, zoom, like zooming in with a video camera.
Nug shots and other close ups is referred to as the camera's macro abilities.
Speaking of nugshots, here are some that I took with my Sony DSC-F828 (another cam in the superzoom category):




Actually, if you want to see more shots taken with the DSC-F828, take a look at my gallery. Just about all the shots in there were taken with that cam.
I'll post back later tonight with a lot of info on photography... I'm a photographer for a newspaper so I know a little bit about it (not nearly everything though) 
Edit: as geo mentioned, dpreview is great. Another good cam review site is http://www.steves-digicams.com/
Edited by Gumby (12/14/07 06:10 PM)
|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7768429 - 12/17/07 07:22 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Well, I've decided on a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. I've read nothing but excellent reviews, and at $244.95 with a 2gig memory card on amazon, this is the best deal I can find. Thanks for the help guys.
|
Hefe
a steamy cog_shit


Registered: 05/19/03
Posts: 1,305
|
Re: Help me find a good digital camera [Re: Hefe]
#7776961 - 12/19/07 09:50 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Fuck ya! Found a brand new DMC-FZ8 on eBay for $182.60 after shipping. It's from a reputable electronics store in TX, and is an opened box return, with a 30 day warranty.
|
|