Digital Camera: A little help please

Any serious photographers around here? I'm looking into purchasing a new digital camera, but unfortunately I don't speak the camera world lingo and have no clue what's a good deal and what is not. Can anyone recommend a really nice digital camera that takes GREAT photos and captures decent video footage in the $500 range? I'm not looking for something to big that has to be carried over my shoulder... Something compact or semi compact that could possibly slide into my pant or jacket pocket.

 

Well, taking great photos is on you and not the camera. With that said though, you wouldn't want a camera body putting shackles on you. I don't think you'll find a good camera body that is good for both photos and video and can slide into your pants or jacket pocket at the same time. If you seriously want to take GREAT let alone accurate photos, a compact point and shoot camera is not what you'd want. You will want a DSLR. However you'd have to be more specific on what you'd want out of the camera, you going to make prints? What size? You plan on shooting photos alot at night? Do you plan on shooting sports photos or things that are very mobile? Do you get close to your subject?

If you're more specific I could narrow it down for you no problem, but other than that:

Look for Canon 7D or Nikon D90, if you want to take good/decent photos and great video.

Unfortunately both the 7D and the D90 which are the lowest in their range(last I checked) that take video are over 500. I think the D90 being the cheapest at 800 I think, I don't remember. The 7D is the better of the two cameras however, and is priced much more than the D90.

 

Nikon D5000

Olympus E-650

Panasonic Lumix

The Nikon D5000 is a great beginner camera due to it's very non-complex menu's. And shooting at higher ISO's(800+)The noise level is not as bad. My only beef with the camera is the Lens. The Nikon D5000 Is not compatible with alot of lenses in the market, due to the fact there's no motor on the camera, but in the lens instead. I know a few 3rd parties are doing lenses with like the one that comes with the D5000

The Olympus E-605 is a very solid camera all around, and the fact is compatible with alot of the lenses in the market is a plus. The Picture quality of the Olympus and Nikon D5000 are very close, but I like the skin tone colors of the Olympus, same thing could be said about the sharpness. And for the good price it goes for now, you could get it with the lens kit. But, the beef with this camera that alot of mainstream sites are bitching about is the fact it doesn't record HD video like alot of the current DSLR camera's out there.

So, if that's a deal breaker for you, get the Panasonic Lumix or the Nikon D5000. The other issue is that if you shot at 800 ISO you'll start seeing some noise, and on the Nikon you don't. I always shoot below 400 ISO for better picture quality anyway, so it doesn't bother me.

I heard nothing but good things about the Lumix and their HD recording. They also have the great option of having the benefit of using a wide range of lenses as Olympus(They do have a partnership)I suggest you go to B&H in midtown and test the camera yourself over there.

Personally, I'll go with the Olympus, but if you want a beginner camera that also gives you quality pictures, the Nikon D5000 is a good choice. It also has some neat features from the D90 as well.

 

Rod... I'll post deals on the thread if I find them!

 

Sony Cybershot
I hope you'll like this model since it's the one my family uses.[/size]

 

Dude! Holla!

Canon PowerShot G11.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong11/

Sample shots with this camera from Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1095006@N23/pool/

 

hey Rod, you've got quite the shopping list there. When you say takes great photos - what do you see in your mind's eye?

There have been some good suggestions here but a lot depends on what YOU want to do with the camera you buy.

I shoot stuff with my canon.

 

Slide / GE,

You guys are absolutely right about the fact I need to be more specific in regards of how I plan to use the camera. I guess I never really gave it much thought other than point and click since I really don't take many photos. It's definitely not going to be a camera that will take lots of mobile images or something I plan to use at night a lot.

Slide, I wish I could go all out and get a more expensive camera that would take phenomenal pictures, but for the minimal use it would get throughout the year, spending beyond $500 would be an absolute waste of money for me.

Shinobi: I was seriously considering the Lumix before I even made this thread, but I figured I'd get some feed back / suggestions first. I'll take a look at the other 2 you mentioned.

Monti: Christ how the hell did I over look contacting you? DUH? You are a damn photographer and took all the NYG photos. I swear old age is getting to me. Any way I'm really liking this G11 you mentioned. It seems perfect for what I want to do and I like the quality of photos on that flickr site. I'll definitely keep this one in mind come time to make a purchase.

Dive2Blue: I used to own one of these, but a much older model. While I really like the Cybershot design the cameras during the time I owned one had a lot of flaws in my opinion... things such as poor battery life, insane red on images and lousy flash. Maybe Sony has improved this line of cameras, but I don't think I will be going back to them after previously owning one. Thank you for the suggestion though.

Stomp: Please keep an eye out for any deals you can find on the Cannon G11 or Panasonic Lumix. I'll be scouring the next this weekend for deals myself. I'd like to make my purchase no later than next weekend since I need the camera for the 1st week of March.

Really thank you everyone for your suggestions thus far.

 

The Lumix is good too. But I'm pushing you for the Canon, 'coz...well I'm biased haha.

I bought my cousin the G10 (G11 obviously the newest version). I used it a lot when I went to Hawaii. I bought a underwater housing for it as well and even under water pics looked good.

Don't hesitate to give me a call or text if you have more questions.

 

What is your budget? Remember if your going dslr, you also need to account that your lense will be as much as your camera

 

***Adorama has the Pentax K2000 10.2 MP Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens for $420 with free shipping.

link

 

Oh shit, good find right there stompoutloud. A DSLR for that much is a steal. I was going to tell Rod to go with the Canon that Monty recommended due to the budget his on. A Pentax K2000 going for 420$ is fucking amazing. Fuck that son, get that shit right there.

 

shinobifist.. thanks. I figured that was the best out of the list based on price that I found. Also, the site is good, I have ordered from that site and got good results.

The Nikon D5000 that someone recommended at it's lowest is 699.99. Is that a good deal?

 

My budget is only $500.

Overall which is a better buy? The G11 or the Pentax K2000 10.2 Mega Pixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens Kit? At the moment I'm leaning towards Monti's G11 recommendation, but the reviews are so awesome on the Pentax. Man this is hard when you don't understand the lingo. What the hell does ISO mean in camera talk? lol

 

you don't need a DSLR to take great photos anyway. you just need to understand the strengths and limits of the camera you have on you at the time.

The best camera will always be the one you have on you.

 

Stomp... thank you for this recommendation!

 

That lens that comes with the Pentax is horrible, hence it comes with the camera. Most "kit" lenses that come with DSLRs are horrible.

The G11 is perfect since it's a step above a point & shoot (can shoot RAW files and interchangeable lenses); and it is below the capabilities of a DSLR (cheaper though). You don't have to worry about getting lenses for it as the one that comes with it is great, but you have options to buy lenses when you so choose (limited selection of lenses though, which is good and bad).

And, the Pentax does not fit in your pocket!!!

ISO number tells you how sensitive the sensor will be to light. The higher the number the more light the sensor will absorb. For practical use, if you want to shoot something fast your generally going to use a higher ISO same with low light situations.

 

@Rod- Here's a link that breakdowns ISO settings in terms and pictures.ISO Breadown.

 

That G11 seems just perfect for your needs man.

That K2000 is pretty good deal on entry level, but if you were to go that route I'd recommend Canon or Nikon.

I agree with Oioron and say get the G11.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/
do some research