I’m planning to get a new camera, and I need your help. I’ve always had a bottom-of-the-barrel camera, and I’m ready to upgrade. (I’ve actually been ready for an upgrade for a year or more, just couldn’t commit and didn’t want to spend the money. I still don’t really want to spend the money, actually. But, I’m ready, nonetheless.)
I will completely admit that it takes more than a good camera to take good photos. But, with the number of photos I take, it’s time for an upgrade.
I’m hoping to find a camera that I can use for many years. I don’t want to have to purchase a new camera in a year or two. So, the technology has to have some staying power. But, with that said – I’m not looking for anything that is the total top-of-the-line. I’m not going to be a professional photographer and don’t want to mortgage my house to get a camera and equipment. I just need something better than the least expensive camera at the store.
(And, the least expensive has served me well up to now… it’s just time to move up.)
Since I know so many of you take such good photos – and pretty much all of you take better photos than me – I really would love your advice and help.
What type of camera do you use and like? What do you hate? Any thoughts or insights for me? What should I look for?
This is kinda a big purchase, which brings out my nerves. (On a side note, I have more nerves about buying a silly camera than when we bought the little house. I’m a strange cat.)
I’ve done quite a bit of research and have ideas, but really want your thoughts, too.
Help…. =)
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Jennifer says
We have a Canon Powershot, and recently upgraded and bought a DSLR, the Nikon D60. I always carry a camera in my purse, and have adjusted to the Nikon, even though it’s much bigger/heavier. The Canon’s pictures are fine for social situations, but I like to use the macro and there is just no comparison. Based on what you put on the blog, I think you would get a lot of use out of a DSLR, but it was an investment for us, and I know they aren’t for everyone.
I agree with Brian, there are some great options in the middle. My Dad (who was a devout Canon Rebel man for years) and my sisters each have a compact Panasonic Lumix. I’m not sure the exact models, but they are on the larger size of a point-and-shoot, and on a recent trip with them, their cameras took pictures that were just as good as my D60.
Hope some of that helps! You’ll have to let us know what you choose!
Oh, Consumer Reports had a special on DSLRs recently. I noticed that the issue isn’t on the newsstands any more, but you could probably find it online.
Gordon Bottum says
There’s no great answer to this.
Comes down to the bigger the camera the better pictures it will take, the smaller the camera, the worse it will take. Everything depends on what your criteria are. If your looking for something to fit in your pocket, they’re all about the same. Stick with with Canon or Nikon and you’ll be fine. Then there’s the DSLR’s, fantastic pictures, no lag time, but can’t put it in your pocket. Right between those extremes are the pro-sumer cameras, bigger bodies, bigger sensors, bigger (fixed) lenses. Still can’t quite get them in your pocket, but much more reasonable. The biggest thing to keep in mind, the smaller the lense and sensor, the less light the camera can let in. So in low-light situations your pictures will be noisy. I don’t know how much you’re looking to spend, but if you can swing it, I’d go for the Canon G10 or G11. A lot of bang for the buck.
Stephanie says
I really enjoy our Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. I love taking pictures and wanted more than a P&S but not spend an arm & a leg. We got ours for about $325 or so? and we love it for many reasons. It takes awesome video. I enjoy that it uses 4 AA batteries – if you run out of battery juice and dont have your charger, you can easily pick up some AAs. the NiMH rechargeables lasted us at least 2 or 3 days of pictureafterpicture during our roadtrip. the zoom is EXCELLENT. We have several shots where you cant even see what it is from afar but when you zoom in, it’s amazing what you can see. We ESPECIALLY love the vari-angle LCD view finder – you can take pictures from any angle with it AND the view finder is always protected vs. always being exposed. The self timer on it works really well. I honestly have no bad things to say about this camera. we love it. The size is perfect too – I carry it in its own soft case most of the time, but I also carry a big ole purse and it fits in there when necessary too! Good luck!
Brian says
Kim,
I saw your post on FB and thought I would second an opinion and append to it. This post is perfect and I agree with it 100% with one addition:
“””Allison and Jared August 24, 2009 9:45 AM
We have the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS for point and shoot and the Nikon D40 for better photos. We like both… good luck!”””
If you are looking for a camera in-between these two (fixed lense, high resolution, high optical zoom) you might want to consider the fujifilm s2000HD. It has an auto feature for those point and shoot moments where it will auto-detect lighting, remove red eye and stabilize the photo caused by a shakey photographers hands. It also has more advanced features for experienced photographers but lacks the versitility of a full DSLR because it has a fixed lense (but huge zoom, 15x optical). It also has a macro mode for close up shots, continuous shooting, automatic settings based on environemtal lighting (snow, fireworks, etc.) and can shoot HD movies.
If you want some sample photos that I shot I can send some.
Melissa says
I second Kari 🙂
Kelly says
My husband bought me a Kodak touch screen last year for my birthday. He researched for about a month before making the purchase. Within a month, the touch screen died and I was heading to Disney World with my girlfriends and really need the camera. The guarantee covered it, but then we realized the real flaw…when it’s sunny you can’t see the touch screen and there is no eye piece to look through. I was blindly taking pictures on our trip to Bermuda this summer. I recommend only a touch screen with an eye piece.
Alyssa says
I have the Canon Powershot SX10IS. I have no clue how to use anything but “auto” right now, but over time there is tons of room for learning & improvement.
kari says
I have the Canon Rebel XSi and I love it. Tom is very into technology so he did all the research and then he helped me pick the one that would be the best fit for me. I’m still learning how to use it in it’s entirety, but I love taking pictures with it and the pictures always come out great.
MyRunningJourney says
I have the Canon Powershot and it’s great! I have problems with the rechargeable (Sony) batteries, but that has nothing to do with the camera. It takes great pics, and the software makes uploading really easy.
carrie @ brick city love says
I have a little Canon that I can tuck in my purse but our main camera is a DSLR – Nikon D90. We use both but for different things.
It handles low light & nightime shots much better than the little Canon but I can’t tuck it in my purse either. Even though it’s bigger, I actually think the Nikon we use more.
Allison and Jared says
We have the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS for point and shoot and the Nikon D40 for better photos. We like both… good luck!
Meredith says
I would really suggest NOT getting a DSLR camera unless you absolutely love photography. Like Emily said, They’re big, bulky, and complicated. And in my opinion, there really isn’t much point in getting one if you plan to shoot in auto all the time–it’s not a good use of your money!
I’m also a Canon girl, but I would recommend checking out Consumer Reports, and most of all, going to a store and playing with a few cameras to see which you like and make sense to you!
Mrs. Dirnberger says
I have a canon also..like everyone else it seems! love it! its great to stash in your purse for all times
Emily says
Ok, it depends.
Do you want 1 camera you can do everything with? Take on vacation, out to the bar, around town? I really like the smaller pocket cameras for everything – and Canon Powershots are great. You want high megapixels – like 10 or above.
I have a Canon Rebel XSi and LOVE it, but it’s big, so for vacation, I have to have a bag big enough to carry it, and I definitely don’t take it to baseball games, girls nights out, etc. So if you want one for everything, go with a higher end powershot. If you’re willing to have 2 cameras to switch between, I like the DSLR.