Camera suggestions???

[rainydays]

My hubby asked what I wanted for my b-day which is coming up in a few weeks and I said a new camera, any suggestions? Right now we have a canon powershot A95. I want something that is fairly easy to use, not too too expensive and takes REALLY good pictures, especially close ups and stuff, can any one offer any suggestions?

[mrsmbm]

Anyone with a DSLR is going to tell you that her's is the best. So I'll start by saying I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Olympus E500! :) It feels so great in my hands, takes incredible pictures on the plain old Auto mode, and is fairly easy to work with. It's also pretty affordable. Olympus recently released the next step up, so this model will be priced lower. Good luck with your search!

[Shawna]

I :wub: my Canon Rebel XTi, I've had it since August and just love the photos I'm getting with it. It is a dSLR so there is a bit of a learning curve, but even on Auto the photos are way better. I bought mine from B&H and they have come down in price quite a bit since I bought mine. I think Canon is getting ready to release their new model so that's probably why.

If you're not wanting to go the dSLR route, I've heard good things about the Kodak Easyshare M853 and the Canon Powershot Digital Elph series.

[junebug]

i'm going to copy everyone here and say dslr's are awesome! i have a Canon Rebel xt, bought it a year ago and although i still have a lot to learn i love it. i wouldn't mind upgrading, but i'm not that worried. i'm lucky i even got that one, so to ask for another expensive upgrade is out of the question!

[rainydays]

:unsure: :unsure: what does DSLR stand for. . . .

[ColleenSwerb]

Digital Single Lens Reflex (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSLR)

Aka, just like the nice cameras of old with lenses and lots of options, except instead of film, it's digital.

[AmyM]

I was about to ask the same thing :)

Anything good that is not much over $600? I hear everyone talk about Canon and Nikon so I am sorta afraid to venture out to other models. This is a big upgrade for me and I'll be keeping this next camera for a long time. I'm not a professional photographer so I just want something that takes awesome pictures. Something that gets good action shots too- my daughter is never still.

[ColleenSwerb]

My friend just bought an Olympus for christmas and she loves it. So I'm excited to check hers out, just to see another brand. Personally, I'm a Nikon girl. My fiancee is all about Canon. When it comes to DSLR's, you really just have to go to a best buy, or a camera store, and play wtih each one. See how it feels in your hands, see if you like hte controls, the menu options, etc. (I haven't actually bought one, but I'm hoping to soon and that's pretty much what everyone says.)

As for the action shots, I take a TON with my Point and Shoot (A Nikon Coolpix S1 - 7mega pixels I think, the model is about 3 years old) on the sports spectator setting when I'm taking pics of my dog outside being a nut. I've gotten some awesome shots, but even on that setting there's a delay and things come out blurry. With an SLR the delay is almost nonexistant. MUCH better for action shots.

It depends on what you want to do really. I'm really into photography and have been wanting to try more advanced things that my point and shoot just doesn't seem capable of doing. So that's why I'm going to get an SLR. If you don't take tons of pictures, or aren't interested in more advanced techniques, there are tons of nice point and shoots out there.

[mrs_jb]

I have a Canon REbel xTi and I love it. Makes me wish that I had bitten the bullet and gotten it much sooner. I only have two lens, the kit lens and a portrait lens that was really inexpensive and has become my best friend.

There is a learning curve, but once you put your mind to it, you'll catch on fast. I had no photography knowledge going in and now I only shoot in manual mode. I'm still learning new things everyday, but I'm a thousand times happier with the results now then I ever was with my PnS.

Here's my take on the price... Having three kids, I would spend a fortune on pictures each year, not to mention the hassel of getting them ready and going out, keeping everyone happy, etc. And the sad part is, those pics still aren't as good as what the Rebel can take. So in my mind, the camera and my lens pay off in the long run because I will never have pro portraits taken again.

[newfiemountiewife]

I don't have a camera, DH has a Rebel XTi I got him for Christmas in 2006. I know nothing about it, and only shoot in auto mode, but it's still a million times better than the old point and shoot I had. My old point and shoot was a lowly 3.2 mp though.

That said, if you don't want the expense of an SLR, I do know a lot of the higher end point and shoot cams take great shots. My dad has one, that was about $300 that takes amazing photos, it's a Sony I believe.

For me, since I have no desire or time to learn an SLR, it would be a waste for *me* to get one. I'll let Tony take the good pics LOL

[rainydays]

I have a Canon REbel xTi and I love it. Makes me wish that I had bitten the bullet and gotten it much sooner. I only have two lens, the kit lens and a portrait lens that was really inexpensive and has become my best friend.

There is a learning curve, but once you put your mind to it, you'll catch on fast. I had no photography knowledge going in and now I only shoot in manual mode. I'm still learning new things everyday, but I'm a thousand times happier with the results now then I ever was with my PnS.

Here's my take on the price... Having three kids, I would spend a fortune on pictures each year, not to mention the hassel of getting them ready and going out, keeping everyone happy, etc. And the sad part is, those pics still aren't as good as what the Rebel can take. So in my mind, the camera and my lens pay off in the long run because I will never have pro portraits taken again.


How much did it actaully cost you??? Are we taking like over 600$?? Course the prices will be different here, but should be around the same. . . I want something that will take the fast shots, my girl is always on the move and I am so tired of having blurry photos, same with the close ups. . .

[KristinCB]

In canada I have found this store to be the best for prices and they have AWESOME service - www.thecamerastore.com

This is the link for the XTi: http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=31109

This is the Nikon D40: http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=32297

They are located in calgary but ship anywhere in canada. I have nothing but good things to say about them.

The biggest difference you will find with DSLR is that there is NO shutterlag - so you don't miss those shots of the fast moving kiddos! They have come down SO much in price from when I got mine a few years ago!! its crazy!

[Paula]

For Valentine's Day, DH got me a Nikon D40 and I lurve it!!

I also have a Nikon P&S and I love it too.

[mrs_jb]

How much did it actaully cost you??? Are we taking like over 600$?? Course the prices will be different here, but should be around the same. . . I want something that will take the fast shots, my girl is always on the move and I am so tired of having blurry photos, same with the close ups. . .

Mine is 1.5 yrs old so it was over $600 the, however I was pricing them at B&H just now and they have come down a lot, around $500 for the camera body w/o lens. And my portrait lens only cost me $55 from B&H.

That's what I love with the DSLR vs. PnS, you can rapid shoot. I loath the delay and missed so many shots of my kids over the years because of it. With the DSLR you don't have that at all/

[Shawna]

I also bought my XTi through B&H Photo in August 2007, I paid just over $700 for the camera body & 18-55mm kit lens and $75 for my 50mm 1.8 lens (which is the lens I use 98% of the time). They now have them for $520 body only or with kit lens for $600. Or you could go with the 8mp XT for $395 body only or with kit lens for $470.

[mrsmbm]

After deciding on an Olympus E500, I watched ebay and snagged a new one for $300. Not too shabby!

[rainydays]

WOOOO HOOO!!!! I was pleasantly suprised tonight with a Nikon D40. . . . .All my hubby did was ask around and he said he spied a little on this website!!! LOL, My birthday isn't even for 10 days!!!!!!

[digi-gee]

Congrats!!!! That's a great camera. Have fun with it!

[aquamama]

I am in the exact same position right now. I've been dreaming of the day when I could talke my hubby into a DLSR. My b-day is at the end of the month and I've been shopping around for awhile now.

I've tried out both the Nikkon and Digital Rebel xti and loved them. They have both come down in price significantly too, making them a great camera for the price. My point and shoot is a Sony and I have LOVED it, over all the others I've tried. I paid about 350.00 at the time and it was so worth it. You can pick up the Sony Cybershot W-55 for about 165.00 and it's a great camera.

However if you are looking for a DSLR, Sony has just released a new one. Alpha300 and Alpha350, they won't be avaiable until the end of March. I think this camera is along the same lines as the Rebel xti, however is has a higher pix range, and the biggest difference is that is has Live View. You can shoot pics using the screen and not just the view finder. I LOVE that new option. If you are patient enough, I really think that Cannon's next version of the Digital Rebel will have this feature, and I don't think it will be too long until the camera is released. Go check out dpreview.com for more details. They show release dates of the cameras, and I think there is a little bit of a pattern. I love Sony, so I'm going for the 350! Good Luck!

[KristinCB]

congrats on your new camera!!!! :) :)

[wildblueeyez]

I've heard good things about the Kodak Easyshare M853 and the Canon Powershot Digital Elph series.

I want a Canon Elph! My point and shoot is so old that the quality of photos is terrible! I'd love to get a Rebel but I don't have time to learn how to use it. I want great point and shoot photos!