Whats the best camera?

[A-to-Z]

Ok so I've always been kinda interested in photography but have never really pursued it...someday I would like to but I wanted to know what everyone thought about the types of cameras...which kind is the best quality but also not super expensive? I'd love to hear all of your thoughts...

[Kim Hansen]

I have the Canon Rebel xt1: I LOVE it! Yes, it is big to pack around, but when I just use my point and shoot, I'm kind of disappointed because the photos just are not as good as the big Canon. Yes, it was a lot of money, but WELL WELL WORTH IT.

[Quinn]

I'm in romantic love with my Casio Exilim (http://exilim.casio.com/)!!! It's the most amazing point & shoot camera in the world!!! In fact, it's basically the point & shoot version of the SLR cameras. I get INCREDIBLE quality. I do food photography & this camera has mouth-watering macro capabilities. I can shoot every crumb in delicious, gorgeous detail! It's like the tiniest point & shoot, but it has the best quality of any point & shoot camera! Someday I'll probably suck up and buy a digital SLR, but I'm so in love with my Exilim that it's going to be a while... a long while. Did I mention it takes fabulous quality video, too? I know... heaven... :)

[Alyson]

I really love my Sony Cybershot. It takes good pictures, has lots of features, and isn't too expensive. I bought mine over 2 years ago for around $350 (it's a 7.2MP). I'm sure you get a similar one these days for even cheaper, or a higher quality one for around the same price.

I'm not completely satisfied with it, only because my parents got a digital SLR this summer and I've shot pics with it. I want one so bad that my teeth hurt. :) That's the only thing that makes me unsatisfied...envy of an amazing DSLR.

[Kelli West]

Alyson...I hate to tell you this but I have a DSLR! A Canon 30D -! My husband is very kind to me! :) I love it sooooooo much! I have had it for a year now! Although i do wish sometimes that i had a point and shoot cause i don't always like to lug my whole bag around! i would like on that fits in my purse! So i guess i am saying- two cameras would be lovely! oh to dream!

[Alishaw]

I carry my little point & shoot but WISH I had an SLR too. So I'm with you Alyson...maybe someday when I grow up I can get one. The one I'm aiming towards is the Nikon D40 mini-SLR. I've researched it and have heard great things and for under $500 it's within reach. Does anyone have one?

[Alyson]

Kelli, don't feel bad, I'm envious but wouldn't wish that you didn't have one, or for you to not have a great husband who spoils you. I would probably feel better about not having a DSLR yet, but (short of winning the lottery) it looks like I won't get one for 6 or more years. I have to wait until I'm finished with school; although, I'm tempted to buy one every fall when I get my student loan money. :D

I do understand why you would want two cameras. I carry my point-and-shoot everywhere, and it has come in handy on many occasions. I don't want to just have one or the other...I'm greedy and want both! If I actually make it through 6 more years of school, I'll probably buy a DSLR for myself for graduation. Now that's some good motivation!;)

[A-to-Z]

What model do you have Quinn?

[Jamie Hamblin]

I have a 30D and Love it!

[Kelli West]

Hey Alyson, you deserve to treat yourself! When you graduate you are going to get a DSLR!!! no "ifs" "ands" or "buts" about it! :)

[Misty]

Are you talking point and shoot or DSLR? Just ask my husband and he'll tell you that I am a camera addict for sure. I have bought more cameras in our 11 1/2 year marriage...and several before I met him. I have found that there are positives and negatives for every brand and every camera I have owned. I have spent a lot of time reading different forums and reviews and never have I found one answer to point me to one camera. I have had a couple of film SLRs and several point and shoots, both digital and film. I am now strictly digital and have had several digital point and shoots and one digital SLR. I spent over $800 on my first digital point and shoot for a Sony Mavica. Then I spent $450 on a Canon. My most recent is a Casio Exilim that was $250 from Costco. I don't think I can really pick a favorite. Each one has had different positives and negatives. Every time I buy a new camera, I find myself loving some new feature that my other one didn't have or missing a feature that my other one had. It really depends on what you are wanting to do with a camera. If you want a small camera to fit in your purse, you usually compromise on optical zoom because typically the higher the optical zoom, the bigger the camera. Another thing to consider is how much creative control you want. Do you care if you can change aperture and shutter speed? If so, you will probably spend a little more. For me, a bigger LCD is important. I wanted a 3" LCD. Megapixels were also important to me. I wanted to be able to crop a picture in photoshop and still be able to enlarge it with high quality. I take a lot of wildlife shots of deer around my house. Sometimes they are far away, but with my current camera, I can crop out the background so just the deer is showing and still print it out large with great results. For me, I think my Canon point and shoot was a little nicer than the Casio, but definately not worth the price I paid over the Casio and the Casio has a bigger LCD and higher megapixels. If I would have gone with a comparable Canon, it would have cost quite a bit more and I have been happy with the Casio. Mine is the EX-Z1050. My DSLR is the Canon Rebel XT. I am not in love with it and am planning on getting the new Canon 40D for Christmas (I already have a nice flash and lenses for Canon, so I will probably stick with that brand). I know I love having both a point and shoot and DSLR.

For me, talking about cameras is similar to talking to someone about trucks. My grandpa, dad, uncle and brother are die-hard Chevy fans, but we know a lot of Ford fans as well. You couldn't talk either one out of their opinion, but there have been a lot of entertaining debates about it. I find the camera debate very similar when you get into Canon vs. Nikon, etc.

[A-to-Z]

Thanks everyone for all of your help...what I'm hearing right now is two votes for a Casio Exilim as far as quality and affordability is concerned. I'm not an advanced photographer for sure and I love the smaller cameras...someday when I know how to use one maybe I will get a DSLR...but not for a long time. I think I'll look into the Exilim...maybe as a Christmas present...Thanks...any other comments would be welcome! :)

[scrapy]

I have always been a Canon fan, so I'm probably no help. I have a Canon A70 point and shoot that I keep in my purse all the time. It is a 3.2 mega-pixel and it is good. I also have a Canon XTi with the bigger lens, that I love. I take it on outings.
I've tried Samson & Panasonic and was not happy with them. I've heard that Nikon is good and I have a SIL that loves Sony. Good Luck

[peverill]

I love my Casio Exilim, but I would like to have a DSLR. I would think that there are positives to both. I like carrying one in my purse so I always have one to pull out and take a picture if you see a good moment.

[April]

I have tried lots of Canons and I have like them all. I think you will do well with Canon no matter your price point. I finally upraded to a Canon 30D this year and it's soooo much fun! I went with that camera because some of my favorite photographers have it.

[mindy]

If you really want to learn about photography, you can't go wrong with a SLR. When I took a course on photography, all of the camera's we used were SLR. Digital SLR camera's are your best bet, because they are sooo much easier to learn from. You can see what you are getting, and it's easier to learn from your mistakes. I know they are a bit more expensive, but I think they are worth the expense, if you really have an interest in learning photography, save up for one, even if it takes a bit longer to afford. I know their are a few DSLR's that are only between $100 to $200 dollars more than the point and shoot camera's mentioned here. It's worth the investment.

Also, if you do get a DSLR, don't get the standard kit lens, go for the body only and buy the 50mm 1.8. It's a cheaper lens ($100) , but far better than the kit lens, lots sharper and you have a lower aperture to get some great indoor natural light photos.

I always just put my DSLR in Auto until I figured it all out, and I got some great shots for using auto mode, so it has the point and shoot capabilities while you are in the learning process.

[brookiewookie]

I am in love with my Canon Rebel XTi. I have to agree with Mindy about the 50mm 1.8 lens, I hardly ever take it off my camera body and it was such a great deal (I paid $75 for it at B&H Photo online). But I do have the 18-55mm and a 75-300 zoom and I want MORE LENSES. It's so addicting.

My Kodak V530 (I think) point-and-shoot and I had some great times together, but it broke so now I only have my DSLR. I was happy with the Kodak. I agree that it's nice to have both a bigger camera and a smaller one to stick in your pocket, but it's hard to convince my husband that I need ANOTHER camera. :)

[Jenny McDonald]

I love the Exilim! We have one and I love it! Easy to use! It has different settings for different things. It even has one for Children.

[Shari Z]

Before you decide, I have always heard to go to the camera shop and hold each camera and see how it fits in your hand. We are all build a little different and some will be more comfortable to hold than others! Also check out where the buttons are and if you can reach them okay.
Shari

[A-to-Z]

So I just heard someone rave about the Olympus 510 DSLR...has anyone used one or heard anything about them?

[Misty]

Haven't heard anything about that one. I was going to get the Canon 40d, but now I am hearing rumors that they may be replacing the 5d soon, so I am thinking I might wait until the specs for that come out and decide from there. I just handed my Rebel XT over to my Dad in preparation for getting my 40d then heard the rumors about the 5d replacement, so currently I only have my point-and-shoot. I miss my DSLR, but I don't want to buy the 40d then kick myself for not waiting. I know that technology is like that...it's always improving and getting better, but I can wait a couple of months. I told my husband he could get me the new Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III if he wanted and then I would never want another camera, but he just laughed at me. :D I have a camera addiction for sure.

[A-to-Z]

lol..I think I'm started to get addicted too. I love cameras!!! They are just so expensive!!

[LucyLu]

Amy thank you for starting this thread... all the comments are very interesting... after the holidays I am going to be looking for a DSLR... I really hate the delay that my camera has... I have a Fuji s3000 it takes great pictures, it has quite a delay especially with the flash and with 17 grand kids the delay makes me nuts. But it does take really great pictures of people that hold still and landscape shots.


I have this question maybe you all can help with... I have been going to school with thought of getting my degree in business management, but the thought of taking math classes actually makes me hyperventilate, so I thought of switching to Photography... but then I wonder if paying for college classes for this is an extravagance... what do you think?

[Kim Hansen]

GO DOTTIE:cheer: I think it's wonderful that you have that goal. Now, don't be afraid. I know you have kids because you have mentioned grandkids. All your kids can tutor you in the math. If I went back to school, I would be an accountant. My kids are in algebra and geometry--they owe me enough to be my tutor:) DO IT!!!

[tpowers]

I would not let the math stop you from going for what you want. I agree with Kim to make your kids tutor you. Me and my sisters help our mom pass math.

[Alishaw]

Either way Dottie, you would be great just to have your degree. Do you plan to use either one more than the other? Business is so open and photography is so fun! Let us know what you decide.

[Alyson]

Dottie, I'm sure that taking photography classes would help you learn a lot about composition, lighting, camera functions, etc... However, if you take great pictures that pretty much speaks for itself. I know that I would never ask my photographer if he/she has a degree. I would just want to see a lot of samples of their work. So, if you want to do photography, just go for it. Take whatever classes you feel would help you as a photographer, and I'm sure some business classes would help as well if you want to have your own photography business.

[Jenny McDonald]

I hate math! I was looking at all the requirements for all of the degrees I was interested in and choose to do the one with the least amount of math! I haven't finished yet. I don't think I will. I have my dream that was to be a mom. Sappy I know but true!

[A-to-Z]

Not sappy Jenny....its wonderful!! Thats my dream too. :) Dottie I think that is a great goal! What would you enjoy better? I think you should do something you enjoy. :)

[LucyLu]

Thank you , you are all so sweet... I will let you know what I decide to do

[supermombritt]

Dottie don't be afraid of math. I use to tutor math in college and I love math. There is usually a math lab in colleges and you can go hang out and get help. I think that getting your degree is well worth the money. You never know what may happen. I always look at my degree as this. No matter what happens, nobody can take it away from me. I worked my guts out, but it was well worth it. I am ready to get my masters when my kids get a bit bigger. I know school is not for everyone, but education was really pushed at my house and I am glad it was.