Buying a Camera

pineapplesandwaves.
pineapplesandwaves. GTA Posts: 1,808
edited April 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
So, I'm looking to buy a new camera and was wondering what kind of camera everyone has. There was an awesome camera thread in the former forum, but my search has come up empty.

I currently have a Sony CyberShot DSC-P52 and I absolutely love it. I've had it 5-6 years and with the exception of its limited optical zoom (2x), it has been nothing but fantastic and reliable. It has seen better days, though, and I'm looking to upgrade, especially with an upcoming cross country road trip this summer.

I figure since I had such a good experience with the Sony Cybershot, I'd get another, newer model, but I'd love to hear from others about their cameras and experiences.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • DeLukin
    DeLukin Posts: 2,757
    edited April 2009
    I made the jump to DSRL's about a year ago and have no regrets. Found a mint Nikon D70s (an older model) on ebay to get started with and have been loving learning photography as an art. Of course, with DSLR's its all about the lenses which can get expensive, and there is a learning curve, but I'd recommend the freedom that DSLR's offer over point-and-shoots any day.
    Post edited by DeLukin on
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  • pearljgirl2010
    pearljgirl2010 Shillington, PA/Tuckerton, NJ Posts: 3,428
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.
    Need a tour Travel Agent??? Pick me :-)

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  • The Stugots
    The Stugots Posts: 306
    pearljgirl2010 wrote:
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.

    This is a very popular and well-reviewed camera, I bought one for a friend last year. The zoom capabilities are still unmatched in point and shoot category, it takes great photos and has a beautiful display. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but when I did the research then it was the best P&S I could find. The only negative I found was that it's slightly larger than most in its class, which is more of style preference.
  • pearljgirl2010
    pearljgirl2010 Shillington, PA/Tuckerton, NJ Posts: 3,428
    The Stugots wrote:
    pearljgirl2010 wrote:
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.

    This is a very popular and well-reviewed camera, I bought one for a friend last year. The zoom capabilities are still unmatched in point and shoot category, it takes great photos and has a beautiful display. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but when I did the research then it was the best P&S I could find. The only negative I found was that it's slightly larger than most in its class, which is more of style preference.


    Yeah--it is a little heavy, but I'm guessing the newer ones are lighter (mine's about 3 years old now) and it was around $350 when we got it (at Office Depot, with 2 free printers and something else with purchase).
    Need a tour Travel Agent??? Pick me :-)

    Whatever you are, be a good one --Lincoln
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    my wife got me a Kodak V1073 for my birthday last year & i love it. it takes great pictures & has a ton of features that i haven't figured out yet! plus, it's a touchscreen, which makes it really easy to use! it's also pretty inexpensive. here's a link if you want more info. 8-)
    http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier. ... estid=1533
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  • Thunderclap
    Thunderclap Lexington, KY Posts: 108
    Here are two good websites to check out:
    http://www.dpreview.com/
    http://www.steves-digicams.com/

    This is my camera (and it is freakin' awesome): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_rev ... sx110.html

    I have no complaints about my camera, or Canon in general. I'd definitely go with a manufacturer that was known for making cameras before the digital age. However, the technology has come a long way so this may be a moot point these days.
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  • stargirl69
    stargirl69 Posts: 6,387
    The Stugots wrote:
    pearljgirl2010 wrote:
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.

    This is a very popular and well-reviewed camera, I bought one for a friend last year. The zoom capabilities are still unmatched in point and shoot category, it takes great photos and has a beautiful display. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but when I did the research then it was the best P&S I could find. The only negative I found was that it's slightly larger than most in its class, which is more of style preference.

    Yeah I have the Lumix,its a fantastic camera,definately wasnt cheap but I have got some amazing shots from it.I would recommend it if you are willing to splash out a little,you won't be dissapointed.
    “There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen”
  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    I made the jump to DSLR... Sony Alpha 200... Not the best camera by any means, but it takes great shots, and is easy to use!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • vedderfan10
    vedderfan10 Posts: 2,497
    stargirl69 wrote:
    The Stugots wrote:
    pearljgirl2010 wrote:
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.

    This is a very popular and well-reviewed camera, I bought one for a friend last year. The zoom capabilities are still unmatched in point and shoot category, it takes great photos and has a beautiful display. It definitely wasn't the cheapest, but when I did the research then it was the best P&S I could find. The only negative I found was that it's slightly larger than most in its class, which is more of style preference.

    Yeah I have the Lumix,its a fantastic camera,definately wasnt cheap but I have got some amazing shots from it.I would recommend it if you are willing to splash out a little,you won't be dissapointed.

    I have the Lumix TZ1 with the 10x optical zoom...The video it takes is more than awesome...but I have huge problems using it in low light without the flash...either the exposure is too long and everything comes out blurry or everything is dark...

    In bright light situations it takes some pretty fantastic photos...
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  • pineapplesandwaves.
    pineapplesandwaves. GTA Posts: 1,808
    Thanks so much for all of the feedback! :)

    It looks like a number of you have had success with the Lumix. I basically want something with an excellent optical zoom that takes nice, crisp photos and the Lumix seems to do just that. Also, it's pretty compact given the 10x optical zoom. I'll be sure to check it out more thoroughly, along with the other suggestions.

    I considered DSLR, but right now, I think point and shoot addresses my needs best. In the future, though, I'd love to become more serious about photography.
    Vedderfan10 wrote:

    I have the Lumix TZ1 with the 10x optical zoom...The video it takes is more than awesome...but I have huge problems using it in low light without the flash...either the exposure is too long and everything comes out blurry or everything is dark... .
    Is it okay in low light with the flash?
  • vedderfan10
    vedderfan10 Posts: 2,497
    pineapplesandwaves. wrote:
    Thanks so much for all of the feedback! :)

    It looks like a number of you have had success with the Lumix. I basically want something with an excellent optical zoom that takes nice, crisp photos and the Lumix seems to do just that. Also, it's pretty compact given the 10x optical zoom. I'll be sure to check it out more thoroughly, along with the other suggestions.

    I considered DSLR, but right now, I think point and shoot addresses my needs best. In the future, though, I'd love to become more serious about photography.
    Vedderfan10 wrote:

    I have the Lumix TZ1 with the 10x optical zoom...The video it takes is more than awesome...but I have huge problems using it in low light without the flash...either the exposure is too long and everything comes out blurry or everything is dark... .
    Is it okay in low light with the flash?

    Yeah....but sometimes the flash is too bright and everything is waaaaaaaay over-exposed...not sure how to tone down the flash...and at concerts or shows if I am anywhere near the front, I don't like to use the flash...although I did flash the crap out of Mike at last year's CCFA thing...my bad...
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  • LOV2ROCK
    LOV2ROCK Minneapolis/St.Paul Posts: 822
    This will be my new camera when it's released sometime later this month.
    Read this review and salivate!!! :D;) I cant wait to get it!
    It shoot's full 1080 HD Video too! 20X optical zoom
    Go to flickr and enter this model number into the search bar and check out the photo's people
    have already uploaded.This was released overseas last fall.


    http://www.steves-digicams.com/2009_rev ... n_sx1.html
  • pineapplesandwaves.
    pineapplesandwaves. GTA Posts: 1,808
    Again, thanks for sharing.

    The Lumix looks fantastic and seems to be the best bang for its buck. I especially love the 10x zoom on such a compact camera. I'm going to go with the most recent model, the DMC-TZ5. Now it's just a matter of finding the best deal; although, being in Canada, my options are pretty limited.
    Lov2rock wrote:
    This will be my new camera when it's released sometime later this month.
    Read this review and salivate!!! :D;) I cant wait to get it!
    It shoot's full 1080 HD Video too! 20X optical zoom

    http://www.steves-digicams.com/2009_rev ... n_sx1.html
    Looks like quite the camera.
  • strummers
    strummers Posts: 2,611
    pearljgirl2010 wrote:
    I have a Panasonic Lumix with 10x optical...awesome camera--no complaints! Small enough to take everywhere, great zoom, anti-shake thing...mine is the older version, the 8mp.

    I have this one - great camera to sneak into gigs (some exapmples here; http://www.flickr.com/photos/strummers2 ... 730887716/ - the Isis, Torche, Baroness, The Sword, Taint, Clutch, Rancid, Orange Goblin and Brant Bjork).

    Also got the Nikon D300, which is an excellent camera - although you'll need a phot pass for gigs (link above, but DeeExpus pictures and some others in the non-gig photos)!
    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
    http://www.strummersphotography.com

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  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    Nikon
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  • Heineken Helen
    Heineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    I really want a nikon D40x but can't afford it for a while yet.

    I currently have an olympus fe-340. it's really small and cheap and takes good shots, I'd give it an 8/10 for quality BUT I don't have a very steady hand (not shaky but not steady) and the anti shake thing isn't great but it does take great action pics... BUT it doesn't do black and white or sepia :shock: which I only discovered after I got it.

    All in all it pretty much does what it says on the tin... nothing amazing about it though... I think my last camera was better (even though this was most certainly an upgrade). The last one was a vivitar :mrgreen: pretty cheap I think... but it was EXCELLENT... especially at taking pics of people... landscape was as good as the olympus and it took great black and white and sepia... I had it for years til I took it to the beach :oops:
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  • yoke
    yoke Posts: 1,440
    It really depends on how much you want to spend and what "type" of photography you are doing. I use all Canon DSLR bodies and a bunch of L Series lenses. Now of course not everyone has the money for that kinda stuff but I do make money with my cameras so I need them.
    Now if you are a casual shooter then there is no need for an SLR camera honestly. Do you really want to carry around extra lenses and flashes etc.. I have seen some point and shoots that are really nice and I was going to pick a one up myself just for around town type stuff.

    Try to stay away from anything that has Digital Zoom, stick with the highest Optical Zoom you can get( but this is just my opinion). This Canon is really nice and I was thinking about getting it.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... gital.html

    Now that maybe to much money but they have others that are similiar. Good luck in your search and if you have any questions PM me I would be more than happy to talk to you.
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