Well, I washed "grunt" up after a pause in iffy weather. It was fairly nice today, a little chilly. Anyway, it's just about time for a camera upgrade other than my phone. I have some Sony hand held digitals, one 8 mega pixel and one 6 mega pixel.

I want to get a semi-decent digital camera, any suggestions for someone that is an average middle class guy?

I took these today with my iphone 4: Not too shabby

 

It's hard to say without knowing the budget.


Chuck

 

Under $500. Is that possible?

 

Olympus SP-800UZ 14 MP 30x Zoom. I just got this for Christmas and I love it. (under $400)

 

If you are looking for a simple point and shoot camera get something like a Nikon l22 cool pix 12mp. With rechargeable batteries,a SD card you are good to go for $80.(plus the cost of the batteries and card.) Takes thousands of photos on one memory card. Fits in your shirt pocket. It will even record videos.
It won't be long before all dedicated cameras are obsolete as phone cameras get better in quality.

 

Smoking vette! You could take a picture of that with an old Brownie, and it would still be looking

Thanks for posting!

 

I realize that in the megapixel race more is always better, but keep this in mind: unlike your old slide film, you never look directly at a digital image. Like negative film you have to "print" it either to paper or a computer screen and the resolutions on those mediums is far less than what the lens or chip can record. The practical reality is 5MP will give you an 8x10 print that most people will say is better than film.

Remember, also, that huge photo files take a lot of memory card and computer storage space, and are difficult to email without reduction. Unless you are going to routinely print poster-sized copies of your pix or crop them down to get that tiny detail on the far horizon you don't need a zillion megapixels. Lens resolution is actually more important, but you will not find any details on that in any camera description.

To me, image stabilization is the most important feature of any digital camera. You and your shaky hands are the weakest link in getting a high-quality image, and it's suprising how good these stabilization systems work.

With all this in mind, the last consideration is convenience. It's easy to put a thin point-and-shoot camera in your pocket or console so that it's there when the picture opportunity presents itself. You won't be so likely to drag around a clunky DSLR all the time. One of the legendary photographers of all time from the golden age of news photography was asked his secret for getting such great photos. His advice started with "BE THERE...." He might have also added "...and have a camera with you." (He actually said "Be there and shoot at f8," but that's WAY obsolete now.)

 

^^That's true.

I have two Cannon 40Ds and the 50mm is the lens that gets used.

That being said, the Cannon Digital Elph was the one that got USED UP!!

I need a new one after so many adventures with the Elph. If I am just going to have fun, I want the Elph as if fits in my pocket took short films and decent still photos. caught some of the best shots with that thing and then one day....it just never powered up again. I miss that Camera, and I am going to get another one maybe today!!

Two trains of thought, do you need a Camera to do Photo shoots, or do you want to have a camera with you??

Here is photo of Boston I took with the Elph



Here's a pic I grabbed with the 40D


Unless you can control everything, the Digital Elph did almost as good a job as the 40D

 

 

Thanks all, I've been shopping around but can't deal with the retail costs. I'm gonna try Craigs list, not in a hurry, but want one sooner rather than later.

 

It depends if you want a point and shoot or you want a digital SLR. IMO, Pentax DSLR cameras are the best camera to get for the simple reason that all K-mount lenses they have ever made fit and work on their new DSLR bodies.

I bought a K10 a few years back for under $500 on CL and I couldn't be happier. I find people selling old film cameras with auto-focus lenses, sell the body and keep the lenses to use.

Even the old manual focus lenses with auto aperatures are nice to use.

 

You can get great shots with 5 to 6 MP and a good quality lens.

This is multiple shots with a Canon S2IS (5 MP) merged together and printer 30" x 12" by Cord Camera.

This small version is at 72 DPI and came out at 6 MP: = http://www.corvettepics.net/images/WPAFB_edit.jpg

The printed version I had Cord do used a higher DPI and was about about 20 MP.

 

100.00 fujifilm digital camera from Walgreens drug store. 12megapixel, can take movie clips, nice camera for the money. The picture quality can be made better just I haven't used it much.

 

I'm getting a Cannon Elph to replace my old one....maybe I'll check amazon

Damn, Too many bad reviews on Cannon point and shoots....

I had an SD450 that took great pics (posted above) but those reviews scare me

 

Whatever you decide on...buy as many megapixels as possible but be sure the camera has a GLASS lens instead of plastic. This makes a world of difference. You can buy a digital SLR with 10 or 12 megapixel sensor for less than $ 500. In program mode they are so easy to use and you will not regret buying it. Nikon D-40X and Canon Rebel XS are two great choices for someone with that budget. My fav is the D-40X, I shoot Tazewell Speedway every Saturday night and it does well in the clay dust. See my pics on tazewellspeedway.net if curious. I hope that posting this web address is not a no-no.

 

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...cameras/eos_7d

 

I love this place.......

 

I recommend the Canon Powershot G12. It has most of the features a DSLR has including the software. I have the G10, and it is one of my most prized possessions.

 

Thanks for all the info folks!!!

 

My son and his wife gave us a Nikon D3000. It is slightly used and these are showing up on CL and in camera shops as the new D3100 has come out that shoots movies. The 3000 will NOT shoot movies, but I have a dig camcorder for that!
Anyway the 3000 has quick shutter times that allow action shots. It has a terrific auto setup but can also be used manually if you desire. And,used, they are under 400.