[Cheeseball81]

Hey guys,

I'd like to get a new digital camera. Something more upscale.
Megapixels anywhere from 6 to 10.
A really good zoom. Maybe 10-12X optical. Something that can handle hi-quality.
I take more outdoor than indoor shots. But I'd like both to come out crisp and clear.

Guyzer mentioned having a Canon 40D.
Another friend of mine has the Nikon D40.
The Nikon seemed more affordable than the Canon.
I'd say my price range would be up to $500ish.

Any thoughts? other suggestions?

Thanks

[wacor]

what physical size are you thinking about?

Those are similar in size to the old 35mm cameras I believe

[Cheeseball81]

I wouldn't mind something alittle more compact. Not too bulky.

[wacor]

Originally Posted by Cheeseball81

I wouldn't mind something alittle more compact. Not too bulky.

those are a bit big then probably.

you want the option to change lenses??

[Cheeseball81]

If I have to go big, I will. I have an Olympus SP-500 UZ right now that's a good size.
I love the zoom on it, 10X optical and it takes great outdoor shots.
But indoors tends to be blurry. My only disappointment with it.
I wouldn't mind being able to change the lens.

[Guyzer]

Hi Cheeseball..........

From the sound of it you want the best of both worlds. Small size with the ability to change lens. That's a tough one to accomplish with any degree of satisfactory results. IMO it's one or the other. One of the main reasons of getting a DSLR is because of the ability to buy lens as your needs / wants change. I'm a Canon guy because of the wide assortment of lens available. That's the reason I went with them and it's too costly to switch now. I can't speak for Nikon because I have never owned one but what I do know is there is nothing wrong with them. It's a matter of taste really. Like buying Ford vs GM. Any of them have the ability to take great shots but keep in mind it's more the person behind the camera than the camera. The camera is just a tool.

I've done a bit of looking and have this suggestion..........
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...XS_a_k_a_.html

That package comes with two lens that would set you off on the right path while being close to your budget and that's what I've tried to keep in mind. I've also tried to keep your location in mind when I selected B & H. They are the largest camera retailer in the U.S. and from what I've read / heard they have a good name. Canon also has an instant rebate going and B & H is paying for the shipping right now so that would save you some cash. Remember what ever you buy you will need a memory card.

The lens that come in that kit are not the best but they are a good start. I have seen some impressive shots taken with those. Once again it's the photographer.

I could blab on and on but I think it's better if you read this review. Make sure you scroll down, read between the ads and get on to the next page.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_..._rebel_xs.html

Hope that helps you some.

[wacor]

Originally Posted by Cheeseball81

If I have to go big, I will. I have an Olympus SP-500 UZ right now that's a good size.
I love the zoom on it, 10X optical and it takes great outdoor shots.
But indoors tends to be blurry. My only disappointment with it.
I wouldn't mind being able to change the lens.

I should have looked at your camera before commenting. Looks like yours is rather large. And I imagine you paid $300-$500 for it.

I am not sure you will gain a lot with the 2 cameras you mentioned. The difference is they are SLR. The SLR is like the old style cameras where you change the lens to get what you want. They can be purchased without or typically they come with one that has minimal zoom. Then you would need to buy a zoom lens that will cost as much as the camera for a really good one that can work with lesser light.

Hopefully somebody else with more experience than me will comment as I have no near the knowledge of Buck, Guyzer and others

[wacor]

I was dragging my feet posting when Guy popped in. That looks like a decent one for her Guy. I would add that it would be worth going to a store to shop and get input and hands on. See what is there to offer and if one is easier to learn than others. There are a lot of tricks and things to learn as you move up into these type of cameras. Can always buy online once a decision is made

lastly............ be sure you have a tripod when you use the camera at night and using the zoom.. you can do amazing things with a tripod and a delay timer which eliminates movement. i don't care how steady you think you are when zooming in anything but decent light you will have blurs. of course the better the zoom the less light it can tolerate.

just my nickels worth.

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by Cheeseball81

I wouldn't mind something a little more compact. Not too bulky.

Here's one I spotted a few weeks ago while shopping ... it's about half way between little and big ..
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650191119

I'd prefer an optical view finder .. This one didn't have one .. it's all LCD.

By the time you add another battery for a spare and a fast mem card .. It'll be about another hundred

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by wacor

That looks like a decent one for her Guy.

I thought so.

Originally Posted by wacor

I would add that it would be worth going to a store to shop and get input and hands on. See what is there to offer and if one is easier to learn than others.

Don't forget one thing. The salesperson will try and sell you something he / she thinks you should have. The only reason I would go to a shop to look at one would be to see how it feels in my hand. I always do my research on-line. I do buy from the local guys though. It's nice to have someone to actually look at face to face if there is an issue. ( to date I haven't had one but you never know. ... oops I did. One of my lens went screwy while on warranty. The shop sent it to Canon for repair so no shipping costs. )

Originally Posted by wacor

There are a lot of tricks and things to learn as you move up into these type of cameras.

That Canon model has automatic settings that will look after most needs and it doesn't matter if she were to shoot in jpg or RAW format. That will give her the ability to take some good shots right off the hop. One thing she'll have to select if shooting in RAW is to activate the flash. In jpg that's fully automatic. Everything else will be auto. ie: f, shutter speed, iso, white balance etc. The fine points of the camera learning stuff comes as you use the camera more and more. For what it's worth she'll be leaning towards the auto settings most of the time. No offense intended.

Originally Posted by wacor

lastly............ be sure you have a tripod when you use the camera at night and using the zoom.. you can do amazing things with a tripod and a delay timer which eliminates movement. i don't care how steady you think you are when zooming in anything but decent light you will have blurs.

A tripod helps in daylight as well.
*** note to self.... start using tripod more ***

That camera also has automatic sensor cleaning which is the same as mine. It actually works quite well and something that's well worth it.

That camera is also a step above the XSi I believe. I've seen some great shots with the XSi and have used a coworkers just for the heck of it. Not bad imo so I can't see her going wrong with it.

[buck52]

Howdy

I don't have to much to add except for a few thoughts... I have not shot with anything other than my Dslr .. Nikon D2X... so I have no input as far as other cameras go, Dslr or point and shoot...

Indoor shots are much harder than ,ouside in good light, for any camera... indoor shot very often require good technique as well as flash and tripod...

A Dslr has it's goods and bads... It gives you the flexibility to expand as you go...as Guy said... but on the other hand you tend to accumulate more lenses and accessories which, to many people, gets to be a drag lugging it all around when you want to shoot or trying to decide... hmmmmm. which lens should I take today? ...

One way around that is to get an all purpose "walkaround" lens like say 18-200mm unfortunately they tend to not be quite as good quality because of the wide range.

stabilization is definitly something you want point and shoots it is built into the camera and dslr it is usually in the lens

The camera Guy linked to looks like a good deal if Dslr is the way you decide to go.. The Nikon D40x would also be a good choice...

unfortunately the more time you spend at sites like...
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html or
http://www.dpreview.com/

the more questions come up...

remember if you go the Dslr route in no time you will have much more invested than the original purchase price...

but it's fun...

[Cheeseball81]

Really appreciate all the input so far keep it coming...

[buck52]

Hi Nicole

What do you want to do that your present camera won't? you've posted some quite good pictures...

the indoor problems you have could be as much technique as anything...

only asking because a new 4 to 5 hundred dollar camera might not make you any happier than you are now...

just playing the devil's advocate... I use to hate that when my father did that to me...

buck

[Laura87]

Originally Posted by Noyb

Here's one I spotted a few weeks ago while shopping ... it's about half way between little and big ..
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650191119

I'd prefer an optical view finder .. This one didn't have one .. it's all LCD.

By the time you add another battery for a spare and a fast mem card .. It'll be about another hundred

That's the one I have! I love it, it takes great pictures - unfortunately I don't

[Cheeseball81]

Originally Posted by buck52

Hi Nicole

What do you want to do that your present camera won't? you've posted some quite good pictures...

the indoor problems you have could be as much technique as anything...

only asking because a new 4 to 5 hundred dollar camera might not make you any happier than you are now...

just playing the devil's advocate... I use to hate that when my father did that to me...

buck

Thanks buck

I guess I just keep thinking bigger, better.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Olympus. But lately, especially indoors, I find it to always be blurry.
I wanted the option to switch lenses..I wanna try to focus more on my outdoor shooting.