Polls

Re: Rate Your Camera

crysania — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:48:13 GMT

I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. 8MP, 18x zoom. I love this camera! It's pretty easy to use and the zoom is incredible. It cost me about $300, a really worthwhile investment. I thought I'd share a few pics taken with it so you can see the quality.

Re: Rate Your Camera

Liesje — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:06:44 GMT

brookcove:
Actually, I have to disagree that digital zoom is worthless - they are not all created equal. Sure, it's apples and oranges compared to the DSLRs. Some brands do better than others. But dude. I really have to disagree that everyone needs a dSLR.

Digital zoom IS worthless, but point and shoots usually do both digital AND optical (like a DSLR). Digital zoom essentially stretches and crops the image within the camera. My boss did several comparisons by shooting a picture with digital zoom, then shootin the same pic with optical zoom and cropping to to match the digital zoom, and the latter was better quality every time. I have yet to see a comparison that shows the digital zoom photo is better quality than a pic taken with optical zoom and cropped on the computer to match. My first point-and-shoot was the Canon S1 IS and it came with a 10x optical zoom and 3.2x digital zoom. I never once used the digital zoom on that camera, I just used the optical zoom at the max range and cropped the pic on the computer if I needed to.

Re: Rate Your Camera

Jewlieee — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:26:03 GMT

Cool. I can't wait to see some aussie shots! I think the avatar picture was taken with my old panasonic, (compact point and shoot) if I remember right. A friend was shooting pictures for me.

Re: Rate Your Camera

4HAND — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:28:29 GMT

Ha Jewelee glad you finally chimed in as it was your avatar photo of Nico that got my son itching to get shots of his Aussie in midair.We did go to Bestbuy and check out the Nikon dlsr and my son found it too heavy and complicated for him [he's 11].Also he's using his own money so he went with the newest version of the Kodac Easyshare and man has he been able to get some great action shots in the sport mode.I would love to post some,even opened a photobucket account, but when I try I get nothing but the box with the red x in it.

Tena

Re: Rate Your Camera

brookcove — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:19:02 GMT

Actually, I have to disagree that digital zoom is worthless - they are not all created equal. Sure, it's apples and oranges compared to the DSLRs. Some brands do better than others. But dude. I really have to disagree that everyone needs a dSLR. All my friends recently (like the last two years) went out and bought new dSLRs - replaced point and shoots. You know how often those bad boys come out when we are messing with dogs? Never. My little four year old Canon S1IS was out all the time, snapping hundreds of shots and taking vids. I loved my little workhorse and killed it from love. Their high tech cameras are collecting high tech dust. I had an S1IS - they are on the S5 now. I was never unhappy with it when I bothered to figure out how to work it right (no one here ever saw any of the good pics I took with it because my computer is too slow to upload bunches of files). And the zoom performed quite well for the level of camera that it was. I've seen sucky zoom on long dSLR lenses in amateur hands, particularly in low light. What the good higher end point and shoots do well is think well for you, plus give you plenty of creative modes also. There's another, the G7 I think, that's the next higher up from the S-series, still well in the sub-$500 mark if you shop at Beach Camera for instance. I'm a confirmed Canon fangirl after my long time relationship with my S1 and a recent customer service experience. I'm sadly unable financially to replace the S1 with an equal level camera but I'm sticking with Canon - going with an A1000.

Re: Rate Your Camera

spiritsmom — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:31:28 GMT

I did a little research on megapixels and things, and opted for the Nikon D40 and I am soooo happy. it takes a fantastic picture. A girl on another horse forum I belong to gave me a link to a pro photographer's site, and I read all his stuff and chose this one. Love it. J

Re: Rate Your Camera

rwbeagles — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:25:44 GMT

I know this...digital zoom is pretty much worthless. LOL. The image you get is just...bad.

As to extra costs...yep...if you WANT to buy more lenses you can...you certainly do not HAVE to. Heck I would say 98% of the photos I share here are taken with my KIT lens! Sure I've bought others...and returned a couple because they flat out do not do as well as my kit lens. Spend a few months with your camera at first and see if you NEED another lens. Before you buy one.

If you are shooting in many challenging places and subjects you might want another...but if you shoot like I do...at home, at the State Fair...at school functions...there's really no pressing need.

Re: Rate Your Camera

Jewlieee — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:33:27 GMT

Keep in mind that there are additional costs with a dslr. Typically the lower end models will only come with 1 lens. You have to buy others and they are not cheap$ also the dslrs in that price range won't take video. You have to go up in price for that. I would love a dslr, and bought one not too long ago. But I took it back because of the issues I mentioned. I used to have a point and shoot panasonic (tz models) and was not impressed. It did not take good pictures at all in mixed light conditions. A lot of outdoor shots I do are mixed light. I've had 2 canon s-is models and loved them both. Good zoom, can zoom in movie mode (not an option on many cameras), good action shots and most light conditions. My complaint with the one I have now is that the pictures are noisy over iso 400. It also takes a while to focus while taking video in low light.

Re: Rate Your Camera

tashakota — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:47:56 GMT

4HAND:
I read up on the Nikon but my only concern is it says 3x zoom and some of the others we looked at have a higher zoom number.I am also a bit confused between "optical" zoom and "digital" zoom. Any one care to enlighten me?

Tena

bump because I'd like to know too!

Re: Rate Your Camera

4HAND — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:01:24 GMT

I read up on the Nikon but my only concern is it says 3x zoom and some of the others we looked at have a higher zoom number.I am also a bit confused between "optical" zoom and "digital" zoom. Any one care to enlighten me?

Tena

Re: Rate Your Camera

Liesje — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:36:53 GMT

I am with Gina. I don't see why someone would NOT get a DSLR (kit, with a lens) for that price range. No you DONT have to be a pro or know anything. Not that I think I'm any good, but people ask me all the time how I take my pictures, what setting for this or that....and honestly I use ONLY preset modes on the camera dial! Yes, Auto, Auto no flash, and Sport mode. I actually did a lot MORE shooting using priority or manual settings on my old point-and-shoots than I do now. Not that I'm not planning on learning, but it's not at ALL necessary. The DSLR is just so much better in so many ways that having nothing to do with the person fiddling with the dial.

Re: Rate Your Camera

rwbeagles — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:11:43 GMT

4HAND:
My son is looking to make this a hobby not just take a few pictures.I don't want a camera that will let him down on action shots or doesn't have much for zoom

If he is at all serious as to hobby...he will want a DSLR of some kind...really if he took a class that's likely what they'd give out...most folks I know doing classes got D40/D40x's. They are just flat out fun to play with and learn about...and on the auto settings you can take wonderful pics and kinda move off onto other settings as you move forward at your own speed. My kit lens is actually...a really nice lens, I have bought $200+ lenses that just don't get as good a shot.

Re: Rate Your Camera

AgileGSD — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:56:34 GMT

rwbeagles:

As to why anyone would spend that sort of money on a camera that isn't a DSLR, that is easy. I can't carry a DSLR with me in the pocket of my jeans everywhere I go :)

Ah, my camera goes everywhere with me. I usually carry a small purse...when I have my camera I simply put the things I need into my camera bag and use it, instead. I see women and men, with bags or backpacks, the size of their heads that weigh more than my daughter, carrying netbooks and laptops...LOL. I can bring a DSLR most places, including the State Fair and amusement venues, and not even notice it. Besides...phone's have cameras, so if I ever needed "just a picture" I'd use that...

but when I want a "picture"...well I shoot with a DSLR because there's nothing, like it.

My Elph is about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so even the smallest DSLRs are bigger. I don't carry a purse and certainly don't tote around a laptop, so there is no way that a DSLR would get taken with me daily the way the Elph does. The quality of pictures from camera phones and cheap P&S is IME pretty poor (not to mention the delay - ugh!) - I would never be happy with them as an alternative. I sometimes take hundreds of photos in just a day, sometimes thousands in a month. I'd like to get a DSLR for certain things but I'll always have a higher quality "pocket camera" that I will always tote around everywhere with me.

Re: Rate Your Camera

Laurelin_429 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:11:44 GMT

D means digital, and SLR mean single lens reflex.

Re: Rate Your Camera

4HAND — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:22:55 GMT

Thanks everyone for the input.I don't even know what DLSR means but a more substantial size is worth it for higher quality photos.I have admired the shots of Cleo and the pups so I will definately look into that camera Gina.My son is looking to make this a hobby not just take a few pictures.I don't want a camera that will let him down on action shots or doesn't have much for zoom.

Tena