I'm looking for a digital camera that takes great, professional looking pictures. Prices- under $300??
2006-10-01 04:42:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
You can't get a professional digital camera in that price range.
Probably the cheapest camera that is professional quality is the Sony DSC-R1. This is a 10 megapixel, fixed lens camera with superior optics and electronics. It takes professional quality photos under most standard conditions and is a very good all purpose camera. It runs about $900.
Just above that are the various entry level digital SLR cameras. The best one currently is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. The kit lenses for this level of camera, typically are not good enough, so buy them as the body only and buy a good lens for them seperately. They will run you between $1000 to $1200 for the camera and a general use lens that fits your preference. Add in the cost of various other lenses depending on what other types of situations you might need (telephoto, macro, wide angle, whatever). Lenses are EXPENSIVE by the way. We're talking $250 to $500 each lens for low end (yet acceptable) quality. For high end, try a couple grand....yikes.
If all you want to do is take decent, high quality pictures, there are many fine options, particularly among Canon products for that price range.
In particular, Canon has three new cameras that are well worth looking into: the A630 (8 megapixel), the A640 (10 megapixel) and the A710 IS.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=913
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=914
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a710-review/
Like all Canon products, these perform exceptionally well. The one drawback is redeye. For whatever reason, camera manufacturers (all of them) of these class of cameras don't seem to understand something about the flash. It can't be too close to the lens or it reflects back off the cornea of the subject at just the right angle to cause redeye in the photo. It's annoying as hell. Good photos for the most part ruined by this oversite. For God's sake, make the stupid flash popup already. How hard is that? Other than that, these cameras take superior quality photos (however, not professional quality photos). They are probably what you are looking for.
2006-10-01 04:57:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well the "professional" category of cameras runs into a much higher price range. The least expensive Digital SLR (single lens reflex) is the Nikon D50, which is an excellent camera. For about $100 more you can look at the canon Digital Rebl XT and Nikon D70. But in the $300 range, you're looking at consumer cameras that don't have interchangeable lenses. Many of these take great pictures, they just don't have the features that pros use.
You might want to look at the Nikon Coolpix S6 or S4, or for a bit less money, the L3 or P4. If you can spend a bit more, digital SLRs are well worth it.
2006-10-01 11:51:05 · answer #2 · answered by C-Man 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since you said professional, I'm assuming you don't want a compact one, so I'll rule out the Canon SD700. So I would recommend the Canon Powershot S2 IS. It has 5MP, Image Stabilizer, and 12x (yes, 12x) optical zoom. Don't get so caught up in the Megapixels, because they're not that important. Anything higher than 5 megapixels is only noticeable on super-high-end photo/poster printers anyway. And remember, digital zoom means absolutely nothing. I would steer away from the Sony's because they've pulled stunts before where all of the camera LCDs died approximately 1 month after warranty ends (search Amazon DSCP51 reviews to see why, and compare new reviews to old reviews). The Canons tend to have the best image quality.
2006-10-01 11:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by Cheese Face 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't expect a camera to automatically give you 'professional' looking photos...because it mainly depends on WHO is taking those photos.
I think what you really mean...is that you want a camera that has excellent image quality...and I would recommend Canon.
The rest is all up to you (the professional looking photos).
Good luck...
2006-10-01 22:06:19 · answer #4 · answered by Petra_au 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you wont find a "professional" camera for that price, but you may find a nice olympus for that price..
2006-10-01 11:52:56 · answer #5 · answered by lugar t axhandle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought one at cheapest prices search engine.
2006-10-01 14:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u can never go wrong with a Canon Powershot
2006-10-01 12:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by Mandy1897 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋