Which Digital Camera is best for a semi-pro?

Question

I am looking to buy a new digital camera and want to take close -ups of nature and also landscapes and action shots.. I will need the pixels to be able to blow up the pictures to A2 which I think is 8.. Any ideas/recommendations would be appreciated

Answer 1

First of all, what do you mean by A2 size prints? If you need gallery quality A2 prints of landscapes, you need a medium format camera (either film or digital) or possibly even a large format film camera. A2 is huge. And please note that medium/ large format cameras are not suited for action photography. On the other hand, if you need files that will enlarge to a full newspaper page, you can probably get by with a 10 megapixel dSLR camera. The print quality for newspapers is much lower than for fine art (about 150dpi vs. 300dpi).
My top picks would be the Canon 5D or the Nikon D200. The 5D costs $2500 for the body, it has 12.8 megapixels, and a top speed of 3 frames per second. The D200 costs $1350, it has 10.2 megapixels, and a top speed of 5 frames per second. The 5D is better for landscapes and the D200 is better for sports.
Both of these models are specced below the professional models, but they also cost considerably less.
A few cheaper models MIGHT meet your minimum requirements. the Canon 30D is also considered a semi-pro model ($1100, 8 MP, 5 FPS), and then the are a couple of advanced amateur models: the Nikon D80 ($930, 10 MP, 3 FPS), and the Canon 400D/ Rebel XTi ($650, 10MP, 3 FPS). Don't even bother looking at other brands - you'll want the upgrade path of Canon/ Nikon and you'll want to use Canon or Nikon lenses.
The Pentax K10D - Clavestone's tip - is a very nice camera, but I beg to differ that it offers better image quality than a Canon/ Nikon (as do the review sites). The areas where it beats a Canon 400D/ Nikon D80 are: build quality (which is certainly worth something), and built-in image stabilization (also worth a premium, but for landscapes and macro photography you should have the camera on a tripod full time anyway.) Also note that Pentax is still working on a line of quality lenses. With Canon/ Nikon, it's all there already.
So... suppose you go with a Nikon D200. You could get the following lenses:
105mm micro for close-ups ($800)
12-24mm or 17-35mm for landscapes ($900-$1500)
70-200mm for sports ($1600)
And then you'd still need a walk-around lens.
In all fairness, these are professional lenses. If you're willing to settle for less, you can find alternatives that offer 80% of the image quality for just 50% of the price. You could look at mid-range Nikons or Sigma EX lenses, for example - you can always upgrade later. Even so, a semi-pro setup will cost over $3000. Canon's (semi-)pro lenses are priced similarly.
I hope this is enough information to chose a general direction.

Answer 2

I agree with OMG.

I'm finding A2 prints are 420 mm x 595 mm or 16.5" x 23.5". This is huge. Assuming that you would be viewing a print this size from a distance back, you can probably get away with less than excellent resolution. Still the gold standard for a quality print is 300 dpi. You would need the 39 MP Hasselblad for that. (35 MP required)

A nice 200 dpi would require 15 MP.
A probably acceptable 180 dpi would require 12 MP.
A possibly acceptable 160 dpi would require 10 MP.

You can do some test prints yourself at these resolutions and view them from a suitable distance and see what you are willing to accept.

If you are going to go for the gold, you need the Canon 5D. If that costs too much for you, the Nikon D200 is also a great choice, given that it is "only" 10 MP, but offers better options for sports photography. If you can live with 10 MP, but still don't quite have the budget for a D200, I would just throw the D80 out there for your consideration.

Check out this comparison page. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos5d%2Cnikon_d80%2Cnikon_d200&show=all

Answer 3

I have to agree with OMG, a semi pro camera doesnt come cheap especial if you get a SLR. Lots of $$ goes into that thing. The G7 is more of a enthusist camera so if you like the old school retro design by all means its a great camera but its a hit or miss on the design. A good starter SLR is the Canon Rebel XTi. Its under $1000 even with the lens kit, and it takes wonderful pictures. Its cheap and affordable but remember each thing you just mentioned is a different lens. I have a sport lens (70-200mm f/2.8) and a walk around every day kind of lens, if you can go that expensive. (24-105mm f/4). You will need a macro lens for your close ups ($300 or so), Landscape wide angle lens (12-20mm $100-1200) and action a fast f/2.8 lens (($1000+) not really cheap for all htat hassle but youll love your result.

Psh OMG, I spend $4000 on my XTi =). But yea I had to get the "esstianals". Anyways heres my gear:
-XTi
-70-200mm f/2.8 L
-24-105mm f/4 L
-18-55mm EF-S f/3.5-4.5
-3 UV filters
-1 Polizeriing Filther
-2 camera bags
-Speedlite 480EX
-1 Spare battery
- Books =)

Answer 4

At the top end of the price range, there's the Nikon D200, which you can read all about here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/d200.html

Moving down, there's also the Nikon D40 / D50 / D70s + D80
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon_d50.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon_d70s.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/nikon_d80.html

However, you could probably also get away with a Digital "Super-Zoom" camera....... which is a bit like a Digital SLR, but without the interchangeable lenses (and heart attack inducing price tag).... I've been looking at saving for one of these, since as I only get £114 a fortnight in unemployment benefit, I can't exactly afford a Digital SLR, and I do a fair bit of Landscape shots.
Some of the best in this category include
Fuji Finepix S5200 / S5600
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_s5200.html
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wormdanglecou-21/detail/B000B69IDI/203-9338484-3266364
(the one I've been looking at)

Fuji Finepix S6000fd / S6500
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wormdanglecou-21/detail/B000IHYS2Q/203-9338484-3266364

Fuji Finepix S9000 / S9500 / S9600
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s9000.html
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wormdanglecou-21/detail/B000INUDMY/203-9338484-3266364

Olympus SP-510uz "Super Zoom"
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sp510.html
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wormdanglecou-21/detail/B000HDXH28/203-9338484-3266364
Here's a pic I've got up for review @ ThePhotographersWorkShop.com that I took on a New Deal work placement using it's predecessor, the SP-500uz:
http://www.thephotographersworkshop.com/Photo.asp?S={B95D24C5-1D88-43CC-B5E6-E3AA2D89F9B9}&autonum=50736&MemberID=23302&PhotoID=16&cat=5

Answer 5

If you take more closeups, and if you do not want to spend a lot of money on DSLR cameras and lenses for each situation, a normal pro-digital camera would do.

I'm using the Canon PowerShot G7 with 10megapixels, it can do close ups to 1 cm.

It has automatic modes and manual modes if you need them for shutter speed or aperture control. Action shots and landscapes would do with this camera, you get a 6x stabilized lens, and high ISO levels with a hardware based ISO turn dial so you can use faster shutter speeds in low light. ISO 800 in my opinion though, is a bit too noisy to me though, but hey, its got a small 10megapixel sensor as all digital cameras do.

You can attach an external flash (canon hot shoe port) if you need a more powerful flash.

Need wide angle or telephoto lens? You can get the optional accessories for it.
The wide angle lens reduces the lens by 0.7x (26mm from 35mm) while the telephoto lens doubles the camera's telephoto range.

Some reviews you may like to take a look at:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g7-review/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong7/

Answer 6

Problem with previous answers.... D200 = $1,500 just for the body (no lens) so your outfit with lenses could run you $2000-$2,500. for the Canon 5D add another $2,000.

For the G7 (Nice camera) sits around $600, but by the time you add the wide angle and tele conversion lens your at $1,000+

I'd rather go with the K10D by Pentax.
Bigger sensor then G7
Weather sealed (similar to D200/5D)
ability to find inexpensive lenses (10-17 = $580 vs 12-24 Nikon at $1,000)
Anti-shake in the body (no need to pay premium for IS lenses)
22-bit ADC sensor (more colors then either 12 bit Nikon and Canon

Oh, yea... only $1,000 with a METAL mount lens!

Answer 7

hi, it all depends on your budget. the nikon d40 is a good entry level camera and gives great 10 x 8 prints.

Answer 8

I love Nikon, so if I were you I'd buy the D200, but quite honestly it's a matter of taste between a Nikon and a Canon, eg the EOS 5D

Answer 9

I use the Casio Exilim EX-S600. It's a really great camera and worth every penny of the $400 I spent on it.

Answer 10

Nikon D40, its about USD 500. you wont regart buying it!