Which camera system is better?

Question

I'm looking to buy a new expensive camera, and I already know that I want a canon but I don't know which system would be best. Canon Power shot, or the EOS system? Photography is a huge hobby of mine, and I'm actually going to school for it, so I want something that's very good and professional with high quality photo's.

Answer 1

If you are going to school and want the MINIMUM level that might be considered "professional," you have to get the Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi) and a half-decent lens. Forget about Powershots altogether.

I'm looking at B&H Photo (available through Yahoo! Shopping) and I see a few set-ups worth talking about. I'm sure Koko and OMG will echo or amplify these remarks. I'm pretty sure, anyhow, since I've learned from them.

Also - let me preface this all by saying that I am only talking about digital cameras. I am not as familiar with the Canon film line and you didn't specify. Since you are in "Consumer Electronics - Cameras" instead of the "Photography" section, I'll guess you are looking for information on digital cameras.

Kit No. 1 - Entry Level "Professional" - $813.
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (Silver) with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Lens and Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card
- The weakest link here is the lens. It's adequate for a starter, but you will quickly outgrow it if you are going to photography school.

Kit No. 2: Better lens, with Image Stabilization - $1,180.
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body (Black) with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens
- This kit is lacking a memory card, which you can buy for $58 (2 GB Sandisk Ultra II)

Kit No. 3: Better camera than 400D - $1,600.
Canon EOS 30D, 8.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens
- This kit is also lacking a memory card, which you can buy for $58 (2 GB Sandisk Ultra II)
- The 30D is a bit more solid and mostly, it has a spot meter and the 400D does not.

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_eos30d%2Ccanon_eos400d&show=all

I did not mention the amazing 5D, but that will cost about double what the 30D costs, so I'm thinking it's not a student's camera...

Answer 2

I fully agree with Dr. Sam.
First of all, with a Powershot or any other fixed lens camera you're not really talking about a system. Those are point & shoots. A system is when you have the ability to swap lenses and bodies, upgrade components, and configure your hardware set-up.
This is where companies like Canon and Nikon shine. They have bodies, lenses, flash guns, and other accessories that can keep you in debt - and smiling about it - for the rest of your life. The 5D that's been mentioned here is one such option. If you can spare $2500 for the body that is. (It's expensive, but not $4500 !?)
Your best bet is probably a digital Rebel. Either get the cheap, discontinued Rebel XT/ 350D or if you can spare the cash, a new XTi/ 400D. Don't worry too much about the differences between these two models and the 20D/ 30D, the 5D, etc. Suffice it to say that they all have excellent sensors, they all do a great job, and every model is worth the asking price for various extra features that you probably won't miss at this point. The 400D is the current standard model and the 350D is a viable low budget alternative.
In the long run, you'll spend more on lenses than on the body anyway. First of all, the optical quality of your lenses determines your image quality. Also, the kinds of lenses that you have can limit or open different fields of photography. In effect, the camera body is just along for the ride - to record what your lenses see.
Like Sam said, the 18-55mm kit lens will do nicely for a start. I also agree with his choice of a 2GB SanDisk Ultra ll memory card. And if you have extra budget, I can second his suggestion to upgrade to a Canon 17-85mm zoom. This lens provides better image quality than the 18-55mm kit lens and it also gives you a bit more zoom range. Alternatively, you could stick with the 18-55mm and add an inexpensive second lens, like the Canon 55-200mm zoom. This combo will give you *tons* of zoom range. (If I personally had to choose either/ or, I'd get the 17-85mm. I do mostly landscapes and street photography, so I don't really need insane zoom capabilities.)
If you have cash left over, you can pick up one or two extra items. Like an inexpensive tripod, a camera bag, a cheap 50mm f/1.8 lens for low light situations and portraits, an external flash (although the pop-up flash does an okay job in close quarters), perhaps a cheap uv-filter to protect your lens, and of course a lens cleaning kit.
That will cover a budget from anywhere between $640 (for the 350D with an 18-55mm zoom and 2GB memory) all the way to $2000 (for a 400D with the 17-85mm, a 55-200mm, and various odds and ends).

Answer 3

Depends on the amount of money you want to spend. Entry level dslr's will put you in the sub $1000 range, but to really get the quality and speed, you'll need to sell a kidney. In my eyes, the Canon 5D is the way to go. It's got a full frame CMOS sensor, and is built like a tank. Then again, it's about $4500 without lenses. And don't think of puting a kit lens on that body. That's like puting retreads on a Porshe.

Answer 4

I have a Canon S3 IS. I love it. It takes the best pictures!!! I also own the S2 IS and S1 IS. They are all great cameras, I just upgraded for the megapixels!! Has and image stablizer, I have young children and they are always on the go. Here is a website to check out for a review.
www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S3IS/S3ISA.HTM

Answer 5

5D is a full frame sensor and takes BEAUTIFUL photos. Now it's at a reasonable price.

Answer 6

CANON OLYMPUS (7.5 M.P.)WOULD BE A GREAT CAMERA FOR YOU OR THE SAMSUNG NV10(10.1 M.P.)

Answer 7

the camera that uses DIGIC processor.