Need camera recommendations please!?

Question

I am looking to upgrade my camera and I am just wondering what camera you use or would recommend purchasing. It would be mostly for my children at the moment, have really taken an interest in photography and would like to span out and start taking professional pictures eventually (children, maternity, weddings, etc). I have a couple of courses I am looking into, and need to hone my skills, but I would like to start off and get familiar with a GOOD camera. Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I forgot, sorry! I have a Kodak Easyshare Z10. It is okay, and gets the job done, but I would like a better camera. I have been looking at the Nikon D80's but could really use some advice!

Answer 1

The camera I have is a Canon PowerShot A630, 8.0 megapixel. This is a great camera. Canon is one of the best too. This camera is relatively easy to use and has a lot of features which your children may find fun to use.

This camera also takes a standard SD Memory card, which is compatiblw with other brands as well

I too had a Kodak Easyshare and upgraded to this camera. You may use the same memory card with both

Answer 2

Think outside of the box. Don't just buy a Canon or Nikon because everyone else has one. I'm really loving the sound of the Pentax k10D. You can take as many pictures as you want, as fast as you can until the card fills up - no breaks needed to record memory. Pentax have excellent optics (like Schneider Kreuznach and Carl Zeiss lenses). if I were to buy an SLR, I'd go for Pentax. There is a cheaper version (k100D) which has less features but the same quality. Check out there website and Google around.

i own a Fuji s9600, which I love. You don't need to change lenses (so officially not an SLR) but the performance is just as great, and it will be easy to handle for children. It has a 28-300mm lens (fixed) which is 10.7X zoom. Macro pictures are great and it can fill a picture up with a 1cm object. You can carry it around without dragging big expensive lenses with you so you won't miss any shots. The ONLY downsides are: the manual focus ring is infinite and a bit grainy indoors (but this can very easily be corrected by their excellent built in flash which preserves the picture whiteness without being overpowering). In RAW mode it can shoot 18MegaPixels (no kidding!).

Please have a look at these cameras as they are fab. It took me nearly a year to decide what camera to buy so I know the market really well. Choose a camera that is right for you. Don't just pick a camera that has really good specs. Keep on reminding yourself in what purpose do you need a new camera. There isn't one best camera, different cameras are designed for different people. And SLR lenses are expensive so don't forget to add that to the price as well as filters, tripods, bags, flashguns..

Answer 3

You've made a wise first glance. I Nikon D80 is a great camera.

However, if you've never used an SLR or DSLR before, you really need to know what you are getting into.

SLR type cameras haev removable optics. You can get different lenses for different needs. At times the lenses can be more expensive than the camera body.

If this is the type of camera you want, then you need to invest the time insome education as well. The only way you'll get the full use out of this type of camera is to "be a photographer". Userstand the basic comcepts of photography(ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure, white balance, composition).

If you don't understand those things and how to control them with the camera, all you've really done is bought yourself an overpriced P&S camera. If you do understand those things and practice, you can do great things.

I would rate the DSLR makers as thus
Nikon/Canon #1 - depends on fit/feel/ergonomics on which oen is best for you - I picked Nikon and do not regret it. Their creative lighting system is awesome(allows for ease of use and setup) and their optics are great with a lot of third party support(Canon as well).
Pentax #3
Olympus #4

Answer 4

You say you want to upgrade but don't say what camera you have at present!. However, if you want to improve your technique, my advice would be to buy a manual, non digital, non auto-focus, SLR. I don't know what is available new these days, but you might be able to get something on e-bay fairly cheaply.

Answer 5

I think Finepix is a really good camera...never lets me down and the pictures are quality =]

Answer 6

here is a site you can side-by-side digital cameras ....