what is the best kind of camera to buy if you want to get into photography?

Answer 1

It depends on how you want to get into photography. If you mean creativity, then save up for a good SLR or DSLR. They offer the most flexibility, especially since you'd have your choice of lenses. The best selection of lenses would be with Nikon or Canon cameras. Try them both out in a store and see which is more comfortable to you.

Answer 2

I would recommend you the camera I have which is Panasonic Lumix LX-1 (or the new model, LX-2). The lens is a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2/8-f/4.9, the exact same lens as the Leica D-Lux camera. So you're basically getting a Leica camera with the name and price of a Panasonic. The LX-1 shoots at 16:9 so it's wide angle. It also shoots at 4:3 and 3:5 dimensions. It comes in Aperture, Shutter Speed, Personal and Manual mode and also allows you to adjust exposure. You can shoot in colour, sepia or B&W. It's Macro focusing is really good; I take beautiful close-up shots all the time. With 8.4 megapixels and the ability to shoot in RAW format, you'd need a large SD card. The downside of this camera is that if you shoot is ISO 200 and above you get really really noisy shots. You can't extend the flash either, so indoor shots aren't very nice (but outdoor shots are beautiful) The Lumix LX-1 retails for S$650 at Mustafa (I bought it for S$999 at an IT fair!) The LX-2 is a 12megapixel camera with apparently much better noise reduction. I don't know how much it costs.

Answer 3

Here we go again... first let me try again to educate the newbies. There are 3 classes of digital cameras, the consumer class with it's fixed lens viewfinder type (and the ones that don't have that little window to look through as a view finder, suck out doors in bright sun light due you can't see crap on that screen on the back) that sell for around $350 on down. Then there is the prosumer class SLR and DSLR class that sell from $1000 down. Last, of course, are the over $1000 pro class. The difference between the SLR and DSLR cameras is the fact that a true SLR uses a mirror the same as it's focal plane film counter part, where as, some now have a little TV type device built in to act as a viewfinder. The jury is still kinda out on that one, but my experience is they have one heck of a time lag over my Pentax SLR. I went prosumer Pentax as I also have a Miranda 35 with a Pentax mount and most all my "stuff" can be used on both cameras. Now, I can (and have) taken pictures with a cigar box with a hole in it. It is not the camera that makes a photographer, it is still an art. The "best" camera in the world can take snap shots, yet a photographer can create master pieces with a Kodak paper throw-away.

Answer 4

The best kind of camera for you to buy is 1) affordable and 2) capable of growing with you as you skills improve. Generally, it can be hard to reconcile these two things, as the more flexible a camera is, the more expensive it gets.

A digital single lens reflex camera or dSLR would be examples of #2, but only a few are affordable, like the Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, Pentax K100D, or Canon Rebel XTi.

If you decide you want to get a digital SLR and your budget is limited, look at the Pentax K100D--a good basic SLR that can grow with you, it has built in image stabilization, and the prices are competitive with high-end point and shoot digital cameras, about $445 with lens from reliable vendors. See link below.

Answer 5

Because of major advancements in photography, especially in camera equipment, most professionals only rent their basic camera equipment for a particular assignment. They never own since there is no way to return or exchange old camera equipment for new. I would highly recommend that you take the same approach and as a starter, check out local professional camera stores for a list of rental cameras and amaze your friends when you show up with a Nikon D40 for a day's shooting and it only cost you $35.

Good luck!

Answer 6

the best kind of camera you would wanna get would be SLRs or DSLRs. they include high aperture settings, and are very good if you wanna be a very professional photographer. the macro feature is what you gotta have, but megapixels doesn't matter. 7.2 or 8 or 10, is okay. you also gotta think of the night shots. night shots always have these noise or the blue and red dots scattering and moving around the picture. the less noise the camera may make, the better quality you pictures may result in the dark.

Answer 7

Terisu is pretty accurate.

I like Nikon because I can use the same lenses on a conventional SLR and a digital SLR. I use the same lenses on a 25-year old Nikon FE, 10 year old 6006 & nearly new D70 digital.

Nikon & Canon are head-to-head in the Digital SLR market. But it's changing so fast, that any advantage will disappear in a few months.

Answer 8

if you want to get into serious photography you should get either a canon xt or xti. if you just want a camera to play around with and not go balistic with accessories you might go for a canon powershot.