Yet another "Help me pick a camera" thread

[Titanium Johnson]

Hey there -

I figure this is a great place to tap some vast amounts of knowledge on a subject I know next to little about. My wife and myself are looking at picking up our second digital camera, as ours is starting to show its age (have a Sony DSC-S70). Overall, been quite happy with it, but as of late the picture quality its producing has been lacking...probably due to age and use.

We'd like some recommendations from everyone. We typically do a lot of photography ranging from scenic shots to shots around the house to sports-action shots of our kids playing soccer. We've used the camera for our XMas cards, and for making home photo albums. Pretty much spans the gambit of use.

For a price range, about $1k would be our upper limit, but even that is semi-soft. Less is better, but we want something that will both last and take great pictures. Dont' mind changing media type from the memory sticks, so don't worry about that.

Anyhow, thanks in advance.

TJ.

 

[Da Fan Man]

Depends on what other features are important to you, and if it's something you want to buy now and be done with or something you don't mind investing money into as time goes on.

The Canon Digital Rebel kit can be had for a little under $1000, true SLR and comes with a starter lense, however I'm sure in the future you would want additional lenses for it. The new sony 828 is another great looking camera which can be had for under $900.

I just upgraded from an older 2mp camera and went with the Minolta DiMAGE A1. My budget was tighter than yours ($800 which had to include memory). You may look at the new A2 that just came out, both have Anti-Shake image stabilization and a 7x Optical zoom. The A1 is a 5mp camera and the A2 is a 8mp

Minolta, Canon, and Sony are my top picks right now, Nikon and Fuji also make some great cameras. Check out reviews of cameras at www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com and that may help narrow things down by finding features you really want or things you would prefer to avoid in a camera (Large vs Small size, etc).

Good luck with whatever you choose, Can't wait my new A1 comes tomorrow!

-Matt

 

[agentzero9]

Kids? Sports? Action shots?

Don't settle for a prosumer. Get the real thing.

Digital Rebel

 

[Mr. Baz]

If you want a DR buy my equipment.

You can score a shitload of stuff. I take EXCELLENT care of my stuff and have barely used it.

Camera, kit lens, 256MB CF card, camera bag, tripod (with carrying bag) all for $900

I'm also offering the Sigma 70-300 APO II lens (used like twice) for $190

Please? I love you?

 

[Da Fan Man]

Pretty good deal there. If I hadn't just bought my A1 and had a little more cash I might have jumped on that myself, the DR (Digital Rebel) is a great camera that's for sure!

-Matt

 

[Emberghost]

If you would like a DSLR I also put in my vote for the Digital Rebel.

Others worth looking at....

Minolta A2
Sony f828
Nikon 8700
Olympus E-1
Pentax ist D

 

[Titanium Johnson]

Originally posted by Mr. Baz
If you want a DR buy my equipment.

You can score a shitload of stuff. I take EXCELLENT care of my stuff and have barely used it.

Camera, kit lens, 256MB CF card, camera bag, tripod (with carrying bag) all for $900

I'm also offering the Sigma 70-300 APO II lens (used like twice) for $190

Please? I love you?

Hrmm...will consider it. Two things in the way now tho'. First, currently unemployed, so any upgrade has to wait a week or two till I land a new job (pair of interviews later this week/early next week, so not a real issue). But second ... not entirely sure how comfortable I am buying $1k worth of electronics second hand...basically "as is". Will have to do a bit of soul searching on that one, but will let you know if I want to take the dive.

Thanks for all the feedback.

TJ.

 

[Mr. Baz]

Originally posted by Titanium Johnson
Hrmm...will consider it. Two things in the way now tho'. First, currently unemployed, so any upgrade has to wait a week or two till I land a new job (pair of interviews later this week/early next week, so not a real issue). But second ... not entirely sure how comfortable I am buying $1k worth of electronics second hand...basically "as is". Will have to do a bit of soul searching on that one, but will let you know if I want to take the dive.

Thanks for all the feedback.

TJ.

Well, I guess it depends on how much buy/selling you've done over the internet before. I'm rather comfortable with it by now.
Also, I still have all the original paperwork and boxes even for the camera, sigma lens, and tripod. It'd be like you just bought it from the store.

That's cool though. I understand your point. I used to be the same way.
Best of luck.

 

[Titanium Johnson]

Originally posted by Mr. Baz
Well, I guess it depends on how much buy/selling you've done over the internet before. I'm rather comfortable with it by now.
Also, I still have all the original paperwork and boxes even for the camera, sigma lens, and tripod. It'd be like you just bought it from the store.

That's cool though. I understand your point. I used to be the same way.
Best of luck.

Not saying its out of the question...yet. Have done pleanty of buying and selling personally and never have had a problem with it. But then again, not yet on the price scale we're talking.

I'll get back to you when I have the funds (that is, when I have an offer letter in hand) and we'll see where we sit. Hopefully not sold yet, but know its likely.

TJ.

 

[Mr. Baz]

Originally posted by Titanium Johnson
Not saying its out of the question...yet. Have done pleanty of buying and selling personally and never have had a problem with it. But then again, not yet on the price scale we're talking.

I'll get back to you when I have the funds (that is, when I have an offer letter in hand) and we'll see where we sit. Hopefully not sold yet, but know its likely.

TJ.

Understandable. Lemmie know.