Camera Suggestions

[BAC]

An important question I forgot to ask earlier:  What size are you planning on printing your photos?  Big determining factor on the type of camera you should be looking at.

I will give some recommendations after you answer that important question.

Incidentally, I've worked in the photographic industry since about 1989, starting in retail and ending up as a manufacturer's rep.  I can give you suggestions as to what to buy, but you need to go out and check out what works best for you.  Try the functions, see if the menu makes sense to you.  Go to a local camera store that has a good reputation with a list of cameras to see.  Ask them lots of questions and when you've decided - buy the camera from them!  This is no different than buying a gun.  Those guys (the good ones) work really hard and know their stuff.  I think everyone here can dig that.  

P.S.  Buy it sooner than later, read the manual and MAKE SURE IT WORKS before you go.  I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with that bought their cameras at the last minute and found out they didn't work while on vacation.

[alfsauve]

On the other hand.   For a high end PnS, that Nikon L120 has some chops.   Granted the lens may have some short comings, but a 21x zoom in an inexpensive package!   

If you go with the more expensive DSLR, this might be a great 2nd or backup camera.

Thanks, Scott for the suggestion.

Here's a better link to it.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7265654&srkey=N13-4840

[mkm]

First off, thanks everybody for the info so far.

I'm kind of liking the more compact versions but am still very open to what y'all think would be best.  I'm virtually clueless.

BAC, most of my pictures will probably never leave my computer, but, in the rare occasion that I decide to print one, it would likely be no larger than 8x10.

Unfortunately, there aren't many camera dealers around here, but I plan to try to find one to check out before I buy it.

P.S.  Buy it sooner than later, read the manual and MAKE SURE IT WORKS before you go.  I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with that bought their cameras at the last minute and found out they didn't work while on vacation.

That's kind of what I got to thinking.  I originally planned to buy one over there and hope the exchange rate worked in my favor, but started to chicken out on that idea.

[BAC]

That's kind of what I got to thinking.  I originally planned to buy one over there and hope the exchange rate worked in my favor, but started to chicken out on that idea.

Really bad idea.  Most companies won't honor the warranty for products for products purchased overseas.  Plus, your charger (in most cases) won't work in the U.S. without having to purchase a converter or a new charger.

[mkm]

Really bad idea.  Most companies won't honor the warranty for products for products purchased overseas.  Plus, your charger (in most cases) won't work in the U.S. without having to purchase a converter or a new charger.

Yeah, I know.  That's one of the reasons I started to doubt the plan. That and the possibility it wouldn't be any cheaper.  Plus, I wouldn't get any practice ahead of time.

[Sponsor]

[BAC]

The guys suggesting superzoom cameras are really onto something.  I would like to suggest you check out the Nikon P500.  It has a 36x zoom, full manual controls, tilt-swivel high resolution screen, and dual processing for really fast opeeration.  It looks like it uses the same backlit CMOS sensor as my S8100, which does really well in low light (all my NRA show pictures were shot with an S8100).

The lens is 22.5-810mm (35mm eq.), which is great, since it gives you really good wide angle along with great telephoto (wide angle is hard, telephoto is easy).

The MSRP is $399.95, comfortably in your price range and leaves you money for extra batteries (a must) and a lot of high speed, high quality SanDisk memory cards (don't leave home without them).

I'll try to do some more research and get back to you with more options after getting the daughter off to school.

[BAC]

The Canon S30IX is another good option for a super zoom camera.  Higher megapixel count means it's probably not as good in low light as the Nikon (more is not always better).  A little more telephoto but less wide angle.  MSRP is $429.99.

Another choice would be to go to a compact camera that has a larger sensor and higher image quality.  You lose the zoom, but gain in control and image quality (especially in low light).  They run in the $500 range, and all of them are really great performers.  Nikon has the P7000, Canon's G12 and S95, Panasonic LX5 and Olympus X-Z1 should all be on your list if you''re looking for the ultimate quality in a compact package.  They tend to be smaller than the superzooms.

Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony also sell compact cameras that have DSLR sensors and interchangeable lenses.  The Olympus E-PL2, Panasonic GF2, and Sony NEX-5 are recommended and all withing your price range.  They take excellent photos but have a steeper learning curve (especially the Sony) if you want to take them off auto.  Also, if you want more zoom you have to buy additional lenses.  They also tend to be less conspicuous than an SLR, but they give you the same image quality.  Downside - they don't focus as fast as an SLR and there aren't as many lenses available for them yet.

On to SLRs.  Canon, Nikon, and Sony have a lot to offer there.  You really need to get to  a camera shop for that one.  They all operate so differently, but they all are capable of great results.  Also keep in mind when traveling in a foreign country, big cameras make big targets for thieves.

[Badgersmilk]

Whatever camera you choose,



Yeah, it's only 8GB, but so what.  The second you get within range of a wifi hot spot, or if your phone is wifi capable, the card automaticly uploads your pics to your favorite site!  You can send them so a secure site, facebook, whatever.

COOL!  

[BAC]

Whatever camera you choose,



Yeah, it's only 8GB, but so what.  The second you get within range of a wifi hot spot, or if your phone is wifi capable, the card automaticly uploads your pics to your favorite site!  You can send them so a secure site, facebook, whatever.

COOL!  

Eye-fi cards are great...when they work.   

[Badgersmilk]

With all the hotspots (around here anyway), I don't think we've ever gotten more than about 1.5GG on a card before getting back in range of something.  Plus my wifes new phone is wifi, so it's all good now. 

You can plug a USB hard drive into your home network and the card will have your pics home before you get there.  CVS has a site it can link to as well.  They'll have the prints ready when you get there.

I've been playing with a Kodak ZX5 lately, filming a good bit of underwater video.  Filming video at 1080P will EAT UP some memory card space in a hurry!!!  8GB don't get you far.  And the card has to be a kingston class 10 or its to slow and things get all choppy.