Camera Recommendations?
I am looking to purchase a new digital camera and was hoping to get some recommendations! My camera is great for capturing still objects, but not for crazy kids and all of their busyness.
I would prefer one with image stabilization and that can take photos quickly, but I think I want to stick with a point-and-click camera. I love the fancier models, but just can't justify the price tag.
So with those things in mind, do you have any camera recommendations or any tips for shopping for this big purchase?
Thanks for your input!
Labels: Shopping
15Comments:
justelise
"The Canon SD line of PowerShot cameras are incomparable. They're small, affordable, and take GREAT pictures. Canon has excellent customer service, and the products are reasonably tough. They're also easy to use.
If you decide not go to with Canon, make sure to go with a camera from a company that is known for its optics. Canon, Nikon, and Olympus have awesome optics. I have heard good things about Sony cameras but they will lock you into a world of proprietary accessories.
Make sure to read digital camera reviews and if your friends have cameras try them out before you make any decisions."
TwoMuths
"I agree with the previous poster. I like my Canon PowerShot, but I have an older model (the A530, 5.0 megapixels) One problem is that although you can capture multiple frames quickly, the flash tends to lag, so outdoor action shots turn out great but if you need the extra light of the flash, it takes much longer. I do love Canon cameras in general, and they are my #1 recommendation to anyone!"
"Another vote for the Canon SD line of cameras. I am on my second, because my husband wanted to use one for his business...so now we have two. I find them easy to use and teh pictures are GREAT. In fact, I'm a graphic designer and have used my Powershot (I believe they are also called Digital ELPH) for product photography and it turned out great. I have also dropped a Canon Powershot at least once and it was fine. Stay away from SONY and other companies that are mainly electronics companies...and go with the companies that have been in optics....like CANON!! I believe I have an SD500 and SD750. Love both."
Kacie
"I have a Canon Powershot A520 that I'm going to sell on eBay soon (I'm upgrading to a digital SLR--woo hoo!).
This camera makes decent pictures, but it's not as fast as I would like. If I see a great moment (such as an expression or movement) I want to caputure, often the shutter responds too late.
My camera has a faster shutter setting (looks like a running man) and it's good for freezing action without it blurring.
Still, for less than $100 on eBay, it's not a bad deal."
"Another vote for the Canon PowerShot camera.....dh and I have one and really like it.....so much that we got dd1 one for Christmas. Ellie"
Tammy
"I
just purchased this model:
Canon PowerShot A560. It is on sale; if you still need time buy.com has the same model for $133.
I chose this camera for several reasons: 1) I have a PowerShot and I love it. (I dropped it last Christmas and it takes terrible shots now, but that was my fault.) 2) It is rated by Consumer Reports as the best buy. In their reviews, a camera for $470 came in one better, and the next one after this model is one for $470 as well. So you are getting a lot for your money!
I will say, that if you are trying to take a bunch of pictures quickly
with flash it isn't very fast. But for outside pictures...works perfectly!"
"yet ANOTHER vote for canon. we have a powershot SD600. I love it and take about 100 photos a week with it. The rechargeable battery (easier on the wallet, batteries are pricey!) lasts weeks in between charges."
Casey
"Another vote for Canon. I have the Rebel txi and *love* it. The PowerShots are very nice also. I played around with them quite a bit before buying."
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate
"Ok, this isn't a specific recommendation per se-just something to consider when you buy. The thing I really dislike about my current camera is that it can't zoom in enough for me to take pictures of Princess at any of the school assemblies. From the bleachers where we have to sit when I try to take a picture of her accepting any awards etc I just can't zoom in enough. . . I'm sure I'll eventually have the same problem at sports events etc.
So my advice is to make sure that you can zoom in enough to see your kiddos clearly across a classroom, auditorium, or from the sidelines of a sporting event."
"I don't usually leave comments on blogs, but I just researched this very thing--spent months looking. I am a Canon girl. I ended up going with a DSLR because my kids play lots of sports. The point-and-shoot models I liked where the g9, s5 IS, and the sx100. The g9 is fantastic if you want something top of the line with lots of features. The sx100 is the cheapest of the 3, but still looked like a great camera.
Good luck, and dpreview.com is a great one to compare models."
Melinda
"Well, right now, I have a Kodak Easy Share, that I love. But apparently I'm going to be looking at the Canon SD line when I want to replace mine. LOL
Hugs,
Melinda"
"Take a look at this one. It has a lot of different photo shooting options. I just recently got one and love it!
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=11141&pq-locale=en_US&colorKey=plum"
Erin
"Get a camera that has multiple shot capabilities, and when you take photos of kids, you always set it to multishot, and you are bound to get at least one good one. I have a fugifilm s5000 and it works great. Fugifilm is generally less expensive, and they are great cameras."
Amy
"Wow, you guys are great! I am going to look at all of these options, but I think I am leaning toward the PowerShot especially since reading all of your great feedback on them!
Thanks so much- this really helps!"
Sophia
"I know I'm a bit late answering this, but I thought my 2 cents may be helpful to give another point of view.
My first suggestion for people would generally be the Canon Powershots since they're so popular amongst the general public.
That being said, I still prefer my Sony W1 (fairly old at this point, but takes awesome pictures and gives you plenty of versatility.) I know it locks me into the Sony Memorystick, but with any camera, you almost need to buy whatever memory goes with the camera you choose. That may be interchangable with something you already own, but it also may not. Olympus does the same thing with their xD memory. The memory I use will be useful for the lifetime of my camera, and I'm sure something bigger and better will be available next time I'm upgrading.
That also being said, I agree with a previous poster in that getting a camera with high zoom (i.e. greater than 3x, not counting digital zoom) is important, especially if you want it for your kids. Image stabilization-capable cameras will generally have higher zoom, though (the higher the zoom, the more the shakiness will become apparent in your shots). In terms of what's done well, my friend has an awesome Panasonic DMC-F series camera that I can easily recommend. Canon has their own: S 1 IS. The A720 also has the image stabilization, but not the zoom. Every major brand has theirs (Nikon, Sony, Olympus), but I know less about these. The flash in all of these models is also much better in terms of lag than most of the pocket-sized point-and-shoot. One thing to note, though. With all this extra zoom and image stabilization technology, these cameras are bigger than the little pocket-sized ones. I think of them as mini-SLRs in terms of size.
Hope this helps!"
If you decide not go to with Canon, make sure to go with a camera from a company that is known for its optics. Canon, Nikon, and Olympus have awesome optics. I have heard good things about Sony cameras but they will lock you into a world of proprietary accessories.
Make sure to read digital camera reviews and if your friends have cameras try them out before you make any decisions."