Camera recommendations?

[GLC1968]

I'm getting a new camera for my birthday. I get to pick it out next week! :D

I have NO idea what I want. Well, actually I do, but I don't think just one camera can do it all!

I'd like a new SLR digital body that would work with my old Nikon lenses...BUT, I'd also like a POS that I could take when I travel, on the bike, to events, etc. I have an older Cannon Power Shot that's having some issues (after 5 years of heavy use)...and it's my second Cannon to fail on me, so I won't be buying another one of those. I want what I get to be fully automatic, but also the ability to set it up manually. I'd like it to be fast enough to shoot action but also have good macro ability. Zoom lens woud be nice, too. Is that too much to ask? Or should I really go with the Nikon digital body and use my existing lens and skip the point-and-shoot?

What do you have, do you love it, and why?

(and I swear there was an exhaustive camera recommendation thread here from a few years ago and for the life of me, I can't find it. :confused: Of course, the recommendations would be a bit dated, I guess...)

[Zen]

I have a D40 but for p&s I'm getting this-
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4223

Compatibility of lenses depends on your old lenses. Were they for a digital camera? Were they for an autofocus camera?
You might have to research that.
A nikon mount is a nikon mount but they may or may not autofocus or meter.

[OakLeaf]

If you do decide on two cameras, the NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/technology/personaltech/04pogue.html?em)just did their "best under $300."

For on the bike, I've got a Fuji Z33WP. Not the greatest thing in the world, particularly in low light, but waterproof for right around $150, and much more compact than the other waterproof P&S cameras that were available last year. That means I don't have to carry it in something sweatproof and difficult to access. It's fine for landscapes, group shots, and most everything I'd want to shoot from/near the bike.

[GLC1968]

My lenses are all non-digital and none of them are auto-focus - 100% manual.

I'm looking at the D3000 - I cannot get over how much more affordable these cameras are then when I first started looking about 3 years ago! Prices have really come down quite a bit.

I'm wary of Canon even though they get top ratings on most review sites. I like the features they offer, but I've had two quit on me, so I don't trust their long term quality.

The Olympus E-520 also looks like a contender - but I'll need to see all of these in real time. I think that I'm leaning towards an SLR. Though, I did put a few point and shoots with manual abilities on my list too (one of which is a Canon! :rolleyes:).

Zen - that Panasonic (the Lumnix) keeps popping up with good review's too. Have you had one before? I read that it's good for it's video? I'm not sure if I care about video or not. Oy...there are a lot of options. :confused:

Thanks for the NYT link - Oakleaf - adds to my confusion even futher! :p

[lunacycles]

I have a Nikon D40 too, and I love love love it. Love It. No better quality for this level of digital SLR camera. Mine's about a year old and the battery lasts a ridiculously long time between charges. Meets all my needs.
However, it is not a P&S. I have an ancient Canon Elph for my work photography, and it just keeps on going and going like the Energizer Bunny, though the battery is definitely failing after a kazillion recharges. I think 5 years of heavy use is pretty good these days...Mine is about 6 years old, and just now losing steam.

[wnyrider]

I'm getting a new camera for my birthday. I get to pick it out next week! :D

I'd like a new SLR digital body that would work with my old Nikon lenses...

I want what I get to be fully automatic, but also the ability to set it up manually. I'd like it to be fast enough to shoot action but also have good macro ability. Zoom lens woud be nice, too. Is that too much to ask? Or should I really go with the Nikon digital body and use my existing lens and skip the point-and-shoot?

What do you have, do you love it, and why?
[/I]

Here is an idea-- Like you I have had an old Nikon SLR that I had bought extra lenses for. This past year I impulsively treated myself to a new Pentax DSLR, the K20. I love its weather resistance and rugged nature. I found info on a photo forum that mentioned this adapter that allows Pentax users to use their old Nikon mount lenses. I found the adapter on ebay. It was a seller overseas, maybe Hong Kong. I was really skeptical, but it really is rather neat and has worked out fine. The downside is that the camera's auto focusing won't work through the older lenses so you have to manually focus. But, I was used to that anyways. I will eventually buy a Pentax dedicated zoom (there is a 50-500mm I drool over!), but in the meantime I am able to enjoy the convenience of a DSLR with the adaptability of my old cherished lenses.

[Zen]

You could probably buy any adapter from the well known sellers like B&H Photo, Adorama, Broadway Photo,etc.

I wouldn't trust a Hong Kong address plus you have to pay so much for shipping.

[malaholic]

...but I don't think just one camera can do it all!

I'd have to agree with you on that! But, prices on both P&S's as well as DSLR bodies have dropped quite a bit recently, so maybe it's not so much a question of which one to get, but rather which one to get first. :)


I'd like a new SLR digital body that would work with my old Nikon lenses...BUT, I'd also like a POS that I could take when I travel, on the bike, to events, etc.

K, a couple of questions out of this....assuming that a P&S meets your needs for the functions you mention above, when/for what would you use the DSLR? If you got a P&S only, how often would you be taking a shot where you were wishing for the better image quality/lens flexibility/manual control of a DSLR? And conversely, if you got a DSLR, how often would you miss event/travel photos (or have to settle for low quality cellphone snaps) because the body & lens setup was too inconvenient to carry?

If you're thinking of eventually having both a P&S and a DSLR, I'd suggest getting both in the same brand (I'd also narrow down brand choices to Nikon & Canon if looking at DSLRs). It just makes things much more convenient because menus & settings will be similar between the cameras so you don't have to learn two different control systems. I've had 3 Canon P&S's and 3 Canon DSLRs and it's been easy to switch between them since they all navigate much the same way. Being able to make the adjustments I want to make quickly without futzing through trying to figure out where the setting is on this camera because I'm used to it being somewhere else in another camera can make the difference between getting the shot and being too late.

Anyway, since you have a birthday coming up - Happy Birthday!!! :)

[zoom-zoom]

If you're thinking of eventually having both a P&S and a DSLR, I'd suggest getting both in the same brand (I'd also narrow down brand choices to Nikon & Canon if looking at DSLRs). It just makes things much more convenient because menus & settings will be similar between the cameras so you don't have to learn two different control systems. I've had 3 Canon P&S's and 3 Canon DSLRs and it's been easy to switch between them since they all navigate much the same way. Being able to make the adjustments I want to make quickly without futzing through trying to figure out where the setting is on this camera because I'm used to it being somewhere else in another camera can make the difference between getting the shot and being too late.

100% what she said.

I should also add that we had 2 problematic A-series Canons, but I LOVE my 20D SLR (I also had a 10D when I did some portraiture work for a while) and my SX110 IS. That "little" camera is the most amazing thing ever. I love the image quality and all of the manual settings.

As far as point-n-shoots go, I think 5 years of solid use is VERY good. Unfortunately most PnS cameras are just not designed for longevity. Even digital SLRs don't seem as rugged as their 35mm film counterparts in many cases...but the technology has improved so rapidly that 5 years for an SLR model yields a ton of changes.

[Zen]

Wait...did you mean P&S or POS?

[OakLeaf]

I took it she meant both. :p

[Tuckervill]

Consumer Reports had the Nikon D90 as their best buy last year. Based on features, what you get with hit and price. I didn't get one and it seems it is not on top of the retailer's stock list anymore. Maybe it has been upgraded or something. I did a lot of research last year, and now I've waited so long I probably will have to start over when I go to buy mine.

Karen

[zoom-zoom]

I took it she meant both. :p

Heh, pretty much!

Karen, that is funny about doing all the research and then having to start over. 2 days after I ordered my Canon point-n-shoot they replaced it with a newer model. I hadn't even received my camera and it was discontinued. But I got a good deal on it and don't miss that single megapixel. :D

[Cataboo]

I would agree that you really can't have one camera do it all...

I had a bunch of old film pentax lenses and bought a pentax k20d because pentax made their dslrs compatible with every pentax lens ever made - yes, you don't always get autofocus. I haven't regretted going with pentax.

I do a lot of kayaking, so required a waterproof digital camera (I don't risk my dslr to salt water lightly - it rides in my deck in a pelican case, but it only comes out when conditions are calm and only briefly) ... I did get the pentax optio w60, because at the point that I bought, it was the best waterproof digital camera available (from what was important to me). I use that for biking, kayaking, and just quick things to have a camera thrown in my purse.

[Aggie_Ama]

My P&S is a Kodak Easyshare because my mom wanted me to have a purple case and image stability for my shaky hands. Too bad I didn't tell her waterproof! So I love the photo quality and the price in case I break it but it is lacking features.

[GLC1968]

Thanks so much for all your well thought out responses! I really, really appreciate it. You guys have given me many things to think about.

It looks like we will be shopping locally on Tuesday (birthday shopping, birthday lunch and then Avatar in IMAX 3D...all the day BEFORE my birthday!), so I have a few days to do some more research.

I had no idea that there were adapters for the lenses, so that is a huge plus. It opens up a whole world of possibilities for me! I really need to think about when my camera will get the most use to help me determine which type to get first (I agree that I'll eventually have to have both!). Most of my photo ops are occurring around our farm or on the bike. Since most of my biking is pretty casual, I could easily get away with carrying a DSLR with a 50mm lens in a handlebar bag and be covered. And of course, around home, size doesn't matter at all. I never go on vacation or travel (or rarely, anyway), so that's not really something I should worry about right now. Water resistance is probably somewhat of a concern, but I can work around it.

And yeah, I think POS was a slip of the keys! ;) But perhaps an appropriate one! ;)

[roguedog]

I kinda fell in love with the Olympus EP-1 cuz of it's old school looks but if I were to spend the cash, I'd probably go for the Panasonic GF-1 or GF-2.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicGF1/

I just love the old school looks with all the modern tech.

[Zen]

I would never carry my good camera attached to the bike but I would carry it attached to me.
The bike gets too much vibration.

[HelenOster]

You could probably buy any adapter from the well known sellers like B&H Photo, Adorama, Broadway Photo,etc.



Thanks for the recommendation for Adorama Camera (& even B&H!), but please, always check the feedback at www.reselleratings.com when dealing with ANY other seller that is unknown to you!!!

[Zen]

So where's my gift certificate? :D

[zoom-zoom]

Thanks for the recommendation for Adorama Camera (& even B&H!), but please, always check the feedback at www.reselleratings.com when dealing with ANY other seller that is unknown to you!!!

Definitely! There is a LOT of bait-and-switch in that industry (if the price sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is)! Adorama, B&H, Calumet, and Etronics were always reputable when I was purchasing a lot of photo gear.

[Selkie]

So where's my gift certificate? :D

In the mail? But it might be until APRIL before the mailman can make it to your mailbox! ;)

[Zen]

Tell me about it. I'm still waiting on tax paperwork :(

[Tony]

I hope I am not too late here!

In terms of a point and shoot or something cheap you can kinda throw around, there are plenty of choices. What is great is that nowadays most point and shoots can take great pictures, and it is really up to your skill rather then how much money your camera is. Two consistently solid lines are the

Canon Powershot: http://www.cameta.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD1200-IS-Digital-Elph-Camera-Orange-40902.cfm

Nikon Coolpix: http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-Coolpix-S570-Digital-Camera-Black-43249.cfm

Both are feature laden, sturdy and come in various priced varieties from $100 to $300

[GLC1968]

So we visited a bunch of camera shops and talked to a bunch of people. I came to the conclusion that I really just don't have the time or energy to devote to getting back into photography. I like to dable in it, but there is absolutely no point in my investing lots of money into something that will never truly be more than an 'accessory' to the rest of my life.

With that in mind, I opted for a 'super zoom' camera instead of a DSLR. It's a point and shoot with many manual features. The only thing it doesn't do that and SLR would is let me switch out lenses and really, I don't want to be carrying around extra lenses anyway. I opted for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35. It's amazingly light, takes great photos, takes HD video, has an 18x zoom and it has many, many manual and programmable custom settings. It was also a great deal! Now that I have a new camera, I'll have to start writing in my blog again so that I have a place to post all my gorgeous photos. :p

Thanks so much to everyone for all your help...I really appreciate it!

http://base1.googlehosted.com/base_media?q=http://digitalcontent.cnetchannel.com/de/e5/dee5c2b2-162e-4b68-a785-f866f39541e2.jpg&size=20&dhm=ec4f8877&hl=en

[Cataboo]

That looks like a great choice. I've got an earlier version of that (fz20) from several years back that still takes beautiful pictures.

[Zen]

Would that fit in a bento box?
Where did you buy it?

eta-http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz35/4505-6501_7-33765520.htmlNever mind about the fit. That lens look huge. I would still like to know where you bought it, though.

[zoom-zoom]

That is very cool! And you are right...being able to swap out lenses isn't necessarily that big a selling point. I have one favorite zoom lens on my DSLR...I could probably sell my other 2 primes and not miss them. The Lumix looks cool!

[GLC1968]

Zen - I bought it at a local Ritz/Wolff camera shop. I have 10 days to return it and 30 to exchange it, if I change my mind.

It won't fit in a bento box, but when the lens is retracted, it's pretty small. It's WAY lighter than the Sony Cybershot or the Nikon Coolpix that I compared it to. Ultimately, while I liked some of the Sony & Nikon features, I liked how this one fit in my hand the best. The controls seemed the most natural to me and honestly, I liked the look of it (kind of retro with the metal lens band and textured camera body). The Sony was super ackward, actually.

[Cataboo]

I switch lenses all the time on my dslr, my prime lenses are so much higher quality than my zooms (for comparable prices), that I tend to use the primes the most.

HOwever, you do run the risk of dust on your sensor everytime you change, I've heard people say never ever change the lens on a dslr - but I guess those are ones who've gotten some dust that they can't get rid of.

THe leica lens on my fz20k was 12x and maintained f3 or something like that across the range of the zoom, which was just awesome.

[malkin]

I would agree that you really can't have one camera do it all...

I had a bunch of old film pentax lenses and bought a pentax k20d because pentax made their dslrs compatible with every pentax lens ever made - yes, you don't always get autofocus. I haven't regretted going with pentax...


Me too, but I got a K2000, cuz it is smaller and cheaper and I don't need the weather proofishness.