Camera recommendations?

[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.

[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.

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.

[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!

[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.