I am looking for a semi-professional level point and shoot and an SLR camera. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. For my point & shoot I want a high megapixel and a slim design to fit in my pocket or purse on the go. I am wanting a somewhat lightweight SLR. What are your suggestions? I will let the others talk about SLR's, but I see nobody has really answered the P&S question. I mean, I own and love various Nikon dSLR's and think you should, too, but I understand what you mean by a P&S with "semi-professional" results.
After answering questions here for about 8 months, I finally decided to get a Canon Powershot SD900. I was going to go for the SD700-IS, but they were out of stock everywhere and it gave me time to re-think my purchase. This is going to be a pocket camera to use when I don't want to carry one of my SLR's with me, but I still want really great image quality from the camera. Anyhow, after months and months of reading reviews, the SD900 was my top choice. I found a review in Popular Photography the day after I ordered my Canon that suggests that maybe the Pentax Optio A20 would have been a better choice, but, I don't believe it. The Pentax does have shake reduction, but I doubt this will be necessary in a camera that only zooms to an equivalent of 114 mm and I just can not believe that 10 MP on a smaller 1/2.5" sensor (Pentax) will be better than 10 MP on a 1/1.8" sensor (Canon) that is nearly twice as large.
Anyhow, go here to see the comparison article on 5 compact camera and see what you think. If you really don't want to read reviews, I am still happy that I am got the Canon SD900 and this would be my recommendation for anyone at this point, since it is what I chose for myself. I ordered from B&H Photo where the price is $343 (today) for the SD900. They have been playing with the price point for this camera since Christmas and that's why I say "today." Every time I check back, it's got a different price.
I also bought a 5-year Mack warranty for $50. If you are even a little paranoid or clutzy, I feel that it is money well-spent. These are somewhat delicate compared to SLR's.
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3471/hig... Click on the name of each camera to read a detailed review. Canon and Nikon can supply cameras for both of your needs. The lightweight SLR's are the Canon Rebels and Nikon D40. The slim P/S cameras can be found on dpreview linked below.
I recommend Canon and Nikon because they have been making cameras for over fifty years and have all the expertise in that field.
Many of the other digital camera manufacturers have provided electronics for almost as many years, but have only recently started making cameras. There are some other camera manufacturers out there, but they have really never been considered by the pros for a lot of good reasons.
Having said that, Leica teamed up with Panasonic to make a nice series of P/S cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 being one you might like to check out. check out the P series of prosumer cameras at Kodak.com
My P850 with attachments is the best. There are no Semi professional Digital P&S cameras, just marketing to make you think there are, the same marketing that make you think that having a high megapixel count, when the sensors on most digital compacts are so small the sensors excede the resolution that any lens could possibly put on it. Expect the 3MP Canon EOS D30 to kick any 10MP compacts *** when it comes to image quality. (I'm sorry so *** is a swear word is it *Rolls eyes*)
Most Low end DSLRs will do, I would suggest a Nikon D80, Canon 400D, or maybe a Sony Alpha 100, but you could probably save some money and go for a D70 a 350D or a Dynax 7D. As for compacts if you want professional looking results its best to use a high end film compact. DSLR- I would recommend a nikon. something like a nikon d70 or something similar. i love my nikon.
if you're looking for a point and shoot i would recommend a canon. most canons are great, just look for one that has manual functions because you will be sorry if you don't. I concur with fhotoace. The Nikon D40 is a great lightweight DSLR. The Canon Rebel XTi is a great starter for Canon. I personally own Nikon, but either brand will produce comparable image quality (contrary to what you may hear)
This website is a huge resource for camera & lens comparisons.
http://www.kenrockwell.com |
