I want to take great family, portrait and landscape pics, meaning as close to reality as possible. SLR's are very expensive but if I can't find a compact camera that takes really good pics (pics as close to reality as possible) I might buy an SLR. I want a camera that I can use for many years and still get awesome pics.
Which would be better: to spend the money in a cheap SLR or buy an expensive compact. If so, which compact or cheaper SLR? I agree with 3 out of 4 answers above me and will add my opinion. While the Canon S3-IS is indeed an awesome camera in its own right, it does not rival an SLR in image quality because an SLR sensor is almost 20 times bigger.
Morey has suggest the Fuji F31-fd which I admit that I am really impressed with when I read the tests. I have personal experience with the Canon Powershot A630 and A640 and I can tell you that they are also capable of producing excellent images.
I own a few Nikon DSLR's and I'd buy the Canon Powershot A630 or A640 for myself. These cameras have the larger sensor (1/1.8" or 5.2 mm x 7.2 mm) that is nearly double the sensor size you find in many point and shoot cameras and this translates into better image quality. They allow fully automatic use or total user control and offer several stages in between. The only significant difference between these cameras is that the A630 is 8 MP and the A640 is 10 MP.
If you're going to spend up to $200, look at a Canon Powershot A630. My brother has had his A630 for over a year and it's a very nice camera. You can get it at B&H Photo (available through Yahoo! Shopping) for $184.
If you can go to $300, look at the 10 MP Canon Powershot A640. This is an excellent camera. It sells for $260 and you can add a very nice memory card for under $40. The images from the A640 compare VERY favorably with the images from a Canon G7, which costs about twice as much.
For either camera, buy a 1 or 2 GB Sandisk Ultra II or Extreme III card. You will NEED the increased capacity and write speed to fully realize the benefits of your camera. The Ultra II would be excellent, but if you are really into video, you might prefer the faster Extreme III. These cards cost from about $25-45 at B&H and several other outlets.
A630: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_revi...
Also: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ca... (Read owner opinions)
A640: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_revi...
Also: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona64...
CHECK THESE OUT IN SEPARATE BROWSER WINDOWS SO YOU CAN TOGGLE BACK AND FORTH
http://dpreview-img.fotki.com/gallery/fu...
http://dpreview-img.fotki.com/gallery/ca...
Click on each picture with your mouse to view it full size. It will be much larger than your monitor.
Look at the eyelashes and peach fuzz on each baby's face. Look at the detail in the most sharply focused areas of teh sweaters. If you can fault either one of these cameras on image quality, you've got a better eye than I.
You can see all the samples at:
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/fujif31f...
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/canon_a6...
B&H Photo has the Fuji F31fd for $239.95 plus a $30 rebate. They have the Canon A640 for $256.95. The Canon is 10 MP (and the sensor can easily handle this amount) and the Fuji only has 6 MP. Still, you have seen how comparable the images are, so don't worry about that difference too much. The Canon will zoom out a bit more than the Fuji. The Fuji has a better reputation for low light photography. Although the dpreview chart does not state this accurately, both cameras have comparable metering functions, including spot metering, which elevates them both.
Okay, having said all THAT - any SLR that you would consider would cost about $500 and more. The D40 is $525.
From your question, I think you need to decide between the Fuji F31fd or the Canon A640. If you want to put Canon on equal price footing with the Fuji, look at the A630, which is identical to the A640 except it has 8 MP and costs only $184 at B&H. I'm not an expert, but I know there are many things that you can do with an SLR that you can't with a compact.
You can totally customize filters/lenses/flashes etc with an SLR, also I think taking super-close ups, and panoramas are much better on SLR. No.
DSLR's have much larger sensors (not necessarily pixel wise but physically larger).
There are no compact digitals that can cover landscapes like using a 12mm or 18mm wide angle lens on a DSLR.
And there is a lot of shutter lag in compact cameras which makes shooting spontaneous images almost impossible Try the canon photo shoot s3is. The camera is awesome. I have it and it takes great shots. 6MP 12x optical zoom (thats the important zoom) plus additional lens. 2X and 3X magnification. Got a whole setup for 450.00 dollars and I'm real happy Yes. a few of the better compact digicams will take photos that have nearly the image quality as a DSLR.
I've looked closely at comparisons between cameras like the Fuji F31 or F40 with comparative DSLRs and they come incredibly close.
You want proof? Here's a professional comparison between the F31 and an entry level DSLR, the Nikon D50. And- this is at ISO800, where DSLRs usually outshine any compacts:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm...
However- there's a lot more to photography than image quality. DSLRs, although larger, heavier and a lot more expensive, will be quicker to autofocus, have more features and controls, give you a smaller depth of field (nicely blurring the background if you want), choice of lens range (but this gets very pricey very quickly), better continuous modes (rapid fire), etc. There are many reasons to consider a DSLR, but sheer image quality isn't necessarily on the top of this list.
fotoace above is right- but your request was for family, portrait and landscape pics- which don't require the 'responsiveness' of a DSLR. Wide angle is another story. There are only a few cameras that will get as wide as a 28mm DSLR (Panasonic FX series comes to mind). And it's hard to go wider. get yourself an SLR and don't waste your money on expensive point and shoots.. I personally chose the REBEL XTi over the Sony H-9 and it's the best decision I ever made... nothing compares to a REBEL XTi. if you want Quality Pictures, Canon is the one to pick. between my Nikon and my Canon... I prefer to use my Canon just about everyday... buy this
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1... |
