We need to get a camera. I am not one who usually feels any need to take pictures of everyday life...until I don't have a camera. Lately, I've "needed" a camera every day. I want to take a picture of Che with his beautiful, thick coat of hair to send a note to our vet in Venezuela who so lovingly helped us treat his allergies for two years. I want to take a few pictures of where we live in VA. And even though I feel like a whale in this pregnant body, I would like to take a couple pictures of my growing belly so that the little one can see what his mom looked like while carrying him.
That said, I'm intimidated by the process. I loved the aforementioned Sony that was maybe a second generation digital camera (albeit our very first). We got the updated version a few years later - same camera but better specs - and I pretty much hated it. Couldn't take a good picture to save my soul. Luckily, my husband did not have the same misfortune, so it wasn't a totally wasted investment. He got some great photos with that camera, but we need one that will work for both the artist (him) and the utterly photo-talentless pointer-and-shooter (me). I can do hours and hours of research, but that only gets me more confused. I would like something that is a bit higher quality than our previous cameras but easy to use. And I want it to take video. I can't handle having both a separate video camera, and I know I'm going to want videos of the little guy's cuteness (as are family and friends who live far away, I imagine).
Any suggestions?
5 comments:
Hi, Erin! Okay, as you know there are a zillion cameras out there, so unless you know roughly what you want it will be impossible to choose.
If you want convenience and the ability to slip the camera into a pocket, get a point and shoot like the Canon Powershot SD series or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. These are going to be used far more often than a larger DSLR camera, but you have a trade-off in lens quality, speed and low-light shooting. Best bets look like the Canon SD4000 or SD1400, or the Lumix DMC-ZS7.
DSLRs like the Canon Eos, Sony alpha and Nikon D series will have better overall image quality, speed and low-light capability, but are more expensive, bulky, and require separate lenses depending on the circumstances. Best bet at this point: Canon Eos Rebel T2i. (The T3i just came out, so you should be able to get a really good deal on the T2i.)
With the advances in point and shoot, and lower prices for DSLRs, I would stay away from the "prosumer" point and shoot cameras (they look like DSLRs but have just one built-in lens). They have the same drawbacks as the small point/shoots, and the bulkiness of a DSLR.
Gwen just got me a Nikon D5000, which was reallly nice on our Euro trip, but at the same time, sometimes I just want something I can slip into my pocket.
Hope I haven't only served to muddy the waters further. Good luck!
This is the point and shoot my instructor raved about this week at class. Has video: http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-GR-DIGITAL-Digital-Camera/dp/B002W6Z80C/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1297135094&sr=1-1.
Otherwise we like this one, which has video, can be dropped 10 feet, and can deal with cold temps and be underwater: http://www.novakistan.com/a-rugged-versatile-adventure-camera-canons-powershot-d10/
Good luck!
Erin, you're brother and I are also in the market for a new camera and cameras happen to be the ONLY place where I can claim SOME tech knowledge. Make sure you check out the megapixels (you can get 12-14 MP for $150 now) and the optical zoom. Digital zoom is ok, but it's the optical zoom which is really important. You'll want at least 4x, probably closer to 7-8x optical zoom. The other really important thing to consider is the different "Modes" the camera comes with. These are super important for point and shooters like ourselves. You'll want to make sure there's an indoor mode and a kids & pets/sports mode so you don't get blurs as the little one starts scrambling all over. Finally, I love the Cannon I have now, but I'm sure that Sonys and Nikons and Olympus are good too. I had a Kodak (about 7-8 years ago now) and hated it! The battery didn't last and the software to load the pictures on the computer was difficult, so I won't ever buy a Kodak again, but maybe that's just me! Good luck and we most definitely want to see pictures from you guys! Miss you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great advice! I will discuss with P and we will let you know what we end up getting.
Erin!
So glad that you are posting again! And to find out you are pregnant! Congrats!!!!!
Last fall I bought cameras for myself and work. For work I bought that underwater one that Sarah suggested, because the guy said it would have slightly better publishing quality photos than the flatter ones of its genre.
HOWEVER, the one I bought myself fit the same criteria: drop-proof, water-proof, dust-proof, fast on/off, great for point-and-shoot and also getting artsy or taking videos, AND it is also flatter for slipping in my pocket, AND it comes with a carabiner attached!!
It's this one:
Pentax Optio W90
http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/Optio_W90_Pistachio_Green/
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