Camera choices

[mswnow]

Hey everyone. I am new to photography. I got my first camera 4 years ago... 2 megapixel kodak cx something or other... then i got my first real camera for christmas, but its only a 5 megapixel kodak z740 superzoom. Now I'm really starting to enjoy photography, but I feel my camera is begining ot hold me back due to speed and relative simplicity/limitations. I have been considering upgrading to a better moddle, but what I have found is that dSLRs are not nessisarily the best choice for someone like me.

The two cameras I am considering are the Samsung pro 815, and the Sony Cybershot DSC-R1. I'm currently leaning towaeds the samsung pro 815 because of the HUGE zoom (benificial because you cannot change lenses) and the exceptionaly large screen for previewing images, although I am a little worried about battery life due to the large screen. Reviews by What Camera magazine say that the DSC-R1 was top pick in image quality however.

Does anyone know anything about these two cameras? or have any advice on whether to go with traditional DSLR or and all in one like these? I would appreciate suggestions.

P.S. I have a limited budget, arround $1000 +/- 200 or so.

Thanks, Michael

[Shari]

Michael, I think a lot of the users here have DSLRs but I too felt I was not ready for that or the changing of lenses and knowing all the ins and outs of the camera. I had a Fuji finepix pocket camera I loved so I went to the Fuji S5200 with the 10x zoom and you can get a wideangle and telephoto lense for this model. I think now it is the 9000 series to look at. I probably shouldn't be giving an opinion as I am mainly still shooting on auto and macro - but I do like my camera.
Shari

[Wendy]

Hi Michael ...

The price of digital SLR's has really come down over the last year or so and the good thing about them is that you don't tend to grow out of them. I had a Kodak 3 megapixel and 2 years ago I changed to a the Canon 300D (Rebel) ... I have no regrets at all its does everything I want and left me plenty of room to grow into it :)

Wendy

[Pauline]

Michael, I have the same camera you have and I love it! I think it takes great pictures and the 10 X zoom is wonderful.

You could go to www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com) to check out camera reviews.
You could also do a search in this forums under cameras since there was recently a discussion about which camera every one has.

It really is a personal preference. I went from a Canon S100 which I loved to Kodak Z740 and haven't touched my Canon since. Everything is so much better with the Kodak, but the very small size of the Canon made it possible to attach it to my belt and forget about it, so I did take it more places than the bulkier Kodak.

[mswnow]

Wendy do you know anything about the specific cameras I am considering? I am really intrigued by them, they offer many of the qualities that DSLRs offer, with a lower price, and no need to buy aditional lenses. The Samsung actually has twice the lens capability that I would need even if I bought a DSLR. Although, I am relativly new to the digital photography world, and have limited know how on cameras. I really need someone who is camera savy to give me an opinion

[TonyW]

It's a real tough choice and everyone has a different opinion. Personally I only ever buy a camera that I've had a chance to use. And you can be sure that whatever one you get there will be a better one available next week. BTW I have a Fuji 9000 which is another of the not quite DSLR's. I bought it based on trying one and knowing a local photographer who's pictures I admire who uses one. I've not come close to matching her pictures yet - which just goes to show that a better camera doesn't necessarily lead to better pictures - so much is dependent on who's holding the camera. :)

Tony

[Shari]

You are right there Tony - I know Jodi has the same camera a mine but there is so comparison in our work (of course I still have not spent the time I should with the manual). I'm taking a course in November. We have a professional photographer down the hall the recommended Fuji - and the price was sure right.
Shari

[Wendy]

Hi Michael ...

I'm afraid that I haven't come acrosss it before :) ... looks interesting though !

Wendy

[lindajay]

Hi Michael,
While you're looking at the Sony R-1, take a peek at the Sony DSC-H5. I've had mine now for a couple months, and am in love with it. I was looking at the R-1 first, but wanted greater zoom and image stabilization. That's what moved me toward the H5.

[Hector]

Hi Michael,

I have a DSLR (Rebel XT) and while it may be slightly illegal to say this on the forum, I am very ready to sell it.

It's a great camera and will do everything I need and more. For years I carried around a heavy bag of 35mm film camera gear; bodies, lenses, flashes and other assorted gadgets. With the Rebel I feel I am slipping into the same trap. I am a hobbyist not a professional so I don't need all that stuff. I am already at the point where I often leave my camera home because I don't want to drag it out and lug it around. I learned long ago that expensive cameras and a lot of lenses and gadgets did not make me a better photographer.

I will probably sell the Rebel XT (at a significant loss) and I will look into what is now called a super zoom camera.

That's my 2 cents.

Good luck.

[Shari]

Hector - that is exactly the way I felt. Thank you in confirming my purchase of a large zoom camera. This is a hobby I really enjoy. I find when I take my hobbies too seriously or start to take orders the stress starts to take over the fun. So I do what I want, when I want - and enjoy it.
Shari

[hfgerena]

Hi Micahel;

Because I'm an owner of a Sony H1 probably I would not sound to partiall, but this a great camera and the new generation sounds to be better. I have seen shots taken with the new H5 and they are amazing. The Sony H's series are not expensive cameras, they have "built in" the closer macro distance, about 2cm, the Zoom goes from 12x to 24x. And if you want to experiment with lenses, you can get what they call adapters, you can use Closeup lenses, Telephotos and Wideangles.

[GaryK]

Hi Michael

You really need to try out the cameras you are looking at. :)

All cameras have good points and bad points, fortunately most of the newer cameras have a lot of good points.

Read the reviews .. keep in mind that some of the differences they mention are minor and my not even apply to your uses.

If you won't use a DSLR then don't get one. It won't take good pictures sitting in the bag in a closet.

Sorry.. I know this isn't camera specific but you really have to play with the ones you are looking at..not just a a few quick pics in the store. Change the settings, try holding in different positions. change the settings again. It's a lot of money (at least for me) to plunk down for 5 minutes of quickie pictures in the store. :D