What kind of digital camera should I get?

[TheBlueMonster]

Looking to get a digital camera in the near future. I'm willing to spend up to $1,000. I've been debating between powershot and SLR. Does anyone have a suggest what type and brand to consider?

[fluxrad]

Canon digital SLR == teh SHIZNIT!

Are you talking $1000 total or $1000 on the body?

[Thythe]

Without starting another thread, can we add suggestions for cameras that are approximately $300? I was looking at the Powershot SD300, but I'm concerned the flash will suck. I really just want a small camera that I can easily take anywhere without a case and that the flash is good.

[Luzion]

Check out DPReview (http://www.dpreview.com/)

From what I understand, that site is the most comprehensive digital camera review/forum there is.

[TheWorstPlayer]

I plan on getting a Canon Digital SLR to go with my Canon film SLR and also a small cheap digital camera that I won't mind spilling booze on and I can easily throw in my pocket pre-party.

[ononimo]

[ QUOTE ]
Check out DPReview (http://www.dpreview.com/)

From what I understand, that site is the most comprehensive digital camera review/forum there is.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second that. Great site.

For those looking for pocket-sized cameras, I just bought a black 5 Meg Kodak V550 ... powerful pocket-sized camera with a crystal clear and highly-pixalated 2.5" LCD screen. All I wanted to was a high quality 4-5 Meg camera that I could easily fit in my pocket ... this fit the bill perfectly. From what I hear, they are flying off the shelves ...

Kodak's official V550 page (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=9/19/31/7103&pq-locale=en_US&CMP=KNC-8P3E53373771)

[Macdaddy Warsaw]

I have a 5.1 megapixel Sony DSC-T7. You know, those ultra thin-ones with the nice LCD. Yeah. It's awesome for what I use it for, get togethers and such. But it also is pretty versatile, as I have taken some very nice sunset shots and the like.

[touchfaith]

First the easy one...

For the up to $300 croud, the Canon Powershot S1 IS (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=cart&Q=add) is still the best value imo. 10x optical zoom (never buy based on, or use digital zoom), 3.2 megapixel, which is plenty for casual pictures and Image Stablization which comes in very handy for low-light shots.

For the $1000 croud, a digital SLR is very doable, but you do need to realize that a.) you will want to spend more money (as soon as you get it) and b.) there is a little more processing involved (shooting in .raw, processing and converting to .jpg). You can still always shoot in .jpg modes, but you will loose some processing abilities (for instance white balance control), so you are best served saving .jpg shooting for when you are completely confident in your pre-shot settings abilities.

My up to $1000 recommendation for a digital SLR is the Canon Digital Rebel XL (350D) (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371194&is=REG& addedTroughType=categoryNavigation). It is a 8 megapixel camera and comes bundled with an 18-55mm lens. You will be able to shoot right out of the box, but again, you will want to spend more...immediately. For starters, you will want a larger memory card then that is shipped with the unit. Next, you will want a case...then...then...then you start wanting lens. This is where you become hooked and life ends as you know it. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Naw, it's not that bad, but...yes, you can easily spend a couple grand and not blink an eye. But, if you build slowly and always purchase quality glass (in this case Canon, rather then buying much cheaper Sigma lens), The value of your add-ons will retain their value for many years. Large Canon lens, for instance a 100-400mm, quite often bring 80-90% of their original purchase cost in E-Bay auctions...

Ok...tangent mode off...I've already got you selling you stuff...

Last recommendation would be for the $1000 max club. Someone who wants a top-of-the-line camera without the down the road costs of an SLR...

That would be the Canon Powershot Pro1 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=317308&is=REG& addedTroughType=categoryNavigation). It is a 8 megapixel/7x optical zoom that looks and feels much like an SLR. It has a high-end 'L' glass lens (same quality glass as those big white lenses on the sidelines) and has a good range on its adjustable apeture range which allows for some decent control of bokeh (out of focus portions of photos).


Then...there is the last but not least...

Used. Do not discount this option as especially with the many recent releases from Canon this year, there are a ton of used SLR's for sale right now, especially very nice units such as the used Canon 10D kit (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/262637) for sale on Fred Miranda right now... You can find auctions like this right and left right now...

GL

[OtisTheMarsupial]

I have an older Canon Powershot. My SO has a newer one. Both are good and easy to use. I recommend them highly.

[TheBlueMonster]

Ideally I'd find a deal for multiple lenses for around 1K, but I think my "body" limit would prob be around 1,000

[SmileyEH]

I asked this question a while ago. I didn't want to go the SLR route, so I got a Sony DSC-73. Still being shipped but it was about $500 and comes with a manual lens focus so it's kind of like an SLR. I'll post a trip report when it gets here.

-SmileyEH

[TheBlueMonster]

thanks so much for the super helpful post. I knew that I probably was going to have to buy another memory card, but I'm glad you made the point about the other other other stuff I'd want to buy. I def. think the cannon powershot pro would be a great choice and I'm currently looking into it more.
Again, much obliged.