What kind of camera do you use

[DamSweet]

I would like to upgrade from my 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot, and after looking at a million different ones and reading every Photography Forum, magazine and every description I'm totally confused.

I would like to find a Point and Shoot with a wide zoom lens, that also takes movies (most do these days) - other than that I really am opened to anything.

If you could tell me what you have and what you like/dislike about it - I would really appreciate it!


Thanks!

[Beamers Mom]

I have the Canon Powershot SD970 IS Digital Elph, 12.1 megapixels. I upgraded from the Powershot S50

It takes high def video too. Lots of neat options on the camera - although haven't used them all. I got it at a good price several months ago (was on sale, a week later it was $100 more) The picture quality is great, the sound on the videos aren't as good when viewing them in the camera but are fine when I transfer to the computer.

I really prefer my EOS10D, but it is too cumbersome for me now and the point and shoot Powershot is easier for me to use.

[Britster]

I use a DSLR (Canon Rebel XT) and I love it.

As for point and shoot, I LOVED my Panasonic Lumix TZ5. Definitely look into the Lumix series. For a P&S, I find the pictures to be amazing. It takes better outdoor pics, IMO, than indoor. But it did me GREAT for concerts.

I attached a few pics taken with the Lumix TZ5.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Britster

I use a DSLR (Canon Rebel XT) and I love it.

As for point and shoot, I LOVED my Panasonic Lumix TZ5. Definitely look into the Lumix series. For a P&S, I find the pictures to be amazing. It takes better outdoor pics, IMO, than indoor. But it did me GREAT for concerts.

I attached a few pics taken with the Lumix TZ5.

Wow, those are some great pictures. Does your Canon Rebel shoot such high definition pictures?

[lisaly]

The Panasonic Lumix series is excellent, and Canon also has some excellent point and shoots. Other than a wide angle lens, are there any other features that you are looking for? I'd get one with the wide angle equivalent on 35mm of 28mm or less. There aren't many that are wide angle, but there are a number to choose from. If you give us more information, I could recommend some other point and shoot cameras. I would stay away from cameras that go too high over 10 megapixels. Manufacturers keep increasing the number of megapixels because consumers think that is better, but when you put two many pixels on a small sensor, you will get more noise or grain. That's why some of the high end point and shoots, like the Canon G12, starting coming down in the number of megapixels it has. I wouldn't get a 14 megapixel point and shoot camera.

[lisaly]

Brit, your photos are excellent. I love the ones of Jackson in the snow, and you got really nice concert shots.

[Wylie's Mom]

I use the Nikon D90 .

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by lisaly

The Panasonic Lumix series is excellent, and Canon also has some excellent point and shoots. Other than a wide angle lens, are there any other features that you are looking for? I'd get one with the wide angle equivalent on 35mm of 28mm or less. There aren't many that are wide angle, but there are a number to choose from. If you give us more information, I could recommend some other point and shoot cameras. I would stay away from cameras that go too high over 10 megapixels. Manufacturers keep increasing the number of megapixels because consumers think that is better, but when you put two many pixels on a small sensor, you will get more noise or grain. That's why some of the high end point and shoots, like the Canon G12, starting coming down in the number of megapixels it has. I wouldn't get a 14 megapixel point and shoot camera.

I'm not sure what to look for - and my subjects are mostly Bridget and Greta and my grandsons. Since all are so active I'd like one that will shoot quickly - the one I have now is so slow - by the time I push the button - I have a picture of the side of someones head...
I've been looking hard at a Kodak Z980 - it's last years model as they've come out with a Z981, but the reviews on the older are much better. Megapixels are 12 and has an 24x wide angle zoom lens, records in HD video and 64mb of internal memory - accepts SD/SDHC card and has a hot-shoe - LCD screen and a viewfinder. It's a bulkier (is that a word?) camera but I feel more comfortable holding on to something a little chunkier.
I don't know if I need all that - or something that it doesn't have - reviews seem pretty good. I'm just not ready for a SLR - they probably take the best pics.

**Brit - your pictures are amazing - Jackson is such a great model!!!
Thanks for all the help!

[lisaly]

All point and shoots have shutter lag, but there are some that do a better job at focusing than others. I'll do a little research later on today, and I'll get back to you. With your camera, or any other point and shoot or SLR, you can prefocus the camera to cut down on the amount of shutter lag the camera has by depressing the shutter half way on what you are focusing on. Then when you want to take a picture, completely depress the shutter. It doesn't completely solve the problem, but it does help.

[lisaly]

I'm very sorry I didn't get back with a response sooner. If you got the Kodak, I'm sure you will be very happy with it. Have you looked at the Panasonic Lumix FZ100 or the Canon SX30? I like the Lumix a lot, but both look really good. You are looking at cameras that are superzooms or bridge cameras. I don't know a lot about them, but I know what to look for when reading reviews and sites to look for to read reviews. No point and shoot will have the performance in terms of focusing speed compared to an SLR, but some are better than others. The Panasonic's response time is better than others in superzooms. I found a couple of quick things for you to read. These cameras are 14 mp but it's difficult to find ones that are not that high because people think it's better to have more megapixels. There are many cameras that have less of a zoom that are excellent. If you are interested in something with less than a 20 times zoom, I can look for that. Just let me know. If you have any questions, I promise I'll get back to you sooner.
A Superzoom Shootout
Bald Eagle @ 840mm with SX30 - FM Forums

[shoefelmeyer]

I have a Canon XTi. And have several lens, flash attachment, wireless remote and various accessories. I have also purchased photographing "tent" for taking photos of things I make/sell online.

My husband used to do professional photography as a hobby and has all sorts of things I can use for taking photos.

I LOVE my camera! Have always loved photography and took courses in High School.... years ago!

I love nature photography and taking photos of my "fur kids" in addition to family photos. Have enjoyed taking photos when I traveled overseas to Thailand with my husband when was there for business travel.

Now that I have my yorkie and our other pup (pomeranian), I am enjoying photographing them also.

[YorkieZoo]

I personally love the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, but considering it is over $4,500, I don't own one and probably won't.

I did read a great article that discussed taking photos of small dogs and the photographer recommended a lens that took good "macro" images (lens type).

I'll post the link once I find it again, but this person used an Olympus that was much more reasonable for around $800-$900, but is a semi-professional photographer and could justify the cost.

[jinhopark]

I am nuts about photography...and have been a Nikonian for quite some time.

Currently shoot with a Nikon D3/D700 with a host of high end glass.

I also shoot with an Oly E-620 4/3'rds system with a host of glass to choose from as well.

My wife has a Nikon P6000 P&S camera that she keeps in her purse most of the time.

Now that we have our latest edition to our family I'll have to start snapping photos of her...can't wait show her off!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by jinhopark

I am nuts about photography...and have been a Nikonian for quite some time.

Currently shoot with a Nikon D3/D700 with a host of high end glass.

I also shoot with an Oly E-620 4/3'rds system with a host of glass to choose from as well.

My wife has a Nikon P6000 P&S camera that she keeps in her purse most of the time.

Now that we have our latest edition to our family I'll have to start snapping photos of her...can't wait show her off!

Cool!!!! I love lens talk and hearing about favorites. What are your favorites? I'd say my walk around (and fave) lens is probably the Nikon 50mm f1.8 (duh, of course). But I also like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 (the wider angle).

[Perrella]

I got a Nikon D3000 not to long ago. I love it, however I'm only good with the auto settings. Haven't figured out how to use it manually, LOL. I seriously need a class or something.