Calling All Gurus

[I0's]

hello
I am just making my transition from film cameras to digital cameras, therefore i need help with selecting a digi cam. i am not very literate when it comes to digi cam, all i know is optical zoom is the zoom to look at when buying not digital zoom.
i will be using this digi cam for regular use such as family photos, get togethers, vacation pics, the occasional scenery pics.
also i would like video/audio rec. feature too.
my budget is approx. $500-$800.

can u suggest me a digi cam with the above requirement, please.
also at what megapixel does the quality of photo start not to matter?

personally, i am looking at the Sony DSCT1, DSC828, Nikon D70, what do u think? is SLR a good direction to go?

Thank you, your input will be greatly appreciated.

[I0's]

hello
I am just making my transition from film cameras to digital cameras, therefore i need help with selecting a digi cam. i am not very literate when it comes to digi cam, all i know is optical zoom is the zoom to look at when buying not digital zoom.
i will be using this digi cam for regular use such as family photos, get togethers, vacation pics, the occasional scenery pics.
also i would like video/audio rec. feature too.
my budget is approx. $500-$800.

can u suggest me a digi cam with the above requirement, please.
also at what megapixel does the quality of photo start not to matter?

personally, i am looking at the Sony DSCT1, DSC828, Nikon D70, what do u think? is SLR a good direction to go?

Thank you, your input will be greatly appreciated.

[Jason Dunn]

Welcome to the site. :-)

The first question is what kind of film camera are you using now? i.e.: is it an SLR camera? If so, and that's the kind of photography you want to do, you'll probaby be unhappy with anything other than a DSLR (digital SLR). The Nikon D70 looks like a great camera - do you have Nikon lenses that you'd like to use on the D70? If you don't, another great DSLR is the Canon Digital Rebel (it's what many of us here have).

Or are you looking for a smaller, more portable camera?

[Gary Sheynkman]

Originally Posted by I0's

personally, i am looking at the Sony DSCT1, DSC828, Nikon D70, what do u think? is SLR a good direction to go?

Thank you, your input will be greatly appreciated.

You choices are spread far and wide across the convinience spectrum.

As they stand they are arranged in reverse quality order, but in a correct convinience order. With that said I dont think the 828 is a great camera.

A bit more detailed:

The t1 is a great little camera and will serve you well as a point and shoot, but dont expect to do too much artsy stuff

I have a 717 ($800 and its yours with a bag/filters/128mb stick :wink: ) and love it. The 828 I find ugly and not too comfortable. Plus, it didnt get good reviews when compared to similar cameras such as the Canon Pro 1 (good choice here: quality+good size+tons of features)

The D70. If I have the $$$ to buy one RIGHT now...I would. Really...the camera is perfect, but a bit costly. I say buy the kit because you get a great lens with it that would cost an arm and a leg to get stand alone. BUT...if you dont like to lug stuff around this might not be the best choise unless you also buy a t1 to carry around when you are too lazy to tote the d70

good luck!

[I0's]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Welcome to the site. :-)

The first question is what kind of film camera are you using now? i.e.: is it an SLR camera? If so, and that's the kind of photography you want to do, you'll probaby be unhappy with anything other than a DSLR (digital SLR). The Nikon D70 looks like a great camera - do you have Nikon lenses that you'd like to use on the D70? If you don't, another great DSLR is the Canon Digital Rebel (it's what many of us here have).

Or are you looking for a smaller, more portable camera?

Thx for the welcome, btw, found about about you guys thru pocketpcthoughts, GREAT siteS.

the current film camera i using is not a SLR its a Samsung ops: brand camera, about 5 years old.
i am not much of a photographer, its just for casual use get togethers, on vacations, the occasional scenic picture.
I dont have any brand lenses. btw, i have never had a SLR the reason why i choose some SLR cameras are caz some one recommened them, thats y i am here to know if its the right choice.
also i was leaning more toward the Sony DSCT1.

thx guys

[Jason Dunn]

If you're coming out of a point and shoot 35mm camera, I'd say it makes sense to get into something similar in the digital world. Going digital is enough of an adjustment, going DSLR is an even bigger change. So I'd suggest a mid-range point and shoot to get your feet wet, nothing too expensive. Have you considered Canon? The S50 is nice:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...4&modelid=8778

[Littleshmee]

If you like the size of the T1, take a look at the Canon ELPH line (S410, S500, even SD110 if megapixels aren't an issue). While I haven't actually seen any pictures from the T1, I have a hard time believing that the tiny little lens (F3.5 max aperture) can compete with Canon's quality. The tiny flash also seems to be way too close to the lens... Go into a store and play around for a while. You might not even need to spend as much as you think.

[I0's]

oh man, buying a digi cam is harder than i thought

till what megapixel, does pixels stop improing the picture??

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by I0's

oh man, buying a digi cam is harder than i thought till what megapixel, does pixels stop improing the picture??

If you have a 4 or 5 MP camera, you can print up to 8.5 x 11" without any problems, and a bit bigger. Beyond that you're not going to gain any additional quality based on megapixels alone.

[Bob12]

Increasing the number of pixels will never stop improving the resulting picture. However, the size you print the pictures may impact your ability to see much difference. If you only plan to print "album" size (3x5 or 4x6), pretty much any digital camera on the market will produce good results. But, if you're into larger prints, you'll definitely want more pixels. The cameras that have been suggested so far will easily handle 5x7 prints and, depending on content and printer, as much as 8x10.

[Gary Sheynkman]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

If you have a 4 or 5 MP camera, you can print up to 8.5 x 11" without any problems, and a bit bigger. Beyond that you're not going to gain any additional quality based on megapixels alone.

yup...you heard it on DMT first: THE LENS ACTUALLY MATTERS! :lol:


As for the canon elph suggestion: its a good call.