Photographers need info plz

R Q

R Q

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Location
Charlotte
Thinking of getting a camera for someone as a gift. It needs to be compact and easily handled and easy to use yet have a very good zoom and be able to take action pics and not wait for the digital delay. Also easy to down load and/or transfer to PC or phone. Video capable also.
Please let me know what to look at. I'm not looking at spending over $600-700 or hopefully less
Thanks
 
I'm a photographer, but I've been glued to my older digital SLR forever... Being that my chosen profession doesn't pull in much in my area, buying a new one has been out of the question. But it is an Olympus brand, and it has lasted me YEARS (like 9 or 10) and still pumps out great photographs. It's before the time of video capability, but I'm sure their newer cameras have them... Nikon is sworn by in the "community" but I'm not familiar with their "point and shoot" varieties. If you can afford it, and person you are getting it for is really into photography, I would definitely go with a digital SLR, I've seen that most of the newer ones have video capabilities. And the one's I have had the pleasure to play with can use either a cable from camera to PC or if you have a card reader (pretty cheap to pick one up at office supply store) just pop out the card and plug it in.. quick and easy. I've used PC and Macs for photography..

That really wasn't too much help, huh??? Sorry, at least you know a couple good brands to narrow down to and a basic idea.
 
A DSLR will not be compact is the issue, but your definition of compact may be different than others. How compact are you really talking? Does it need to fit in a pocket?

I prefer Cannon over Nikon, but its like Ford vs Chevy.
 
I've used the Canon SLR 5D and 7D. The 5 in my opinion was better, but both are great cameras. As stated above, they are not compact. The camera bodies are not crazy expensive. The lenses on the other hand can cost a small fortune. They each shoot video also.
 
I forgot about Canon.. (coffee hasn't kicked in) That's an excellent brand as well!
 
I have been looking at the higher-end point and shoots myself for something that is pocketable and still high-quality.

For point and shoot, either a Sony DSC-RX100C IV (and the AG-R2 grip with it) or the Panasonic DMC-LX100. Probably the panasonic. Must-haves for me in a point and shoot are 1) eye-level finder 2) large sensor 3) flash shoe. The LX100 meets all these. Large sensor makes less noise...I do a lot of low-light stuff, and bigger prints that you just can't get with a tiny fingernail-sized sensor. Problem is, with the large sensor, you can't have the super-zoom lenses like some p&s. For example the panasonic is just 24-75 mm. 400+mm on a tiny 1/2.3" or so sensor is crap.

If you want more of an SLR-style bridge camera, look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000

For a full blown DSLR, PM me, I got a Nikon D7000 that needs a new home.
 
For compact, they will not want a DSLR camera. While I love mine, it's by no means compact. I have a camera bag that's about the size of a large woman's purse (a large purse, not a purse owned by a large woman - felt the need to clarify that). In it, I have the camera body with standard lens and the zoom lens is on stand by. At cheer competitions, I toggle between the two depending on where I'm set up. The speed is near video quality and I can take HUGE pictures (can get the entire stage in the view finder and then go back and zoom into individuals later).

For portability, I'd look for a point-and shoot camper like the Canon Powershot line-up. A lot of them can be stuffed in a pocket, but still have very nice zoom capabilities. A lot depends on the user and what they like. There are some point and shoot cameras that are even water proof. I don't know of one DSLR that is not without dropping thousands on a pro setup.

If you think that photography might become a hobby/ potential work interest, I'd go right for a DSLR and not look back. If they are just going to use it for vacation photos, selfies, pictures of the family dog, then go point and shoot.
 
R Q said:
Thinking of getting a camera for someone as a gift. It needs to be compact and easily handled and easy to use yet have a very good zoom and be able to take action pics and not wait for the digital delay. Also easy to down load and/or transfer to PC or phone. Video capable also.
Please let me know what to look at. I'm not looking at spending over $600-700 or hopefully less
Thanks
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Nikon 3000 series. 3200 or 3300 or whatever they're up to now. Photographs are instant, just like any other SLR. Video on the newer ones is pretty decent. It'll probably come as a package with a 18-55 and/or a 55-200 lens. Both are cheap, but fine. The first additional lens I would buy is a 35mm f/1.8. Great lens that is only about $200 new and slightly less used. Looking briefly at prices, you might even be able to step up to a D5300 after rebates.

Be careful about buying older stuff. Thanks to the lead-free solder, everything has a ten year lifespan now.

I haven't looked hard at the entry level stuff in a couple of years, but my recollection is the ergonomics are better on Nikons, and the menus are easier to use. The question of which takes "better" photographs gets into pedantic bullshit that really doesn't matter. What matters is that you have a camera and you know how to use it. The rest is up to your eye.
 
Yep as mentioned, the very first thing you need to decide is whether you want something that is compact and easily portable.... or a really good camera that is fast and has good zoom lenses.

The problem is that by definition, thanks to physics, you pretty much have to have a big lens and reasonable size body to get that nice picture and real zoom.
Also if it is a point-and-shoot w/ an LCD display, it takes time for that LCD to draw and refresh the picture. There is nothing that beats the speed of looking through the viewfinder and through a mechanical lens.

The closest alternative mix is a camera that has an automatic telescoping lens, that is flat in front and when you turn it on the front scopes out. But these are still rarely actually "good" cameras. Rachael has a Canon like that for years, was great for her b/c it was about the size of a smartphone and she kept it in her pocket. But nowhere near being a good lens, just good enough for a mom taking pics of her kids.
 
Panasonic point and shoots are about the best thing out there for the money. I'm on my 3rd, because I left the first outside in the rain, and the second one fell out of a bag onto a concrete floor, landed on the corner, and became pieces of camera.

Wife has a Nikon DSLR, and it's great. Canon/Sony/Olympus/Pentax make good DSLRs too, but we have a lot of friends with Nikon's, so lens interchangeability was a big factor.
 
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Another Nikon DSLR fan here.
Ive got a smaller cheaper (sub $100) niko PNS that fits in my pocket, goes on job sites, has fellend from 10+' and still functions. Its above average to very good.
Problem is it uses a proprietary plug to charge the internal batteries and its worn out. And a new charger on Amazon is $79...
 
What she'll be taking pics of is us out on the trails with the Jeep, while we are out on the Harley, and the boat, and then traveling. And of course family stuff and her flowers around the house. She has an older, 4 year old Sony digital that takes decent pics, when she remembers to charge it and bring it so actually she could use that one on the Harley and the boat.
I am checking on each one y'all have mentioned so far.
 
Wes said:
I've used the Canon SLR 5D and 7D. The 5 in my opinion was better, but both are great cameras. As stated above, they are not compact. The camera bodies are not crazy expensive. The lenses on the other hand can cost a small fortune. They each shoot video also.
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When I can afford it, I plan to upgrade my 60D to a 5D with the 1.2 50mm. I got my start in photography with a Contax RTSII, which had the smoothest 50mm lens I've ever used...
 
ManglerYJ said:
I have that same one. I got mine at Costco. If you are a Costco member or know one, the price is the same and includes the Wifi adapter (can send pictures directly to your phone) and a rather large memory card. Also has free shipping just like Crutchfield.


Costco Wholesale
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BJs Wholesale Club and their online retail site has the same deal. Wifi adapter included, 32GB card, free shipping.
 
I've always heard you need to consider glass. The camera body is like the argument of Jeep/Toyota but the glass is what makes the pictures what they are. I chose Canon. I've heard nothing but good things from the Rebel series.
 
i bought the wife this:
Costco Wholesale

A few years ago when they were switching from the 5300 to the 5500 series.
Paid $599 I think for it.
 
McCracken said:
The camera body is like the argument of Jeep/Toyota but the glass is what makes the pictures what they are.
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Meh, not so much anymore. Nikon and Canon both make great lenses.
 
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