URGH! Need some digital camera purchase help!

[velvetpie]

I'm doing some research on digital cameras because I intend to buy one in the next week or so. I intend on using it for business so I'm looking for something in the 6+ megapixel range. I thought I liked the Kodak EasyShare P880 but it had so many negative features on a Cnet review that I've changed my mind.

I'd like one that is professional, one that I can change lens on and looks like a regular camera (SLR) but the bottom line is that I have to be able to use the photos in Photoshop and would like to have a JPEG format. RAW would be fine as long as I can translate it over and as long as it doesn't require any additional software.

If anyone has any technical knowledge of digital cameras, I would be most appreciative of your feedback!

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Canon and Nikon both make really nice digital cameras with lens change capabilities.
Sony has some nice user friendly stuff but it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[entitled]

i suggest going to a camera shop and asking. Then get it online so you don't have to pay middleman fees.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

This site will tell you about each different grade/type of camera. From there you can research that level in different brands. I run a sony digital but it was a gift. My manual camera is a Nikon and I lurve it muchly. My first choice for digital would certainly be Nikon or Canon.

 

[Liar]

Canon EOS 350D would be my choice, if I wasn't broke.

Or really, an EOS 5D, but that's a slightly insane amount of money.

 

[velvetpie]

Canon EOS 350D would be my choice, if I wasn't broke.

Or really, an EOS 5D, but that's a slightly insane amount of money.

Liar, my husband loves me a lot ... but not that much!!!

 

[Guest]

I used this site to find both my digital cameras: Steve's. I had a Kodak which took really great pics (fine enlargements) but after two years the LCD screen died and repair would've cost the price of the camera. Now I have a Canon PowerShot A95 with 5.0 megapixels. Unless you're a professional (actually publishing photos in mags/books) I think even 3.0 mp's are sufficient.

Perdita

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Just love, love, love you new hair-do and AV, Perdita.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

Just love, love, love you new hair-do and AV, Perdita.

You get mucho mwah for that you ole foreskin (though not necessarily on the foreskin; ah ha ha, cracking myself up ).

Perdita

(Btw, he's my new best friend in Yorkshire, will post more pics of the equine bloke soon .)

 

[velvetpie]

I used this site to find both my digital cameras: Steve's. I had a Kodak which took really great pics (fine enlargements) but after two years the LCD screen died and repair would've cost the price of the camera. Now I have a Canon PowerShot A95 with 5.0 megapixels. Unless you're a professional (actually publishing photos in mags/books) I think even 3.0 mp's are sufficient.

Perdita

Actually, that's what I'm planning on using the camera for. I'm launching a magazine (hopefully!) and I read that if I use an 8 megapixel camera, I could reproduce 8 X 10s. I need the highest resolution possible and I'm trying to stay around $600-700. I could spend a thousand if I wanted (but my hubby would be VERY crabby) so I'm trying to be a good girl.

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'll let you know what I chose and the price.

 

[Guest]

Actually, that's what I'm planning on using the camera for. I'm launching a magazine (hopefully!) and I read that if I use an 8 megapixel camera, I could reproduce 8 X 10s. I need the highest resolution possible and I'm trying to stay around $600-700.

I've had 16x24 (inches) prints made with superb resolution (from both cameras, the Kodak was only 3 mp's). Both were about $400 from online suppliers (always better deals than retail shops). Good luck. P.

 

[herecomestherain]

I have the same camera as Perdita, the Canon A95 - it's a beautiful little machine that works very well, is reasonably easy to use and has plenty of features without getting too gimmicky and complicated. I love it.

 

[Guest]

Rain! That's a nice AV there but I miss your beautifully gorgeous face .

Perdita

(still jet-lagged, working w/Photoshop at nearly 5am )

 

[Liar]

I've had 16x24 (inches) prints made with superb resolution (from both cameras, the Kodak was only 3 mp's). Both were about $400 from online suppliers (always better deals than retail shops). Good luck. P.

Yep. I spoke to a photographer @ work about this a while ago, and what you need for maximum quality from a photo lab or a professional photo printer is 150 dpi, which would mean 6 megapix on a 16x25. But 90 dpi is good enough for almost all normal situations. That's eqivalent to the grain level in normal photo film. About 3 mp's, that is.

More pixels than that is only nessecary if you want enlarge small cut-outs of a photo.

 

[gauchecritic]

More pixels than that is only nessecary if you want enlarge small cut-outs of a photo.

Just get a cheap camera and the software that they use on any sci-fi movie or in a CSI crime lab that can enlarge cctv stills from a reflection in a steel surface and use it as evidence to place the suspect at the scene.

I'd just be wary about the pause between pressing the button and the actual capture. Unless expensive cameras are completely different then moving shots are nearly impossible to take.

 

[Liar]

JI'd just be wary about the pause between pressing the button and the actual capture. Unless expensive cameras are completely different then moving shots are nearly impossible to take.

That's one of the things that more money buys you - a quicker trigger time.

 

[herecomestherain]

Rain! That's a nice AV there but I miss your beautifully gorgeous face .

Perdita

(still jet-lagged, working w/Photoshop at nearly 5am )

Lovely Perdita, thank you sweetheart, I'll work on a new AV for the New Year! Your wonderfully creative AV photos got me all inspired last year to buy a camera and start shooting. I dropped by here yesterday and saw your name and got all excited, how good it is that you are back!

 

[velvetpie]

Yep. I spoke to a photographer @ work about this a while ago, and what you need for maximum quality from a photo lab or a professional photo printer is 150 dpi, which would mean 6 megapix on a 16x25. But 90 dpi is good enough for almost all normal situations. That's eqivalent to the grain level in normal photo film. About 3 mp's, that is.

More pixels than that is only nessecary if you want enlarge small cut-outs of a photo.

Actually, for printed work, you need at least 300 dpi, so ... I think I'm gonna be spending a bit more money than I expected. At least it'll be a good buy!

 

[Belegon]

The only thing I would really emphasize that has not already been addressed is to look into an anti shake feature. I have a Fuji S5100 and I love it but...I wish it had anti-shake...the camera is slightly unbalanced with the flash closed and shakes very easily, so it is very hard for me to get decent pics at any appreciable zoom at night or without the flash..

 

[jimnrider]

Best value

After extensive research, I just bought an Olympus 8.0 megapixel digital SLR with 2 lenses, brand new, from Dell computer, for about $715 including tax and shipping. If you look around you'll see how inexpensive it is. And you should be able to manipulate the images anyway you want, as it can record images in different formats, including RAW and jpeg.

 

[Alex756]

One thing I'd recomend, see if you can physically touch before you buy.

Something too big or too small size wise will be awkward. I have a old sony cybershot but it fits my hand perfectly. Soon I'll need to upgrade, it's a good 5 years old now, and feel is very important. If its something you'll be using for hours at a time, it needs to be comfortable.



~Alex