Another camera question

[Elinor McLennon]

My budget is low. I am looking for either a digital camera that will take high resolution photos or perhaps a camcorder that can take still frames. My daughter plays soccer on a big field and would like to get some nice shots during game time. Also love storm chasing and taking photographs. I am upgrading from a cheap digital camera that my kids gave me. It's so outdated they laugh. If yall can think of anything affordable with a good zoom please let me know. Thanks.

 

[D. Hayes]

What sort of budget are you looking at? Under 100 or between 100-200, 200-300. I love my point and shoot canon A640 but it's still going for about $300 which might be more than you want to spend. If you're willing ebay you can get it for about $150 if you're johnny on the spot.

 

[Patrick Martin]

What's your budget? Knowing that would help narrow it down. Also when you say "high resolution" are we talking print sizes of 8x10 or something like 36x24?

IMO if you are on a low budget and want high resolution for something you can frame, you are going to need a good still camera, either an entry level DSLR or a good P&S. Trying to get high res frame grabs from a low budget camcorder is not something that will go hand in hand.

 

[David Wolfson]

I'd suggest something like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (for example, at http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ35-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B002IKLJU0). I have a somewhat older version and like it.

The optics are decent with a big zoom and you get hi-res and raw stills. You also get AVCHD Lite video and infinity focus lock which isn't too big a pain. It records to commodity SDHC flash cards.

 

[Elinor McLennon]

my budget is no ore than 300.00. The camera I have now is no better than a disposable camera. It's horrible.
Re: high resolution. I want that feature for my business. I put photographs on misc. items and they look so good in high resolution.
I can live without a camcorder.
From what yall are saying a point and shoot of some type is my best bet.

 

[Patrick Martin]

I want that feature for my business. I put photographs on misc. items and they look so good in high resolution.
I can live without a camcorder.
From what yall are saying a point and shoot of some type is my best bet.

Up to what size do you need these images to be? Do you need capability to produce clean images at higher ISO and/or do you need a camera that can perform well in low light? Remember that any camera can produce a quality image outside in good natural light, but indoors and/or low light or using the onboard flash, really exposes the limits and flaws of a camera. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that just b/c a camera can shoot ISO 800 or 1600 that it means you will get images you can use. On a low end P&S at ISO 800 or 1600 it can look like you are shooting an indoor party in a snowstorm. You'll want to check out reviews of the cameras you are considering to see how they perform in the conditions you shoot in.

If we are talking about about small images (3x5 or smaller) probably any decent P&S will do the trick. Although you'll get noise and some chromatic effects at full size, by the time you size them down that small, that stuff becomes much less noticeable.

If you need something that can produce clean images (at a decent size, say 4x6 or bigger) at ISO's at 400 or higher, your budget may be constraining. If it's a side biz, can understand the low budget, but if this is your main income, re-thinking how you are going to invest in your business should be considered. A budget of $400 opens up many more options, and get's you into the higher class of better performing P&S or even used DSLR's. For example the Canon S90 can shoot at F2, a big plus for indoor, low light, or getting a nice depth of field, and is said to be good at higher ISO's, but it's $429. At $500, sky is the limit for any P&S or hybrid, and get's you into good used DSLRw/lens range. At minimum you will also want something where you can shoot in AV and TV mode, but look for something that allows full manual control. Avoid anything that only has "auto" mode, even if it's free, and don't get hung up on getting the highest megapixel count you can get. Anything 8-10 will be more than enough unless you are shooting big posters or billboards.

 

[Elinor McLennon]

Patrick,
Excellent advise and this is my main business. The images will be 6 x 8 and smaller for what I am doing. And you are correct: this is my main business. My income. After the camera, I need a laser printer and then I'll be set for awhile. I just don't want overkill and all i have is a Kodak Easy Share C433 with 3x zoom. My kids gave it to me a couple of years ago and it is worthless. So anything would be an upgrade from that.
Thanks so much for your input. I am camera ignorant and didn't know where to begin.

The software I am using is photoshop and corel draw if that matters.

 

[Elinor McLennon]

what about the canon powershot a1100 IS? found it at staples on sale for 99.00. Cheapest I have seen it is 129.00. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Greg Campbell]

Two things to look for in a P/S are manual exposure mode and a reasonably long maximum exposure length. If you ever get the lightning bug, or want to shoot at night, these two features will help you catch it. It looks like your camera has a 'long shutter' mode that goes up to 15 seconds. This is probably not quite ideal, but may well be 'good enough.'

The camera will likely eat standard alkaline AA batteries like popcorn. As with any AA powered camera, I'd suggest you buy some NiMH batteries and a mid-range charger. The extremely cheap chargers do not sense when the batteries are full and may damage them by overcharging.

I've got a somewhat similar Powershot 540. It's light and portable and takes decent pics. For $100 you can't go too far wrong.

 

[Mike Deep]

Well here's a thought that lands inside your $300 budget. Don't take it too seriously, but it does get you a DSLR system.

http://www.keh.com/Product-Details/1/DO029990852770/DO02/FE.aspx

http://www.keh.com/Product-Details/1/DO07999093546J/DO07/FE.aspx

 

[Elinor McLennon]

You guys have been great. I am NOT going with anything that takes AA batteries. That's a major problem I have now.....it eats them like popcorn. I have done alot of reading about the manual exposure modes. Actually, I've read so much about cameras that I could be a salesman. Ha Ha. I have not bought anything yet. I go out and price, come home and read what yall have posted and other reviews to help make my decision.
I will get a camera soon but if I am spending my money on it, I want to be happy with it.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I am NOT going with anything that takes AA batteries. That's a major problem I have now.....it eats them like popcorn.

Yeah, if you are using Alkaline AA's. Get NiMH AA's or if you want to drop some dough, Lithium Ion. These work great in digital cameras and last a long time. You get a lot of recharges out of them as well. AA's are great because you can get them anywhere. Every Radio Shack, Best Buy, or Walmart across the Plains is going to have them. You can keep a whole bunch of spares with you too in case you run them down in the field. This is hard to do with proprietary batteries.

 

[D. Hayes]

My canon A640 does really really well with the 4 AA batteries. I've been using these energizer rechargeable batteries I think are NiMH. I can get several weeks of light use to several hours of constant automatic shooting before a recharge.

Check out www.dpreview.com Elinor. There are lots of people who post examples and give real world use of what each camera can do. Plus they have hundreds of the best online reviews I've seen.

 

[Patrick Martin]

I have 3 sets of AA Sanyo Eneloops and they are stellar performers. I keep one set in my Canon Speedlite 430exII flash, 1 set in my Canon S3IS, and another charged set in reserve in the charger. They hold a charge for a loooong time.

 

[Mike Deep]

Skip Energizer NiMHs, they're garbage and only good for a handful of charges. Get the Sanyo Eneloops or Duracells.