Camera Labs

I'll try to be as specific as possible so you experts can help me.... I've been putting off buying a camera, because I can't seem to find all the features I want, and of course, the minute you buy something, a newer better version comes out... so basically, I'm using my family's cameras to take photos..

1. Usage/normal family shots/portraits/parties/outdoor family/nothing specific (occassional scenery), no still life....
2. either a high end point and shoot or a low end slr digital, or hybrid, but don't like or need to change lenses (but not averse to a slr, but can't be bulky)
3. non bulky, easy to carry
4. no significant delay in taking photos... can't stand having to wait to take the next shot, but...
5. dislike having to use the right 'mode' to do constant shooting or whatever it's called...
6. beautiful color, good zoom, nice to be able to be in the picture without having to resort to timer feature (any cameras that have a remote, or turnaround lens (forget what it's called)??
7. EASE OF USE--not a million screens and modes, rather the camera figures it out for me, or as much as possible
8. under $500 or better under $350
9. big 3" screen, no smaller--- or larger if they come out with them.

thx so much for your help!!

That's a hard one. DSLRs are always kind of bulky.
Great zoom, quite a fast handling and still easy to use... the Canon Powershot SX 40HS has a 2.7" screen, that might be too small but otherwise this camera is quite good.

A small DSLR with its kit lens has something about a 3x zoom range and although it should have the right screen size, speed and the better image quality, it is quite bulky and more zoom means more money has to be spent.


I don't know how big the screen of the Fujifilm HS20 is but you should take a look at it. A nice video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRU ... ature=plcp

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Canon S100? I dont know any else compact except the G12, because you want a good zoom lens.
A cheap 4/3 could be an option also, but zoom lenses of interchangeable cameras arent that cheap either.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Honestly, with that kind of budget, you would not even come close to buying either a decent DSLR body, nor the all-in-one zoom lens you would like with it. Even a T2i + Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3
Di II VC PZD would set you back for double your 500£ budget.

This leaves you the point and shoot cameras, of which I can recommend the Canon S100 if you use your camera in low light, or the Canon G12 if you want a larger zoom, and mostly shoot outside on bright sunny days. We have the Canon S90, the predecessor of the S95 then S100, and the biggest issue is it runs out of battery after around 100 exposures if you recharged it the same day, if not the battery does drain rather quickly. It's a great add-on to a DSLR, I like the wide angle f/2.0 lens, but I don't think I would be that satisfied if it were our main camera.

An alternative which I think could be interesting is the Fuji FinePix S4300. I had one of their older models, and it was very great. The best feature of the Fuji, though, is the 4x AA batteries it takes instead of those weird battery packs that are mega expensive. If your Fuji runs out of batteries, just plop AA batteries in, and you're good to go.

All of these cameras, and the entry-level DSLRs all have adequate auto modes, but to take the best pictures, I strongly suggest you learn more about photography and start using the Aperture Priority (AV) mode more often, it'll give you much more creative control on how the pictures comes out.

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Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon S90
Lenses: Tamron: SP70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, Canon: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III, and EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Retired camera: Fujifilm Finepix s700

There's also the used market of course, and a 1100D with Sigma 18-200 OS HSM II (NOTE THE II!!) should fit in the budget easily.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

But the 1100D's screen is smaller than 3".

_________________
Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466