Looking for a good Mid Range Camera
 

so i'm looking for a new Camera. Not top of the range, just somwhere in the middle.

Currently im using an Olympus u700. its just a small handy digital camera that is good for being exactly that - a small handy digital camera. has served it purpose, but i need a bit more from my camera now seeing all the travelling ive been doing lately, and probably will be doing over the space of the next few years.

BUDGET: im looking for something mid range, around the $500 USD mark. would this price include lense with that?

most of you would have seen the type of shots and landscapes im in, so you can get an idea of scenery im in. usually arid dry areas with earthy colours.

what should i be looking for? do you have any recommendations? im pretty much a novice when it comes photography,but i do love taking shots, so any help would be appreciated.

$399 - Used Nikon D40 + 18-55 VR Lens

$599 Nikon D40 + 18-55VR & 55-200 VR Lenses

I'm sure there are a few people who can attest to how awesome the D40 is. Both options include the same camera and lens kit - the second includes another lens to cover a longer zoom range than the first kit.

Don't be scared to go used as long as you do so from reputable sources like B&H and Adorama. And I'm sure there are comparable - if not better non-Nikon (Canon) kits out there.

I bought a sony dslr Alpha 200 for 469$ with a 18-70mm lens. really worth it! you can then buy minolta or sony or a few other brand lens for super cheap on amazon.

I've had good luck with my Pentax K100D (or K110D, a little cheaper). I got it because I had a bunch of older Pentax prime lenses that I wanted to keep using. The really nice thing about this body is that you can put any old K-mount (bayonet) Pentax lens on it (cheap online), or you can even get an adapter for the older screw mount lenses. You can also get some really nice a/f lenses if you have the $$$. I got a nice old macro bellows lens on eBay for around $15. The bodies sell for around $350-$450 USD. The biggest complaint I have about these cameras is that the autofocus motor is located in the camera body, which makes it a little slower than some other (more expensive) brands. The lenses are a LOT cheaper though. Have fun - find a local camera shop that will let you try a few different bodies out. If you PM me I can send some shots I took with my K100D.

Canon SD 1100. Or anything in that series really. As a heavy traveler, I love this line of cameras. Light, easy to use, and rich with features, this camera is perfect for the traveler. It is also small enough to fit in your pocket or clip to your belt. With this camera, I am able to withdraw from the holster and activate it with one hand while riding a camel through the Egyptian desert at gallop. One drawback, it's not waterproof, but that's ok, you can actually buy a waterproof attachment for it. Let me know if you want more details.

jorge - yeah please.. or send me a few pics if you wouldnt mind.

manic - yeah i noticed you givingthe D40 a plug about a week or two ago...i did look at those links and have seen nothing but praise for them. what are you using at the moment?

what brands should i look for? does one have an advantage over the other? pentax vs cannon vs nikkon?

With that budget, I would avoid a DSLR. You can get a lot more for your money from a pro-sumer range camera.

Personally, I'm a fan of the panasonic fz camera's. 99% of the ability of a DSLR and a hell of a lot cheaper. (Price out the lenses to handle 35 - 420 mm with image stabalization of the fz50 and you will see what I mean)

If you are looking for something in the more point and shoot family. Any of the Canon's are a good choice.

If you are looking for something in the ruggedized/water resistant. Look at the Olympus SW family.

am i going too cheap you think?

i know i could spend up to around 700 without feeling guilty, but im hoping to score a lens or two with that price.

Ok Dlish, you're on!!

Here are examples from my camera: CANON Powershot SD 550 ELPH series.

Bonus: Try to figure out where I am. If you want the camel shots, I will load 'em up.

I would recommend you get something like this:


http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd1100-is/4505-6501_7-32826179.html?^$

Canon SD1100 IS Digital ELPH Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH Digital Camera - Review - The Imaging Resource!

Read the reviews.

For that price, you can load up on flash cards, a mini-tripod, xtra battery(ies) and a good carrying case (the really snug kind you can attach to your belt). You might consider an underwater attachment as well. You will get great results in an easy to use package. You can print as well and I've gotten great results (standard size). My next project is to blow up to 30 X 40cm and frame it.

Bear in mind, this camera is many generations after mine. So if you like my results or think they're ok, then it can be assumed this model is much better.

Good luck D!

Just to post my 2c about handheld vs DSLR - I own both (in fact I own 2 handhelds), a Canon SD750 and a Pentax K100D - Both are great, I love using the Canon for traveling, and the Pentax for portraits or shots closer to home. Here are two shots I just took, I basically grabbed the cameras, turned them on and took the picture. I resized (50%) and posted them here.

Here's the Canon (Handheld):
http://kippandmarissa.googlepages.com/Canon.jpg

And here's the Pentax (DSLR):
http://kippandmarissa.googlepages.com/Pentax.jpg

I feel like the Pentax makes a clearer shot with brighter colors and better contrast (note the sky, the pink flowers and the moving raindrops). Just a quick comparison.

thanks kipperroo. ill be doing some reserach later tonight.

jeorge - of course i want those camel pics!

lemme see..

russia
nile
jerusalem
rome
alexandria

Haha, good guesses Dlish.

Musee D'Orsay - from a bateau mouche on the Seine
*Taken at dusk from a moving boat. Although a bit off focus, there is still a nice water
quality to the pic. I like the lighting to this composition, both natural light from sunset
and the lights.

Falucca on the Nile
*One of my favorites. The composition; wate,r falucca and sunset all line up nicely. I
think the camera catches the details nicely too. Especially the ripples.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
*I chose this because I figured it was Middle East and you travel in that region a bit.
Plus the gold really comes out nicely.

The Louvre, Paris, France
*I chose this pic to show how the camera captures movement of the water fountain.
Notice the elaborate details of the museum in the background.

Abu Simbel, Egypt, near the Sudan
*Same idea of the Middle East. Hot, bright, dusty. When I took this pic, there were
hundreds of people swarming the base. With a little patience, I was able to capture
the pic as if there was no one there. Petra would be another great subject with similar
lighting and color tone.

I tried to pick photos that would resemble your likely experiences. Remember, I'm using a CANON SD 550 Elph series. The one I'm recommending is the CANON 1100 Elph series. There have been amazing improvements since my pics. Click on the links in my previous post D and look at the specs and reviews. I really think this would be a good camera for you.

Take care and good luck!

I shoot with a D80 and it's not so much the brands you should look out for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus - they all put out pretty solid cameras. You should be more concerned with which setting a budget and reading reviews until you find out which of the brands offers a camera that suits your needs the best and gives you the most bang for your buck.

Nice pics Jorge.

Hey dlish
I just bought a Nikon D40 at best buy for $449 on sale with a 18-55 VR Lens and it works great. If you just starting out with DSLR's I would highly recommend the D40 . The only prob I have with it is that it only has 6.1 MP but the D40x has 10.2 I think not to sure.
Anyways good luck

Olympus SP-570-UZ

Got one a few weeks ago and love it. Super zoom lens and excellent picture quality. It's about $430.00

Read the review here.

://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012204olysp570uz.asp

Jan

I'm shopping for a ne DSLR too and have narrowed it down to a new Nikon D80 , Canon 450D or 30D. Would like to get the new D90 but price is too high still - especially since it is just a hobby to me. Go to Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ for good side-byside comparisons. Also, check out the lenses' quality and prices too. ($200 saved in buying a cheaper body could end up costing you $500 later when you got to buy that new macro or zoom lense you may want.)

after doing some reserach im favouring the D60.

looking at getting the D60 kit incl 18-55 lens for just over 500 USD

:cry:jorgelito is deeply hurt.

Seriously, Canon SD1100 for under $200 USD.

:sad:

Where'd you find that price if you don't mind my asking? I haven't seen it anywhere cheaper than $610 USD.

"The D60 takes the successful formula established in the D40 / D40X and, well, if we're being honest, doesn't do a great deal with it at all - the leap from D40 to D40X was a lot greater than the step up from D40X to D60 (even if Nikon's naming convention might seem to imply the opposite). There's a few nice new features, and bundling the new 'VR' (stabilized) version of the kit lens is a smart move that makes the whole package a lot more appealing, but it's fair to say that the D60 is a subtle upgrade rather than a wholescale reinvention of Nikon's entry-level best-seller."

Digital Photography Review.com - D60 Review.

The D60 is the same as the D40 with a few buttons moved around. Save yourself the cash and get the D40 or better yet - put the extra cash towards a good tripod.

sorry that was a tyop manic. was meant to read as 600.

thanks for the advice. ive looked around - the d40 is a discontinued model, so i cant see it in any stores. id want to see it and fell it in my hand.

im also interested in a few cannon semi proffesional ones - but not SLRs. havent decided yet. going shopping for cameras tonight. will let you know how i do.

jorge - its ok bud..ill buy you a drink someday....while we are looking over how good my pics are with anything but a SD1100

yes Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ is the way to find answers

Ouch!! Damn you Dlish :p But I will take that beer only if you allow me to return the favor as well.

Out of curiosity, how come you didn't like the Canon SD 1100? It has very good ratings and an excellent price.

Can't wait to play show and tell with our travel pics.

your on jorge! you owe me a drink..and manic..wheres that ten bucks? :D

ok so i went shopping last night. ive been tossing whether i needed an SLR and whether its going to be bothersome to take travelling with weight restrictions, size restritions etc. usually i like to travel light because im always on the go. i dont like taking checked luggage because its a time waster. i like to feel free and be able to move at the tip of a hat. for that reason, a SLR with a lens would have been bothersome and wouldnt have fit into my backpack with ease.

ive also been talking to another friend whos a proffessional photographer here and he said the same thing about the D60 that manic did. that its not worth it for the few extra feautures that it has.

i wanted an upgrade from the small olympus one i had, but i decided i didnt want to go SLR. so i did some more looking around and found something almost in between. small enough to put in your pocket or cargo pants, but good for a person wanting to start taking good travel snaps.

so i went and bought a Canon Powershot G9.
jorge - at least it was a canon right?


so far i love it. ive mucked around with it for most of the day today. its gives you lot more control over the features than other smaller cameras, and its what i was looking for. the only thing i didnt get was the weatherproof/waterproof feature which i found extremely hard to find other than in the olympus range.

i bought it for 530 USD.

jorge - get ready!..are we competing? whens your next trip??

i love my canon powershot S2IS and i'm mastering it before moving up to a DSLR that my SO wants to get me. i love the thing and all of my pictures this year have been taken with it.
have FUN!

I love my Canon S3 IS but someday will have to go DSLR.

If you're thinking of buying an Olympus be sure not to miss this. Olympus Auctions is the official eBay store of Olympus - You’ll find a wide variety of products in the Olympus Auctions store: point-and-shoot Stylus digital cameras, 35mm film cameras, E-System digital SLR cameras, camera accessories, digital voice recorders and much more. Buy direct from the manufacturer and save!

This is where they sell their factory reconditioned cameras. All are like new and come with warranty. I got a stylus 840 there in September for $70 and Walmart is still selling that model for $199.

http://stores.ebay.com/Olympus-Auctions

The biggest point never raised when someone is considering a dSLR, is that you're not buying a camera, you're buying a lens system.

See what you might be shooting or like to shoot.
Read up on what the lenses do and then compare prices and even check resale values on ebay for those same lenses.
Very often they lose little to no value in the second hand market.

Bodies are more frequently replaced than lenses.