Advice on Camera for the Wife

[Good_Steward]

So, my wife has decided that she needs to upgrade cameras. Up to this point, we have always had the point & shoot stuff like the Sony Cybershot and Cannon something or other. Basically <$200 cameras. Any advice from the photo guys on here that won't completely break the bank? Please bear in mind that I am completely camera ignorant, and any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[10-Ring]

Does she want a DSLR or a point and shoot? I have my big cameras but I like to carry a point and shoot around in case I see something that I want to take a picture of, I usually just use my phone for that though. The sky is the limit pricewise, I have used Canon and Nikon and prefer Canon. I am assuming that you would like to keep costs somewhat low? A Canon Rebel DSLR has a whole lot of capability for general use. Unless she is really wanting to tackle some serious stuff (like blowing up landscapes really big or shooting in low light) that would be fine.

[QuietDan]

Something to consider: High end point and shoot, takes the place of a DSLR in 90 percent of the cases:

Nikon P7100 Compact Digital Camera | New Point and Shoot Camera

Canon makes something similar.

[Good_Steward]

Thanks, guys After looking around for the last couple of days, I get the feeling that I am asking the camera equivalent of "what's the best .45?". Very general, I just don't know any better. What's the DSLR stand for?

[Trekbike]

What's the DSLR stand for?

Digital single lens reflex

[Guest BenderBendingRodriguez]

DSLR = Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera. I.E. what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you will be taking a picture of, because it's a mirror reflecting that exact picture to your eye.

[Guest President Fernatt]

This is an amazing little camera for under $500. I got mine 2 years ago (the first year they came out for $250!!) but less than 3 months after I bought it, the price jumped to $450. Sony didn't realize what they had til they got so popular apparently. It is still a simple point&shoot but the macro feature is the best I've seen on anything under $500 and the camera has a huge amount of manual function for those wishing to transition to a more complicated/specific settings. I aboslutely love mine...can you tell? =)

Here is a link to Amazon with reviews Amazon.com: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization: Camera & Photo

[bluedog]

You can do a ton with base model DSLRs to get you started while you learn, then you can move up to a more expensive camera. (Kinda like starting with a .22!) good lenses make more of a difference than camera body anyway. I shoot Nikon because I had Nikon film lenses, but Canon is great too. Check out http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ or http://www.adorama.com/ Those are my favorite places to buy from. They sell a lot used too.

[Guest WyattEarp]

Thanks, guys After looking around for the last couple of days, I get the feeling that I am asking the camera equivalent of "what's the best .45?". Very general, I just don't know any better. What's the DSLR stand for?

DSLR = digital single lens reflex camera.

basically a DSLR is a camera body, and you buy separate lenses. There are multiple types of lenses, from wide angle, fixed focal length (no zoom in or out, just one length), and zoom/telephoto lenses. camera bodies range anywhere from $250 - $7000 for Canon/Nikon. Lenses can run anywhere from $100 - $10,000.

if you're not wanting something that will break the bank, a higher end point and shoot will be sufficient.

If she's into serious photography or wants to get serious, then the DSLR and lenses are the route I would go, it just won't be cheap.

[Guest WyattEarp]

you can find some good deals on craigslist too. I bought my first 2 camera's (EOS Digital Rebel 300D and EOS Digital Rebel XTi). both were quality, and in great shape.

[QuietDan]

You take the best pictures with the camera you have with you, not the one you left at home.

A really good point and shoot in your wife's purse or pocket takes better pictures than a digital single lens reflex in its camera bag in the closet.

I know first hand. I have both. You have to be pretty committed and single minded to pack up and carry around the DSLR and its kit. The good point and shoot follows you wherever. And, with technology, they're getting better and better.

[Guest lostpass]

What is holding her back with the current camera? That's the thing to address. Lot's of folks assume that if only they had the right camera they'd be as good as a professional photographer. But they won't, just like the right golf clubs won't make you a PGA player.

The thing holding people back is almost never the equipment but usually personal skill. I'd invest couple of hundies in a photo class so she can see what she really needs.

[strickj]

I had a long response typed out but decided to just delete everything and offer a reference instead.

Send her to Superior Camera on Lee HWY. Great people, great knowledge, and great prices. They'll get her what she needs without up-selling her a bunch of "fluff" like the big box places will.

[Good_Steward]

The current camera we have "takes too long" to actually snap the picture and re-set to take another picture (continual "gotta go!" from the 2yr old). That is her take on it, anyway.

By the way, thanks for all the responses guys. It is appreciated.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Good_Steward

[Guest Broomhead]

This is going to be our next camera purchase for my wife. Canon - PowerShot SX40 HS Black 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black - 5251B001 We have a (very) small photography biz on the side and while my wife takes excellent photos, she's not up on/into all of the technical aspects of the cameras. This has most, if not all of the functions and features of a DSLR without the need for different lenses. I have some more researching, and saving, to do but I'm really leaning towards going with this.

[BLACKVANDRIVER]

I have had my canon 30d slr for 3 yrs and it pretty much just sits. We had a nice little Lumix DMC-LX3 point and shoot that we always used and that I should have never should have sold. I am thinking of getting rid of the 30d for the new Sony Nex-7 or the Nikon V1.

You need to for her to decide what her use is going to be and how much she knows or would like to learn about photography. Then buy the right camera for her needs/wants.

[BLACKVANDRIVER]

This is going to be our next camera purchase for my wife. Canon - PowerShot SX40 HS Black 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black - 5251B001 We have a (very) small photography biz on the side and while my wife takes excellent photos, she's not up on/into all of the technical aspects of the cameras. This has most, if not all of the functions and features of a DSLR without the need for different lenses. I have some more researching, and saving, to do but I'm really leaning towards going with this.

If you dabble in the photography "business" you might look in to this one. We played with it for a while at Bestbuy and its really cool. It Does a ton of cool features and would be awsome for just about anything but really great for action shots.

Nikon - 1 J1 10.1-Megapixel Digital Camera with 10-30mm Kit - White - 1 J1 White

[Guest WyattEarp]

I have had my canon 30d slr for 3 yrs and it pretty much just sits. We had a nice little Lumix DMC-LX3 point and shoot that we always used and that I should have never should have sold. I am thinking of getting rid of the 30d for the new Sony Nex-7 or the Nikon V1.

You need to for her to decide what her use is going to be and how much she knows or would like to learn about photography. Then buy the right camera for her needs/wants.

If you wanna get rid of your 30D, hold on to it till January and I'll buy it off you the week of the 15th of Jan. I need a 2nd camera as a backup, and for when I'm shooting action photography where I need one camera with a telephoto lens to get up close, but a second camera with a wide angle lens to get stuff that comes up close to me (football, basketball games)

shame it sits at home. Every time I get in the car, I grab my camera and memory cards and batteries, just in case I see something crazy, insane, phenomenal, or awesome happen. Love my 7D

[Guest Broomhead]

If you dabble in the photography "business" you might look in to this one. We played with it for a while at Bestbuy and its really cool. It Does a ton of cool features and would be awsome for just about anything but really great for action shots.

Nikon - 1 J1 10.1-Megapixel Digital Camera with 10-30mm Kit - White - 1 J1 White

We already own 2 Canon DSLRs, Rebel XSi and T2i, both with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS lenses. The XSi is giving me some troubles with blurry pics regardless of the settings or lens, so something is wrong with the body itself. If it costs more to repair than the camera I posted, we will be buying the new one and selling the spare lenses. The whole point of the newer camera was to remove the need for new lenses or changing lenses period.

[Will H]

My wife is a wedding photographer, so we have cameras ranging from our $100 point and shoot to her mainline $5000 camera. We are hardcore Nikon fans for DSLRs, mostly due to Nikon's unquestionable grain filtration and advanced optics. However, for the price point you are looking for I would recommend the Canon Powershot. It has been my experience that Nikon is better in the DSLR, but Canon takes the cake in point and shoots, especially for people shots, where warmth is more desirable than technical clarity.

[Guest bkelm18]

I own a Canon DSLR and a Canon Powershot. 90% of the photos I take are with the Powershot since it's the easiest to carry around unless I'm headed out specifically with photography in mind. I just shoot for pleasure.

[Guest WyattEarp]

We already own 2 Canon DSLRs, Rebel XSi and T2i, both with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS lenses. The XSi is giving me some troubles with blurry pics regardless of the settings or lens, so something is wrong with the body itself. If it costs more to repair than the camera I posted, we will be buying the new one and selling the spare lenses. The whole point of the newer camera was to remove the need for new lenses or changing lenses period.

I would call canon directly, and ask them how much to fix it. Friend of mine got sand in his canon 5D-MkII while Hurricane Hunting, and they fixed it for him for $250 shipped. granted his was a $2500 camera body. Taking it to a local place like Fox Camera or Wolf Camera will only get you a bill bigger than you care to pay.

Canon U.S.A. : Online Product Repair Request, Tracking or Approval

1-800-OK-CANON

[Good_Steward]

So, looking at the Sony higher end point and shoots, specifically the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX100V. Any opinions on this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-Shot-DSC-HX100V-Digital-Vario-Tessar/dp/B004H8FND0

[bluedog]

While I have a Nikon DSLR, I highly recommend Canon point n shoots. They are the best.

[Guest President Fernatt]

So, looking at the Sony higher end point and shoots, specifically the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX100V. Any opinions on this one?

Amazon.com: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX100V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 30x Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080 Video: Camera & Photo

I suggested my SONY DSC-H20 on the first page but this one looks like a definite step up. Oddly enough, mine is about $30 more expensive than this one. Going purely on opinions, I like the HX100V in your link. That 30X zoom is a beast I bet. My reservations would be with the durability of the flip out LCD screen, the rebate is annoying, the 3D feature is pointless, and the reviews speak of considerable lag time. If I were you I would go to a local retailer and try them out to see how they fit in your hand, what quality it produces, and if the extra settings are something you would actually utilize.

There are over 90 reviews on Amazon for this camera...it would be time consuming but they would be worth reading. I'm sure some professional photographers on here would disagree but I don't think you can go wrong with a Sony period.