99% camera newb

[Beev]

I'm looking to get a decent digital camera. It doesn't need to be able to take super huger pictures, but I don't want everything I take to be all blurry. I don't even know where to begin to look or what brands are good or anything. Where should I start? I would probably look at a couple cameras in different price brackets.

 

[dug777]

What do you mainly want to photograph?

Do you want any real degree of manual control?

How much are you comfortable spending?

 

[Beev]

Just friends and family mostly. It will be very casual stuff.

I have no idea what manual control even is

Probably $300 at the absolute most. I would definitely like to spend much less.

 

[OdiN]

I'd recommend a Canon Point and Shoot then.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...t_A720_IS_Digital.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/..._SX100_IS_Digital.html

I'd go with something like those because they have good optical zoom (low optical zoom and tons of digital zoom isn't really that good) - they both have Image Stabalization which will help to get less blurred shots in lower light.

Also don't buy into the notion that you need tons of megapixels. 8 is plenty. I have printed 16x20 images from a 6MP and 8MP sensor and they are fine, and I doubt you'll print anything that large.

 

[alfa147x]

The Canon is great!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/..._SD870_IS_Digital.html


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/..._SD850_IS_Digital.html

 

[blackhawk]

go into a big box store or somewhere with a camera display section and handle a bunch of them, I'm a fan of canon as well for my smaller cameras, excellent build quality and pictures are great withy the new digic III and image stabilization.

once you find something you're liking, look it up online and familiarize yourself with its features and all the acronyms used in the camera world and last of all find what the price range is

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: blackhawk
go into a big box store or somewhere with a camera display section and handle a bunch of them, I'm a fan of canon as well for my smaller cameras, excellent build quality and pictures are great withy the new digic III and image stabilization.

once you find something you're liking, look it up online and familiarize yourself with its features and all the acronyms used in the camera world and last of all find what the price range is

Even better, go to a local camera store (NOT Ritz, if possible) and talk with one of the salespeople. Either one of the cameras above would be great for you!

 

[AndrewR]

Despite the Canon mafia, don't overlook other brands like Sony, Nikon, or Olympus (yes, I've excluded a few -- no slight intended). All of the brands make outstanding models, and you'd be doing yourself an injustice by confining yourself to any one.

As is written above, check out cameras in a store within your price range to find out what feels good and handles well. Then check out reviews online on places like Steve's Digicams, DPReview, The Imaging Resource, and even Amazon for user reviews.

Since you're just starting out, it's unlikely you'll know what features you will most need or what kinds of photos you will end up taking. Your first camera will most likely make that apparent after awhile, and your next camera purchase (it's infectious) will be a little easier at least in terms of what you are looking to find.

 

[ElFenix]

nikon's compacts are poop. always have been, always will be. nikon doesn't care for the segment.

 

[ZOXXO]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
nikon's compacts are poop. always have been, always will be. nikon doesn't care for the segment.

False.

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: ZOXXO

Originally posted by: ElFenix
nikon's compacts are poop. always have been, always will be. nikon doesn't care for the segment.

False.

I love my Nikon D50 and New Nikon D300 but i must say, nikon's compact P&S's are pretty crappy. I own, and always recommend a canon SD series to people looking for P&S's. Camera's don't tend to be used by most people if they can't fit in a pocket, and the SD650/750/850 etc fit that bill perfectly.

to the OP, the SD series of canon P&S's are going to be your best bet. People always complain about how big cameras are, and then they don't get used, go for something small, then you'll be inclined to carry it with you more.