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Best Digital Camera for Photography for $300?
Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
will889
Golden Member
Many of the cameras mentioned are fine -- it's not so much the camera (as long as you get a pretty good one) as it is learning how to use lighting and frame shots, and use the cameras functions to your best advantage regarding any specific model you get. Google photoshop tutorials and frequent camera forums and you'll learn post processing fairly quickly, and you don't need photoshop either some of the free apps will do a decent job.
Hey I read all of this and I've VERY interested
I've been thinking for a long time to buy a camera as well.
I had an old A70 that I dropped in the water years ago but I LOVED to take pictures with it. Since then I always wanted to get interested in "heavier" photography. I've read all these but cannot make a decision >< I would drop anywhere between 300-400 dollars on a camera (not including peripherals at all) and am not looking for a P&S~
Any suggestions? That package for 360 seemed HAWT, but apparantly there is that guy who pmed a nice Dell deal...maybe I could get one as well?
I really don't care about the MP game -quality is really my focus (Although image stabilization would help...I know that was a hot topic a few years back but I'm not sure if its standard today).
I've been thinking for a long time to buy a camera as well.
I had an old A70 that I dropped in the water years ago but I LOVED to take pictures with it. Since then I always wanted to get interested in "heavier" photography. I've read all these but cannot make a decision >< I would drop anywhere between 300-400 dollars on a camera (not including peripherals at all) and am not looking for a P&S~
Any suggestions? That package for 360 seemed HAWT, but apparantly there is that guy who pmed a nice Dell deal...maybe I could get one as well?
I really don't care about the MP game -quality is really my focus (Although image stabilization would help...I know that was a hot topic a few years back but I'm not sure if its standard today).
yhelothar
Lifer
The S3 IS is only winning here because so many people here has one and can speak for it.
But the K110D DSLR is clearly a better choice, especially for portraits where skintone makes a world of difference.
Superzooms have among the worst colors. The lens of that nature, usually isn't too good at focusing colors, which leads to color fringing, and are prone to poor contrast and colors. In addition to the lens, the tiny sensors found in superzooms have poor dynamic range. I'm speaking from personal experience, being a former panasonic FZ15 user that moved to a DSLR.
Not to mention the out of focus areas(bokeh) usually doesn't look too appealing on a superzoom. A 50mm F/1.4 lens, on the other hand, produces amazinly smooth and dreamy bokeh. Colors and contrast looks so much more realistic than a superzoom.
Get the Pentax K110D with a used 50mm F/1.4 prime(~$60 on ebay).
Sample taken with the Pentax *istDS with 50mm F/1.4
Example of bokeh
There's NO WAY you could get results anywhere close to that with a superzoom.
But the K110D DSLR is clearly a better choice, especially for portraits where skintone makes a world of difference.
Superzooms have among the worst colors. The lens of that nature, usually isn't too good at focusing colors, which leads to color fringing, and are prone to poor contrast and colors. In addition to the lens, the tiny sensors found in superzooms have poor dynamic range. I'm speaking from personal experience, being a former panasonic FZ15 user that moved to a DSLR.
Not to mention the out of focus areas(bokeh) usually doesn't look too appealing on a superzoom. A 50mm F/1.4 lens, on the other hand, produces amazinly smooth and dreamy bokeh. Colors and contrast looks so much more realistic than a superzoom.
Get the Pentax K110D with a used 50mm F/1.4 prime(~$60 on ebay).
Sample taken with the Pentax *istDS with 50mm F/1.4
Example of bokeh
There's NO WAY you could get results anywhere close to that with a superzoom.
KhoiFather
Platinum Member
Darn, but I just don't have the extra $200 to put in to buy a DLSR camera
then get this, some of this, save $200, and find someone who will develop it and scan it at 3000x2000 or larger (yes, even big chains will do that if you're nice to the lab guy). no, you don't need prints, so that will cut down on your costs. while you're learning that film will give you a lot of latitude in terms of how far off the exposure you can be and still get the picture. and print film can do some really tremendous things like have proper sky colors while exposing on a much darker subject.
either that or find a used pentax *ist DS or DL on ebay and match it with a pentax 50 f/2.0 or faster. how much of a hurry are you in?
That's assuming you have nice glass to go with the camera and are carrying it around with you. Just like when cheap automatic SLRs became mainstream, I've seen a lot of DSLR owners who use a consumer superzoom on their camera and that's it. In that case, taking into consideration the size and cost, something like a S3IS could have better suited their needs.
jlbenedict
Banned
Thats nonsense.
A good P&S damn near rivals a low cost DSLR. Remember, quality photos come from the photographer; not the flashy, hi-tech camera.
photo.net has a good beginner section.
the lens that used to come with SLRs was nearly the best one in the respective manufacturer's catalog: a 50 mm 'standard' (50 mm is neither wide nor telephoto, so it is standard) lens with a big aperture (f/1.7 to f/2). it's very simple to get that lens right, so it was the cheapest lens in addition to having incredible sharpness.
but consumers, in their infinite wisdom, decided that zoom (and one lens that 'replaced' three) was a better function than optics. so the camera makers had to figure out how to make a zoom nearly as inexpensively as that 50 mm lens. that meant cutting lots of corners, from optical quality to build quality.
that isn't to say you can't do good things with a kit lens. just that you'll be more limited (in some ways) and likely won't get the color rendition you could from a non-zoom, or prime, lens.
and some kit lenses are better than others. the canon is probably the worst. the olympus may be the best (though the pentax is pretty good too).
it's sort of like how TN LCD panels have a huge share of the market despite being inferior in practically every measurable way, except price.
Unheard
Diamond Member
I voted earlier today for the Pentax DSLR. I have the *istDL which is pretty much an earlier version of this model. Here is a sample photo I took with it, unprocessed, with the standard 18-55mm lens kit that came with the camera.
http://www.unheard.org/images/tomatoes.jpg
http://www.unheard.org/images/tomatoes.jpg
virtuamike
Diamond Member
What kind of portfolio?
If you're looking to just have fun, then a P&S would do. If you're looking for a portfolio that'd get her commercial work, then there's a lot more that goes into it than the camera that you use.
yhelothar
Lifer
:thumbsup:
IMO, 50mm makes a better beginner lens too, as sticking to one focal lengths is a lot more effective in mastering composition.
Sticking with one focal length allows you to become accustomed to the kind of framing you're going to get, which helps you develop a camera eye. You're able to imagine the picture without looking in the finder.
If you look at the average superzoom pic, or DSLR/superzoom lens, almost all of them fall prey to the "center, zoom in on subject, shoot" syndrome. A camera isn't meant to be a rifle scope.
yhelothar
Lifer
With the deals on the K110D now, it's really only about $50 more.
The Canon S3 IS costs $312shipped at newegg.com
The Pentax K110D costs $346shipped/AR w/lens @ buydig.com with $50 rebate.
And maybe an extra $60 more if you plan to get the 50mm F/1.4 lens recommended.
Or you could always get the 50mm F/2 lens instead for $20 if your budget is really tight.
foghorn67
Lifer
That's what some say. Until you realize that a P&S is limiting in reaching one's ability.
That K110D is perfect for a starting photographer. Good AF lenses, and some great primes can are readily available on the cheap.
Here are the pros and cons of a point & shoot. Cons outweigh the pros:
Pros:
-compact and simple to use.
-less expensive initial cost.
-lcd for a viewfinder.
-IS is more popular in P&S.
Cons:
-sensor is regulated to in camera processing. Most don't work with RAW.
-Lenses are built in, and wide angle and telephoto adapters aren't that great.
-Lenses are slow and suffer from all the consequences of compact zooms. CA, barrel distortions, and softness at the maximum focal length.
-The sensors suck at high ISO, almost unusable at high ISO's. You might hear Canon guys talking about how other makes are nosier when it comes to DSLR. But what they are criticizing (mainly Nikon) isn't even close to a point and shoot's noise from any make. The only slight exception are some Fuji's. But those things are pretty hefty for a P&S.
-Flash system, most don't have hot shoes or pc syncs, limiting the camera to a crappy built in flash. It's only great if you like the deer in headlight look.
-While the LCD is great for composing shots, it does lag heavily for moving objects. Coupled with bad shutter lags on P&S cameras, makes for a frustrating experience.
-Viewfinders are way better on a DSLR. Olympus has the option of both on some program modes. That Pentax has a great, bright viewfinder.
I could go on if you would like.
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