hi, looking to get a good camera around $650..can spend a bit more if its worth it..main use will be to take pictures but would also like it if it recorded hd video as well..don't know much about cameras and what to look for..looking around for info now..some help will be much appreciated..thankss
Best Digital Camera to Get around $650 ??
SeanEIt on 08/06/2011 - 01:57
Last edited 08/06/2011 - 03:19
Last edited 08/06/2011 - 03:19
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thanks for that..not much worried about the size..so just looking to get the best image quality i can for that price..looked up 'DSLR', mite get that kind as you did mention they will give better quality photos and zoom..the articulated screen on the G12 is kool..
DSLRs do generally produce better quality photos, but just FYI, it can also produce poor quality ones if you don't know how to use it or if you're just learning about photography. Also keep in mind that if you're going to take DSLR photography as a serious hobby, it can become quite expensive with all the costs of the different lenses + attachments.
Photography professionals/hobbyist normally go for DSLRs, but for normal and practical use, people would go for a compact digital camera.
damn this is getting complicated..this is not for anything professional or serious though..but thats a lot of money for me i am spending on this so really after image quality..will have to sleep on this one..thanks.
not true, most dslrs have an automatic setting. and anyone can take crap photos.
the G12 is growing on me..got heaps of features and i like the size and price as well..
check out CHDK, you might be able to get the same features with a cheaper camera which will allow you to get some good accessories to go with your DSLR
I have a cannon S95 and its a great piece of equiptment. Its hands-own the best compact digital camera you can get.
A review you might be interestedin reading is:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm
and for some pictures ive taken with mine see:
http://mini-may.deviantart.com/art/Umeda-Sky-Tower-182153251…
http://mini-may.deviantart.com/art/Shukkeien-184876894?q=gal…
Got a Pentax K-x with kit lens for $360 at officeworks a week ago. Excellent budget SLR.
Amazing price. I'm not getting below $599. How did you (and where) get this price? $360 with kit lens?
Can you provide more info?
Thanks
It was listed at $379 at Officeworks Woolloongabba. Gave me 5% off as it was the last one (display model). Still in mint condition, lens and sensor was dust free. The 4x AA Lithium batteries weren't in the box so they threw in a pack of 4x Energizer NiMH rechargeables instead.
Can't say whether you'll be able to find it elsewhere as most of this mob would have cleared them out by now.
Bought a Panasonic LX-5 this week…
One of the best 'compacts' (along side the S95) but with better video recording…
and about $440 if you grey-import, closer to your budget if you dont..That is, if you dont want the size of a G12 or a DSLR…
I'd suggest Panasonic DMC-GF2 which is a compact 4/3 DSLR which you can get with a 14-42mm zoom lens for around the $ you mentioned.
thanks for all the responses guys..going through all the mentioned models and trying to compare them..not an easy task for me..also found these links from a post mentioned by Livert..so trying to make sense of it all..
http://www.takebetterphotos.com.au/articles-digital-SLR.html
http://www.alphamountworld.com/photography-articles/entry-le…
oh deary… Ken Rockwell.. sigh
Don't knock the guy. Sure, he may be a little opinionated and Nikon biased, but he can teach a thing or two about photography.
thanks guys for all the help and info..much appreciated..wasn't easy making up my mind but going to try out both the Canon G12 and Nikon D3100 then gift one of them..hopefully didn't disappoint anyone..thankss..
definitely try before you buy to help decide which feels best to you as everyone is different
apart from the those two and the other canons and panasonics suggested, perhaps also consider olympus xz1 and epl2
try out both the Canon G12
Excellent choice. :) Good luck.
canon g12 + canon 430ex or even a cheapo flash like a YN460 just to bounce etc.
good luck
Check out the reviews for Fuji finepix 3300. We were recently in the market for a new camera (or two) and must admit to having cringed a bit when hubby mentioned a fuji. He was actually looking at the 3200, but was able to get the 3300 for around the same price at the time.
The reviews were good for the camera though, and we got to play with it beforehand to check the picture quality, so he went ahead and bought it.
It is 14mp with a massive 26X optical zoom, and is producing some awesome pictures. It's in the Target Catalogue starting tomorrow for $298 complete with camera bag and tripod.
Incidentally, I also got a Lumix TZ20 at the same time, for half as much money again as what hubby paid for the fuji. If anything, the pics coming out of the Fuji are better, both zoom and macro.
I don't know if it has the ability to do that as a special effect. I got it for its macro ability. I can't believe how hard it was to find something that produces good clear macro shots.
Go to a camera store and take a look at a few of the models recommended.
Pick one that feels the best for you. Cameras have come a long way. Any of the camera recommended is likely to give you excellent photos. As long as you know how basic photography.
It really depends on what you would consider 'best'. I'm assuming you're after a compact digital camera? Do you mind bulky cameras, or do you prefer the smaller ones? Smaller ones usually sacrifice on features (e.g. zoom) due to size limitations, whereas with the slightly bulkier ones, you do get more features and to some extent, better quality of your photos. $650 is a generous budget for a compact digital camera and you could get a top range one for around that price (unless you decide to get a DSLR).
Brand-wise, I would personally go for a Canon mainly for reliability, image quality, battery consumption, and speed of image processing. This is of course purely my opinion and from my experience only. So far, I've been very satisfied with every Canon I've owned.
Personally, I've got a G12, which is one of the few top range cameras in the Canon G series. It takes excellent quality pictures, especially for low-light (i.e. night) conditions. The downside of this is the size of it. This is not a camera that you can fit in your normal-sized pocket. If you want the smaller alternative, go for the S95, which is very similar to the G12 feature wise.
If you're after a camera with large zooming distance but don't care about manual controls, I heard the IXUS 1000 HS is a good point-n-shoot and it's small too.
For other brands, there are also good reviews for top of the range cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix LX5 and Nikon Coolpix P5700.