Planet 9

**K-Man S** · #1 03-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Well my Sony Cybershot F-707 finally shot craps and I need to replace it with something newer/better. Here is why I chose the camera initially:

1) Carl Zeiss lens and highly rated photo quality output
2) Ability to attach wide angle, zoom and other lenses and filters
3) Ability to shoot small videos

Now I know a lot has changed in the 7 or so years since I purchased that camera, but I find my needs are pretty much the same. I like a high quality image (my wife has one of those slim Sony cameras in pink and its image quality is lacking) so I am assuming I will need something with a decent lens.

I do use my wide angle lens or certain filters from time to time, I forget what millimeter size they are at the moment, but it would be nice if I could re-use them with the new camera, if not I guess I could ebay them or something.

Last, but not least, despite having a HD camcorder (also Sony) I find that there are times with the kids or at the track, etc. that I just want to shoot a quick video of something. I don't expect it to be the best quality video like I shoot with the HD camcorder, but something to capture the moment in something other than a still image.

I'm not planning to shoot images for photography competitions, mostly family outings, track events, images for articles here on the website, etc. While I also like ease of use, I don't want a camera so dumbed down (like having presets and nothing else) that it doesn't allow for any freedom of choice. I also don't want one so complex that it takes a 3 inch thick manual to explain it all either.

I am not married to any one brand and although my now expired camera is a Sony, the memory sticks it uses are no longer made so I don't have any investment in that regard. Hmm I guess that's about it for now, I'm going to head over to dpreview.com and see what's up over there...

Thanks in advance for any/all recommendations!

**K-Man S** · #2 03-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Oops almost forgot price range. I'd like to keep it under $500, but if there is something between $500 and $1000 that is just "the match" etc. I would consider it.

**fondueski** · #3 03-27-2009, 10:12 AM

I bought a Canon EOS 40D in the last year. Aside from not being able to use your old lenses and no video capability, this is one great camera that I think meets your basic requirements. I'd consider it prosumer. The thing that made me choose it over others is because I like to take pics at track events, including ALMS & Indy, and this camera can shoot 5 frames/sec at high resolution. I don't know of anything else in its range that can do that.

**K-Man S** · #4 03-27-2009, 10:16 AM

Here is what I am condsidering currently:

Canon EOS 500D / Digital Rebel T1i Hands-on Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

beez · #5 03-27-2009, 10:37 AM

Recommendations from an actual professional photojournalist...

Best pocket-compact with manual override controls:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Best compact with manual overrides - many pros use this as a 2nd/knock-around camera:

Canon PowerShot G10 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Best DSLR in your price range:

Nikon D40X Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

brad

chucko · #6 03-27-2009, 11:07 AM

+1 on Beez"s recommendations the Canon G9 is still available new. It does no go as wide as the G10 (35 vs 28) but it does shoot a 1024 X 768 video. The G10 will only shoot 640 X 480 video.

DMN987S · #7 03-27-2009, 11:36 AM

Canon SX1 IS will give you 20x optical zoom, image stablizer and shoots HD video. review
$600 retail

**SY987CS** · #8 03-27-2009, 12:37 PM

I too used the Sony DSC-F707 for years, a great camera for its time. In addition to Brads good recommendations look at:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review

RobMason · #9 03-27-2009, 01:01 PM

This is my favorite. Panasonic DMC FZ 28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28: Digital Photography Review

Type, SLR-like, 10 meg pix, Leica lens. HD movie clips, 18 X mechanical zoom, I have a super wide lens attachment and a 2X Telephoto lens, numerous filters, close up attachment etc. Great in between camera (between P & S and SLR). (Price $300)

The comparable Sony model is the just released Sony DSC HX1 (will be about $500)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ony_dschx1.asp

John OKC · #10 03-27-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

Here is what I am condsidering currently:

Canon EOS 500D / Digital Rebel T1i Hands-on Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Good call. The high ISO capability, ability to swap lenses plus the small size of a 500D make any P&S an unattractive alternative. Fast glass kicks a$$, with a P&S you are stuck with the sloooow aperture lens they come with, but with a DSLR you can put a 50 F 1.8 lens on it for about $70 and get really nice indoor no flash shots (most flash shots have the deer in the headlights look). The 18-55 IS EF-S kit lens is well worth the extra hundred bucks. My P&S is a 40D with this lens, I use a 1DMKIII or 5DMKII for serious stuff.

danm628 · #11 03-27-2009, 10:52 PM

Buy a low end SLR. Nikon, Canon or Sony Alpha. Any of them will be a LOT better than the all in one systems (point and shoot).

In digital cameras there are two things that matter. Quality of lens and quality of sensor. In the point and shoots you are stuck with the same lens and sensor. SLRs let you upgrade either when ever you want.

Sensor tech is fairly simply. Bigger is better. Not more mega-pixels, more area. Larger area means each pixel is larger for a given number of mega-pixels. Larger area improves the signal to noise ratio and increases the dynamic range; together those provide better high ISO performance. All SLRs have much larger sensors than the P&S cameras; the upper end SLRs now have sensors the same size as 35mm film. Even the "4/3rds" SLRs (Olympus and others) have bigger sensors than the P&S; though they aren't as large as the Nikon/Canon/Sony sensors.

Lens are a pain. Unlike other silicon products glass isn't subject to Moore's law. Though to be honest sensors aren't either; you want a constant size pixel and bigger die, which isn't what Moore's law states. So the cost of a good lens has at best stayed constant the last few years. Unfortunately good lenses aren't cheap; currently I'm lusting after a $5K 200mm F2.0 lens. But even the kit lens that comes with an entry level Canon or Nikon is better than what you get in most P&S cameras.

Personally I use a Canon. At the time I purchased my EOS 5D Canon was significantly ahead of Nikon in sensor technology. Nikon has caught up; in some products they are ahead, in others Canon is ahead. Competition with Nikon and Sony is good, hopefully it will make Canon move ahead faster. Sony is the new comer, they purchased Minolta's camera line a couple of years ago and have decided to be a significant player in the market. So far they are looking pretty good.

I can't really switch to Nikon, I have too much money invested in Canon lenses to make the switch easily. If I had a Nikon the same thing would apply. Once you buy into one brands lens mount you are stuck. Not a bad thing just something to be aware of. Looking at what lenses are available for each SLR brand is part of the decision process.

Go to a good camera store (i.e. not an electronics store that has cameras) and play with the low end SLRs. Buy the one that is the most comfortable for you to hold and use. You'll be happy with which ever one you walk out with.

I do uses a P&S for when I don't want to carry the full SLR. I currently have a small Olympus that fits in my pants pocket. Much better than my iPhone camera; not nearly as good as my SLR.

- Dan

**His987CS** · #12 03-28-2009, 08:08 AM

Here is a link with reviews of many digital cameras, some SLR some not.

Digital Cameras | Wired.com Product Reviews

woodbine · #13 03-28-2009, 08:17 AM

check out leica delux 4, friend has one

RobMason · #14 03-28-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by His987CS

Here is a link with reviews of many digital cameras, some SLR some not.

Digital Cameras | Wired.com Product Reviews

At least some of the cameras in this link are not the up to date models. The Panasonic TZ5 has been upgraded to TZ6 and TX7 models, Panasonic
FZ18 has been replaced with FZ28.

For someone who wants more than a point and shoot, and doesn't want to get into the size of an SLR and having to add multiple lens, the SLR-like models are nice for all around shooting. The models in the same price range include, Panasonic FZ28, Canon SX10is, Nikon Coolpix L100, Nikon Coolpix P80, Olympus SP-565UZ , Sony DSC- H20, and Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD

The Sony HX1 may out shine them all but will be hard to find (just released) and more expensive.

**gfspencer** · #15 03-28-2009, 01:12 PM

I was going to suggest a Leica M8.2 . . . but it will not take movies, it uses Leica lenses (although it can use Zeiss lenses) and it costs more than $1,000. You can add wide angle lenses. Okay, one out of four isn't so hot but it is German!

Fadiboy · #16 03-28-2009, 01:23 PM

Good reading on the subject: Recommended Cameras

**K-Man S** · #17 03-28-2009, 01:38 PM

Yeah here is the HX-1 info, doesn't seem too bad, around $500 many DSLR like qualities, but the LCD panel is the old technology (wonder why?)

Sony introduces DSC-HX1 with Exmor CMOS sensor: Digital Photography Review

But other than that, nice features including the auto-stitch panorama shots sound cool (would like to see real world examples though) I could not find it for sale anywhere yetjust like the Canon D500 EOS Rebel T1i.

philipwitak · #18 03-28-2009, 01:40 PM

ken - check this out before you make any decisions.

i used cnet data extensively when i was shopping for my first digital slr two or three years ago and found it very valuable. there is a lot of information out there, from many different sources. cnet made the entire process more manageable for me - perhaps for you, too. here is a great page to begin.

Digital SLR cameras on a shoestring - CNET Reviews

danm628 · #19 03-28-2009, 03:28 PM

DP Review has some of the best technical reviews available (Beez linked to it above for some specific model reviews). Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

I like Luminous Landscape for articles with a focus on usability, not just technical measurements. I also know Michael Reichmann, 25 years ago I wrote a word processor for Batteries Included which he ran at the time. The Luminous Landscape

Another good site is Fred Miranda. User reviews and fairly good forums. fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom

Finally, Rob Galbraith runs a good site. He is a sports photographer. Rob Galbraith DPI: Home

- Dan

P.S. I do agree on the Leica suggestion. Of course that really will break the $500 budget, probably by about 10x. Great cameras though. Assuming you like range finder cameras.

**Charlie_CS** · #20 03-28-2009, 03:37 PM

Ken, the NEW Canon Rebel T1i just released, available in May, now has video capture. The kit (with 29 - 88 mm lens) is available from B&H for less than $900. Specs look good for the money.

Canon | EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ EF-S 18-55mm

Charlie