Looking for a decent camera but I'm noob..

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nakedpeanut

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MadMailMan

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I wrote a looooong response telling you the difference between bridge and SLRs but really if it was my choice I would get the Canon. Again. I already own a 20D and a 7D. :eek: The Canon will be more versatile in the long run and you'll find if you really start getting into photography then a SLR is the only way to go. I don't know what prices are like in SA anymore but if you could try and stretch the budget to a 550D. It has better low light capabilities and video which I always thought was a gimic until I started playing with my 7D. It's actually pretty cool.

Good luck!
 
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MadMailMan

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One more thing. If you do get a SLR be carefull you don't catch "lens lust." You'll know you have it when you are looking around the house for things to sell so you can buy another lens. :eek:
 
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Juggy

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MadMailMan said:
One more thing. If you do get a SLR be carefull you don't catch "lens lust." You'll know you have it when you are looking around the house for things to sell so you can buy another lens. :eek:
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I have it, busy trying to fund my 70-200 F4;)

The 500D also does video and is a bit cheaper than the 550D so take a look at that as well or wait for the D7000, might be a bit pricey though.
 
buffalobill

buffalobill

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nakedpeanut: You say you're a noob. Be very careful in what you buy because these cameras may well have many more features and be more complicated to use than you realise.
The DSLR on all counts is a way better camera because of its superior sensor and mechanism but be aware that it doesn't have a zoom lens. These cost many thousands more. It all depends what you think your current and future needs will be.
If it's only casual but decent pics AND you have no intention of doing any more, then the Sony with its +500mm zoom is the better option, because other than a bag, UV filter, lens hood, tripod, spare batteries and, possibly, flash that's all you're going to need.
If you want a truly future-proof camera where you can replace the body and keep the lenses, then a DSLR is the better choice. If photography is likely to become a passion, then lenses counting possibly in the tens of thousands of rands plus accessories will become your real investment, not the camera body itself. The DSLR you mention also doesn't seem to come with a flash. They start at R1 500, so be aware of that.
Superzooms, or bridge cameras, like the Sony have a built in pop up flash, but they're limited (you can't bounce the light, for example) although reasonable, so you might want to get a flash anyway.
I've got a Fuji S200EXR and it's more than enough camera for me, and I've been taking photographs on decent equipment including Hasselblad and Mamiya for over 30 years, but never (except for a short period) professionally.
That said, I'll probably get a DSLR in 3-4 years when it's time to change and I will be getting closer to a day when I have more time for the joy of casual photography.
My recommendation is do some more reading rather than shopping before you buy. Your choice should be defined by your current and, more importantly, your future photography needs. Don't be fooled by the technical talk, if your pics are for family, they won't be able to tell the difference between the two cameras unless you want to blow the pics up to poster size.
 
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atomcrusher

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buffalobill said:
My recommendation is do some more reading rather than shopping before you buy. Your choice should be defined by your current and, more importantly, your future photography needs
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Very wise advice, which should be heeded.
 
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Ou grote

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I have the cheaper Sony H10.
It takes great pics.
Battery lasts for about 300 photos.

Gripes / things I'd change next time...
Only has 10x zoom, it was ok when I bought it, but now I would like 20x.
Difficult to take pics at airshows, can't really see the screen nicely, especially when you have zoom on. A little view finder would be nice.
Uses memory stick pro duo - my laptop doesn't support those, :( so need to use the cable.
Would be nice to have the GPS co-ordinates in the photo. (can buy a gps logger, but they're expensive)
Panorama mode would be nice, my samsung galaxy phone has that.
 
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wrathex

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Noob to Noob

The Nikon S8000 I bought is a very good noob camera, the greatest feature of this little camera is the HD video feature. I am very very pleased with it.

Nikon's super slim, clearly brilliant Coolpix S8000 combines 14.2 effective megapixels with an incredible 10x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens for stunning prints as large as 20x30 inches. The camera features an incredible, bright 3.0-inch High Resolution VGA (921-k dot) LCD for composing and sharing pictures and HD (720p) movies with stereo sound. The Coolpix S8000, with Nikon's EXPEED image processing concept and 4-way VR Image Stabilization System, takes incredible pictures, incredibly easy. The Coolpix S8000 has Nikon's New Smart Portrait System which; automatically detects your subjects face, takes a picture when they smile, can soften the skin tone, and warns you if they blinked. - http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_coolpix_s8000_review/
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