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View Full Version : Looking for a new Camera


JRidge2778
12-15-2006, 10:13 PM
Hi long time viewer, first time poster here.

I'm taking a photography class in the spring and I'm taking the oppurtunity to upgrade my digital camera from my old Kodak DX7440. Heres a quote from the class website what what they say you need.

"You will need a 5 MP camera that has full manual control of the aperture, shutter speed and focus simultaneously. The aperture and shutter speed should have a range of five stops each."


Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera?
300-400 Max For just the camera. worry about the rest of accessories later.


Size

* What size camera are you looking for?
Smaller the better for ease of carrying it around but if it has to be big I'll work with it


Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
At least 6, would prefer 7

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Would prefer a Ultrazoom

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
9

Do you care for manual controls?
Yes I need them, full manual control of the aperture, shutter speed and focus simultaneously. The aperture and shutter speed should have a range of five stops each.


General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
I will probley be using for all sorts of different uses when it come to the class but after that mostly family and pet photos.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Yes at least 8.5 x 11

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Not sure

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Not sure


Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I have been looking at the Canon S3 IS and Sony H5, but open to other suggestions.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)


Thanks,

pdxmatts
12-16-2006, 01:57 AM
Check out the A710IS, most ultra compacts do not have manual controls.

The Fujifilm F30 does and it is quite an amazing little camera especially with lowlight pics.

The A710IS has 7mp, 6x optical zoom and full manual controls. It is not too big either. DCRP rated it and the Fujifilm F30 in his top ten cameras. Heres the link: http://www.dcresource.com/buyersguide/ Good Luck