Please help me choose

[pkcmd1008]

I'm a newbie to this forum. I have begun my search for a new camera. I have an active 4yr and a newborn. Tryin to take pics of the 4yr old seems difficult with my 4yo olympus. THe shutter lag is killing me.
Like to take our own "gallery" pics for cards and blow ups.

Looking for about an 8mp camera
Price from $200-$1000 depending on P&S vs DSLR.
No or minimal shutter lag.

Can't seem to decide from a compact vs DSLR like canon vs nikon vs sony.
So many to choose from. Almost decided to get an ultra compact for parties and on the go and a DSLR for precious moments. But is it wise to get 2 cameras???

I am at my wits end. PLease help me decide, a compact or dslr or both and which. Thanx in advance.

[grant575]

Hi pkcmd,

I don`t know if this is going to be much help but I recently brought a compact digital camera. Before I did I conducted a lot of research to make sure I brought the appropriate camera for my needs. I was origionall in the market for a Canon DSLR but quckly changed my mind for two reasons. Firstly a DSLR is not very compact and secondly whilst not having the manual controls of DSLR a compact can have a very good picture quality.

My research quickly led me to the Canon range. I settled with the Digital IXY 900is which is 7.1M. I have had it for a week now and I highly recomend this as the picture quality is outstanding, ease of use is great and it has relatively good control to vary the way you take pictures (Be aware that it`s still far from fully manual control). The major plus for me is the image stabilization, I have taken a couple of hundred nights shots and only had to turn the flash on twice, also the shutter lag is vertually down to nothing.
The price was about $340.00US.

Just a couple of words of warning, don`t rely on mega pixel count as an indication of picture quality, sometimes the higher the mega pixel count the more noise that will be introduced into the picture depending on the processor.

[MatthewCollin]

Well, how much money do you have?

I know this: If I could afford a new Canon or Nikon DSLR, I'd have one...as well as my new Canon Powershot A710IS.

....but I don't have much money.

For an ultracompact, the Canon SD600/630's seem to have pretty good reviews. I've read mixed reviews of Sony's entry level ultracompacts (although the affordable DSC-W50 looks to be a good buy).

If you want more manual control in a bigger body, step up to canon's powershot line (A630/640/*710IS*), or maybe the new Kodak EasyShare C875 (not as nice as Canons newer powershots IMO, but it's also a rather budget minded camera).

If you do want a DSLR, check out the Canon EOS-30D and Nikon D200. Midrange models and rather expensive ($1000+), but probably worth it.