I cant find a camera to do what I want, do I need an SLR?

[LookinForACamera]

I have been searching for that perfect camera, but I cant find it! I was wondering if anyone can help me. I am looking at SLR cameras but I dont know much about them. I am not sure if an SLR is the type of camera I need. I would go to a good quality photo store, but there is not one near me.

The things I want in a camer are: 28mm, image stabilizer, 7 mega pixles or grater, greater than 10x optical zoom if possible, video, rapid fire pictures, and GREAT immage quality.

Should I be looking at SLR cameras or should I stick with Digital? Is it even possible to get somthing like this for around $1,000?

[DonSchap]

I have been searching for that perfect camera, but I cant find it! I was wondering if anyone can help me. I am looking at SLR cameras but I dont know much about them. I am not sure if an SLR is the type of camera I need. I would go to a good quality photo store, but there is not one near me.

The things I want in a camer are: 28mm, image stabilizer, 7 mega pixles or grater, greater than 10x optical zoom if possible, video, rapid fire pictures, and GREAT immage quality.

Should I be looking at SLR cameras or should I stick with Digital? Is it even possible to get somthing like this for around $1,000?

If you do find an DSLR that takes movies ... that'd be novel. Usually, they cannot do that. It requires a P&S type of camera, such as the Canon S3 IS. Now, don't get your hopes up with that, yet, either. The minimum (widest) focal length on that camera is 36mm ... but it will extend to 432 mm.

You could buy the 58mm adapter and place the screw-on wide-angle lens and get to where you want to go. It's pretty simple, that way. You can also extend the telephoto with another screw-on lens, so it'll step right out there.

Rapid fire is where this camera falls down, but hey ...

Here's Jeff's Review (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/index.shtml) on the camera.


Good luck! :)

[sjseto]

A DSLR will get you most of you want - with the right lens, and for a price. The only thing you won't get is video. But in general, a DSLR will get you the best image quality and have the best performance in terms of continuous (if that's what you mean by "rapid fire") shooting.

Every non-DSLR camera that I can think of lacks at least one of the features you asked for. The Sony H7 and H9, I think, come the closest; they just don't have a lens that starts at 28mm (they start at 31mm). Most other ultra-zooms start at 35mm or higher. However, as DonSchap said, some of them will accept conversion lenses so you could get a wider field of view (with some degredation in image quality). The new Panasonic TZ3 has all the technological features you ask for, and even has a pretty decent continuous mode for a non-DSLR, but image quality could probably be considered good to very good, not great, especially when compated to DSLRs.

Edit: I just noticed that you added the $1000 budget. I think you'd have to stretch that if you go with a DSLR and an 18-200 lens.

Stephanie

[LookinForACamera]

Thanks for the info. I am not strict to the $1000 budget, I dont want to get too much camera for what I would use it for. I love taking photos and know that I need a really diverse camera for what I use it for. I will look into the DSLR option because I do want great quality immages, but I dont need a TON of manual adjustments, I know I need more than point and shoot though. Thanks again!

[coldrain]

I have been searching for that perfect camera, but I cant find it! I was wondering if anyone can help me. I am looking at SLR cameras but I dont know much about them. I am not sure if an SLR is the type of camera I need. I would go to a good quality photo store, but there is not one near me.

The things I want in a camer are: 28mm, image stabilizer, 7 mega pixles or grater, greater than 10x optical zoom if possible, video, rapid fire pictures, and GREAT immage quality.

Should I be looking at SLR cameras or should I stick with Digital? Is it even possible to get somthing like this for around $1,000?
Why image stabilizer, why 7mp or greater?
Why video?

It seems you just have thought "oh yeah that feature is cool".
I will drop the 7mp and greater wish for now, as it seems the least important of all. And I will ignore "rapid fire" since it does not explain why or what you actuallyw ould want, and all cameras take pictures in succession.

You can not have a camera that does all that. So, you will have to determine what really is important to you.
Everything except IS: Fuji S6000fd

Everything except 28mm: Canon S3 IS and Sony H5
You can add wide angle convertors to them though.

Everything except video: Pentax K100D DSLR + Pentax 16-45 f4 (very good standard zoom) + Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro.
This will give you great image quality with the 16-45, and great reach with the Sigma. And IS, and very good image quality possibilities because it is a DSLR.