karpana
07-08-2007, 08:56 AM
I've been doing online research for the past couple of weeks, and have built my self a short list (primarily based on the content within this site). The problem is that I don't live near the nearest big city, and thereby don't have any real means to "try before you buy".
I'm looking for some help/recommendations, so that I can then proceed to focus my attention on a single camera or two, and thereby test the camera in store, or possibly buy online.
Having read this particular forum, here are my "survey results"
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Being something of a cheapskate, as cheap as possible, however including extended warranties, accessories and financing, I'm willing to pay as much as 1500.00
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
Size doesn't matter, although my wife and I are looking thinking about DSLRs, as we've concluded that our Sony DSCP92 has outlived it's usefulness.
Features
How many mgapixels will suffice for you?
As many as possible, granted we only have the ability to print 8x10s. We don't see a need for priting 11x14 portraits, but wouldn't mind having this kept as a possible option.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Haven't really thought about this, granted given I'm looking at SLR, I suppose the base zoom that I'm concerned with is 3-4x, with the ability to change to a lens with 10x-12x if desired.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
Image quality is of utmost importance...so assuming 10 is the best...10.
Do you care for manual controls?
I'd like to learn manual controls, but it's not a huge requirements.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Photos of cats/kittens, dogs/puppies, and my daughter, as well as photo taking during family vacations.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
as mentioned before, largest we can print today (on our HP PSC950) is 8x10s, although 11x14 portraits would be nice for photos of our daughter.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
sports - no
action shots - yes (animals)
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I've never had a problem with sony. My buddy's Canon Rebel xti impressed me.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
my current short list includes (although I'm open to other suggestions):
Nikon D40x
Sony A100
Pentax K10D
Canon Rebel Xti
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image stabilization: Yes
Hot shoe: Do not need, but might be nice to have for future
Wide angle: not needed, but nice to have, possibly as a lens.
Others The camera *MUST* be able to take multiple consecutive shots
The camera *MUST* turn on and by photo-ready quickly
Thanks in advance.
I'm looking for some help/recommendations, so that I can then proceed to focus my attention on a single camera or two, and thereby test the camera in store, or possibly buy online.
Having read this particular forum, here are my "survey results"
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Being something of a cheapskate, as cheap as possible, however including extended warranties, accessories and financing, I'm willing to pay as much as 1500.00
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
Size doesn't matter, although my wife and I are looking thinking about DSLRs, as we've concluded that our Sony DSCP92 has outlived it's usefulness.
Features
How many mgapixels will suffice for you?
As many as possible, granted we only have the ability to print 8x10s. We don't see a need for priting 11x14 portraits, but wouldn't mind having this kept as a possible option.
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Haven't really thought about this, granted given I'm looking at SLR, I suppose the base zoom that I'm concerned with is 3-4x, with the ability to change to a lens with 10x-12x if desired.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
Image quality is of utmost importance...so assuming 10 is the best...10.
Do you care for manual controls?
I'd like to learn manual controls, but it's not a huge requirements.
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Photos of cats/kittens, dogs/puppies, and my daughter, as well as photo taking during family vacations.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
as mentioned before, largest we can print today (on our HP PSC950) is 8x10s, although 11x14 portraits would be nice for photos of our daughter.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
sports - no
action shots - yes (animals)
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I've never had a problem with sony. My buddy's Canon Rebel xti impressed me.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
my current short list includes (although I'm open to other suggestions):
Nikon D40x
Sony A100
Pentax K10D
Canon Rebel Xti
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image stabilization: Yes
Hot shoe: Do not need, but might be nice to have for future
Wide angle: not needed, but nice to have, possibly as a lens.
Others The camera *MUST* be able to take multiple consecutive shots
The camera *MUST* turn on and by photo-ready quickly
Thanks in advance.