Swoop41
11-19-2007, 11:37 AM
So I'm a relative newbie who's looking at getting into amateur photography as a hobby. It's something I've always wanted to do, but my finances have never allowed for it. My budget is $500. I'm aware that for around $450 I can get a Nikon D40 or an Olympus E330 (which looks awesome) online, but I think the more sensible option is to start out with a good ultrazoom to learn the basics, and then move up from there.
I would also like something that operates as closely to an SLR as possible so that when I make the jump it's less of a learning curve, so that helped me narrow my choices down to these three, as they all have manual zoom and focus rings. I know that the Fujis are better in low light situations, but they lack image stabilization, and I'm likely to do a lot of handheld work (though I do plan on buying a tripod). On the other hand, the Panny has image stabilization, but is lacking in low light quality.
My main questions are these:
I'm very interested in taking macro photos. Which camera would be better for this?
Is there a big enough difference between the s6000 and the s9100 to warrant the price difference?
How big of a difference will image stabilization really make, and is it worth sacrificing low-light performance for? (Most of my shots will likely be outdoors with plenty of light)
Thanks in advance for any and all insight.
I would also like something that operates as closely to an SLR as possible so that when I make the jump it's less of a learning curve, so that helped me narrow my choices down to these three, as they all have manual zoom and focus rings. I know that the Fujis are better in low light situations, but they lack image stabilization, and I'm likely to do a lot of handheld work (though I do plan on buying a tripod). On the other hand, the Panny has image stabilization, but is lacking in low light quality.
My main questions are these:
I'm very interested in taking macro photos. Which camera would be better for this?
Is there a big enough difference between the s6000 and the s9100 to warrant the price difference?
How big of a difference will image stabilization really make, and is it worth sacrificing low-light performance for? (Most of my shots will likely be outdoors with plenty of light)
Thanks in advance for any and all insight.