pseudo-SLR? DSLR?

[vanniners]

Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible. >> no budget. sky's the limit.

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you? >> compact camera. not as heavy as the SLRs.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? >> 5-10 i guess.

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) >> at least 10x

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

Do you care for manual controls? >> yes i do.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? >> hobby photography

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? >> will possibly make big prints

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? >> yes. will also want to be able to shoot candles, christmas lights, fireworks, the like.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? >> possibly

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? >> i've been using canon all my life. that doesn't mean that's the brand i like. i heard nikon is good too, but i can't seem to find a psuedo-slr one.

Are there particular models you already have in mind? >> there's a sony semi-slr that i saw, H3 i think? something like that. but i heard that sony isn't the best camera choice, is that true?

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) >> image stabilization, multiple point auto-focus, wide angle is ok too. preferably rechargable batteries, not those AA ones.

Thanks!!!

[WestCoast]

If you have an unlimited budget and you want the best possible image quality, you should strongly consider a D-SLR. If you want something on the smallish side, the Canon XTi sounds like it'd be a good fit for you. SLRs equipped with telephoto lenses are inherently larger than the super-zooms. However, the image quality in less-than-perfect lighting is infinitely better.

[vanniners]

ok:) will have to take a look. i was hoping for a slim camera, i guess i won't be getting the features i want from any of those.

thanks!

[fionndruinne]

If all you ever do is take shots in bright light at base ISO speed, at a middling-to-large depth-of-field (in other words, snapshots, basically), then you won't see a hair of difference between a compact camera and a DSLR. Nothing to justify the large size and hefty price.

If you actually dare to take photos in low light, or fast action, or want to isolate your subjects with limited depth-of-field, though, well then, you'll find a DSLR is worth the weight.

[SpecialK]

If all you ever do is take shots in bright light at base ISO speed, at a middling-to-large depth-of-field (in other words, snapshots, basically), then you won't see a hair of difference between a compact camera and a DSLR. Nothing to justify the large size and hefty price.

If you actually dare to take photos in low light, or fast action, or want to isolate your subjects with limited depth-of-field, though, well then, you'll find a DSLR is worth the weight.

And a DSLR for really w-i-d-e shots, too. Conversion lenses on compacts are not so hot, and still not so wide...

[mugsisme]

I was looking at the Canon G9 yesterday. It is pretty close to a dslr without actually being one.

[KCook]

ok:) will have to take a look. i was hoping for a slim camera, i guess i won't be getting the features i want from any of those.

thanks!

A compact P&S is less hassle when you're spending all day at DisneyWorld, or whatever. Since you have no budget, sky's the limit, simply figure on buying two cameras. Compact for casual shooting, plus DSLR for the more challenging stuff. That way neither camera choice has to compromise anything to an effort to try to cover all bases.

Kelly Cook

[JTL]

A compact P&S is less hassle when you're spending all day at DisneyWorld, or whatever. Since you have no budget, sky's the limit, simply figure on buying two cameras. Compact for casual shooting, plus DSLR for the more challenging stuff. That way neither camera choice has to compromise anything to an effort to try to cover all bases.

Kelly CookI agree with this approach very much...if you have the budget. I always carry a a pocket point & shoot...even when I have my DSLR with me. Also, sometimes I take my "pseudo-DSLR" S3 with me shooting (when climbing/trekking for instance) and sometimes I'll take the DSLR...depending on the circumstances. But having multiple cameras for different situations (and multiple lenses for your DSLR if you've got one) is the best way to go...but...its an expensive way to go.