Camera/video for interior decorative art

[katers]

Hi I do decorative finishes and Venetian plasters on walls and other surfaces and have a terrible time trying to get decent pictures of them. I have to say that even a couple pros I have hired to take pics have also had this problem.

I also need to be able to take video, maybe 5 to 10 minutes long of art demonstrations. I had thought about just getting a camcorder, but everytime I thought I had picked a good one, someone would pop up and say something negative about it. So I thought maybe just a new camera would be the way to go. I currently have a Canon SD630 which I like, however I think it is lacking in some areas.

I have looked at some digital SLR's, however I don't like that they only use AA batteries. I don't want to have to constantly be changing them.

I would like to find a camera under $350 and that is before researching to find the decided upon one at a really good sale price.

I would appreciate any advice.

Jill

[KCook]

I suspect the difficulty with wall decorations and finishes is more in the lighting than the camera. Pro lighting points toward a pro camera. A new DSLR would be over this budget, but a used one would not. There are lots of DSLR models that would work, what you actually find on the market may be a much smaller list though.

Or do you require a new camera instead of used?

Kelly Cook

[katers]

I would prefer new.

[KCook]

Well, I got lucky and found my DSLR, brand new, being closed out, right at $350. But those are rare deals, and they may last only days. So you need keen radar to hit on those. But if you should find a DSLR at a price you can live with, that will be a good choice. Doesn't really matter what brand or lens.

Otherwise, take a look at the Canon SX10 IS or Olympus SP-565UZ. At least those have a flash shoe for external flash. If you don't care/want the external flash option, then there are a bunch more compacts that could work.

Kelly