Here is what I want...which Canon?

[mike62]

I am upgrading from a Minolta S414 4.0MP which is a nice camera but the capture speed is very slow. I would like a higher optical zoom from 7X-10X and a camera that recovers very quickly and allows me to take fast consecutive shots. I miss so many currently due to the slow shutter lag. I prefer to be as far under $1,000 as possible in price.

Also, I liked the AA batteries of the Minolta but see most Canon's use the lithium ions. I read a post on here about how good these batteries are but is that by being conservative and leaving the LCD off? My biggest fear is the lith. ions not holding up and keeping spares is expensive as opposed to AA's.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[aparmley]

...a camera that recovers very quickly and allows me to take fast consecutive shots. I miss so many currently due to the slow shutter lag.

Sounds like that is your most important requirement.... I would say look into the entry level DSLRs but don't limit yourself just to Canon the New Nikon D50 [out in june] may be just what you are looking for... but I suggest looking at the Canon 300D and 350D and also looking that the Nikons, D50, D70s, D70... I don't think any Point and shoot camera is going to match the nearly instantly on response time of either of these cameras... the original rebel [300D] takes a second or two to power on... and the responsiveness between shots... Those are my two cents... If I would have just plunged for the DSLR back when I would have wasted my time with two Point and shooters that cost me 600 bucks combined.... now I am just thinking about the lenses I could have with that kinda money.... Good luck with your search

[George Riehm]

Also, I liked the AA batteries of the Minolta but see most Canon's use the lithium ions. I read a post on here about how good these batteries are but is that by being conservative and leaving the LCD off? My biggest fear is the lith. ions not holding up and keeping spares is expensive as opposed to AA's.
Thanks for any suggestions.

You don't use the LCD on a dSLR for preview and framing, but only for reviewing the image after you shoot, and menu settings. so battery life is very long indeed. On my D70 I generally get about 1000 shots per charge and, when shooting, leave the camera on all day (and sometimes several days when I forget to turn it off).

Don't worry, you will get used to a viewfinder again. ;)

[Rhys]

I am upgrading from a Minolta S414 4.0MP which is a nice camera but the capture speed is very slow. I would like a higher optical zoom from 7X-10X and a camera that recovers very quickly and allows me to take fast consecutive shots. I miss so many currently due to the slow shutter lag. I prefer to be as far under $1,000 as possible in price.

Also, I liked the AA batteries of the Minolta but see most Canon's use the lithium ions. I read a post on here about how good these batteries are but is that by being conservative and leaving the LCD off? My biggest fear is the lith. ions not holding up and keeping spares is expensive as opposed to AA's.
Thanks for any suggestions.

The Fuji S2/S3 pro run on AA batteries and take Nikon lenses. The Canons all take an AA battery grip if required. The Pentax *ist uses AA batteries.

[ttmatsu]

Under $1000 with a 7 to 10X zoom? Won't happen with a dslr unless you buy gray market and even then I don't think you'll make it.
Rebel XT - $820 or buy the older Rebel for $620 at buydig.com
Sigma or Tamron 18-200 - $400
Faster compactflash of 1gb or larger - $90(?)

You'll get good pictures as long as you stay within the sharpness range of those lenses - meaning you'll have to stop down by 2 fstops or more.

But a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 for $500 has a 12X zoom that is f2.8 constant, has image stabilization and very fast startup and shutter lag. What's the difference between this camera and a dslr? Noise from the sensor above 200 iso and accessories. Pictures taken above 200 iso by compact digital cameras are hard to look at. If you always take pictures in daylight or indoors using flash, the Panasonic will satisfy you. It's hard to beat that Leica 12X f2.8 lens. But taking pictures of a moving object - like your child playing a sport - is almost impossible on a compact digital since you rely on the lcd to frame your shot. Taking those kind of shots on a dslr, while taking some practice, has been an incredible experience for me, especially when you can take 25 shots in a row in 5-6 seconds (20d). Taking pictures of static objects in good light, you would be hardpressed to tell the difference between a FZ20 and an expensive dslr at 8X10 or below. dslrs with good quality lenses shine in less than ideal shooting conditions and shooting dynamic objects like kids playing or birds in flight. A sequence of those types of shots and you'll be able to immediately see which was taken by a compact digital versus a dslr. You also have a choice of a slew of accessories as you grow. From high quality prime (or single focal length) lenses to "L" zoom lenses to filters to flashes, tripods/monopods, etc..

P&S cameras have their place. I used film slrs for decades but I also had those little P&S for when I went hiking or Disney World. I admit I have a P&S digital that I never use now that I have a 20d.

If you've always used a P&S, there's a whole different world of photography that opens when you use a slr - but you are going to have to study to learn about aperature, shutter speed, exposure, depth of field, FEC, long lens holding technique. Or, you can treat your new dlsr as if it was a big P&S.