Time to buy a new camera

[Wendy]

I know this question comes up repeatedly, but I'm going to be buying a new camera (it's my Christmas present from my husband, but I was holding off until after holiday busyness). Any suggestions as far as brand and model? Hubby said around $200, more or less.

Thanks for any help.

 

[pkess]

Happy New Year, Wendy!
I used a Sony DSC-W7 for the past 5 years or so. It is compact, has a macro feature, 7.2 megapixels. It takes great photos. If you look at back issues of Figurines, Historical Miniature, etc. All of my Show Report photos were taken with that camera. I also used it on a 2 week trip to Rome a couple of years. Very nice camera for the price.
The bottom line with digital cameras is buy one of the leading brands and make sure it has a macro mode. You can take great miniature photos using just a tripod and two lights: $6 clamp on reflectors from Home Depot.
I now have a Nikon D-80 SLR which takes fntastic photos but the price rises quickly when you go to a digital SLR. Plus, you then need to acquire lenses. I still prefer the little Sony for most trips. It fits in my pocket and takes great photos! Don't have to worry about carrying a camera bag and changing lenses.
Sony has a series which have 10x optical lenses which can be great for travel photos. I don't know the exact model numbers but I believe they were on sale for around $200.
Phil

 

[megroot]

Wendy,
I use a Canon Powershot 560 IS. The only lack i could find in 1 year is that the flash is really slow.

Marc

 

[Brent Fordham]

I'm not up on current cameras, but when I did buy mine a few years ago, this was an excellent research site: http://www.dpreview.com

 

[Wendy]

Thanks for the help, gents. Going shopping today after a bit of hockey.

 

[Gary D]

Here is another good one.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Gary

 

[Anders Heintz]

I recently got a new camera and decided on the Nikon D60. It's a great camera but could have gotten the D40 and gotten the same use out of it. Another camera I was looking at when trying to decide was the Nikon P-80. From what I understand it's in the same family as the Nikon Cool Pix 5700 etc. I have always been a fan of the Nikon cameras and feel they are some of the best out there.

I'd check out the P-80 and see how you like it.

 

[John Bowery]

Anders,
Thanks for the info as I am also looking at a new camera. At the moment I have a canon A530, and it has done me well so far but will not get up close to the faces of the figure but is good on the overall full figure. Wendy the A 530 is under $200.00
Cheers
John

 

[Anders Heintz]

The best thing about the DSLR's is that its very versitile. You can use it for all kinds of photography other then miniatures. The biggest drawback for me with a dslr is that it doesnt have a video mode. Thats the good thing about todays point and shoot cameras, they have pretty good video capabilities.

 

[Wendy]

I went ahead and bought one. I splurged and bought (really, I should say my husband bought) the Nikon P-80. It should last me a good long time. Now I get to test it out at our show this weekend!

Now I can't use the camera as an excuse for bad pics anymore.

 

[John Bowery]

Congratulations Wendy and good luck this week-end.
John

 

[jjgurk]

I have one Wendy and I think you'll enjoy it. I'm still learning about mine, but so far I've been most pleased with the photos I've taken. Wish I could have made it over for the show with Joanne this weekend, but she and I both ended up working. Maybe next year and for sure we'll link up at Chciago.

Cheers, John