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TA photographers: need some help, please!

Hey guys, I wanna buy a new cam but I'm totally clueless about which one to get and what specifications to pay attention to. There are just waaaaaaaaay too many choices and I don't know much about cams to begin with. Please advice!

I'm using a Canon IXUS 95 IS atm. The reason I want a new camera is because I miss some depth in my pics now, taking pics in the dark is usually a big fail and I want to have the option to take more pics per second.

My friend adviced me to get a camera with an arpeture range from below 2 on, but there seem to be very few cameras that meet this specification?

All that said, I like to take some time to take a nice picture but I'm lazy when it comes down to experimenting/adjusting settings, so I'm probably gonna use to auto mode mostly (but still like to have the option to choose my settings manually in the future). Also, I don't want to carry a big camera with several lenses everytime, so I'm thinking about a hybrid camera with a budget of EUR 350.

Sounds like you want something in between a pocket camera and SLR. Canon's Powershot line is a good compromise.
http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/ca...hot-sx30-is.cfm

But note, all consumer cameras perform poorly in dark situations due to their small sensors and flashes.

Try a micro four-thirds camera. They have decent low light performance. Olympus just released the E-PL2, which has received some decent reviews.

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Originally posted by aquila Olympus just released the E-PL2, which has received some decent reviews.

I just saw that camera, it has a huge sensor, out of his price range and takes a lens.

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Originally posted by igottaknow I just saw that camera, it has a huge sensor, out of her price range and takes a lens.

Fixed.

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Originally posted by aquila Try a micro four-thirds camera. They have decent low light performance. Olympus just released the E-PL2, which has received some decent reviews.

This is actually very good advice. My gf has an EPL-1 and it's a really good little camera, and yeah, it's quite impressive in low light shooting. It's kind of halfway between a compact cam and a DSLR and takes good HD (720p) video as well. The EPL-2 is supposed to be even better, so definitely check it out.

Re: TA photographers: need some help, please!

quote:

Originally posted by Unique2701 I'm thinking about a hybrid camera with a budget of EUR 350.

In all honesty, you're not going to find what you want in that price bracket unless you check clearance models or second hand.

Are you able to bump your budget up a couple hundred?

Oops, I didn't read the price range part.

Yeah, basically what Aquila said :/

Save the money and borrow Stuart's camera.

Unless he wants to be a dick about it.

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Originally posted by LinX

I do say, quite

The Samsung TL500 is a wide angle F/1.8 P&S camera. The drawback is that its bigger than the S95.

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Originally posted by Orbital32 The Samsung TL500 has is a wide angle F/1.8 P&S camera. The drawback is that its bigger than the S95.

The other drawback is that it's a Samsung :/

Get better results by going with the brands that have been in the photography game for a long time, not the new guys (at this point).

I agree. Personally i would go with the S95, but depending the primary use of the camera is in low light, the 1.8 can come in handy.

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Originally posted by Orbital32 I agree. Personally i would go with the S95, but depending the primary use of the camera is in low light, the 1.8 can come in handy.

Ehhh, yeah, the s95 is probably the best one that's close to the price she's looking for (I was looking at US prices, I'm not sure what 350 Euro is in USD, or what the prices are like in Europe). Nearly all compact cams suck for low light though, even with a low f/stop lens. The small sensors mean tons and tons of noise.

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Originally posted by Sushipunk The other drawback is that it's a Samsung :/ Get better results by going with the brands that have been in the photography game for a long time, not the new guys (at this point).

Yeah, I don't have great experiences with Samsung so I'd rather go for a established brand in camera land.

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Originally posted by aquila In all honesty, you're not going to find what you want in that price bracket unless you check clearance models or second hand. Are you able to bump your budget up a couple hundred?

Hmmm.. the thing is, it's just gonna be a waste if I buy such an expensive camera. Like I said, I'll be using the auto mode mostly, maybe adjust 1/2 things manually. I don't see myself spending hours reading up on the specifications and experimenting with it.

I'm gonna use the camera for travelling in and around China.. you know how much money 500 euro is there?

What about the Sony Alpha NEX-3A? It has very good reviews and it suits my budget.

Also, if I wanna take photos with more sharpness and depth.. where to pay attention to? I was under the impression that the aperture level is significant then but people tell that the aperture has to do with taking pics in the dark and when I'm taking pics of fast moving objects?

You know those pictures where you just take a random ordinary object and it looks so much prettier on photo than in real? That's kind of what I'm looking for

Look at sensor size for picture quality

my $0.02

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Originally posted by Unique2701 Also, if I wanna take photos with more sharpness and depth.. where to pay attention to? I was under the impression that the aperture level is significant then but people tell that the aperture has to do with taking pics in the dark and when I'm taking pics of fast moving objects? You know those pictures where you just take a random ordinary object and it looks so much prettier on photo than in real? That's kind of what I'm looking for

You need a primer on how a camera operates (I'm not trying to be condescending). There are many things that go into getting a "sharp" picture, without seeing an example it would be hard say whats the problem. Particularly in dimly lit situation it is difficult for the camera to focus, and forces it to use a wide aperture, resulting in a shallow depth of field and soft image. When a camera is set to auto it picks the settings it thinks are best. More expensive cameras now have facial recognition, image stabilization, more accurate auto focusing, sharper lenses, and a larger sensor that is better in low light situations. Just remember that your technique is as important as the equipment.

For someone like me who started out using big old manual Nikon film camera, I find it astonishing that those pocket cameras can even take a decent picture. I'll be going on vacation and trying to decide if I want to lug around my DSLR and I'm leaning towards borrowing a pocket camera.

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Originally posted by Unique2701 What about the Sony Alpha NEX-3A? It has very good reviews and it suits my budget. Also, if I wanna take photos with more sharpness and depth.. where to pay attention to? I was under the impression that the aperture level is significant then but people tell that the aperture has to do with taking pics in the dark and when I'm taking pics of fast moving objects? You know those pictures where you just take a random ordinary object and it looks so much prettier on photo than in real? That's kind of what I'm looking for

Sharpness and depth is dependent on the aperture. Actually it is related to the size of the lens, the f-stop, and the length of the subject from the camera. there is a spiffy calculator that you can use:

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Now taking high speed pictures in low light is expensive. Particularity if you want nice, close-up photos where the subject does not look like ants. That is where the DOF calculator will help you, because depending on the distance and lighting situation (assuming the lighting is poor and you are not using flash) you may need the lowest f/stop so you can get a higher shutter speed and possibly a telephoto lens.

Basically without knowing exactly what type of photos you plan to be taking its hard to give you a straight answer.

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Originally posted by igottaknow I'll be going on vacation and trying to decide if I want to lug around my DSLR and I'm leaning towards borrowing a pocket camera.

I had that problem. For me i didn't mind having the camera itself, it just annoying having the strap around my neck. I got a Blackrapid strap. Its expensive, but now i don't have a problem carrying my camera without my Lowepro Sling. I have the RS-4, but there are other models that may fit your needs with the same basic concepts

Canon SX210. It shoots awesome pics without the user knowing shit about photography. Its basically just an waaay improved version of what you have. All the controls look the same ect. For taking shots in the dark all you need is a steady surface and a long exposure time to keep the shutter open a bit longer. I've taken some passable night shots with my shitty 4 year old ixus that way.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/1...ershotsx210.asp

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Originally posted by jenga Canon SX210. It shoots awesome pics without the user knowing shit about photography. Its basically just an waaay improved version of what you have. All the controls look the same ect. For taking shots in the dark all you need is a steady surface and a long exposure time to keep the shutter open a bit longer. I've taken some passable night shots with my shitty 4 year old ixus that way. http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/1...ershotsx210.asp

Long exposure does not help with fast action in low level situations. Well cool city shots it does. Sport-type shots, not so much.

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Originally posted by Orbital32 I had that problem. For me i didn't mind having the camera itself, it just annoying having the strap around my neck. I got a Blackrapid strap. Its expensive, but now i don't have a problem carrying my camera without my Lowepro Sling. I have the RS-4, but there are other models that may fit your needs with the same basic concepts

Good thing to keep in mind. Over the last few years I've opted to enjoy events instead of spending time and effort to document them. The comfort of the strap doesn't bother me so much, its that as soon as you have to carry a camera around your neck it creates a lot of inconveniences. For example, getting in and out of car/bus/train etc.; at the beach exposing it to sand/salt where you going to put it when you swim?; at the bar/party where are you going put it when you go to the bathroom, get a drink, hit the dance floor, etc; in general its so easy to take it off and leave, I did that last time at a restaurant, put it on a seat next to me, got up and forgot it. Its an expensive heavy noose around your neck. Don't get me wrong I love taking pictures just have grown tired of the hassle.

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Originally posted by Orbital32 Long exposure does not help with fast action in low level situations. Well cool city shots it does. Sport-type shots, not so much.

The OP didn't mention taking action shots in the dark?

And I know long exposure wouldn't help in that situation which is why I said you need a steady surface.

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