Decide how much you want to spend and check out www.dpreview.com You can't go wrong with any camera rated "Highly Recommended". NOTE: higher megapixels is NOT necessarily better! Unless you need to print out HUGE copies, 8-10MP is plenty. Most any camera on the market today will produce fantastic pictures in bright light. The real proof is how they do in lower light - which is when you use a camera most of the time it seems...

Canon for compacts, Nikon for a DSLR are safe bets, but Olympus and Panasonic cameras are getting phenomenal reviews these days.

If you really want to capture images like the above, make sure the camera you get allows AT LEAST aperture-priority (Av) and shutter priority (Tv), if not full manual/program modes.

I would recommend an "Advanced Point and Shoot" type camera. I know, the DSLR guys are gonna knock the recommendation, but here's why:
- Cheaper. If you end up not taking as much pictures as you think you will, better to have a $120 camera sitting around than a $1200 camera.
- Simpler: When learning to compose and expose pictures, you don't need to worry about if you have the right lens on, etc. There are VERY few (as in 3) SLR lenses that can match the zoom range of most compacts today (10x+)
- More portable: The single most important thing when you are learning to take pictures, is to, well, take pictures. This is a lot easier with a smaller camera than lugging around a DSLR. Seriously, carry it with you EVERYWHERE.

Pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and get out taking pictues!

 

Good post TC.

I agree........are those pics from Earth?? Absolutely awesome!!!!!

 

I'll sell you my film Hasseblads, cheap

 

Thanks tc,

I've listed 3 Cameras that are in my price range and got good reviews, tell me what you think, or any other suggestions you might have. If anybody else has any opinions on cameras I would like to hear them too.

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

2. Canon PowerShot S5 IS

3. Nikon Coolpix P50

Appreciate the input

 

Honestly dude, pick up a used Canon Rebel - or a used Nikon D40.. People sell them for dirty cheap and they're great to learn on.

You will get better quality and more control over your shots, easier, with an entry SLR than an advanced point and shoot.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pana...z18/page16.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons5is/page20.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonp50/page12.asp

I would say the Nikon can't hold it's own against the other two. I would give the edge to the Canon because, while both it and the Panasonic won't do well in low light, the Canon has a hot shoe for a flash that would minimize that problem.

I'm kinda confused by these selections though, as they appear to represent a huge difference in price. If I may, what is your budget?

 

Here is a link to some surfing photos by Charles Harris of me..
I thought he really captured the feel of the north coast of CA.
http://galleries.chasharris.com/surfer/

 

My Budget is like $150, maybe more if it is a good deal (I am kinda broke right now).
I chose these cameras because I was not only looking for new cameras, but also used and I seemed to find a couple normally expensive cameras for a good deal (craigslist, ebay).

 

I'm new to this, so what camera would you suggest for a begginer on a limited budget?

 

At $150 or less, I would say whatever you can get that says Canon on it. A used G9, A610/620/640 would be sweet.

 

Not a spectacular pic, but I think i came out pretty well for a cellphone shot through a window.

 

Nice...... Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

I'm sure you miss it, a little, TEUF. Probably the snow, but not the frozen everything.

 

I miss everthing about NH, cept the road salt.

 

I'll send ya some......

 

Was pretty Though......

 

[QUOTE=clocklaw;51318470]My FJR is very photogenic...I have been told that Silver photographs the best (it is also the FASTEST color!):



Hmmm. I thought Yellow was!



My iPhone shot this fall with my new bike!

 

its a sad day isn't it? 4X5 anyone?

 

 

Last one... my wife, just screwin around in the back yard...