Digital photography has come of age and, finally, at a price that most anyone can afford. You hit the ideal price range of $200.00 to $300.00. You can get a lot for your money, especially, if you are willing to go to $350.00.
#1 Get a camera that is suitable to your needs. If you are not going to go to print in a professional manner, you will never need countless millions of pixels. Never let the number of pixels be a deciding factor over form and function. For most folks purposes 4 megapixels are fine, but in the rush to pixels as sales points many cameras in the range you are priced at, now, typically, have more.
#2 Most all lens are good enough in the price range you specify. Names are just names and at the lower pixel levels, you'll never record any difference in fine, top name lens versus a normal good lens.
#3 Look at and understand all features you get on any camera. You must have a macro selection. You must have a camera that will let you shoot standard, shutter speed, and aperture specific shots as well as low light grab shots and other nice features. All these basic features should be top knob click or button push selectable and not digital menu selectable. Digital menu selectables can be ASA (effective film speed) and other more complex or rarely accessed features.
#4 I prefer a camera that uses AA cell Nmh, lithium, Ni-Cad or common alkaline cells. This makes the camera rechargeable using modern, high power density cells. Plus, if you are in the field and the charge fails, you can revert to common old AA alkaline batteries.
#5 Use a camera that has not only a cheaper memory card, but one that is standard in the vast majority of cameras. In most all instances, this is a form of standard SD card. All of the above criterion has been met in my now 4 year old Sony camera save this last criterion. Sony, like their old Beta tape days used their own "Memory stick" system which is fine, but no one else uses it and now and even Sony has all but abandoned it in their latest SD card offerings. Thus, If I ever upgrade I will have to buy all new media. This sucks!
The Sony will take a full frame image of a postage stamp! How is that for a closeup? Thus, properly side-lighting the stamp becomes the issue and not how close it will focus. I can select an aperture or speed specific shot with a knob on top so that my aperture can be nearly wide open to throw a not too pretty back drop into a nice clean, believable smear or set the shutter to capture a speeding locomotive without bluring. I can turn out the room lights and go to a moonlight or candlelight mode with the camera on a tripod and turn on street and yard lights to allow the camera to figure out the right exposure for great night shots in the rail yard or town views. Needless to say, I have enjoyed the Sony, but I have used Canons and Panasonics and Nikons in tests and with the right, easy to use features, they are all good.
Spend the most money you can easily afford and remember, never let a lower price or the number of pixels trump form, features and functionality.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
I have 2 Nikon lenses with Carl Zeiss optics and the quality is second to none. My 35mm SLR came with an off brand lens, and it is in the same focal length as one of my other lenses (only this one has a macro feature so I keep it in my bag) and the quality of the images of both lenses is amazing. The off brand is not as sharp nor do the colors come through the same. Both lenses have the same filter on the front so I know it is not the filter.
Massey
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
For those not knowing Zeiss and Leitz (Leica) along with Schneider were the manufactures for some of the finest lenses and cameras in world. Produced in Germany these lenses are still used in microscopes, telescopes and cameras of all kinds. Long before the Japanese started mass producing cameras, German cameras were the best. To own a Leica film camera of the 1930's and 40's could be compared to owning a Ferrari in a sense. When Sony went to Zeiss I bought one immediately. Now that Panasonic is using Leica I am strongly considering one.
RMax
I have been using a Kodak ZX1485 point & shoot with good results. It's got a 5:1 optical zoom, it will focus in to a foot or so. It brags about having 14 megapixels (not sure if I believe that) and I set it to the resolution of my VGA computer screen (600*800 or 480,00 pixels). It is very sensitive and takes good pictures under ordinary indoor room light. It's pocket size and has an automatic lens cap so I can just turn it off and stuff it in a pocket. The auto white balance does a pretty good job under fluorescent lights. It has a standard tripod socket.
Some downers. This camera lacks a battery charge indicator, when the battery gets low the camera just stops working. No warning. It's all plastic. The paint is beginning to wear off the plastic which looks sorta tacky. The LCD screen view finder cannot be read outdoors in bright sunlight.
I have had it for a couple of years and I am pretty sure Kodak has changed the model number and a lot else and is selling something different this year. But this one is plenty good enough for me and I plan to keep it till it croaks.
When it croaks I will lust for a new SLR, just to be able to see thru the viewfinder in bright sunlight. Other than that, there is little that this economical point & shoot won't do.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
My main camera is a Nikon D50 for digital and a N80 for 35mm. I am going to guess that we are mainly talking about digital photography here so my $.02
P&S cameras today can get into the 12mp range for less than $200. With the P&S type camera you lose some of the custom settings liek shutter speed, F stop and ISO. Some of the less expensive ones also limit the flash options. Also you are limited to the lens you have and the zoom available with said lens. Also photo capture type is usually limited to jpg only.
DLSRs give you the most bang for the buck. At least for some one who is more than just a casual photographer. With most DSLRs you can change lenses to a multitude of different types, you have full control over the camera's shutter and other typical settings, you control everything. This can be a little daunting but with a little toying around you can get some really nice pics. My D50 uses SD media which is available everywhere and most all newer computers have a built in SD slot. I can capture my pics in raw, jpg or both at the same time. My D50 is a 5.1mp camera which may not sound like much by the statndards of today's cameras but I can take a pic at full resolution and have that blown up to 12" with out any pixlation. Even a 12mp P&S camera is going to pixilate a little at that magnification due to the small size of it's sensor. You can find a D50, on E-bay with a lens for around $200, the D70 is 6.1MP (uses compact flash memory) for about the same price. The D40 is a 7.1mp but needs lenses made for the D40 and up cameras to prevent Vingetting. (the vingetting is not that bad even with non D40 lenses) Also a bonus with Nikon cameras all Nikon lenses will fit all nikon cameras, even the ones that are before auto focus.
I've had really good luck with Canon products. Currently, I'm using a Canon SX100 IS. It has a 10x optical zoom that will do 99% of the photography most will encounter and really good macro performance when you switch over to it for closeups on the workbench or layout.
Durability is also a factor for me. Day to day, I use it most for various railroading hobby uses. However, I'm also a historian. We used to spend our days laboring over a copier when working in the archives. Now, many of us use digital cameras instead. One benefit is that every shot is in color, which is important with some documents. In the three years I've had it, I've taken close to 15,000 shots, far more than most people will ever put on a camera. It's still working fine.
Best Buy has the descendant of the SX100 -- the Canon SX150 -- in its ad this week for under $200.
Another thing to consider is to get a new camera that's been discontinued. Don't know if it's possible to scratch up a SX100 somewhere now, but once you find something you like or someone recommends, that's another way to save money. And there's always the mega-auction site. I sold a very nice older Canon for around $40 a while back and there seems to be quite a selection of older cameras always available. Most have lots of miles still left in them.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have a set of those old passenger cars in the top photo along with a Commodore Vanderbilt loco and tender that were my Dad's.
Nice picture!
TheK4Kid
Sony has some really nice dual purpose HDvideo/photo cams with Zeiss lenses in your price range.
If you are unsure of Zeiss, note that almost all your electronics now-a-days are produced using Zeiss lens's.
hon30critter I know that this question is a little off the theme of model railroading but can any of the posters comment on the processing speed of their recommended cameras? I have an ancient (by modern standards) Olympus. Getting a clear shot when shooting a still picture is OK if you have a really steady hand or a tripod, but shooting an action scene is hopeless. The subject is long gone by the time the camera takes the picture and the viewfinder doesn't pan once you have clicked the shutter button. Can any of the posters comment on the speed of their recommended cameras? Apologies to the moderators if this question is too far off the subject of model railroading. Dave
I know that this question is a little off the theme of model railroading but can any of the posters comment on the processing speed of their recommended cameras? I have an ancient (by modern standards) Olympus. Getting a clear shot when shooting a still picture is OK if you have a really steady hand or a tripod, but shooting an action scene is hopeless. The subject is long gone by the time the camera takes the picture and the viewfinder doesn't pan once you have clicked the shutter button.
Can any of the posters comment on the speed of their recommended cameras?
Apologies to the moderators if this question is too far off the subject of model railroading.
Dave
Dave,
this may have two reasons. Check the manual of your camera to adjust the setting for "action" photography - this may increase the processing speed. You may also want to change your SD card to a much faster one.
The Panasonic Lumix is a fine camera. That's what I have. It shoots HD video and great sound. And takes great pics in low light indoors. It has all the manual settings that a traditional DSLR has.
I got it for about $195
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZR3-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B003962EHY
And here's one of my photos.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I can only chime in with those recommending a Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens. I have an older model with "only" 6 mega pixels, but with a superb lens and I am quite happy with the pictures I take with it.
I like my Sony DSC-HX1, though their proprietary ProDuo memory sticks don't work with any other camera type. My main recomendation, unless you own lots of Duracell stock, is to get a camera with a rechargable battery. They eat up AA batteries.
Jim
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
As Selector said, the Canon PowerShot is a good camera. I have the A480 and it takes excellent photographs and has a really good closeup mode. It's got all the bells and whistles you'd ever want on a camera. It was a gift so I don't know how much is cost but I'm sure it wasn't over $200.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
Only the most gifted and discerning of humans will be able to tell the lens qualities apart in imagery posted to this or any other forum unless you are posting 50-100% cropped images in order to look closely at image artefacts caused by the sensor and lens, either in concert or separately.
Translation...whichever camera you can get with about 15X zoom or less, that has between 6-12 megapixel resolution, and that can be had for between $99 new or refurbished and $230 new or refurbished, is going to be a new and valuable addition to your household's electronic toys.
I have experience only with two digital cameras and like them both. Any Canon Powershot series will be excellent, and I use a 26X ultrazoom Fuji Finepix HS20 EXR. The Fuji is great for outdoors photography, but can't hold a candle to the Canon indoors.
Here is a Canon shot:
This was done with the HS20 outdoors.
This was the HS20 indoors, hand-held:
I probably would also recommend the Panasonic with Leica lens. I have a Leica and the glass is great. I have been using a Sony point in shoot with the Carl Zeiss lens and it's been excellent. You should be able to get either for under $200. I use Nikon film and digital SLRs and have been fairly happy with them. I would recommend them if you need more horsepower.
A few examples:
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I personally recommend anything Panasonic. The Leica glass used in the lenses is top-notch and I've loved every single Panasonic I've ever owned. No problems so far!
(While I use a Canon DSLR for my professional portrait photography, I carry around a Panasonic ZS3 as my bring-everywhere and non-portrait camera. Its images are print and publication quality.)
I use a Sony DSC-S85. It's an older camera, and isn't directly compatible with 64-bit Windows, but it takes great photos (including close-ups). I can get the photos off easy enough by using a card reader. Amazon has some very good to like new ones for between $75 and $200. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00005LWLW/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
I do reasonably well with a Nikon L20. Amazon has several new ones from $129 to $200. Mine is a refurbished model I picked up for about $60. The photo below was taken with the camera in hand. It does better with a tripod.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
The bad news is that my Kodak 712IS died. According to the net, the blue-screen error message I get when I fire it up means the lens motor is shot. The fact that the lens does not go in and out when powered on is a clue as well. I am reading that it's not worth fixing for the price that Kodak charges to repair their cameras.
So now the good news, I'm in the market for another camera!
For those of you who are regular contributors to the various photo threads, I'm looking for a recommendation. Something in the $200 to $300 range that I can do close-up photograpy with.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!