Considering purchasing a new digital camera...

[Sal-XK]

If the one you have ain't cutting it any more you might as well move up to the SLR. I feel hand cuffed using these basic digital cameras. There not as convenient to carry but you can let your imagination run free when deciding how to take a picture. It takes time to learn how to use it but it's worth it when you see the picture.

[hoaxci5]

I don't disagree at all Sal, I love my SLR, but I just went through this with my mom. She basically told me that she wouldn't take it if it didn't fit in her pocket, which I totally understand. You can still get a really good point and shoot with a nice long zoom for under $500.

However if size isn't an issue (thats what she said?) I'd get an SLR all day long. I personally like Canon, but thats also what I've always owned. The problem with picking an SLR is if you start buying other add-ons you will always want to stay with your starting brand so that those add-ons can be used on your new camera. Personally because of all the extras I think I'd stay with either Canon or Nikon.

[Sal-XK]

I agree for just point and shoot stay with the pocket size cameras. Don't move up in camera unless you plan on learning shoot beyond just pressing the botton. But the places we all travel to your first decent pic will get you addicted photography.

[LWM]

I had a Canon AE-1 for a long time but with the digital age I sold it to a high school student in my son's photography class. I sold the camera body, 2 extra lens, flash, auto winder, filters, hard case, etc. for $50.00

I like being able to adjust the photo but it has been a lot of years since I even tried. I forgot more than I currently know.

[Sal-XK]

I had a Canon AE-1 for a long time but with the digital age I sold it to a high school student in my son's photography class. I sold the camera body, 2 extra lens, flash, auto winder, filters, hard case, etc. for $50.00

I like being able to adjust the photo but it has been a lot of years since I even tried. I forgot more than I currently know.

I did the same thing man, when it got to hard and expensive to develop film I had a choice learn to develop my own or just give it up. I decided to stop using my camera despite having several scenery shots still hanging up in peoples houses I really enjoyed the hobby. One of these days I'll spend the money and get back into it.

[Adondo]

I've had (and still have) a few Fujifilm cameras. I've been very happy with them, and I like that there are dedicated buttons even on their point and clicks. (No buried in menu crap) I have a Z100, (pack of cards sized point 'n' click) a Z1fd, and the HS10.

I replaced my good ol' S9000 with an HS10. That has now been replaced by the HS20, which is the same camera with a few updates.

The lens (in 35mm film equivalent) is a 24mm to 720mm. Nothing else made comes close to that - you go from very wide angle to 30x in a manual zoom lens. It also has IS so you can handhold long shots. Most of the photos I post here are from the HS10.

There are some neat features, some of which I use often. One is the low light mode. I got great shots of the Flavel house in Astoria. The place is too dark to see much with eyeballs let alone use a camera. The low light mode fire off four rapid fire shots, then melds them together. My shots of the dim library look like a well lit room.

I also like the panorama mode. You start the shot, an arrow tells you to keep panning until it's done, then it creates the panorama. Sure, you can stitch later in Adobe, but it's a PITA.

Another cool one is a motion mode. You use a tripod, take the shot at something busy and crawling with people, (a fountain in Rome for example) and the camera takes a series of shots, then edits out the people. (Anything that moves) You end up with a shot of something that looks like you snapped the shot with nobody there.

The HS10 (and HS20) have an electronic viewfinder rather than an SLR setup. I like that myself, as you can put grids for the rule of thirds, portrait boxes, and other shot helping items onscreen. The manual focus mode pops up a box in the middle with an expanded view for a more precise focus. (A screen in screen view)

The camera also takes full 1080p HD video, and does high speed video up to 1,000 FPS. I have some on youtube such as wasps getting sucked up into a vacuum, and bees on a flower. The bee flaps his wings and wobbles away slowly into the air at 480 FPS. (1/8th speed)

My only single gripe with the HS10 is the movie mode is in Quicktime format. (Only because I hate the Apple-crap software that you have to install, with its endless hounding you to update and/or upgrade)

Links:
Fujifilm's site
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/dig...nepix_hs20exr/

A review:
http://www.photographyblog.com/revie...s20exr_review/

[ScorpionCrawler]

Hate to throw this into the mix but,
I just bought a Nikon D 5000.
We have several point and shoots one Cannon and 2 Fujis.
But we really wanted a DSLR, mostly for sports and vacations.
The technology in these things is great.
I really need to go to a class to learn how to use all that it has.
But out of the box it worked great, and I'm sure the Cannons do as well.
I bought mine the old fashion way and went to reputable camera store, listened to what they had to say, didn't understand all of it, but listened.
I paid about $40.00 more than a box store but the info and their help was worth the money.
I have called there once to ask a question and they were happy to help. So the tech support was worth the extra dough.

Good Luck

[Aggie07]

I have a Sony DSC-HX100V and love it! I am by far not a photographer, but it is definitely better than the Cannon point and shoot we have. It has most of the features that come with the SLR cameras, but half the price of most. You can do auto or fully manual modes. The pictures are great and it does HD video as well.

Here is the link to Sony's webpage: http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/sto...52921666297852


I think I usually see it for around $400 on Amazon or at Best Buy.