I'm looking to buy a camera, I'm new to photography, so some DSLR probably would be a waste of money, as I wouldn't know any options etc... I have been looking at the Nikon Coolpix S51 and the Sony Cybershot DSCW55. I'm willing to spend ~ $500 on a camera, and I do not want a (D)SLR. Digital is preferable. Thx in advance to all tips.
if you're looking to take more creative shots than just the average compact camera i suggest the canon a640. it's way below what you're looking to spend but i would assume that's a good thing. i just bought one (less than a week ago) and it is perfect for beginning photographers who aren't too serious. the reason why it can take more 'creative' shots is because it has a manual (M) mode which most other compact cameras don't have. i bought mine for around $285 it's 10 mp and has a 4x optical zoom here's the cnet review hope i helped, ask me if you want to know anything more about it.
I had a Sony Cybershot DSCW70 It was a great camera, but the lens thing ? got jammed and now its a nice paper weight
Canons are good cameras. I have an older 4 megapixel. I was doing the same as you. I like to take pictures. But, of course I started longer ago since the 4 Megapixel was the best at the time. I would say at least go with 8 or more. Even with photobuckets image restriction the pictures I took arent to bad for an old camera. I've seen worse on higher 5 Megpixel cameras. The resolution was 2272x1704. Which would look alot better on a 8x10 photo print. Good luck with your purchase and picture taking adventure Behind my house Yes, I live close to Canada
I've got a Sony DSCW35 (same as the DSCW55 only a smaller LCD screen). I have to say it's a pretty decent camera. The only thing that bugs me is when recording videos with it you can't zoom in. You have to stop recording zoom in, then start recording again.
I suggest a sony, or cannon. They are both great brands of cameras, and I suggest getting a 4+ Mega Pixel as 4 is good, but anything lower just allows for more blured images.
yah me to, sony has great cameras, ive gone through like 3 in the past year, not cause there bad qaulitly i just dont take care of it
With that budget, you want to be looking at 7 Megapixel minimum I would say, with a decent zoom (7x optical with added digital zoom, or a straight 10x optical zoom - I'm using digital wording here for zoom). Seems excessive, but for someone into photography you will find the extra zoom and quality is worth every penny. You should be able to get that for around $250 in a good Canon Powershot or similar range. Personally I prefer the Canon digital cameras over any other make, though Sony also have some excellent hardware out there, I just feel for beginners the way Canon builds cameras is the best for intuition and allowing move onto DSLR in a potential future. As for the Powershot range, I've had two now and both have exceeded expectations. I would also just suggest checking out the features of the cameras you're looking at. Again, I find, for the price, Canon to be the best buy, but it does depend on exactly what you want. Definitely recommend a good macro function, a string-along function, night mode and some capability to mess with shutter speed/aperture as this will help keep the camera going into the future.
i own a coolpix, payed 120 $ bought a year ago for it and im happy, here is some pictures i took with it
