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New C\camera for vacation to the orient
Akilae729
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Next week I'm leaving for a two week Chinese adventure, and since my old camera recently died on a hiking trip, i need something new.
I'm looking to spend <$500 and what I'm really going for is picture quality.
One of my friends recently got one of these
Nikon L110
Does the larger lens result in better picture quality than a standard point and shoot?
(similarly in a camera like this PowerShot SX200IS)
I realize that these cameras will be worse to throw in a backpack or pocket, but it'll be worth it to have better pictures.
Conversely, would I be smarter to by a smaller and cheaper camera since I'm taking it on vacation and I'll probably get robbed?
Despite the fact that my dad is a photographer, I know nothing about the current state of digital cameras.
I'm looking to spend <$500 and what I'm really going for is picture quality.
One of my friends recently got one of these
Nikon L110
Does the larger lens result in better picture quality than a standard point and shoot?
(similarly in a camera like this PowerShot SX200IS)
I realize that these cameras will be worse to throw in a backpack or pocket, but it'll be worth it to have better pictures.
Conversely, would I be smarter to by a smaller and cheaper camera since I'm taking it on vacation and I'll probably get robbed?
Despite the fact that my dad is a photographer, I know nothing about the current state of digital cameras.
Akilae729 on
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If you want to maximize PQ at $500 or less for a camera to take travel photos, then you will want a DSLR with a slightly wide to slightly tele kit lens, or a fast prime lens that will give a normal perspective (around 50mm effective focal length). Even in full auto mode, and even with previous generation DSLRs you're going to get better PQ then a P&S.
Though if you compare that L110 superzoom to a DLSR kit as I recommended, you're obviously going to be able to zoom in much more with the L110. Getting a DLSR and a lens with that kind of zoom range is going to blow your budget.
I have the Nikon D90 which is apparently the first DSLR to do video and it is the bees knees man.
Take excellent quality photos with interchanging lenses AND high def video on the fly. Though I think the color quality of the video isn't up to par with comparable video cameras its still pretty much awesome.
I also happen to umm live in China and its not dangerous here. Keeping your shit safe requires the same rules as anywhere else: don't be a retard and leave stuff lying around unattended. This place is 10x safer than the USA.
No self-respecting man buys camera called "CoolPix".
A DSLR would be a great idea if you had at least 3x the budget and had said you were willing to lug around all the gear involved with shooting with a DSLR.
While I'm a fan of SLRs, if you don't know anything about cameras you will have a better time with a point & shoot camera while in China. The reason you want a superzoom is that you want the wide-angle for the cool shots of temples and such, but you also want to be able to zoom in close on details on those temples. Just as an example.
In daytime shooting you will have pretty normal quality regardless of the camera you choose, at least at your level. At nighttime you should probably just plan on shooting video of cool things, and most every camera does video.
My wife went to Beijing last November and just took along her (now old) point & shoot, a Samsung NV24HD. You can see the pictures she took with it here:
http://www.kateandderek.com/wordpress/?tag=beijing
I'm not suggesting this camera, but pointing out that you can take nice pictures with probably any new camera. But it should also show you why you'd want a superzoom.
This.
That G11 looks pretty sweet
The trouble with G10s is the high MP sensor Canon crammed into them. Compared to the G9 and G11 their high (hell, even mid) ISO performance is terrible. The G11 actually has 3 fewer MP than the G10 (11MP versus 14MP) and is a far better camera for it. If you really want to save cash, buy a used G9. For around $250 you get an extremely capable little camera.
I'm in love with the G11 BUT I honestly shouldn't be spending $500 on a camera right now. Maybe in a few years I'll invest in something really nice.
After checking out dpreviews and what I can get on the cheap at local stores (leave wednesday)
I think i'm going to go with the Nikon S8000. Despite the fact that it is ass ugly it looks like i'm going to get really good overall image quality and especially good night shots (which is going to be a big deal in the city for me).
Any one see a problem with this guy?
Also, if someone can convince me to finance a G11 and go absolutely insane, I'd appreciate it.
I purchased it for around 500 dollars 2 years ago, so it should most likely be cheaper by now.
http://www.nikon.ca/en/product.aspx?m=16681
New budget, new suggestion. First off, don't buy the S8000. As a general rule for compact cameras, the more megapixels the shittier the camera will be in low light situations. The speed of the lens also matters a great deal when low light is a concern. This is measured in f-stops and the bigger the maximum f-stop the bigger the aperture of the lens can get - bigger hole, more light.
With this in mind I give you the Canon S90. It has the sensor from the G11 in a beautiful little compact body (complete with adorable popup flash), shoots in RAW and has a very fast lens (f/2.0). It will do everything you could ever want from a compact camera. Buy it.
Oh, and as you mentioned DPReviews: Here's their glowing S90 review.
I definitely checked out the S90 and it looks like an awesome little camera. But I can't really justify spending $400 on that when the G11 is only $100 more. And I'm not sure if for my use, these cameras will be $250 better in terms of performance than the S8000. (I don't have time to purchase online, so my only options on the S90 are in the $400 dollar range.
I probably don't have the money to really take the pictures I want, but the S8000 looks like a pretty awesome compromise.
I was also concerned about how it is a 14 megapixel camera, and it definitely gets fuzzy at max blow up, however, it apparently produces great pictures up to letter size prints and what really sold me was the low light test. I want to take pictures of the city at night.
So...buy what you will, but don't forget your tripod!