Canon/Nikon camera reviews, please

[sumi]

I've decided to treat myself to a decent camera for my birthday next month and I've my heart set on a Canon. I take lots of pics, often in less than ideal light and conditions, so I want a camera that can take nice clear photographs and have at least 10 times zoom (my current one has 4x

). I would like to hear from you all that owns/uses Canon cameras which model you use, what you like/don't like about it, which you'd recommend, etc. I do not want or need the most expensive one out there, but I don't want to buy one of the cheaper ones and find it's not what I want/need either. I would love to hear some reviews on the different models before I choose and buy one.

 

[Kassaundra]

Since I am not a cannon gal, Nikon through and through. I can't give you input on the cannons, but some of the features that will be very helpful is

1) the least shudder lag you can afford. Shudder lag is the time it takes from the moment you press the button until the picture is actually taken. All digitals are getting better w/ this across most price points.

2) image stabilizing, in Nikons it is in the camera, in other brands is in the lens I'm not sure about cannons, but either way you want it for sure.

3) when looking at the zoom numbers the only ones that mean anything at all are the optical zoom, the "digital zoom" is meaningless flim / flam

Most important, after you get it, take it out and PLAY, have fun w/ it, and post the pics.

 

[Carol Dee]

Good advice from Kassaundra. We have a Sony ax300 , it is o.k. My Sister has a Pentex. She LOVES it. But I think she spent an arm and leg to get it! Then added a VERY expensive macro lens.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I love love love my Canon Powershot sx50. It is awesome for bird/wildlife photography for amateurs. I wish i had more time to tell you about it, i just popped in for a second but look into it. I dont know if you need/want a zoom that big but its pretty cool to have available. Its not a little camera though, you might want to consider the weight/size issue too.

 

[catjac1975]

I love my Nikon but I'm sure the Cannon is fantastic too. Both companies have always been known for their great lenses.

 

[sumi]

Thanks! I've spoken to a few people and it seems Nikons are also very popular and good. I'm going to look into both and see. I don't want a huge camera, but I really do want a good lens and something that can zoom. I tried to take a pic of a bird yesterday. It was sitting 4 ft from me in a rose bush, on maximum "zoom" with my Sony CyberShot I had to look for the bird in the pic. I'll upload it here later and show you what I mean. It's so frustrating, considering how much money I spent on that camera, I expected more!

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks! I've spoken to a few people and it seems Nikons are also very popular and good. I'm going to look into both and see. I don't want a huge camera, but I really do want a good lens and something that can zoom. I tried to take a pic of a bird yesterday. It was sitting 4 ft from me in a rose bush, on maximum "zoom" with my Sony CyberShot I had to look for the bird in the pic. I'll upload it here later and show you what I mean. It's so frustrating, considering how much money I spent on that camera, I expected more!

You can "cheat" w/ zoom, IF the picture is going to be on the computer, this won't work if you are going to make a print. You can crop pretty tight and still get a big enough file to post online w/ decent clarity.

 

[Carol Dee]

You can "cheat" w/ zoom, IF the picture is going to be on the computer, this won't work if you are going to make a print. You can crop pretty tight and still get a big enough file to post online w/ decent clarity.

Exactly right Kassaundra, Most of my digital photographs get edited before posted or printed. I can not get my camera to focus if I am too close to he subject. So I get as close as I can then crop as you suggest .

 

[sumi]

Here's the pic (on maximum zoom, keep in mind the bird was about 4 ft away from me) and the cropper version:

It blurred when I cropped it, which is a pain I tried taking pics on a higher resolution and then crop it, but it didn't work very well. I really need a camera that can zoom properly.

 

[Carol Dee]

YEP, if it is that frustrating it is time for a new camera. If you go to a reputable camera store, they should let you handle the cameras and look at all the features. I think some even offer classes to get to know your new camera better. If not community colleges often have adult education for some fun things like basket making, gardening and photography.