[fast_lap28]

I was thinking of upgrading my photography equipment with some tax money but I have NO clue as to what to buy????

I would like a "beginners" digital high resolution camera i.e. Cannon xti or something? Nothing increadibly fancy and expensive since I am only a beginner to high quality photography.

thoughts or suggestions?

[Tony717]

I'm in the same spot as you - looking into upgrading from my Canon Powershot A620 (a P&S basically). I'm particularly looking for a DSLR, and I have ended up choosing between the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel Xti (havent decided yet).

The best suggestion is to go to a store and see how they feel. Ive gone to the store twice and I am leaning towards the d40.

And not to threadjack, but are the DSRL's really worth it?

Hope this helps
Tony

[LOLrance]

DSLR's are only worth it if you really want to get into photography. With P&S being so advanced these days, some people who just want great pictures with high res really dont need DSLR's. The good thing about DSLR is the ability to upgrade the glass as well as the more adjustability of the camera itself.

If you dont want to bother chugging around a huge camera, the Canon G9 is a GREAT point and shoot and you can switch lenses as well. Plus you also get the function of recording video which DSLR's dont have.

If you DO plan on getting a DSLR. I would spend a little more money and get the new XSI (replacement of the XTI). It has a lot of great features the XTI doesn't for a only a bit more of the price.

[fast_lap28]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

DSLR's are only worth it if you really want to get into photography. With P&S being so advanced these days, some people who just want great pictures with high res really dont need DSLR's. The good thing about DSLR is the ability to upgrade the glass as well as the more adjustability of the camera itself.

If you dont want to bother chugging around a huge camera, the Canon G9 is a GREAT point and shoot and you can switch lenses as well. Plus you also get the function of recording video which DSLR's dont have.

If you DO plan on getting a DSLR. I would spend a little more money and get the new XSI (replacement of the XTI). It has a lot of great features the XTI doesn't for a only a bit more of the price.

thanks for the replies guys....

if I go with your recommended Canon G9, around how much should I plan on spending? I like the idea of recording video

[LOLrance]

For the G9, your probably looking at $450 range for the camera. That may be kinda steep for a P&S but the G9 is essentially a DSLR. It will shoot in RAW or JPEG, 12megapixel for blowing up large photos, is compatible with Speedlites in case you need more flash, compabitle with some of the EOS Lenses incase you want to change the glass.

It was voted DPReviews highly recommended camera. I think they said it best when they said "It's not a camera for everyone; you need to know what you're doing to coaxe the very best out of it, and it doesn't operate that effectively as a 'point and shoot' model (especially in low light), but in the right hands it's a real step up from the mass of indistinguishable compacts on the market, and the more you use it, the more you'll grow to appreciate it. And so, like the G7, the G9 only just scrapes into our highest rating bracket."


Heres the link to the Conclusion review of the G9 from DP review
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page20.asp

[TurboFan]

There are a lot of really good threads on this topic

Here are a bunch of replies I've posted, maybe they'll help...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...8&postcount=26

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...8&postcount=29

and check out this entire thread. It's worth reading at least the first couple pages...
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94255

[Tony717]

thx for those links!!

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Tony717

I'm in the same spot as you - looking into upgrading from my Canon Powershot A620 (a P&S basically). I'm particularly looking for a DSLR, and I have ended up choosing between the Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel Xti (havent decided yet).

The best suggestion is to go to a store and see how they feel. Ive gone to the store twice and I am leaning towards the d40.

And not to threadjack, but are the DSRL's really worth it?

Hope this helps
Tony

I can't get the pics I want with a P&S, so I'd say yes. The shutter lag on a P&S drives me crazy. The control and lens options on a DSLR are the reason I have one. You can't get anything close to the quality of a DSLR lens in a P&S.

If you just want a camera to snap photos of the moment, consider a cell phone camera. Some are getting quite good!

[ATG]

Panasonic FZ8 unless you do a lot of low light indoor shooting

[The_Blob]

Panasonic makes some of the best easy to use P&S cameras. I have a Lumix LZ5 and it outperforms my Dad's high end Nikon and Canon DLSR cameras most of the time when we both don't use tripods when shooting photos. For awesome photos, a middle of the range Panasonic P&S cameras are awesome! All Panasonic Lumix cameras uses Leica designed lenses.