Camera recommendation for a beginner

[dureel]

I am looking for to buy a camera, any suggestions based on the following criteria? #1 being the most important, and the ones near the end not being necessary, but definitely a plus. Any input is greatly appreciated.

1. digital
2. easy for a beginner to use, without knowledge of lenses, ISO, etc
3. high-quality, good enough to print poster size (good lens, 10+MP? I'm not even sure what to look for here)
4. less than $800
5. good zoom, able to take landscape photos, etc
6. rapid shot function (maybe 3fps?)
7. small size/easy to travel with


Someone recommended that I get a compact camera, but it was my understanding that they don't have such great lenses, or a rapid shot mode.

[landonpc]

Pretty inexpensive but you could take a look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V at around 225 bucks it's a pretty good deal. Higher end in the DSLR realm you could go with the Nikon D3100 .

[volks]

Go and have a hands on look at the Nikon D3100 and start from there.

[Cherish]

I think that is good . As this is cheap and easy to handle.

[hawkeye62]

Take a look at the Nikon CoolPix P500. I think it meets all of your wants and costs $400.

Regards, Jim

[Laurel421]

Go and have a hands

[Romphotog]

I am looking for to buy a camera,
1. digital

I just about to recommend a one-time use film camera... darn.

2. easy for a beginner to use, without knowledge of lenses, ISO, etc
3. high-quality, good enough to print poster size (good lens, 10+MP? I'm not even sure what to look for here)

poster size? huh? thus a P&S wont do. go with a DSLR. 14mp.

4. less than $800

a DSLR kit will do. for $600. check J&R or B&H.

5. good zoom, able to take landscape photos, etc
6. rapid shot function (maybe 3fps?)
7. small size/easy to travel with

define "good zoom".
the Fuji S3200 fits all above. or the Canon S30.

[Elite83]

Some of the newer "point and shoot" Nikon and Canon cameras have high speed burst modes, and depending on what model you get they have some pretty decent lenes (not interchangeable though obviously)

[Photo-John]

Some of the newer "point and shoot" Nikon and Canon cameras have high speed burst modes, and depending on what model you get they have some pretty decent lenes (not interchangeable though obviously)

The same is true for Sony and Panasonic. I think they both have pocket cameras capable of full-resolution bursts at 10 frames-per-second.

[Ross_Hunter]

I did a lot of looking around and ended up with the Canon Eos 1100d fits all your requirments!

[Supermall]

To find the best digital camera and to make a great decision you’ll need to know some basics.
My choice for the best digital camera for casual users is one with at least 2 Megapixels.

[LoretteBowlus]

great website to look