Digital Digital Camera Recommendations Needed, Please...

[emoryritter]

Hi! I used to shoot at rock concerts/small venues several years ago but could never get a good, clear shot without using a flash. I have been asked to shoot more shows, but would prefer not to use a flash. I am planning on buying a more expensive/advanced camera in the near future but I do not know much about them. I would like a recommendation for a digital camera that takes good, clear, non-flash, motion shots in the low light settings of concert venues. Price range: $100-$1,000. Right now I have an old Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P51 and a Kodak EasyShare DX4900, both of which are in declining health. I want to buy a camera that won't limit so much what I can do. I don't want to have to use a flash. I want to be able to enjoy what I am doing and being that limited makes it difficult. I would definitely like a camera far more advanced than the two I have listed above, but NOT as advanced as, say, a Canon EOS 5D. I'm not experienced enough for one of the latter. The first non-digital camera I ever used on a regular basis was a Pentax K1000, but that was several years ago. I have a little experience with advanced digital photography at shows. PLEASE give me your recommendations on what camera is right for me considering what and how I want to shoot and my experience level. Any advice you give will definitely be reviewed, considered, and appreciated!

Emory

[whoehei02]

How do you like Canon series? Last month I got my new Canon PowerShot SD1000, It has excellent image quality, solid build quality, speedy performance, optical viewfinder; face detection, etc. Here are some more features and reviews:
http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4433.html
I got it at a deal price of $190, but now I found it dropped again, only $169
http://www.**********.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=65964
I think it's a good buy, maybe you can try

[Photo-John]

Emory-
It sounds like you might be ready for a digital SLR. It's either that or a superzoom like the Canon PowerShot S5 IS or, Panasonic FZ18, or the Olympus SP-560 UZ. Superzooms offer lots of power in a small, compact digital package. The Panasonic and Olympus I mentioned both have 18x optical zooms, with image stabilization. The telephoto end of the lenses is over 400mm, which would give you a lot of reach at concerts. However, you'll get better image quality with the most inexpensive digital SLRs, like the Pentax K100D, the Canon Digital Rebel, the Nikon D40x, etc. What you won't get with a digital SLR is the reach that a superzoom offers. Not unless you want to spend over $1000 on a lens.

So which sounds better to you? It sounds like you're starting to think about a digital SLR. But there is the superzoom alternative. Tell us more about how and what you're shooting and what you think you'd like to buy.

[emoryritter]

Hi John...sorry it's been a few weeks since I have been able to view the board. Thank you for your response! I once used a Pentax K1000 and my favorite lens to use was the macro. Zooming might be convenient in certain situations, however. I might not be doing much of it though. Are you saying the inexpensive SLRs that you mention come with a lens, but you have to buy an extra one if you want to zoom? How does the image quality of the super zoom differ from that of the SLR? Can image stabilization work without a flash?

[Photo-John]

I once used a Pentax K1000 and my favorite lens to use was the macro. Zooming might be convenient in certain situations, however. I might not be doing much of it though. Are you saying the inexpensive SLRs that you mention come with a lens, but you have to buy an extra one if you want to zoom?

Emory-
Zoom lenses are standard equipment now. The normal kit lenses that come with digital SLRs are usually something like an 18-55mm focal length. Most digital SLRs have smaller sensors than a 35mm film frame so you need a super wide lens to replicate a wide angle on a 35mm film camera. With a 1.5x or 1.6x digital crop factor an 18mm lens on most digital SLRs is comparable to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera. If you like close-up, macro shooting, that would require another lens. You would benefit from a compact digital camera like a superzoom then, because they all have built-in macro capability.

How does the image quality of the super zoom differ from that of the SLR? Can image stabilization work without a flash?

A superzoom is a compact digital camera with a 10x or longer zoom lens. They have smaller sensors than a digital SLR which means the pixels are smaller and the image quality won't be as good. That's not to see it's bad. Because the image quality of any current superzoom digital camera is very, very good. It's just not as good as a digital SLR would be.

Image stabilization has nothing to do with the camera's flash. There are electronic and mechanical systems. The mechanical systems move either lens optics or the camera sensor to compensate for camera shake. Electronic systems use faster shutter speeds to freeze action and eliminate camera shake. Here's an article on image stabilization.

The biggest difference between a superzoom and a digital SLR is the cost. You get a whole lot of camera for relatively small amount of money when you buy a superzoom. A good superzoom might cost you $500. A comparable DSLR setup would easily cost you thousands. The quality would be better, of course. But most people wouldn't be able to afford it, or stomach the cost. Generally, you work your way into a digital SLR system. A superzoom sort of gets you all set up at once. It's not as flexible as a DSLR. But you'll be able to do an awful lot with a good superzoom.