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Digital Cameras Forum Discuss compact digital cameras or ask general digital photography questions - what camera to buy, memory cards, digital camera accessories, etc. You may also want to look at the Digital SLR forum, or the Camera Manufacturer forums.
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  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Sep 2008
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    Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    Hi peoples! This is my first post in these forums, they seemed very informative so I thought I'd register! :]. Now I'm just taking an interest into photography. I'd really love to make it part of my lifestyle because it seems all around great! And plus I live right by the ocean so I could capture some beautiful stuff out here. I'm looking for an entry-level/beginner camera. I was looking at the megazooms and they seemed pretty good for what I want to do with my camera. I want to keep the price under...Say $250 USD. It has to be somewhat compact...I mean not like a compact digital camera, I was thinking a dSLR-esque camera...I saw some on CNET reviews...One that stood out was the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H3. I didn't like the idea of no thumb rest though, or electronic viewfinder. I would want an EVF, along with a LCD of course. The LCD screen doesn't have to be big...2.5 at the least. I'm open to any brand. I would want it so i could hook a strap to it so i could just sling it on and go for walks without having to worry about it dropping. The size of the Cyber Shot was desirable, but I could be convinced to go a little bigger. Thanks for reading this and taking the time to help me out! :]

  2. #2
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    Bump? Please help. Thanks.

  3. #3
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    I thought you'd have had some answers by now but we do get an awful lot of 'what camera' posts.
    I'm not an expert and actually only have a dslr but the sony you mention looks like it would fill the bill for you now, until you learn your skills and can afford more.
    Remember its not the camera, its the photographer.
    Check the review section to see if it is up there.
    Good luck and whatever you get hang out here, show us some pics, share your passion.
    Oh! and Welcome!
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  4. #4
    Junior Member
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    Sep 2008
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    Thanks Frog for your response. I've actually been checking out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9.1-Megapixel Digital Camera. I might actually go with this one, because I realized that I would not only be doing nature shots, but friend shots. You know, around town and stuff. While the Lumix is nice and compact, it still has that extra zoom I wanted. I'll be sure to share photos once I get this. :].

  5. #5
    Member byjamesderuvoDHQ's Avatar
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    Jul 2008
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    Los Angeles, CA USA
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    You may want to compare it with the Canon SX100, which has a nice 10x zoom. 8.1 MP. And don't get caught up in that extra 1.0 mp of the TZ5 either. You won't even notice the difference in snapshots as anything over 6mp doesn't even assert itself until you get past 8x10 in size.

    In fact, for comparison, you may want to check out this resource. It takes pictures with each and you can compare them side by side.


    Finally, when trying to make a final call, it may just come down to what camera feels good in your hand. Go to a local camera store and check both out side by side, holding them, feeling their center of gravity, the balance. How it sits in your hand. That usually sells me one way or the other.

  6. #6
    Junior Member
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    Sep 2008
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    I saw your recommendation byjamesderuvoDHQ and thanks! The site was also really helpful. I'm sad to say that the camera you recommended to me was out of my budget. I"m really looking for something in the 200-250 dollar range. Thanks for your effort though.

  7. #7
    Junior Member
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    Sep 2008
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    Belmont
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    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    Quote Originally Posted by monophony
    Thanks Frog for your response. I've actually been checking out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9.1-Megapixel Digital Camera. I might actually go with this one, because I realized that I would not only be doing nature shots, but friend shots. You know, around town and stuff. While the Lumix is nice and compact, it still has that extra zoom I wanted. I'll be sure to share photos once I get this. :].
    Lots of reviews for a number of cameras in this price range says Lumix DMC-TZ5K is perfect for casual photography. The TZ5's LCD screen is the nicest I've ever seen on a camera. If you end up with this one then do show us your test pictures. Enjoy & happy shooting! :thumbsup:

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    10

    Re: Help for picking camera for newbie photographer!

    Quote Originally Posted by monophony
    Hi peoples! This is my first post in these forums, they seemed very informative so I thought I'd register! :]. Now I'm just taking an interest into photography. I'd really love to make it part of my lifestyle because it seems all around great! And plus I live right by the ocean so I could capture some beautiful stuff out here. I'm looking for an entry-level/beginner camera. I was looking at the megazooms and they seemed pretty good for what I want to do with my camera. I want to keep the price under...Say $250 USD. It has to be somewhat compact...I mean not like a compact digital camera, I was thinking a dSLR-esque camera...I saw some on CNET reviews...One that stood out was the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H3. I didn't like the idea of no thumb rest though, or electronic viewfinder. I would want an EVF, along with a LCD of course. The LCD screen doesn't have to be big...2.5 at the least. I'm open to any brand. I would want it so i could hook a strap to it so i could just sling it on and go for walks without having to worry about it dropping. The size of the Cyber Shot was desirable, but I could be convinced to go a little bigger. Thanks for reading this and taking the time to help me out! :]
    Why would you get a SLR. That ups the cost and then you loose other things that that cost could go into.
    Suggest not get an SLR but a 3x to 5x Optical zoom. If you go with 10 or mor Megapixels you may be surprised at how well a digital zoom will come out. I was. I had a Canon Pro 1 with 8 MP and shot 21 digital zoom that came out. I was informed that the reason was the increased MP processed the shot to make it an acceptable picture.
    Hope this helps.

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