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[mrslollis]

Hello this message board was recomended to me by a coupl of people. They said that this was most definetly the best place to get help with finding a good camera. I have a film slr already in my dream world i would get a digital slr but this is reality.

I'm wanting to take pictures of my kids in action and posing-
I would like a nice zoom so i can sneak up on them with out being seen doing it LOL-
I would like the option of changing it to black and white (I can live with out it too because i have photo shop)-
I would like to blow the pictures up to at least 8x10 (10x13 would be nice)-
I would like to have the timer option to take family pics-
I would like to take pics in darker situations too and still get the pictures-
I don't have a ton of money to spend $300 is my limit and thats over my budget but hey what can you do LOL-
Also what is the thought on refurbished cameras?

Thanks for the help in advance

Theresa-

[almo]

I would look into the Panasonic Lumix cameras. I am sure you can get one of the last gen models for your price. They are SLR like and come with a built in 432mm lens!

http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-...rand_panasonic

http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-...rand_panasonic

http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-...rand_panasonic

[cyberlord]

What film SLR do you have? Your current lenses may be compatible with a new digital body of the same brand. That will allow you to purchase a body only and save at least $100.

Tim

[Photo-John]

What film SLR do you have? Your current lenses may be compatible with a new digital body of the same brand. That will allow you to purchase a body only and save at least $100.

What cameras are you thinking of? She said her budget is $300

[Photo-John]

Theresa-
It sounds like you're in the market for a super zoom digital camera. Super-zoom digicams have 8-12x optical zoom lenses with lots of options for exposure control. They're the closest you can get to an SLR in a compact camera. Most of them also have optical image stabilization so you can shoot handheld at long focal lengths. I think that image stabilization is a very important feature. Panasonic includes it in all of their compact digital cameras now. Kodak, Panasonic, and Canon currently have the best super-zoom offerings, I believe. Here are some links to super-zoom pro reviews here.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS pro review >>
Kodak EasyShare P712 pro review >>
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 pro review >>
Samsung Digimax Pro815 pro review >>

Those reviews will tell you a bit more about the super-zoom digital camera category and give you an idea of what kind of money you're looking at. As Almo mentioned, a previous generation of camera might do the job, if you can find one for sale. Or you might just want to pony up a little more money. I know Kodak has a wide range of super-zooms with different resolutions so they might be your best bet. A friend of mine has a 5-megapixel Kodak EasyShare P850 Zoom that I think is very nice. The price comparison links on the review page indicate that you can still find that camera and it will fit your budget. I've posted a photo below that I just took with the P850.

Hope this is helpful to you :-)

[VanillaKisses]

I'd look into the Kodaks, If I were you, MrsLollis... also, There are a few good sony's out there...
and, definitely look into your old slr lenses, and see if a current dslr body is usable with it... might cost ya more than yer willing or able to spend right now, BUT, it may also be well worth the extra dosh.. especially if you have some good old lenses.

[Photo-John]

Thanks for mentioning Sony, VanillaKisses. I forgot about them. I just checked and the Sony Cyber-shot H2, which has image stabilization and a 12x zoom lens, might also fit your budget. Here's a link to that review page:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 digital camera reviews >>

I still think the Kodak P850 is probably the best camera for the money. I also like Kodak's image processing better than Sony's. Kodak generally has a lighter touch so the images feel a little more natural - at least to me.

[VanillaKisses]

I agree about Kodak John.. the colors are more natural.
The only time i prefer sony in point and shoots, is in low light, they tend to do better for me most of the time.... I have to say tho, the P850 is great in low light too!