I Need an Inexpensive Alternative

[Pachimac]

to my Kodak 3.1 MP Easy Share Camera. I know it's like at the bottom of the rung now a days but when we bought it 4 years ago it was a great camera.

Now I am thinking of upgrading to an SLR type camera - but the one I really like is nearly 1000k for one lens and the body.

I have been looking at pictures that capture my attention, and they seem to always be taken by people who have used the manual higher end cameras. The depth of field in the pictures are so much better, the colors, the crispness - everything.

I know you get what you pay for - and if I wait until my FIL dies, I'll inherit his Canon Rebel, but I hate the way I'd have to get it! LMAO!!

Anyways, are there any manual digital cameras that are close to the quality of the Rebel with out that huge price tag, or you can just tell me that I'm dreaming and put my rose colored glasses back on!

[mummytothree]

I love my Canon S2 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=11368)
I bought it back in feb for about $450. They have since come out with the S3 but I think the only difference is the color and it has 6MP instead of 5MP. I still am learning ton of new stuff everyday and it was the best option/alternitive for me (money wise) because I just could not afford a Rebel. You can now get the S2 for under 300 dollars and the S3 for arounf 350 dollars!!!

Here are some shots using my canon. These are all straight from the camera and untouched, except the last one and all I did was remove the color.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon1.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon2.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon3.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon4.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon5.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon6.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon7.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon8.jpg

[Jana1506]

Steve's Digicams has a "best of" list of cameras in different price and function categories that is updated continually as new cameras are reviewed. Here is the link to that list: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

I was like you, I wanted a digital SLR but not the price tag. I ultimately decided to purchase the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html). It has all the bells and whistles a regular point-and-shot camera has and then some of the manual features a dSLR has. Overall this camera is easy to use, very light weight, takes unbelievably great shots and best of all costs less than half of a dSLR. I highly recommend it.

[AndreaBurns]

If you are looking for a great SLR, with great quality, but not so high a price, try the Nikon D50.

I *think* a new one with lens, will be between $500-700. It has 6.1 mp.

I have the D70s, and LOVE Nikons.

I know that Melanie (http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=40&sl=l) & Sally (http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1250&sl=i) both have one, love theirs, and use it often! I've linked you to their galleries so you can see their picture qualities.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1133.htm

[Joni]

good info here :) thanks for asking !

[Pachimac]

I love my Canon S2 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=11368)
I bought it back in feb for about $450. They have since come out with the S3 but I think the only difference is the color and it has 6MP instead of 5MP. I still am learning ton of new stuff everyday and it was the best option/alternitive for me (money wise) because I just could not afford a Rebel. You can now get the S2 for under 300 dollars and the S3 for arounf 350 dollars!!!

Here are some shots using my canon. These are all straight from the camera and untouched, except the last one and all I did was remove the color.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon1.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon2.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon3.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon4.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon5.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon6.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon7.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/mummytothree/canon8.jpg
Thank you!! I'm reading now and trying to decide what to go with - so many options - more than the Rebel! It certainly seems to be the most popular - but not for my budget! LOL!

[Pachimac]

Steve's Digicams has a "best of" list of cameras in different price and function categories that is updated continually as new cameras are reviewed. Here is the link to that list: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

I was like you, I wanted a digital SLR but not the price tag. I ultimately decided to purchase the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html). It has all the bells and whistles a regular point-and-shot camera has and then some of the manual features a dSLR has. Overall this camera is easy to use, very light weight, takes unbelievably great shots and best of all costs less than half of a dSLR. I highly recommend it.

Thank you - I have that on my list and I'm going to print all the specs up and see which one will work the best for me!!

[Pachimac]

If you are looking for a great SLR, with great quality, but not so high a price, try the Nikon D50.

I *think* a new one with lens, will be between $500-700. It has 6.1 mp.

I have the D70s, and LOVE Nikons.

I know that Melanie (http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=40&sl=l) & Sally (http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1250&sl=i) both have one, love theirs, and use it often! I've linked you to their galleries so you can see their picture qualities.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1133.htm

thank you!! I am printing everything thing up and am going to do some reading!!!!

[joelsgirl]

So Susan, what did you get? I'm trying to decide myself.

Kellie

[Hollie]

If you are really looking for dSLR quality, you can't get it with anything besides a dSLR. I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, but it is just the truth. Other cams are still very good and will take excellent photos, but there are certain things about a dSLR you just can't get (yet anyhow) with other cams. But of course you have to remember that the person taking the photos is at least as important as the tool being used, if not more. I've heard it said that Ansel Adams could do more with a disposable camera than most people could do with a Canon Mark II.

You can check out Steve's Digi-cams site, and also www.dcresource.com (http://www.dcresource.com/). Dpreview is also another good one, but it gets pretty techy so keep that in mind.

BTW, can I ask your price range? You can probably get a good deal on a Rebel XT now that the XTi is out. But that may still be above your limit.

Hope you find something that suits you--I know it is sooooo hard! I think I spent a year researching before I bout my first cam, and after two years, I bought a new one-LOL! Let us know what you decide :):)

ETA:okay, sorry--I just remembered I wanted to mention that you look at the Fuji F30. It is supposed to have super good low light capabilities, since it goes up to ISO 1600--that's a big deal to me!! It is a compact style cam with some manual features. You can look at it HERE (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f30-review/). Just an option for you that might be more in your price range.

[Sherri Tierney]

I recently bought a new camera. I wanted a digital SLR but it just wasn't in the budget yet, especially considering I know I can't be happy with the kit lenses and I would have been immediately buying new ones.

I bought the Fugi Finepix S5200. The previews poster mentioned the F30 having good low light capabilities. This one does too. I absolutely love this camera. It has enough manual controls to keep me happy, it works beautifully in low light (something my older camera does not do) and it has an awesome anti shake feature. We don't have any more blurry limbs when the kids are playing, LOL. In fact, my DH was playing with it and purposely shaking his hands quite a bit when he took pictures and they were still perfectly crisp. I love it!

I agree that you aren't going to get DSLR quality pictures from anything less than a DSLR, but even with my older Minolta Dimage Z1, I have taken pictures people thought were professional. It is definitely true that the photographer has as much to do with a good picture as the camera. :) My mom using the same camera can't get a good shot for anything.

Oh.. here's the link to the one I just got http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=755

I got mine at BH photography for only $239.

[-m-]

Hi Susan. Not a huge help here since I shoot with an slr—and many times, I feel like I there is no comparison {slr vs. non-slr camera} LOL! That aside, however, my dh wants a 'smaller' camera, and I've decided (and have convinced him) on getting the Canon S3 IS for him when he gets back.

*thanks, mummytothree, for the samples. On top of all the great reviews I've read about the Canon S2 & S3 IS, your untouched photo samples here have convinced me even more that this is the right camera for us {well...dh, LOL!}* Those are really some great shots and great colors, too. Thanks!!

Good luck on choosing, Susan. :)

[annacp]

Steve's Digicams has a "best of" list of cameras in different price and function categories that is updated continually as new cameras are reviewed. Here is the link to that list: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

I was like you, I wanted a digital SLR but not the price tag. I ultimately decided to purchase the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html). It has all the bells and whistles a regular point-and-shot camera has and then some of the manual features a dSLR has. Overall this camera is easy to use, very light weight, takes unbelievably great shots and best of all costs less than half of a dSLR. I highly recommend it.

I got this camera as a second camera and (bag over head) I am preferring it to my XT right now. It's just so darn easy to use. It takes beautiful pictures! The zoom is amazing. I was able to get crisp shots of the pitcher at a major league baseball game hand-holding the camera from the back middle of the stadium. I convinced a friend to get one too, and she found it for $269 on amazon.com

This is SOOC:
http://pritchettzoo.smugmug.com/photos/101639440-M.jpg

[Pachimac]

If you are really looking for dSLR quality, you can't get it with anything besides a dSLR. I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, but it is just the truth. Other cams are still very good and will take excellent photos, but there are certain things about a dSLR you just can't get (yet anyhow) with other cams. But of course you have to remember that the person taking the photos is at least as important as the tool being used, if not more. I've heard it said that Ansel Adams could do more with a disposable camera than most people could do with a Canon Mark II.

You can check out Steve's Digi-cams site, and also www.dcresource.com (http://www.dcresource.com/). Dpreview is also another good one, but it gets pretty techy so keep that in mind.

BTW, can I ask your price range? You can probably get a good deal on a Rebel XT now that the XTi is out. But that may still be above your limit.

Hope you find something that suits you--I know it is sooooo hard! I think I spent a year researching before I bout my first cam, and after two years, I bought a new one-LOL! Let us know what you decide :):)

ETA:okay, sorry--I just remembered I wanted to mention that you look at the Fuji F30. It is supposed to have super good low light capabilities, since it goes up to ISO 1600--that's a big deal to me!! It is a compact style cam with some manual features. You can look at it HERE (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f30-review/). Just an option for you that might be more in your price range.

Oh , plan on getting a digital SLR - just was looking for the more inexpensive variety! LOL!! I was told that Costco might be getting in some of the old Canon Reb"s and they were going to sell them for 599 with one lens - so I'm holding out for that one!!

I am going to see if I can find a place that rents dSLR's and try a few of them out and see how they feel and what works best...then I'll figure out how to find the money!

[Pachimac]

I recently bought a new camera. I wanted a digital SLR but it just wasn't in the budget yet, especially considering I know I can't be happy with the kit lenses and I would have been immediately buying new ones.

I bought the Fugi Finepix S5200. The previews poster mentioned the F30 having good low light capabilities. This one does too. I absolutely love this camera. It has enough manual controls to keep me happy, it works beautifully in low light (something my older camera does not do) and it has an awesome anti shake feature. We don't have any more blurry limbs when the kids are playing, LOL. In fact, my DH was playing with it and purposely shaking his hands quite a bit when he took pictures and they were still perfectly crisp. I love it!

I agree that you aren't going to get DSLR quality pictures from anything less than a DSLR, but even with my older Minolta Dimage Z1, I have taken pictures people thought were professional. It is definitely true that the photographer has as much to do with a good picture as the camera. :) My mom using the same camera can't get a good shot for anything.

Oh.. here's the link to the one I just got http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=755

I got mine at BH photography for only $239.

That looks like a great alternative! Thank you!

[Marlies]

Totally in love with this camera; so easy and wonderful to use. I can recommend it to everyone!

Steve's Digicams has a "best of" list of cameras in different price and function categories that is updated continually as new cameras are reviewed. Here is the link to that list: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

I was like you, I wanted a digital SLR but not the price tag. I ultimately decided to purchase the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fz7.html). It has all the bells and whistles a regular point-and-shot camera has and then some of the manual features a dSLR has. Overall this camera is easy to use, very light weight, takes unbelievably great shots and best of all costs less than half of a dSLR. I highly recommend it.

[Pachimac]

Totally in love with this camera; so easy and wonderful to use. I can recommend it to everyone!

thank you - that's definitely a runner in the race if I don't get the money for a full dSLR!! I'm debating on whether waiting it out a little longer and getting the dSLR or getting a new camera NOW! LOL!

[danger girl]

Due to the recommendations in this thread, I took the plunge and ordered the Panasonic Lumix FZ7 today from amazon.com. I have known for a while that I wanted one of the Panasonic ultra zooms to replace my ancient Olympus, I just had trouble deciding on which one. The camera, an extra battery and a 512MB SD card cost me just over $300 at amazon.com. Plus there is a mail-in offer for a free 512MB card.

Thanks ladies for helping me decide! I can't wait til it gets here!

[Marlies]

Woohoo Donna,
Congrats. Enjoy your new toy! Can't wait to see your new pics!!

Due to the recommendations in this thread, I took the plunge and ordered the Panasonic Lumix FZ7 today from amazon.com. I have known for a while that I wanted one of the Panasonic ultra zooms to replace my ancient Olympus, I just had trouble deciding on which one. The camera, an extra battery and a 512MB SD card cost me just over $300 at amazon.com. Plus there is a mail-in offer for a free 512MB card.

Thanks ladies for helping me decide! I can't wait til it gets here!

[Pachimac]

I just wanted to bump this up and thank you all for your recommendations and links. I got the Rebel XTi and I'm SOOO glad I held out and paid the money!!!!