Help me pick a camera

[eros]

My piece of crap point and shoot camera quit working this week. My fiance and I are going to Hawaii next month so I definitely need a new one soon. I'd like to get something that will take great outdoor shots and I can also use to take pics of my tank. After some quick research these 2 models came up as good choices in my price range, which is under $500.

I like the waterproof aspect of the Olympus, especially since I will be doing some snorkeling in Hawaii, but from what I've read it's underwater shots aren't the greatest and many people reported the camera leaked. I definitely don't want my camera going out on me while on this trip.. It also seems to have a decent macro mode from what I've seen in this thread.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15105698#post15105698

The Nikon seems like a good starter DSLR, and I've been getting more and more interested in taking pictures of my tank lately. From what I understand I would need a Macro lens to take good closeup shots though, and they seem to be much more expensive than the camera.

Would the Nikon be able to take macro shots as good as the Olympus with the standard lens?

Which camera would be a better choice for me?

 

[eros]

Ok after more reading I dont think I'm as interested in a DSLR. I think something like the Canon G10 is what I'm looking for. What are some other cameras I should consider. $500 is my max, ~$400 is what I'm aiming for. Thanks
Steve

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I still have no idea what you are talking about. The G10 is the first model you have listed.

First you were talking about an underwater point and shoot Olympus (which of the 5+ models??). Then you started talking about a Nikon DSLR (there are like 10 of those). Firstly you need to know what class of camera you want. The underwater Olympus point and shoot, and the fully manual Nikon DSLR are COMPLETLY different in every aspect. I don't even know which cameras you are referring to but I do know they are totally incomparable.

The G-10 is one heck of a camera but an underwater housing will put you over $500. Nobody should buy a DSLR on a $500 budget...those are $2000 budget cameras. If you really want to get into DSLR photography, you could make it a $10,000 budget camera. $2000 at the least should be expected though.

 

[eros]

Sorry, I changed the name of my thread after posting so that threw the whole thing off, I should have caught that. I started the thread after getting home from a long day at work so my apologies.

I was considering getting the Nikon d40 or the olympus 1030sw. I know they are on opposite ends of the camera spectrum but I don't know squat about cameras.

I'm not as concerned with underwater pictures as I am with just having a nice camera. I think DSLRs are a bit out of reach for me right now. I'm basically looking for a good point and shoot and it can take decent macro shots that would be great too.

 

[Blazer88]

I bought my Canon G9 used for $300 and bought a new Canon underwater case for $170 meaning a great underwater setup for under $500. The G9 seems to be a great all-around camera for a P&S but certainly no replacement for a DSLR. Look around on craigslist and see what you can find used.

 

[Maxxumless]

Even a Canon XT at 8MP would be better than a G10 with the right lens.

 

[Bob 1000]

I'd get a canon powershot sx110is.. This camera takes pictures more expensive cameras take without the need for 18 lenses or emptying out you hawaii money.. If I could figure out how upload pictures I could show you, so you don't make the same mistake I almost made.. Oh, did I forget to tell you it's under $300..

 

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15111074#post15111074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bob 1000
I'd get a canon powershot sx110is.. This camera takes pictures more expensive cameras take without the need for 18 lenses or emptying out you hawaii money.. If I could figure out how upload pictures I could show you, so you don't make the same mistake I almost made.. Oh, did I forget to tell you it's under $300..

What do you consider a more expensive camera? I'd love to see how that $200 camera can take better pictures than the "more expensive" ones. That camera may be okay if you just want to mindlessly point and shoot and see what you end up with. I mean, who wants to worry about RAW, color temp, aperture, and unnecessary things like that anyways? Lets seem some samples though, use photobucket.com and post away.

 

[Bob 1000]

I don't have a clue on how to post pics here nor am I a professional photographer.. But If I could get some help on posting pics I could show you some decent macro shots.. I've read the photo posting thread and the screen looks nothing like that..

 

[Bob 1000]

I'm learning, but still can't post the picture..http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/stagebeds/?action=view&current=IMG_4020.jpg

 

[eros]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up buying a Canon G10 today at BestBuy. My fiance needed to open another account to strengthen her credit so we opened one to buy it. I'm charging it right now. I'm anxious to go snap some shots of my tank!

My dad used to be into photography around 20 years ago. I was talking to him today and he told me he has a collection of Minolta lenses and a couple bodies. Ofcourse they are not digital but from what I've read some lenses might be interchangeable. Can anyone confirm this with Minolta lenses? That would be sweet if I only had to buy a body for them. Thanks
Steve

 

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15111383#post15111383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bob 1000
I don't have a clue on how to post pics here nor am I a professional photographer.. But If I could get some help on posting pics I could show you some decent macro shots.. I've read the photo posting thread and the screen looks nothing like that..

On Photobucket you can click "Share" and then choose "Get Link Code" then choose "IMG for bulletin boards & forums" and copy the code then past it into your message. I put spaces in the link below so it wont hyperlink the image

[IMG ] link to photo goes between these [/ IMG]

Here's the link...

Point and shoot cameras are fine for what they do - but if you want quality and consistency then a DSLR is a better option. Think of it this way. A DSLR is more like a large tool chest while a point and shoot is more like a zip up took kit you put in your trunk for occasional use.

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15111643#post15111643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eros
Thanks for the help guys. I ended up buying a Canon G10 today at BestBuy. My fiance needed to open another account to strengthen her credit so we opened one to buy it. I'm charging it right now. I'm anxious to go snap some shots of my tank!

My dad used to be into photography around 20 years ago. I was talking to him today and he told me he has a collection of Minolta lenses and a couple bodies. Ofcourse they are not digital but from what I've read some lenses might be interchangeable. Can anyone confirm this with Minolta lenses? That would be sweet if I only had to buy a body for them. Thanks
Steve

Depending on just how old they are you might still be able to use them. Sony uses the Minolta mount.