Help me pick a new camera...

[reefgeek84]

So I have a stupid casio p&s. I just can not get good photos with it...max ISO is 400 and it just is junk. I know alot of it is photographer, but I also think I need a quality camera as well...so I am in the new market for a camera...now to my dilemma...My use for it will be alot of tank photography marco shots. I will of course use it for other photos, but coral shots will be a major part of it.

I am trying to figure out what direction to go...

I am considering:

canon powershot sd800 IS

nikon coolpix p4

I am not sure what one to go with because the canon has the aquarium and underwater feature and only a 1600 ISO and 7.1mp...but the nikon has no aquarium or underwater feature, but has an ISO of 3200 and 8.1mp. So which would be better...

Also for the price of these I could also get a used nikon d50 with a lens...so I have no idea what route to go...

If anyone could give me some insight that would be awesome...also if you have different recommendations those would be very helpful as well.

 

[edwing206]

I would go with the D50 and lens. You will probably really get into photography and you will be limited in what you can do with a P&S.
good luck

 

[Ognid]

Nikon D50 or above and you are set, well except for a good lens.
DSLR is the only way to go!!!!

 

[reefgeek84]

This is good...thanks guys or gals...

 

[VoidRaven]

Have you looked at the Canon S3 IS? It is a very capable camera for it's size. Even though it is only a 6mp, that 6mp will allow you to easily print 8x10 sized pics with no issues (if you want to print any). Camera will also allow you to go full manual if you want to or utilize preset options.

I would sooner take the S3 IS over the SD800.

 

[reefgeek84]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9681172#post9681172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VoidRaven
Have you looked at the Canon S3 IS? It is a very capable camera for it's size. Even though it is only a 6mp, that 6mp will allow you to easily print 8x10 sized pics with no issues (if you want to print any). Camera will also allow you to go full manual if you want to or utilize preset options.

I would sooner take the S3 IS over the SD800.

Well, if I went a camera that size I might as well go with a digital SLR..my question is what does that camera offer that a point and shoot does not? also the SD800 has an ISO of 1600 and from my understanding you want high ISO when taking aquarium shots...again I am new at this and sure that a I am missing something here...

 

[VoidRaven]

Well, I'm not one to argue on technique as I am still learning myself...I have heard lots of folks prefering ISO1600 for aquarium shots. Personally I've never used over ISO800 for tank shots but my pics are no where near as good as someone like Blazer88 or GHO or others here on the forum so maybe I am the one missing out on something. Wouldn't be the first time

Why does everyone think the Canon S3 is this huge, same size as a DSLR, camera? It's not that big. Also, if you read the specs on the S3 is has a better optical zoom than the SD800, offers a bit more flexibility with control over the exposure (ie Manual, Aperature, Shutter) versus P&S where you trust a preset setting to do all that for you and hope it gives you what you want.

Mind you, I have the Canon SD500 as my pocket P&S. I've tried it for tank shots and never liked it. My wife's Nikon 7600 did a better job than the SD500. So for my tank shots I use my Nikon D200 (DSLR). I have seen some macro shots, not of a tank but of flowers and such, from the Canon S3 and I was quite impressed.

I don't want to try and convince you of anything...just wanted to present *perhaps* a better option over the couple you had listed. If you are *really* serious about doing macro shots you should probably only consider a DSLR with dedicated macro lens. The Nikon D50 is a fine camera if that is what you are considering.

Obviously, if you haven't yet, go somewhere where you can play with these hands on to make sure they are what you want.

Above all else, have fun with the hunt for the new camera and Happy Shooting!

 

[reefgeek84]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682372#post9682372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VoidRaven
Well, I'm not one to argue on technique as I am still learning myself...I have heard lots of folks prefering ISO1600 for aquarium shots. Personally I've never used over ISO800 for tank shots but my pics are no where near as good as someone like Blazer88 or GHO or others here on the forum so maybe I am the one missing out on something. Wouldn't be the first time

Why does everyone think the Canon S3 is this huge, same size as a DSLR, camera? It's not that big. Also, if you read the specs on the S3 is has a better optical zoom than the SD800, offers a bit more flexibility with control over the exposure (ie Manual, Aperature, Shutter) versus P&S where you trust a preset setting to do all that for you and hope it gives you what you want.

Mind you, I have the Canon SD500 as my pocket P&S. I've tried it for tank shots and never liked it. My wife's Nikon 7600 did a better job than the SD500. So for my tank shots I use my Nikon D200 (DSLR). I have seen some macro shots, not of a tank but of flowers and such, from the Canon S3 and I was quite impressed.

I don't want to try and convince you of anything...just wanted to present *perhaps* a better option over the couple you had listed. If you are *really* serious about doing macro shots you should probably only consider a DSLR with dedicated macro lens. The Nikon D50 is a fine camera if that is what you are considering.

Obviously, if you haven't yet, go somewhere where you can play with these hands on to make sure they are what you want.

Above all else, have fun with the hunt for the new camera and Happy Shooting!

Thank you very much...I do appreciate the help...You are correct, photography has alot to do with the person taking the photos. Just like racing a car is 70% the driver, but you still need a race car to compete.

The size of the s3 does not bother me, but if I am going to go with that size of a camera, I might as well get a DSLR...

The only reason I even compare the p&s and the DLSR cause when I say "I really want to get a DLSR" people always, you do not need one and that they have seen plenty of good shots with a p&s and they then show me amazing shots with a p&s...so that is why I am torn...

 

[gregr]

I just played around with the S3 last night and was very impressed. It has one of my favorite features- the lcd that flips out and twists around.
A couple of things to point out, aside from the great advice VoidRaven gave you already- using high iso gives you very grainy pictures. Especially with point and shoot camera because of the small sensors. You should really look at some sample shots taken at high iso's with these [or any camera you want to buy] because I think you'll be unpleasantly surprised. I rarely shoot over 800 and the camera I use [Canon 1DMII] is widely considered the best in the world. Regardless of how good any point and shoot is it can't compare to a dslr. Being able to change lenses, and the speed difference [start-up, shutter lag, image processing, etc] are the biggest things that come to mind. They [p&s's] can definitely put out great shots but there are compromises. That said, cameras like the S3 (and there others out there with similar features) have tons of features that make them an attractive alternative. The flip-out lcd, really long zoom lenses, no worrying about dust on the sensor, small size, small cost... I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting.