digital camera recommendation

[los panda]

anyone a photographer? i don't know the first thing about cameras, i just spent about an hour googling and i am now more confused than when i started.

i know my gf wants a new camera, and her birthday is coming up. looking for a good all-around digital camera that is strong in low light in the $200-$300 range.

any help is greatly appreciated

[Hog1]

What does she want to do with her camera?
I know.........but for instance, I bought my last cam for sports pics...primarily. It had to deliver 5-6 + frames per second among other things. "Point and shoots" typically deliver good results but "take pic...wait a second....take another and so on".
More expensive SLR's will offer more performance...no waiting for the next pic. More money as well. There are some pretty decent intro packages available at Sam's and Costco. Adorama online is good, etc.
The body of the cam is important. Lense is everything. As you have already mentioned ability to gather light is where it's at. A cheap lense will do fine in bright sunlight. Good lenses get expensive fast, but deliver in low-light shoots. Like 300-400% more expensive than there cheaper cousins. On that note, used is always a good option on lenses and can be had CLEAN for about 1/2 price of new..Anyway, check out Ken's site....Great stuff

Spend some time here and you'll get everything you need. Tremendous info!
KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures

Actually you're in LA? I think Ken's in that area as well....

[los panda]

thanks hog, i'll definitely spend some time on there in the next couple days.

i would say that most of her pictures are nature related. we love to sightsee around southern california, i would not place too much importance on sports pics/action shots.

[Lotus]

I am a basic, no-frills, point-and-shoot photographer of everyday stuff and my frequent travels. I have a Sony DSC-H90 and I love it. I bought it for its long zoom for a point and shoot. It takes what are beautiful photos in my unsophisticated amateur eyes, even on long zoom. It works great on automatic but allows you to set things manually, too. It has done well in low light as long as I have remembered to set it for such. It has proven to be somewhat tough, too. I've had several digital cameras from Olympus and Panasonic but the Sony is the best.

[Hog1]

Picasa
Try this. Virtually all pics today are enhanced to some degree
(cropped, colored, etc). This not PhotoShop, but it does a good fast...simple job of basic editing, storage posting etc for Free......

[That Guy]

canon are good for the money. nikon is better at the high (high) end. most lower end digitals kinda suck in low light since their CCDs are a bit small.

as for editing, get GIMP, it's like photoshop, only free.

[MTK]

I stepped up from a basic point and shoot a few years ago

Amazon.com: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS30K 18 Megapixel Digital Camera - Black: PANASONIC: Electronics

Nice zoom, shoots video in full HD

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I stepped up from a basic point and shoot a few years ago

Amazon.com: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS30K 18 Megapixel Digital Camera - Black: PANASONIC: Electronics

Nice zoom, shoots video in full HD

I have an older Lumix like this and its a great little camera. Had it about 6 yrs and I'm sure this one is even that much better.

[Hog1]

Not sure if you're still looking......
Tech.Woot

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Hog1

Not sure if you're still looking......
Tech.Woot

Great deal, love Woot

[los panda]

thanks for all of the responses, guys. i really appreciate everyone's input.

i think i spent a total of 10 hours further researching before finally deciding on the canon powershot s100.

there were mixed reviews but too many of them called the s100 the best pocket point and shoot. i was impressed w the photo samples, and it came in just under the top of my budget; shipped for just under $300.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by los panda

thanks for all of the responses, guys. i really appreciate everyone's input.

i think i spent a total of 10 hours further researching before finally deciding on the canon powershot s100.

there were mixed reviews but too many of them called the s100 the best pocket point and shoot. i was impressed w the photo samples, and it came in just under the top of my budget; shipped for just under $300.

My mom has a Canon powershot (not sure the model) and my parents go on trips often. She has gotten some really good shots with it.

[los panda]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

My mom has a Canon powershot (not sure the model) and my parents go on trips often. She has gotten some really good shots with it.

ordered it just in time. my gf's birthday is in just over a week, we're taking a trip up to big sur/monterrey next weekend.

looking forward to seeing what this camera can do

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by los panda

thanks for all of the responses, guys. i really appreciate everyone's input.

i think i spent a total of 10 hours further researching before finally deciding on the canon powershot s100.

there were mixed reviews but too many of them called the s100 the best pocket point and shoot. i was impressed w the photo samples, and it came in just under the top of my budget; shipped for just under $300.

The info on Ken Rockwell is solid. He generally does not recommend the most expensive thing....but rather see if you need it kind of attitude. A lot of the BS you buy with expensive camera's never gets used.
Can't go wrong with Canon.
.......LOVE that damn WOOT!

[los panda]

this camera is amazing! i'll post some pics after the weekend trip up to big sur/monterrey.

i am seriously blown away