Need advice/suggestions, please...

[Sandi]

My 3+ year old sony digital camera fell and is making some gosh awful noises and sometimes it gets stuck and won't zoom when I turn it on . I need to get a new camera and with all the Father's day sales going on, I think I should get it this week. I'd really like to keep it under $500 but won't mind spending a little more on the right camera.

This digital camera HAS to be able to record video AND have a super optical zoom, anything over 12x.

A few I have in mind are a Nikon Coolpix L120 & P500 and a Canon SX30 IS. On the higher price end I found a Canon EOS Rebel T3 and a Nikon D3100. If you have had any experience with any of these cameras or can suggest a different one would be a great help thanks!

 

[CrissysChins]

Sandi I have the Nikon Coolpix and I dont like it at all. The battery life is short and the picture quality is not that good. For example I was taking pictures the day of my daughters recital in the same costume and same spot in my dinning room and one picture came out purple and one blue. It was a blue top but for some reason it also came out purple. Plus the pictures are never very clear. A little on the fuzzy side. A good friend of mine has the Nikon D3100 and i love it. Working on the hubby as this will be my next purchase.

 

[Sandi]

What model # coolpix did you have that you hated so much? Also thanks for the info on the 3100

 

[CrissysChins]

Model L120. It even makes some pictures so dark. Like the pictures I posted of Kane. I didnt like it from day one. I guess I should have returned it the next day but like a bubble head I didnt. My feelings are we should have paid the extra to get a better camera because I will never get those pictures again.

 

[alli713]

I currently have a Canon Powershot, it's a bit older of a model but it's the SD1100 IS. I really like it for a point and shoot camera, and most everyone that I've seen that has one likes them as well. The macro on it is great, which is why I picked it.

Saying that, I'm actually saving up for a Canon Rebel though, as I'm into photography and have wanted a DSLR for quite some time. But if you're going to spend the time with the camera in auto the whole time, I don't see the point of getting a DSLR. So it really depends on how you want to photograph things and if you'll really use a DSLR to its full potential.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Check with Stacie and Annie; they usually have great pictures/videos of their chins!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Sandi]

Model L120. It even makes some pictures so dark. Like the pictures I posted of Kane. I didnt like it from day one. I guess I should have returned it the next day but like a bubble head I didnt. My feelings are we should have paid the extra to get a better camera because I will never get those pictures again.

Thanks for your help. I was so close to purchasing that camera at Staples because it was on sale for $249 plus an additonal $30 staple's gift card. Glad I didn't act on it.

 

[Spoof]

I've always liked Cannon for outdoor use and found that Fuji makes the best for indoor/low light use. I keep a Fuji point and shoot for the chins/indoors/pocket cam and am saving up for an upper level Canon in the future.

Dpreview.com has good reviews/comparisons - as well as galleries from people who have used the cameras.

 

[Lmbswimmer]

Cannon Rebel - its used for crime scene photography! You can get all kinds of goodies for it.

 

[Sandi]

Thanks everyone. I'm now torn between the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the Nikon D3100

 

[Laurie]

The Rebel has always been Andre Agassi's camera! Not that it should matter but since I'm your friend and I LOVE Andre Agassi maybe you should get that one.

 

[Nancy]

I have the Nikon D3100 and love it. The only thing is, now I wish I'd waited and got the D5100 as it has a few extra features that I would like.

I also have the Canon SD1400 IS and I love it too. I would not want to have just an SLR as I love the convenience of the small cameras and having it in pocket or purse.

Both take great pictures but there is a definite difference in quality between the Canon and the Nikon SLR.

 

[alli713]

Why not go into a camera store and ask questions and compare? I don't mean Best Buy, I mean a camera specific store. They're normally super helpful with knowing the differences and helping you decide.

 

[Sandi]

My new dslr came in yesterday. I ended up getting the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and so far I am LOVING it! There are at least 3 pocket point & shoot cameras around the house so I wanted something that wasn't too complex but above the point & shoot. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Stackie]

The Rebel is a great camera. Enjoy...I expect to see many more pictures of your boys now. )

 

[Sandi]

The Rebel is a great camera. Enjoy...I expect to see many more pictures of your boys now. )

LOL! How did you know?

 

[alli713]

We were looking at the T3, now just waiting to hear if a coworker is selling his Rebel, but Sandi, does the T3 have video with sound? I couldn't find an answer to that online.

 

[Sandi]

We were looking at the T3, now just waiting to hear if a coworker is selling his Rebel, but Sandi, does the T3 have video with sound? I couldn't find an answer to that online.

Yes it does Allison. It was one of the reasons why I got it. )

 

[alli713]

Oh okay, thanks ) I could find that it said it had video but then for audio everything said n/a so I wondered why they would have video but no sound? Who wants a video with no sound?

 

[Sandi]

I'm now looking for some good lenses for the T3. If anyone knows of a good site, please share ).

Also, a great site I found to compare camera pics...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/