Finding a Camera

[Klierslc]

Hi Folks,

First post in this section, so bear with me.

I am wanting to upgrade from the cheaper point and shoot cameras to something that takes a bit better pics. I don't want a DSLR but something just below that. I have looked at quite a few cameras and have yet to find one that has what I want. (hence me asking here) Below is a list of features that I have to have to spend the money (300-400) on a camera. I am not a photographer in any sense of the word except that I use a camera to take pictures. If this list is not realistic, please let me know.

--Quick trigger--I despise shutter lag
--Auto Focus (I realize that this can affect shutter lag, but can be mitigated by a partial depression of the button to allow focus and then fully depress it for the shot.
--relatively quick recovery <3 seconds with flash (the faster the better)
--Continuous shooting/burst--minimum 3 fps
--natural light mode (seems to work well for pics of the kids inside)
--auto flash that pops itself up when it is needed.
--10x zoom or bigger
--decent video capture
--decent battery life (AAs preferably)
Edit to add stuff:
--image stabilization


Things I wouldn't mind having:

--interchangeable lenses like the old fuji S5000-S5500
--Stereo sound and HD video


Things I don't care about:

--ISO settings--I don't even know what they do.
--Flash shoe
--Manual shutter speed.

I will use the camera mostly for taking pictures of my 5 kiddos, scenery shots when wheeling, and family photos.

Thanks for the help!

Dan

 

[ywen]

not going to find a 10x zoom + camera for 300-400 other than a P&S..

 

[john101477]

X2

Might want to look at something like the Sony NEX3 or NEX5, OR some of the Micro 4/3rds cameras. Mirrorless, semi compact, and interchangeable lens.
Only other option is to go to an advanced P&S but your not getting a significant boost in performance in many of those.

 

[ywen]

double your budget and buy the new Olympus E-PL2 kit [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Thirds-Interchangeable-Digital-14-42mm/dp/B004HO59M4"]Amazon.com: Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black): Camera &amp; Photo[/ame]

or buy an older model E-PL1 or the Olympus E-P1 kit on ebay for $380 new..

no 10x zoom for that price range... you need another $500 for a 10x zoom for the above cameras [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-ED-14-150mm-Panasonic-Interchangeable/dp/B0035LBRMQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1304006779&sr=1-2"]Amazon.com: Olympus ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 micro Four Thirds Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera: Electronics[/ame]

 

[Klierslc]

X2

Might want to look at something like the Sony NEX3 or NEX5, OR some of the Micro 4/3rds cameras. Mirrorless, semi compact, and interchangeable lens.
Only other option is to go to an advanced P&S but your not getting a significant boost in performance in many of those.

I don't know what most of that means. I think the advanced point and shoot is what I want......I think.

double your budget and buy the new Olympus E-PL2 kit Amazon.com: Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black): Camera &amp; Photo

or buy an older model E-PL1 or the Olympus E-P1 kit on ebay for $380 new..

no 10x zoom for that price range... you need another $500 for a 10x zoom for the above cameras Amazon.com: Olympus ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 micro Four Thirds Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera: Electronics

Doubling the budget is not an option. Something like the fuji S1800 meets most of my requirements. I am just having difficulty finding something that has them all--most notably, the auto popup flash, shutter lag, and recovery time.

Fuji S1800:http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...D0DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304007699&sr=8-1

 

[ywen]

shutter lag - acceptable lag is subjective. Some p&s are faster than other.. but what is your acceptable limit? Difficult to quantify the lag differences.

The only sure thing is that, the m4/3, nex, dslr all have SIGNIFICANT improvements over P&S for shutter lag.

 

[eric1115]

Not double, but 1.5x the budget: D3100 kit.

Shutter lag - zero, for all practical purposes, compared to any P&S
ISO - you said you don't care about it; with this you don't have to. Auto ISO works very well. Autofocus will be much faster and more accurate as well vs. any of the P&S cameras.

Recovery time - non-issue also. 3fps without flash; flash recycle time should be well under 3 seconds

Popup flash - auto, with MUCH better metering than you'll get with a P&S

1080p video

You can set it to full auto where it picks every setting for you, or you can set it to full manual, or anywhere in between. If you do start to get interested in making better photographs, you have a hot shoe for a real flash, and the ability to pick up faster, better lenses. Downsides are cost and a little bit bulkier than the others you're looking at.

tips: Don't get hung up on resolution. Sensor size is much more important than megapixels. Nikon's D2H from a few years back was 4mp, and you can make great looking 16x20 prints from that. No digital camera these days will be limited by resolution. The tiny sensor and the corresponding tiny/slow lens on many of the compact cameras is what will lead to very poor performance in low light.

 

[john101477]

I don't know what most of that means. I think the advanced point and shoot is what I want......I think.

K so a little something about the options here
Micro 4/3 camera = a mirrorless camera about the same size as an advanced P&S but with a 4/3 sized MOS sensor and able to interchange lenses.
Sony NEX3 NEX5 = Same as above but with a 1.5 crop sensor such as most DSLR. A little better option IMO but some might argue that.

Advanced P&S - same sensor type as most P&S but with added features. Many ADV P&S have the ability to control exposure settings much better than a standard slim P&S.
I personally would never buy anything smaller than NEX5, But I am a Nikon guy so i continue to wait and see. As was recommended above the D3100 for roughly $600 (from a reputable dealer such as Adorama) might be a better but more expensive kit for you.
ON the other hand - The top 4 compact cameras according to DpReview are
OLY XZ1 - $499
Canon Powershot G12 - $499
Fujifilm Fine pix X100 - Unknown
Nikon Coolpix P300 - Unknown

DpReview is a good place to research cameras.

 

[BillTex]

I think the LX5 meets your requirements...that is my next purchase...

Bill

 

[ywen]

lx5 only has 3x zoom

 

[Klierslc]

K so a little something about the options here
Micro 4/3 camera = a mirrorless camera about the same size as an advanced P&S but with a 4/3 sized MOS sensor and able to interchange lenses.
Sony NEX3 NEX5 = Same as above but with a 1.5 crop sensor such as most DSLR. A little better option IMO but some might argue that.

Advanced P&S - same sensor type as most P&S but with added features. Many ADV P&S have the ability to control exposure settings much better than a standard slim P&S.
I personally would never buy anything smaller than NEX5, But I am a Nikon guy so i continue to wait and see. As was recommended above the D3100 for roughly $600 (from a reputable dealer such as Adorama) might be a better but more expensive kit for you.
ON the other hand - The top 4 compact cameras according to DpReview are
OLY XZ1 - $499
Canon Powershot G12 - $499
Fujifilm Fine pix X100 - Unknown
Nikon Coolpix P300 - Unknown

DpReview is a good place to research cameras.

Thanks for explaining that. It helps a little, but I think you are still talking about stuff that is beyond me. I will not ever look for an SLR--the only reason I am looking where I am is because of how badly my last couple cameras have been.

I'll take a look at those cameras, but I have spent quite a bit of time on Dpreview and haven't found the info/features that I need.

 

[off-roader]

At your price range I don't think you're going to get everything you're looking for, especially not interchangeable lenses (albeit, this was a nice to have for you and not a must have).

10x or better zoom at $300 or less will limit you to regular (not advanced) point and shoots w/out any features a 'serious' photographer would want... that said, they can still take great pictures, just not as good as even a low end SLR w/ their kit lenses.

In fact, I don't know of any that offer true/serious manual controls at that price point. I have seen some offer some manual control, but again, nothing serious. Also as far a doing a feature search on dpreview, I suggest you start by ranking those features in order of importance. Then add each one based on that and use it to narrow your search.

Last but not least, have you considered buying a used advanced point and shoot that's maybe a few years old? May be worthwhile looking at dpreview's older reviews to see if something comes close to fitting your needs.

 

[PirateMcGee]

nikon d3000 on adorama with lense for $400, best deal out there

 

[ywen]

d3000 has no video mode.. not a good choice as an all around / do everything camera.

 

[Klierslc]

At your price range I don't think you're going to get everything you're looking for, especially not interchangeable lenses (albeit, this was a nice to have for you and not a must have).

10x or better zoom at $300 or less will limit you to regular (not advanced) point and shoots w/out any features a 'serious' photographer would want... that said, they can still take great pictures, just not as good as even a low end SLR w/ their kit lenses.

In fact, I don't know of any that offer true/serious manual controls at that price point. I have seen some offer some manual control, but again, nothing serious. Also as far a doing a feature search on dpreview, I suggest you start by ranking those features in order of importance. Then add each one based on that and use it to narrow your search.
Last but not least, have you considered buying a used advanced point and shoot that's maybe a few years old? May be worthwhile looking at dpreview's older reviews to see if something comes close to fitting your needs.

The interchangeable lenses is a feature that my dad's old fuji has--seemed like it would be cool, but not necessary...

Manual controls are dangerous...that is just one more way for me to goof up the pics.

I will take another look at DPreview and see what I can find. I did think about getting an older one, but want the warranty...

Thanks again!