What kind of camera is for me?

[Piscine]

I am looking at buying a camera, but I have no idea what I need or want. I was looking to get some suggestions from you guys. I currently have a Canon Powershot a1000is. The photo resolution is nice, but the pictures are grainy no matter what settings I change. Is there anything I can get that is more advanced than what I have without getting too much higher in price range? I'd like to stay under $350 for the camera, not including accessories.

I want something that is capable of taking very clear pictures of fish and has the capability to fine tune settings.

I do not know how to use anything other than point and shoot, so it needs to be somewhat user friendly but retain the advanced features..

I am willing to learn how to operate it properly.

I know DSLR cameras are popular, but I have no idea what it means or if I need it. They seem a little over my head in price.

 

[Piscine]

Anyone?

 

[Piscine]

Guess not...

 

[jcardona1]

For $350 you can get a used entry-level DSLR, which will give you better pictures than any brand new point-n-shoot. Look for used a Nikon D40, or a Canon. You don't need to know photography to be able to use one as they have plenty of automatic settings. As you progress with your skills, then you can start messing around with the manual modes. IMO, there's no reason to spend that kind of money on a P&S when you can go DSLR and get much better pics.

 

[Chaitika]

A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that uses a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera.

Sounds fancy, huh?

The main differences between a dslr and a point n' shoot is typically sensor size and lens flexibility. Point n shoots have small sensors and for the most part, you cannot swap lenses. With a dslr, you can swap lenses and you have more flexibility with settings.

If all you want to o is point the camera and shoot, then a dslr is a waste of your time. If you think you might enjoy photography as a hobby, and you enjoy learning curves, then a dslr might be for you.

I'm going to suggest that you read some of the threads posted here on cameras, and then come back and ask the question s you need answered.

Here's a link to a search I did on this forum. Look, read and learn.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/search.php?searchid=9284870

You can also check out aquatic-photography.com, a sister site to MFK.

 

[nigaharu]

If you're interest in a high end point and shoot give Canon s95 a try

 

[Piscine]

A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that uses a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera.

Sounds fancy, huh?

The main differences between a dslr and a point n' shoot is typically sensor size and lens flexibility. Point n shoots have small sensors and for the most part, you cannot swap lenses. With a dslr, you can swap lenses and you have more flexibility with settings.

If all you want to o is point the camera and shoot, then a dslr is a waste of your time. If you think you might enjoy photography as a hobby, and you enjoy learning curves, then a dslr might be for you.

I'm going to suggest that you read some of the threads posted here on cameras, and then come back and ask the question s you need answered.

Here's a link to a search I did on this forum. Look, read and learn.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/search.php?searchid=9284870

You can also check out aquatic-photography.com, a sister site to MFK.

The link doesn't work, but I appreciate the info guys. Any other comments or suggestions?

 

[cichlid2006]

I was told to go into the shop ask to see all their entry range DSLR's and pick them all up and pretend to take a few pictures with them. Pick the camera that is most comfortable for your hands, there is very little difference with regards to performance in the entry ranges of the top brands, Nikon/Canon/Sony. Obviously you don't have to buy from the shop, but they don't know that, because they are usually far more expensive than the internet stores.
The fortnightly photography magazine I get advises that and so do many shops.

 

[jcardona1]

Nikon/Canon/Sony.

My only reason for suggesting to stay away from any of the smaller brand DSLR cameras is the price/availability of aftermarket and used supplies. Cameras like Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc. don't have a huge following as do Nikon & Canon. The aftermarket world is geared towards Nikon and Canon. And you can save a lot of money by buying used equipment from local craigslists and shops. You won't find these for any of the other brands.

Just something to think about

 

[cichlid2006]

My only reason for suggesting to stay away from any of the smaller brand DSLR cameras is the price/availability of aftermarket and used supplies. Cameras like Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc. don't have a huge following as do Nikon & Canon. The aftermarket world is geared towards Nikon and Canon. And you can save a lot of money by buying used equipment from local craigslists and shops. You won't find these for any of the other brands.

Just something to think about

Having a Sony camera has led me to try and find cheap supplies and 2nd hand equipment. There is an abundance of used lenses for previous sony/minolta cameras that fit the new alpha range. 3rd party gear is also cheap but 3rd party gear is harder to find for Sony because it isn't as popular as Canon and Nikon cameras.
I have found, here in the UK anyway, that Sony lenses and flashes are far cheaper than their Nikon/Canon counterparts, presumably because the IS is in the camera body and not the lense.
As for the amount of gear that one can find for Sony, high street shops can be quite bad as Nikon and Canon are both far more popular brands but when you look on the internet, as most of us do, then that problem becomes void.
Pentax, Panasonic and Olympus gear seems to be virtually non-existant, I noticed this when I was deciding on what camera to buy by checking on lenses and other equipment.