Suggestions on cameras

ramcheer55

I would really love to buy a nice camera for when baby arrives.  I used to have a small digital one that unfortunately does not work anymore.  I have an iPhone that takes some good pictures but I would really like to have a nice camera to capture nice pictures especially with family coming by.  I'm looking for something that isn't too complicated.  I'm pretty tech savvy but am not a photographer so I don't need all of the bells and whistles so to speak.  I'd just like something that is pretty easy to carry around, easy to upload onto our computer and takes nice pictures with a good zoom lens.  I've been looking at a few at Target but was wondering if anyone had suggestions??

lgsdesigner

I have a Nikon D5200 and it's AWESOME. Cost about $600 (so expensive, but not too expensive), and really great quality. Here is some info on it:

https://www.target.com/p/nikon-d5200-24-1mp-digital-slr-camera-with-18-55mm-lens/-/A-14439205?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14439205&CPNG=Electronics&kpid=14439205&LID=10pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14439205&kpid=14439205&gclid=CjwKEAiA2JqkBRDshIOY_9eMghkSJABvNd1QeG3zMqhS_dWNBt--C4yny92D9f6abL3tojRmrjFJZhoC6tDw_wcB

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ETA: I also have a Nikon Coolpix camera which may be a better option for you. Small, portable, great zoom.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/nikon-s5300-plum-16mp-wifi-8x-1080p/prod13470121.ip?pid=_CSE_Google_PLA_Point_&_Shoot_Cameras&source=ifpla&CAWELAID=730010300000363459

texasmama15

marybeth080710 said:

I have the canon rebel t3i and I LOVE it. It takes awesome pictures and has a lot of shooting modes. It's pretty idiot proof. You can also switch lenses out. I have three different ones I use: a good "all purpose" lens, a telephoto I used when DS was playing tee ball, and a short focus "portrait lens" that takes some amazing photos.

This is the one I have as well and it's great! Very user friendly and takes amazing photos!

kac22

I'm a professional photographer so obviously my camera collection is a little different than the mom tog but what @robotpcr said is totally right. You can get a relatively cheap DSLR and then get like a 50mm lens and get some pretty great photos! 

I'm a Nikon gal, so my suggestion would be the D3100  

LexiSophie55

Another Canon Rebel T3i owner here.

We do love the camera.  I use it more around the home.  

I have a Canon ELPH 135S or something like that - for everyday use (hunting, farming, fourwheeling, sports, etc).  It's just easier to carry around, throw in the stroller, diaper bag, pocket, etc.  It is only about $137 on amazon and is user friendly right out of the box.

kac22

lgsdesigner said:

I have a Nikon D5200 and it's AWESOME. Cost about $600 (so expensive, but not too expensive), and really great quality. Here is some info on it:

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The idea of $600 being expensive for a camera makes me want to laugh and cry all at the same time lol

Pintobean39

I have the canon 60D myself because I use to do photography. I got my first SLR camera when my boys were babies because I took my own pictures. I started out with Minolta film camera then I moved up to a Sony F828 digital and now I'm on my Canon.

I agree with the PP it's all about the lenses. I always recommend the canon ti because they are really nice and you can do so much with it if you want to or just put it in auto and shoot away.

As far as canon/Nikon you can't go wrong with either one. I just highly recommend a DSLR over a point and shoot any day.

kac22

robotpcr said:

@kac22 Do you like to carry a camera with you when you're out with your DD?  I've been looking into options for doing this, trying to decide if I should get a giant diaper bag that I can stash my camera in, in a sleeve.  I love my camera bag purse these days but I just can't see that being practical when I also need a diaper bag.

(Sorry to thread-jack!)

Honestly, as she's gotten older I never take my DSLRs with me anywhere anymore and use my iPhone most of the time I want to capture something real quick X_X I always joke that I have way more professional photos of other people's kids than my own! Mainly due to the fact that mine are professional grade so 1-they're super heavy and 2-I'm always a basket case about something accidentally happening to any of them

But there's actually some great companies that make diaper bag, camera bags that I know a lot of people rave over! I'll see if I can find some links. 

emu0013

marybeth080710 said:

I have the canon rebel t3i and I LOVE it. It takes awesome pictures and has a lot of shooting modes. It's pretty idiot proof. You can also switch lenses out. I have three different ones I use: a good "all purpose" lens, a telephoto I used when DS was playing tee ball, and a short focus "portrait lens" that takes some amazing photos.

I have this one and its great! Super easy to use and great pictures.

kac22

Here's a couple:

https://store.kellymoorebag.com/collections/for-the-ladies

https://www.epiphaniebags.com/EPIPHANIE_CAMERA_BAGS_FOR_WOMEN_s/1836.htm

Kelly Moore is my favorite, they even show you examples of how each bag can be used. 

samiamagirl

My husband just got me one of the Canon Rebel's for our anniversary since I've been wanting a nice quality camera for a while now. To save money and since he wasn't sure how much I'd like it/end up wanting a different or higher quality camera he got a used one. Just find the camera you want on Amazon and order one of the used ones instead of the new ones.

ETA: he said it ended up being about $200-$300 cheaper getting it used.

ck4567

Thanks for asking this question OP! Dh and I want a camera and a video camera for Christmas and we have been shopping around. We want a camera that is small enough (point and shoot size) that we will actually carry it around to get photos but we also want a video camera. I just can't see us carrying around a big camera no matter how great the photos are.

Anyone have an opinion on what is the best point and shoot size camera? And do any of them take good video as well? Not trying to hijack, but maybe others are in the same boat as us.

ldmw

If you don't want a DSLR that you need to learn to work manually and with different lenses, I would recommend a high quality point and shoot. I have a Sony Cybershot that is a few years old and recently compared the photos I took with it to a DSLR. The Sony photos turned out better than the DSLR, which could be because I don't know how to use DSLR and I know I won't take the time to learn with a baby.

My camera is a Sony Cybershot DSC-H500. Other cameras I've looked at recently are: Samsung nX1100 (has changeable lenses and can be used as point and shoot or manual), Sony Rx100 - I didn't like that it only had a 3x zoom. Sony hx50v - has 30x zoom. I've also heard a lot about a Sony Alpha (I think that's what it's called).

illogicaltuvok

I have a canon also but it the T5i. It a bit more pricey, but it smaller then other DSLR camera. I love the photos that I get out of it. Also you get a faster shooting speed with the camera, which helps with fast moving kids.

tiggyt

Reading through this thread has been wonderfully informative - thanks!  I was also thinking about buying a DSLR for when baby arrives.  My old point-and-shoot died when I dropped it on the ground in the Roman Forum and I've been using a phone ever since.  I was leaning towards waiting to buy one, but now hearing what you say - between the Christmas deals and needing time to learn how to use a DSLR (which I won't have with a new baby!) I'm now leaning towards getting one soon.

ramcheer55

Thank you all for the great feedback!  I was checking some of these out over lunch and will just have to do some research and price shopping tonight with the hubby.  Thanks again!

goldengirl84

The Canon Rebel line is great for beginners. I just got the Canon 70d which is a little more advanced but still easy to use. I love the touch screen. I would definitely suggest getting an external flash because the majority of your photos will be taken indoors and it makes a WORLD of difference!!!! Trust me!

jennadesigns

Another vote for the Canon Rebel T3i. I love this camera. I agree it's all about the lenses too. Invest in a nice 50mm portrait lens and a telephoto lens in addition to the kit lens it comes with. It's been an investment I've never regretted. Your kids are only this age once ... I know if I didn't capture each stage I'd look back with regrets.

allofit0815

Sony has great camera technology. Cybershot for a portable point and shoot or alpha (a) series for DSLR.

tiggyt

PSA: Best Buy is running great deals on bundle packages of Canon Rebel T5s and Nikon D3200s. 

We just went today to play with cameras in the hopes of coming home with one of the two, and chose the Canon.  Apparently this deal only goes through Christmas, though.  I figured one whole semester to learn how to use all the fancy features, manual focus, lighting, etc. before baby arrives was a good idea.

chaitealover

My DH just got me a Nikon D3300 and I've been playing with it all morning and absolutely love it. So far, it's been easy to figure out and takes some great pictures. Now, 5 months to figure everything out and get in practice before the baby arrives! I'd definitely recommend it to people!

stark01938209

ajm0711 said:

We got the Nikon Coolpix L330 from Target on Black Friday.  It was on sale for $99 at the time so we put it in our cart.  Definitely an impulse buy, but so far it's worked nicely.  I've been practicing by taking pictures of my 10 month old niece.  It's not a huge camera like a photographer would have but it's a little bigger than the normal slim point and shoots. 

I bought this same deal! Great quality pics and videos! It has a great zoom and flash on it.