Camera Recommendations?

LunaBug924 · March 2014

Something on my list to get before baby arrives is a good camera. I have a decent digital, but it's already 5 years old and the shutter is really slow with the flash on. I take a lot of candid and I feel like I'm always missing great moments waiting for the flash to reset. I'd like something that has the features and control of a manual camera (ability to adjust shutter speeds, great zoom, etc) but with the convenience and speed of a digital. I've always been a NIkon girl, but I'm open to suggestions.

Anyone have any recommendations? TIA!

spacepotatoes · March 2014

If you are looking for a higher performance point and shoot, I love my Canon PowerShot SX200. I'm not sure what the current model is but it is awesome. It has a longer zoom than most P&S cameras, lots of features for white balance in different settings, and lets you shoot in aperture priority/shutter priority/manual if you prefer. I've had it for a few years and don't feel like I've outgrown it yet. It stands up pretty nicely against our DSLR.

spacepotatoes · March 2014

It looks like the SX280 is the current version of what I have and then there's the SX510, which has a bigger lens and some more features.

Hallil · March 2014

I have the D90 and love it, for the first year I just had it on auto and it took good photos like that, then as I learned how to use it and bought some new lenses it just got better and better.

A lot depends on what price you're looking at and how much you want to learn. If you have no interest in learning more about taking photos then I'd just go with a point and shoot. If you want to learn more then I'd start with the D90 because you can do a lot with it should you choose.

Ladiebug30 · March 2014

We have the Sony NEX5T. We got it before our trip to New York City and Niagara Falls. It has some pretty great features and takes great candids.

ABColeslaw · March 2014

We're a Nikon family. My H is a photog and I am so not. I want something I can grab and just take a good picture. SO if you're looking for a good point and shoot. I have a Nikon 8100 that is awesome. Never fails to take a good picture, fast shutter speed...but you can't use it in manual.

I agree with a PP that a D90 is a good entry level DSLR. This was my H's old camera before he got his 600, so now I get to play with it. I love it and wish he would just give it to me. lol. A photog friend of ours passed away and left me a D3100, it is supposed to be the new version of the D90 but I personally find it awful to use on auto and the stock lens is junk. If I were you and going to go entry level, find a used D90...I think you'll be pleased.

bumpuser10194737 · March 2014

Depending on how much you want to spend, I LOVE my Nikon D5100. DH found it refurbished for half the price of new on eBay (certified by Nikon and with a warranty) and I couldn't be happier. I did upgrade the lens to a 50mm that can get a better aperture, and also got another flash for it, (both on Amazon), but the were all worth it!

Before that I had a Nikon point and shoot, and it took great photos for what it was. Something like that would be great if you want something smaller.

Kaylee524 · March 2014

As PPs have said, it really depends on what you want to spend and how much you want to learn to do with the camera. I have a Sony NEX F3 (similar to the 5T that @ladiebug30 mentioned) and I love it. It's a compact system camera - so most of the features of a DSLR without being quite as big & bulky - basically a mirrorless version of the DSLR. The Sony NEX line actually uses the same image sensor as their DSLRs, so they take great pictures.

The only downside I've found to the F3 is its lack of a viewfinder - it just has the digital display - which can be difficult to see in bright sunlight. But, if you're used to the digital screen on a point and shoot, it's essentially the same thing - except it tilts and swivels around so that you can see it from above, below, or even in 'selfie' mode.

The F3 also shoots 720p video, so there's that as well.

MissLadyTay · March 2014

We have the Canon powershot and for a point and shoot it takes great pictures. Highly recommend. I don't think we would use a DSLR very often so for our lifestyle a point and shoot is best.

LunaBug924 · March 2014

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies! I'm definitely willing to spend the bucks and the time learning the features of a great camera (within reason of course). Before I posted this I started some searching on my own and found the whole thing really overwhelming, but now I have some great jumping off points!

NonnyM · March 2014

I've found Nikon to be rather overpriced for what you get. I prefer Canon in general, and have taken some amazing photos with my little Powershot. One of my favorite things about it is the high resolution on the filters. I got a really cool black and white pic of my niece, and it easily transferred to a 16 x 20 print for my sister's living room. If you want something a little fancier, the Rebel is nice, and very compact. You can usually find a good price on overstock.com.

deanna1313 · March 2014

I can only recommend my DSLR. It's a canon rebel T3i. I love it. The picture quality is great.

pistolpackinmomma · March 2014

We have a cannon DSLR that I love. I have the t4i but the t3i is recommended a lot too. I'm not sure of the differences though. It was my Mother's Day gift last year and DH did all of the research.

Helmink0804 · March 2014

My husband got me a Nikon for Christmas a few years ago and I absolutely love it. My mom has a Nikon as well, a different make and I like hers as well.

Peaceb0ne · March 2014

Loving all of the D90 recs! I've had mine for 4 years now and it's been an amazing camera and a great investment. That said, I think the camera came out in 2008 and I imagine that there is better technology out there. I'm not in the market for a new camera yet, so I can't recommend anything specifically, but I'd browse around Nikon's DSLR lineup and see what's out there in your budget. The kit lenses are usually a pretty good (and cheap) until you feel like spending money on a better lens.

Mimaloo · March 2014

Bliz1712 said:

We just bought the Cannon Rebel Ts3 and I LOVE it. However, it can take a bit to learn all the features. My H went to school for photography so he is helping me know what all features to use at certain times or he'll just take the pictures. We took it on our Costa Rica Trip 2 weeks ago and we got amazing pictures. Even my H commented that in comparison with our point and shoot camera there is a noticeable difference. Also, you will probably need to invest in additional lenses and other items which may make the camera too expensive for some.

This! Best.Camera.Ever! We did buy one additional lens so far.

spacepotatoes · March 2014

aimee223 said:

I haven't bought a camera in years, so I'm not sure what's out there right now. I love my canons - I have a small powershot that really takes great pictures and an ancient DSLR. For me, an SLR is really worthless if you use the flash and kit lens that comes with it, you may as well use a point-and-shoot (not that there's anything wrong with P&S, people who spend $1000+ on a DSLR and leave it on automatic with the flash make me so ragey)

I wouldn't say it's worthless if you stick with the kit stuff.l I think those things are fine while someone is learning all of the features and settings. Once you can appreciate those things, you can get a better feel for your own preferences and then choose lenses/accessories that fit what you need.

Leaving it in auto all the time? That's definitely worthless and a total waste of money. It's not the fancy camera that takes good pictures, it's the person who knows how to operate it.

I will also echo the Canon Rebel recs. Great starter DSLR! We have an Xsi that we started with when we first got married and we just upgraded this past boxing day to a T5i.

LunaBug924 · March 2014

ashtog said:
I'm a photographer and shoot with a canon mk 3- I have multiple lenses and can pretty much play around with whatever I want- I take it on fam vacations etc. and am thrilled that I have it, so I totally recommend a good entry level dslr like the rebel or 50d or d90 for posed shots/family vacations. That said I asked my DH for a canon powershot for christmas two years ago and I love it. I pull it out for taking every day photos, as well as my iphone. If one of the kids is doing something super adorable it's best to have something that's easy to use and close at hand to catch it- because they will not wait or repose naturally after you have found a memory card/switched to the proper lens/figured out your settings and iso. Just my two cents.

I agree about the convenience of the point and shoot for those quick candid moments. The problem I have with my current camera is that it's so slow that I end up missing everything anyway.

pistolpackinmomma · March 2014

For candid shots I just use my iPhone. Anymore they have such decent cameras built in I couldn't justify buying a point and shoot camera.

mrsbtobe20122 · March 2014

I am really glad you posted this. A photog friend of ours recommended the Nikon 3200, but I'm going to look into Canons after reading this.

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