Mid-range camera suggestion?

**wikked** · 03-03-2006, 10:23 AM

My mom is looking to buy a nicer digital cam, looking to spend maybe $500 max, depends I guess.
I was leaning her towards a Canon S80 ($475), but then again, an SLR would be reallllly nice

Would it be a really huge difference in quality between the S80 & say a cheaper brand SLR (Pentax 6.1mp $600) ?
I usually shy away from more 'generic' brands, unless it doesn't really matter, and I'm thinking it probably matters.

Opinions? Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

**jbiscuit** · 03-03-2006, 10:28 AM

stay away from the Pentax...their lens variety is garbage. Best bangs for the buck when you look at the DSLRs:

Digital Rebel
Nikon D50

both companies make STELLAR lenses...both cameras are easy to use, retaining fully automatic but allowing for FULL manual settings. Both have a lot of potential. I work with a guy that has a D50 and his images are FANTASTIC! Check online vendors for good deals....I think the D50 kit (includes a lens) can be had for like $599-699???

**fireguyrick** · 03-03-2006, 10:38 AM

If you don't go with a DSLR, I would HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5. I suggested it to my mother, and she loves it. It is small, fully auto, and has a 12X Zoom. The lense is made by Leica, which is an outstanding lense company IMHO.

If you go with a DSLR, I totally agree with what Yellow has said.

Rick

**DSMDuDE** · 03-03-2006, 11:04 AM

I love my Canon SD400

I think they can be had for roughly $300 now, 5.0MP, 3.0x digital zoom, and takes great quality pictures

**wikked** · 03-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by yellow wagon

stay away from the Pentax...their lens variety is garbage. Best bangs for the buck when you look at the DSLRs:

Digital Rebel
Nikon D50

both companies make STELLAR lenses...both cameras are easy to use, retaining fully automatic but allowing for FULL manual settings. Both have a lot of potential. I work with a guy that has a D50 and his images are FANTASTIC! Check online vendors for good deals....I think the D50 kit (includes a lens) can be had for like $599-699???

hmm... so what's the deal with places selling for $279/$289/$319/etc....
Froogle

**Slow Joe** · 03-03-2006, 11:46 AM

Panasonic Lumix FZ20 or FZ30... If you'd like to play with either I have both... Awesome cameras for the cash... And no I can't remember how much we paid... lol But I know the FZ20 is less, has a power zoom, etc, etc... The FZ30 does not have power zoom.

**jbiscuit** · 03-03-2006, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by wikked

hmm... so what's the deal with places selling for $279/$289/$319/etc....
Froogle

Bait and Switch vendors.....stay away. Buy from bhphotovideo.com....these bait and switch vendors scam. You call to buy a camera at $279 and they tell you they don't have any more in stock....or its refurbished or something....or the camera is missing a bunch of parts etc...

STAY AWAY!

**Slow Joe** · 03-03-2006, 04:58 PM

Hey J what's your thoughts on my camera choices?

**Teufelhunden** · 03-03-2006, 08:31 PM

Wikked, the D50 with a lens costs about $520-$600

I bought mine in November for ~$620.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewprodu...?id=nkd502880k

Edit: You'll also need a SD memory card with a D50...~$40-60

**MoreTorque** · 03-03-2006, 08:42 PM

Steph has the Nikon D50. She has had good luck with it so far. Shots look good.

**Cryptic** · 03-03-2006, 10:19 PM

D50 or Canon Digital Rebel XT (make sure its the XT, big differences)

after you have a descent body. a nice lense is going to make all the difference.

**Anakonda69** · 03-03-2006, 11:08 PM

i like my kodak z740

**GTSLOW** · 03-03-2006, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by wikked

My mom is looking to buy a nicer digital cam, looking to spend maybe $500 max, depends I guess.
I was leaning her towards a Canon S80 ($475), but then again, an SLR would be reallllly nice

Would it be a really huge difference in quality between the S80 & say a cheaper brand SLR (Pentax 6.1mp $600) ?
I usually shy away from more 'generic' brands, unless it doesn't really matter, and I'm thinking it probably matters.

Opinions? Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I just got a Canon SD550 (7.1MP). It's a tiny little bugger with a huge screen. Has a ton of features I'd never use, ran me 399+80 for a 2gb sd card.

**wikked** · 03-05-2006, 09:31 PM

Welp, we went with the Canon S2 IS with the 12x optical zoom.
She wanted it for the zoom factor, and I didn't think much of it until I tried it out....haha wow

Normal, no zoom

&

fully zoomed...

I'll have some autoshow pix up later.

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