Cameras
-
Yup. I am looking for one with both function. My MIL boughta $200 SONY camera, end up taking all videos of my ds.
Ok, back to negotiation with dh…best deal so far is 50% split cost…will try again. Anyway, I drop by COURTS during lunch and this was the sales recommendation.
1) CANON and NIKON DSLR works a lot on settings. Even if you are a new DSLR user, best that you drop these 2 brands cause they can be complicated. They recommend OLUMPUS EPL1. Said it was easier. Then added if I wanted to use the DSLR Auto function, then I might as well buy a point & shoot. True?
Actually, frankly speaking I was taken aback by the buttons…looks chim.
Prices of the recommended DSLR as follows:
1) NIKON D3100 $999
2)CANON EOS5500 $1349 (this is out of budget for me)
3) OLUMPUS EPL1 $898
2) Salesman went on to recommend the Canon G12 which they say is the nearest to DSLR but compact and slimmer. (FYI, my Dh nags non stop about DSLR being a white elephant if I buy it) Actually G12 is the salesman secondary recommendation. He actually recommend a Samsung brand equivalent which I was not keen on the brand but $200 cheaper. Price of Canon G12 is $849.
Isnt that too steep for a compact camera?! -
Brainkid,
As you've never tried a DSLR before I can understand you and your husband's apprehension about buying one and fear of it being a white elephant. It does look a little intimidating with all the buttons. BUT the idea behind you buying a DSLR is that you'll LEARN to use the manual functions right?
And until you master that, you can always resort to the auto or program modes.
First off, you have to realize that the quality of the photos you'll get with a DSLR is way superior to that of any point-and-shoot. If you think the DSLR might be a white elephant and you don't mind accepting the compromise in quality then perhaps you can consider a point and shoot.
You mentioned you wanted both video and stills in the camera you're buying? I don't think the Nikon D3100 has video functions. The Nikon D5000 has though. Think it's slightly pricier than the D3100.
I haven't tried the Olympus EPL1 before but a friend of mine has the EP1 and it is a nifty little DSLR in a compact body. That may be a better option for you if size is a concern. I don't know about the quality of the photos taken by the EPL1 but it can't be far wrong with an Olympus. Furthermore it has interchangeable lens which is something you might want to explore in the future to take those portrait shots of your son.
Just my two cents worth.
Personally I would go for the Nikon or Canon DSLRs but then I like DSLRs. -
jtoh:
As for bulkiness, you'll get used to it. The Nikon 3100 is not that bulky or heavy compared to the other models. Of course cannot put in handbag lah.
Later on you'll appreciate it even more when you take pix of your son at kindy performances etc.
3100 is a good camera, it can take video at 1080p. Just got one for dd at $800+ with the kit lens at cathay photo. No one can beat their price and service.
Canon G12 is a between DSLR and point & shoot. The equivalent for nikon is P7000. Both have manual setting but these setings cannot compare ti DSLR settings. -
Hi folks, just sharing my own experience, which may be a little different from most of the recent posts. I have an old and beloved Canon SLR which I have used to take many beautiful pictures. Spent many months learning the techniques on film and spent a few months attending courses on photography. Took really great pics of my kids. Upgraded my lens and took even better photos.
However, i use my Canon S95 powershot almost exclusively now. Mainly because it’s smaller and more portable, so i can have it in my handbag and whip it out for pictures of my kids anytime. I have 2 kids with another on the way. We like to travel light and the SLR is too bulky. The good thing is that the S95 also has manual features allowing me to choose shutter speed, aperture, iso etc. So it’s more versatile than a full automatic camera. Of course it’s not going to be as good as my SLR or the DSLRs out there. But it’s a compromise i’m willing to make as the photos are still very very good. I’ve not given up on my SLR though. And I might upgrade to a DSLR when the kids are older and i have more time to pursue photography again. -
MummyThreeStreams:
Inspiring!!!Hi folks, just sharing my own experience, which may be a little different from most of the recent posts. I have an old and beloved Canon SLR which I have used to take many beautiful pictures. Spent many months learning the techniques on film and spent a few months attending courses on photography. Took really great pics of my kids. Upgraded my lens and took even better photos.
However, i use my Canon S95 powershot almost exclusively now. Mainly because it's smaller and more portable, so i can have it in my handbag and whip it out for pictures of my kids anytime. I have 2 kids with another on the way. We like to travel light and the SLR is too bulky. The good thing is that the S95 also has manual features allowing me to choose shutter speed, aperture, iso etc. So it's more versatile than a full automatic camera. Of course it's not going to be as good as my SLR or the DSLRs out there. But it's a compromise i'm willing to make as the photos are still very very good. I've not given up on my SLR though. And I might upgrade to a DSLR when the kids are older and i have more time to pursue photography again. I wanted to be a photographer in the past as well but NO time. haha... Yeah..you hit the point...I was lamenting on the bulkiness to bring the DSLR camera for travel when there are so many bb stuff already.
I am already thinking in the line to buy the DSLR (myself) and my hubby will buy a point shoot himself... :lol: -
If u r budget constraint, which one would you buy?
A video cam or a DSLR?? :? -
jtoh:
Yes...Video function included in D3100 according to the sales person. I heard there is a Canon sales going on right now. I will go recee.
You mentioned you wanted both video and stills in the camera you're buying? I don't think the Nikon D3100 has video functions. The Nikon D5000 has though. Think it's slightly pricier than the D3100.
You are such a strong supporter for DSLR..and I am really taking what you say into consideration.
I am trying to convince my dh I can use DSLR to shoot my business product as well. I do not think point and shoot is good at taking high res images.
-
smurf:
DSLR! I bought a video cam but if you read my post above, I like to travel light, so in the end, the video cam is sitting there rotting...it's not useless, but I rarely use it. It's useful if you have like a 2 hour play or performance to record and you want to record the whole thing, or if you want to shoot a short film. But if you only want short clips (e.g. your kids 2 minute concert performance, or your kids saying funny things), then it's just troublesome to have so many devices on you! The DSLRs have quite good movie quality for my purpose (I'm not intending to be the next Eric Khoo) so they are more versatile.If u r budget constraint, which one would you buy?
A video cam or a DSLR?? :? -
Thanks mummythreestreams!
But but but, does e battery lasts? Coz I dun think a DSLR or a normal camera has very lasting battery right? :? -
Battery Life :
For DSLR, it is proprietary lithium battery, usually one full charge will last at least 500 shots to 1000 shots
On my recent 3 weeks holiday, I only recharged it once and I took more than 2000 shots for the Nikon 5000
For point & shoot camera, best is to go for those using AA size battery - take the Energiser Lithion battery that cost about $6.5 each…it will last at least 650 shots for two. Those point & shoot camera that comes with proprietary battery with their funny shapes and sizes will cause you much grieve because it gets out of date pretty soon and the battery life is short. after a while the battery is dead, cannot be recharged, need to buy new ones - costing at least $50 each…and after that - obsolete, can’t be bought, or buy after-market one at close the price of the camera…forget it…I have a few point & shoot digital camera in the drawers - dead - due to battery no longer affordable to use. lesson learnt : buy those using AA batteries
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login