Your opinion- I want to get a digital SLR or something close enough - What suggests u

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Point is there aren't really any bad cameras in that $300/400 point and shoot range. sensors are similar, glass may say "ziess" , sure its a branding thing, and the flash will be adaquet . Pick one with the features you like and go take pictures, composition and planning a shot is more important than the tool your holding.
 
Having ridden with a professional aluminum tripod and an 8lb medium format film camera, I can't help but feel having a cheap, sub-$300 point and shoot is valuable. There is a reason the hobbyist-dslr industry is being killed between the availability of those and the advancement in cellphone image quality. You can't get a decent print out of one but they're great for web.

IMO, if you're not getting a camera with a full frame sensor (best quality for printing, especially larger sizes), might as well get a point and shoot. They have the capability to zoom without having to carry extra gear and a built in flash.

as for me, I've found a great compromise, a mint condition Mamiya 6, I've always loved the square format after shooting a Mamiya C3 for years. The 6 is light, with a built in light meter and uses 120 as well as 220 rolls of film. Downside is I shoot positive film and have to send it out to Montreal for processing. Still saving my pennies for that Canon 6D to replace my aged and obsolete X-Ti. It always was pretty useless in trying to get a print larger than 8x10 to look good from that camera. Even scanned 35mm film had more promise.
 
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Not sure I fully agree. Crop sensor technology has come a very long way such that you'd be hard pressed to distinguish a good photo printed from a crop sensor and one from a full frame unless that photo is 4ft tall or something.
 
jc100 said:
Not sure I fully agree. Crop sensor technology has come a very long way such that you'd be hard pressed to distinguish a good photo printed from a crop sensor and one from a full frame unless that photo is 4ft tall or something.
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The point is that a DX/APS-C/four-thirds rig isn't THAT much smaller than the equivalent full-frame setup. If you're willing to carry a DSLR around and are concerned with getting the best IQ , might as well go with the larger sensor, which is still better for low-light, has a much larger viewfinder, more buttons on the body vs. layers of menus, etc. It's generally more capable. But sure, DX/APS-C/four-thirds will get you 95% there.

YMMV and all that. I went from a Nikon D40 (DX) to a D90 (DX) to a D700 (FX) to my current D600 (FX). Would be hard to go back to DX now, although I reckon that the cheap DX lenses tend to be pretty good.
 
I find this website good for reviews. What's the best in the specific category, and why they think it's the best. http://thewirecutter.com/leaderboard/cameras/

The cell phone cameras are getting pretty good these days for point-and-shoot. As long as you have good light. Here's a couple of photos taken with my Samsung S4.



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I just saw a billboard in Miami that was about 5 stories high ,, square... beautiful picture.. and all it said was taken with iPhone6 ... amazing to me!
 
I picked up an Olympus EPL1 used last year and am very happy with it. Compact in size, have 3 lenses for it and basically does 99% of what I want it to do. Low light it's alright but not great. However day pics come out beautiful. Looking forward to this riding season as I'll be taking it out more often...
 
really depends what kind of shooting you'll do. For the regular DSLR that's an upgrade to a phone get the 4/3 then from there get an crop dslr and a full frame if you're going to be taking now natural lighting (indoor/night)

I shoot with a d750 1 zoom and a few primes.. I only carry this when I know i'll be going about taking pictures.. For everything else I have my 6plus.

If you go for nikon, go to kijiji and get a d90 or a d7000. At least that way you can use all types of lenses from 1970s - present. The d3k and d5k series only allows the "G" type lenses.
The reason I like nikon over cannon is because with nikon, I can use ANY nikon lens on my body where the cannon cannot.
 
Matt Rain said:
The point is that a DX/APS-C/four-thirds rig isn't THAT much smaller than the equivalent full-frame setup. If you're willing to carry a DSLR around and are concerned with getting the best IQ , might as well go with the larger sensor, which is still better for low-light, has a much larger viewfinder, more buttons on the body vs. layers of menus, etc. It's generally more capable. But sure, DX/APS-C/four-thirds will get you 95% there.

YMMV and all that. I went from a Nikon D40 (DX) to a D90 (DX) to a D700 (FX) to my current D600 (FX). Would be hard to go back to DX now, although I reckon that the cheap DX lenses tend to be pretty good.
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whearas I packed my APSC gear in a heavy photo rucksack to haul everything around I put my micro 4/3 camera, 3 lenses a flash and a remote control shutter release all in one small padded bag (ape case when I travel. There's a huge difference in weight and size. That's why I bought it.
 
I shoot a Nikon D90 and a D7100, as well as a aw130 point and shoot. My recommendation would be take a look at the Nikon 1 system it is mirror less micro 4/3 camera system with a waterproof version and interchangeable lenses you can also get an adapter to take DSLR lenses. It offers the widest options that I can see.
 
Ok let me clarify
Under $400 (maybe $500) kinda point and shoot.
I don't want a big bulky camera, no real need for a DSLR for me.

Something like the Panasonic TZ8 (older model), that idea.
 
lil red bird said:
... My recommendation would be take a look at the Nikon 1 system it is mirror less micro 4/3 camera system with a waterproof version and interchangeable lenses you can also get an adapter to take DSLR lenses. It offers the widest options that I can see.
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The Nikon 1 is not a m4/3 system camera and is not compatible with m4/3. It has a much smaller sensor and more expensive lenses, unless you want to use huge dslr lenses on it, which kill its compactness.

I think m4/3 cameras are a sweet spot. They were made to be much more compact and have a large ecosystem of camera, manufacturer and lens options. There are some ultra compact options too. I have a compact m4/3 camera that I take in a hip belt pouch when mountain biking and hiking in the rockies, so I find it quite portable.

I agree with those mentioning that portability is important. The best camera is the one you have with you to take a picture. So many enthusiasts have gravitated towards more compact options. If I went DSLR I'd go FF sensor as mentioned. May as well imo with such a large and bulky system, to get the best usability, flexibility and PQ.

Since OP's price range is low, much of this is moot anyway.
 
Now that you have clarified your price point, and since you ride I will recommend a class of cameras go with a water proof, drop proof, freeze proof camera.
A type in this class is the Nikon aw130


Honesty offends fools
 
What is the term for the cameras that look like a SLR but have 20x optical zoom? Extended range point and shoot?
 
-D- said:
Ok let me clarify
Under $400 (maybe $500) kinda point and shoot.
I don't want a big bulky camera, no real need for a DSLR for me.

Something like the Panasonic TZ8 (older model), that idea.
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With the price you're looking at I'd consider a used system. Plenty of used systems on kijiji considering many people get into photography...and then get bored/realize it's not for them.

I picked up my camera for the following:

Olympus EPL-1
$180 for used camera with kit lens and charger
$100 for a 40-150mm zoom (refurbished at Henry's)
$200 for a Olympus 25mm f1.8 lens new

Very happy with my current setup and basically takes all the shots I want. Thinking of going to a macro lens soon for fun, and maybe a long range zoom...but no rush to get into it.

With the kit lens, and the 25mm prime lens the camera is very compact and can't really tell size difference from a P&S. Once I put the zoom lens on it's definitely bigger...but that's the price you pay.

Good luck.

EDIT: If you're in the area of South Etobicoke I'd be happy to show you the kit and you can get an actual feel for this type of camera.
 
matthew said:
What is the term for the cameras that look like a SLR but have 20x optical zoom? Extended range point and shoot?
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I think they're referred to as "bridge" cameras. Relatively inexpensive with ridiculously long optical zoom lenses, 50x or 60x. Not particularly good quality at max zoom and nearly impossible to use without a tripod.

Check Fuji FinePix or Canon SX models, for example.

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