I am lookin for a camera. It can be used and I am kinda lookin for a used DSLR. Ive found several on Ebay and CL. But I want to get some advice first in regards to what it is thats important on the camera. I know about megapixels and zooms.....that just about sums it up. I want to drop about 200.00. When and if I decide it's what I want, I'll make a larger purchase.
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Lookin for some advice on a camera...
- Thread starter wienerdog
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Just checked amazons reviews, CNET reviews, and youtube. Found the GEX500 16MP 15xZoom to be the best bang for my first camera. Though it is a point and shoot it is thought to be a bridge camera. Being not quite a point and shoot nor a SLR. So, a large majority of reviews have been fantastic. It does have some drawbacks. For instance the video is not that great If anyone is interested in this camera, I found a super review. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glr0XHFDLy4&feature=related
I think you're price range is a bit "in-between" of paying too much for a lousy camera and too little to afford a better one. I am not familiar with the GE camera you mentioned but from the reviews I read - I would avoid it...biggest issues being slow and not good in low light. I would suggest staying with a better brand like Canon, Nikon, or Sony and one of the two directions below.
A.) If you're looking to learn photography you might consider buying an older less MP camera that was higher quality at it's time (say this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800860736-USE/Canon_0209B001_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XT.html). That way you can learn all the features of a truly good camera and your only degraded capability (and it's not that great) is a bit less detail. Megapixels means less than a good quality imaging chip and better lens.
b.)There is currently a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100V on ebay for $202.50 but there are 3 days left. The camera normally sells for about $500+, it is far superior to the one you mentioned with a Great lens and 30x optical zoom, full HD video, etc. Disclaimer - I own this camera and love it. It's all a non-pro needs. In the end it will probably go for $300 or more but it's a much better camera than the GE.
If I were you I would start by calling someone like B&H photo video then decide between the options of the older used camera or saving more money and buying a better camera like the Cybershot above. The trade off being that the Canon requires other lenses to really have a full range, and the cybershot (or one in the same class) is really all the camera you'll probably ever need unless you were going to go really "high end".
Hope that helps.
Edit: You'll find better reviews here http://www.dpreview.com/products or here http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/
A.) If you're looking to learn photography you might consider buying an older less MP camera that was higher quality at it's time (say this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800860736-USE/Canon_0209B001_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XT.html). That way you can learn all the features of a truly good camera and your only degraded capability (and it's not that great) is a bit less detail. Megapixels means less than a good quality imaging chip and better lens.
b.)There is currently a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100V on ebay for $202.50 but there are 3 days left. The camera normally sells for about $500+, it is far superior to the one you mentioned with a Great lens and 30x optical zoom, full HD video, etc. Disclaimer - I own this camera and love it. It's all a non-pro needs. In the end it will probably go for $300 or more but it's a much better camera than the GE.
If I were you I would start by calling someone like B&H photo video then decide between the options of the older used camera or saving more money and buying a better camera like the Cybershot above. The trade off being that the Canon requires other lenses to really have a full range, and the cybershot (or one in the same class) is really all the camera you'll probably ever need unless you were going to go really "high end".
Hope that helps.
Edit: You'll find better reviews here http://www.dpreview.com/products or here http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/
It does have low-light issues and all reviews have mentioned that. However, I have yet to come across a review that deter's me from buying this camera. In fact, most (including the links you sent me) have encouraged the purchase of this camera for a first time buyer. I have no intentions of going high end until I have spent a year with this camera and have understood more about photography. The Cybershot you mentioned is an awesome camera without question. Just not in my budget right now.
My son starts driving this week, I am definitely not gonna put him in a BMW at first, used or not. Thats kinda where I am coming from. Though, I do hope to own a Cybershot one day or something of it's equal. Just wanna learn the hobby without getting discouraged by attachments, modes, and foreign camera languages.
My son starts driving this week, I am definitely not gonna put him in a BMW at first, used or not. Thats kinda where I am coming from. Though, I do hope to own a Cybershot one day or something of it's equal. Just wanna learn the hobby without getting discouraged by attachments, modes, and foreign camera languages.
I think your BMW analogy is good, except you're applying it wrong: A used Rebel or some other camera is not a BMW... It's a Honda: Solid, dependable, safe, good to learn on. A camera like a 5DmkIII is a BMW. The GE gets bad reviews for image quality and speed... This is the equivalent of a car that is unable to drive straight or pauses 5 seconds before applying brakes.
Image quality is important: Colors need to be accurate, picture should be focused. Otherwise why bother?
Light sensitivity is important: You'd be surprised how often you want to take pictures of things that are NOT in full sunlight. If a camera is not sensitive, it makes up for it by lowering the shutter speed so that you must use a tripod to keep the camera steady, and the subject can't move... No good. The camera will also raise its ISO, which in cheap cameras results in very noticeable noise in the image.
And if the camera is not responsive, you'll find yourself missing shots. Shutter lag is a pain, when you hit the shutter and it takes time before the camera takes the picture... Another speed issue is the time between turning the camera on and the time you can take a picture. You'll miss shots of many things while you wait. Life doesn't wait.
The GE fails all of these. Search "GE X500 image quality", the reviews are not positive.
Just trying to help here, Canon and Nikon are the only real contenders, with Sony coming in a distant third. You won't go wrong with either brands, if you find one that meets your budget criteria. Used is a great way get in.
Image quality is important: Colors need to be accurate, picture should be focused. Otherwise why bother?
Light sensitivity is important: You'd be surprised how often you want to take pictures of things that are NOT in full sunlight. If a camera is not sensitive, it makes up for it by lowering the shutter speed so that you must use a tripod to keep the camera steady, and the subject can't move... No good. The camera will also raise its ISO, which in cheap cameras results in very noticeable noise in the image.
And if the camera is not responsive, you'll find yourself missing shots. Shutter lag is a pain, when you hit the shutter and it takes time before the camera takes the picture... Another speed issue is the time between turning the camera on and the time you can take a picture. You'll miss shots of many things while you wait. Life doesn't wait.
The GE fails all of these. Search "GE X500 image quality", the reviews are not positive.
Just trying to help here, Canon and Nikon are the only real contenders, with Sony coming in a distant third. You won't go wrong with either brands, if you find one that meets your budget criteria. Used is a great way get in.
I agree with Jason completely, the Cybershot is far from a BMW, and I only got it because it has good image quality and a great zoom with a Carl Zeiss lens. So I have a versatile camera that takes good pictures without having to be a real photographer. But I can learn real photographic techniques at the same time.
Just beware of buying a low end camera and then either deciding you wasted your money - or worse yet deciding the hobby stinks. Think of it like buying a really small tank, lousy filter and a heater that won't hold temperature and how much fun that would be.
Just beware of buying a low end camera and then either deciding you wasted your money - or worse yet deciding the hobby stinks. Think of it like buying a really small tank, lousy filter and a heater that won't hold temperature and how much fun that would be.
I actually bought a Fuji underwater digital camera. Pretty terrible with any thing slightly dark. However, it is nice to have on my surfboard. I like to video while riding, kinda a coll l,il feature. I am also looking at a Gopro camera to mount on the deck of my surfboard. Check youtube for gopro surf vids. Thanks everyone for the camera info. I am still kinda hunting around and not quite sure where I am heading with the decision yet. I may wait for a better cam as opposed to jumpin in with a lower end camera.
Wienerdog,
DON'T waste your money to buy GE or any other kind of cameras that no body use it.
I recommend you to check out old nikon D70s, nikon D300, nikon D300s or Canon Rebel series.
they are all newbie entry level camera. again, camera is not all in photography. you also need lens. top of the line lens cost 2, 3 times more than the camera body. if you want to print 8x10, all you need is 6megapixel.
Point and shoot camera, I think only 2 cameras that I would buy
1) Sony water proof camera
2) Olympus water proof camera.
I rate these two cameras on the top because they are benefitial to saltwater hobby. You can not go wrong with Sony water proof camera. you can take good pictures of your fish and coral with these two point and shoot
DSLR: digital Single Lens Reflect camera, I would buy Nikon D300s + a sigma or tokina 105 mm macro lens. the Nikon D300s second hand cost about 500 to 600 bux + about 400 bux for the lens.
if you opt to go with canon brand, I buy the rebel camera + sigma or tokina 105mm Macro lens.
so with your budget, you better of with Point and Shoot Sony water proof camera.
if you need to try camera, let me know, I can let you borrow my nikon D70s + a zoom lens. and also let you try out my Canon 5DII full frame camera however, only at my house with canon 5D. D70s, you can borrow for a while.
website to read review on camera and lens: www.dpreview.com
website to read review on camera and lens and second hand market www.fredmiranda.com
DON'T waste your money to buy GE or any other kind of cameras that no body use it.
I recommend you to check out old nikon D70s, nikon D300, nikon D300s or Canon Rebel series.
they are all newbie entry level camera. again, camera is not all in photography. you also need lens. top of the line lens cost 2, 3 times more than the camera body. if you want to print 8x10, all you need is 6megapixel.
Point and shoot camera, I think only 2 cameras that I would buy
1) Sony water proof camera
2) Olympus water proof camera.
I rate these two cameras on the top because they are benefitial to saltwater hobby. You can not go wrong with Sony water proof camera. you can take good pictures of your fish and coral with these two point and shoot
DSLR: digital Single Lens Reflect camera, I would buy Nikon D300s + a sigma or tokina 105 mm macro lens. the Nikon D300s second hand cost about 500 to 600 bux + about 400 bux for the lens.
if you opt to go with canon brand, I buy the rebel camera + sigma or tokina 105mm Macro lens.
so with your budget, you better of with Point and Shoot Sony water proof camera.
if you need to try camera, let me know, I can let you borrow my nikon D70s + a zoom lens. and also let you try out my Canon 5DII full frame camera however, only at my house with canon 5D. D70s, you can borrow for a while.
website to read review on camera and lens: www.dpreview.com
website to read review on camera and lens and second hand market www.fredmiranda.com
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I am not spending more than 150/200 for my first camera. Simply, not an option. Even if it were, I wouldnt do it just yet. I think I am going to go with a used Nikon Coolpix 5700 from a fellow reefer. Thank you for the advice. I keep learning more and more from everybody. It almost seems overwhelming with all of the different modes and settings for different criteria. I am looking forward to the adventure though. I certainly know I can get some help here.