New Camera

[adc100]

My 9 year old Olympus bit the bullet..finally. l have to replace it with a Point and shoot or something better. I am on the fence. Needs to be easy to operate (no disrespect to the wife). I'd like to get something with some snob appeal but realistically I don't think its worth it. I totally don't need a lot of features except good glass. I'd like it to have the best telephoto for the buck.

[Y2K SE]

A Nikon or Canon entry-level dSLR with a good kit lens.

[sje0123]

Agreed. Entry level DSLR provide simple P&S features while still allowing for deep manual control.

[Dangling Fury]

What do you guys think about mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras like the Sony Alpha NEX line? Are those worth looking at or should one stick with a tradtional SLR like the Canon T3i?

[adc100]

If I go DSLR it won't be entry. That's the dilemma. Reason being if I go that route, I'll want to do some heavier research and price checking and also its likely the last "good" camera that I would buy. Not saying I'm ruling out the above suggestions.

Right now I'm looking at the Nikon Coolpix S9100 or P300

[Philly02SpecV]

After shooting with a DSLR for the past 3 years, I can never go back to a point and shoot lol I would say, go with a DSLR. Set it on Auto for the wife; just show her how to hold it, zoom in and out and where the shutter button is.

[Dangling Fury]

Al - for a solid point and shoot I went with the Sony DSC-WX9, it has excellent reviews and takes great pics:



But I'm in the market now for an SLR and am slowly doing research.

[sje0123]

Originally Posted by adc100

If I go DSLR it won't be entry. That's the dilemma. Reason being if I go that route, I'll want to do some heavier research and price checking and also its likely the last "good" camera that I would buy. Not saying I'm ruling out the above suggestions.

Right now I'm looking at the Nikon Coolpix S9100 or P300

Most DSLR's now have full auto mode. Truthfully Al, I don't see you going above a level where full auto is available. There just isn't a need for that for a recreational photographer and I can't see you laying down $5k on a camera.

[adc100]

Originally Posted by sje0123

I can't see you laying down $5k on a camera.

Yea, that's the truth. I think I probably will go with Nikon Coolpix S9100 for now. I won't go with a Soney. It will be Nikon or Cannon rightly or wrongly.

[MSC-B14]

I think Nikon has great dSLR cameras, but I wouldn't get one of their P&S...they just don't seem to be rated that well. Canon seems to be ahead in this category. It looks like lots of people like the Panasonic P&S cameras, but I personally wouldn't get one.

I have good luck with Fuji for P&S and I would personally get something like the

HS30EXR

HS30EXR

Really depends on your expectations though...Nikon just came out with the D3200 for like $700 and it is pretty good. Even the D5100 can be had for around $600 with the kit lens and probably do better than any P&S.

[adc100]

Originally Posted by MSC-B14

I think Nikon has great dSLR cameras, but I wouldn't get one of their P&S...they just don't seem to be rated that well. Canon seems to be ahead in this category. It looks like lots of people like the Panasonic P&S cameras, but I personally wouldn't get one.

Well, I may be dating myself..but of all the cameras I have used in the last 45 years..Canon, Nikon, Fugi, Sony, Kodac, Sony, Konica, Minolta, Olympus. Only every single Canon and Nikon (multiple ones at Work)..only Canon and Nikon were great in every way. Leica was good but, but that is out of the mix.

Coolpix is rated pretty well. My limit is about 250 for a P/S. Like I said if I go DSL I'll go beyond entry level.

But thanks.

[MSC-B14]

Originally Posted by adc100

Well, I may be dating myself..but of all the cameras I have used in the last 45 years..Canon, Nikon, Fugi, Sony, Kodac, Sony, Konica, Minolta, Olympus. Only every single Canon and Nikon (multiple ones at Work)..only Canon and Nikon were great in every way. Leica was good but, but that is out of the mix.

Coolpix is rated pretty well. My limit is about 250 for a P/S. Like I said if I go DSL I'll go beyond entry level.

But thanks.

/shrug...I own a Nikon dSLR and frequent a Nikon forum and none ever suggest any Nikon P&S cameras when the question comes up. I would go with Canon for P&S if you are stuck on those two brands.

I got my wife a Fuji JX420 and I actually like to use it when I don't want to get out or carry around my Nikon. Easy to use, small and 14.2 MP...only use it in auto mode, but it has taken great pics so far.

Also for "entry level" dSLR they have taken leaps and bounds in the recent years...the new D3200 is 24 MP and will probably beat out the pro level cameras from a few years ago. It doesn't have all the advanced options, but for simple use I would get one.

[adc100]

Thanks MSC I'll check out the Canon first.
How about this?

Amazon

Amazon

[sje0123]

Why not walk into a store and hold and play with a few cameras. Online shopping around for a camera leads to disappointment. Shop in B&M, buy online.

[Y2K SE]

Originally Posted by MSC-B14

the new D3200 is 24 MP and will probably beat out the pro level cameras from a few years ago.

People don't buy pro-level cameras because of pixel count. FWIW, pixel count and image quality weren't really reasons I upgraded from a Nikon D50 to a D90.