Suggestions on a new camera for a photography beginner - Page 2 - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

shelleyrae · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006

Exactly
Check out our article here too on picking a camera - it includes the recommendation to hold it first

http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...icle_323.shtml

myranalis · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006

I think I'll definately go the middle ground. I can always get another camera in a few years

Shh, don't tell DH I said that!

I've been looking at the dpreview website - I haven't had a chance to actually get into a store yet, so just looking from the comparisons on this site, I was thinking maybe the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 as it was the only one that turned up in my search criteria (SLR-like, <US$600) that had the image stabilization and an uncompressed format. Anyone have this camera? What do you think?

shelleyrae · #11 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006

No experience with it but looks good zoom is a bit on the low side maybe

bethwillis · #12 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006

If you are buying a middle ground camera for $600 I would definately suggest just buying a Nikon D40 or D50, a real DSLR camera that you'll be perfectly fine with and you can just buy lenses to put on it. If you don't want Nikon go with the Cannon Digital Rebel. These are the more basic DSLR cameras, rather than going middle ground in between a point and shoot and a DLSR, especially if you are going to pay $600 for it.

Don't know anything about Panasonic cameras but I know that Cannon and Nikons are very good.

Pesto126 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006

The FZ30 is a great camera.. however, I'm still partial to a full DSLR for similar price point. I wouldn't even look at this camera with prices for a Nikon D50/D70 dropping as they are.. You can buy a used D50 package for $450! Head on over to fredmiranda.com and look at their buy/sell forums... I have purchased over $4000 worth of used equip from members there with no issues. Good Luck!

Pesto126 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

Here you go if you are ok with buying used.. $400 for a low use D50. You can talk this person down to $375 I'm sure.. buy a used kit lens for $75 or a 50mm 1.8 for $100 and you have a fantastic camera that will blow the sox off many of the non-DSLR cameras. Act quickly though.. things sell on that board in minutes after posting if the price is right!

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/484433

myranalis · #15 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

I've got nothing against buying used but not ready to jump in just yet. Have a few more $ I need to save first. Thanks anyway.

I went to the store on the weekend though and looked at them there. They didn't have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30, they had the Z50 - I defiantly liked it best of the ones they had. Pity it was also a heap more expensive than the rest!

About the only thing I really accomplished was to rule out the Canon SLR-likes since they didn't have any uncompressed format support... I figure since the first thing I'm likely to do it tinker with the photos on the computer, that is a must.

Pesto126 · #16 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006

Well.. its not a *Must*.. you can tinker just fine with 6-10mp jpegs just as you can with RAW formats.. the advantage to RAW is really in the fact that you are dealing with the FULL data and untouched by the camera.. the compression stuff is nice too.. but even today's compressed jpegs are of fantastic quality in any of the better cameras.

But again.. its up to you.. personally, I would opt for the full DSLR canon or nikon versus the wanna be lumix.. especially given a lackluster review and the price. But, you will be using the camera and must be the one to make the decision... I highly recommend you check out the Canon S3 IS if you go this route.. it can be had for $300 right now at officedepot and is basically just as good as the FZ20/FZ30. But.. good luck with you decision.