Ultra-zoom or DSLR

[boondr]

For my wife she wants a DSLR but is no pro and I don't think she would be able to take full advantage of one for what she wants to do. (Just general photography, pictures while travelling). I think an upgrade from her 7mp point and shoot to a ultra zoom will be enough.

Money is a factor but not a major one we can afford an entry level DSLR

 

[KVNC]

I would never go back to a regular point & shoot since I got my DSLR. Picture quality is far superior. Most of the new DSLR have automatic setting modes just like on any other digital camera, you don't really need to be a pro to get started. It all depends on how you will use it, you can get an entry level DSLR for around $500. If you value the picture you will be taking, I say it's worth it.

 

[Mark815]

The new point and shoots that keep coming out are amazing. I love my DSLR and I'll never buy another point and shoot, but I wouldn't rule one out for someone that doesn't have a ton of knowledge of photography (not that i'm skilled by any means, but I think I understand it more than the average person). You can get a nice point and shoot for cheap, and still take great pictures with them.

 

[Adler]

I use a Panasonic FZ18 (superzoom) which I love. I get anywhere from 50mm-504mm of zoom out of it.

No zoom:

Full zoom:

The above pictures were before I really knew how to take a quality picture. To judge the quality... http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t260/teamzoxracing/Goose/?action=view&current=AdlerGooseWater.jpg

No lenses to lug around, and about 1/2 the price of a decent DSLR. Win in my book.

 

[Slugger]

I just bought a Nikon D3000 (DSLR) for $469 with the 18-55mm lens and it is great. I went on my first flight with it today and my friend took pictures with it on auto and they are much better quality than my old point and shoot (Powershot S3 IS). I'd say go with the DSLR.

 

[Joe]

I just bought a Nikon D3000 (DSLR) for $469 with the 18-55mm lens and it is great. I went on my first flight with it today and my friend took pictures with it on auto and they are much better quality than my old point and shoot (Powershot S3 IS). I'd say go with the DSLR.

I plan on purchasing a D5000 in the near future (hopefully) with the 18-55mm and 55-200 lenses, also to replace a PowerShot S3 IS. The S3 was an upgrade from my previous 3 MP ultra-zoom, but I've been feeling its limitations, I've been becoming less satisfied with image quality, and there are a lot of pictures I've taken in the past year where I wish I had something better. Depending how I do with that, I may pick up a wide-angle lens as well.

Would you be able to post the pictures from the D3000? I know it's a different sensor and 10 MP vs 12 MP like the D5000, but I'm curious as to how they look.

 

[Jacob Wall]

I plan on purchasing a D5000 in the near future (hopefully) with the 18-55mm and 55-200 lenses, also to replace a PowerShot S3 IS. The S3 was an upgrade from my previous 3 MP ultra-zoom, but I've been feeling its limitations, I've been becoming less satisfied with image quality, and there are a lot of pictures I've taken in the past year where I wish I had something better. Depending how I do with that, I may pick up a wide-angle lens as well.

Would you be able to post the pictures from the D3000? I know it's a different sensor and 10 MP vs 12 MP like the D5000, but I'm curious as to how they look.

This is very off topic but your profile picture is freaking funny!

 

[Joe]

It was a goofy idea I came up with years ago, and I actually took the time to design a front and back cover spoofing the "Dummies" series of books:

I wasn't able to print it on something big enough to fit over a C-152 POH (maybe I can blow it up and Kinko's can help me with that), but it happened to fit perfectly over an "Age of Empires 2" manual I had.

Been using it as an avatar here/profile picture on Facebook and elsewhere since and hopefully it won't be used against me in an enforcement action someday!

 

[Slugger]

I plan on purchasing a D5000 in the near future (hopefully) with the 18-55mm and 55-200 lenses, also to replace a PowerShot S3 IS. The S3 was an upgrade from my previous 3 MP ultra-zoom, but I've been feeling its limitations, I've been becoming less satisfied with image quality, and there are a lot of pictures I've taken in the past year where I wish I had something better. Depending how I do with that, I may pick up a wide-angle lens as well.

Would you be able to post the pictures from the D3000? I know it's a different sensor and 10 MP vs 12 MP like the D5000, but I'm curious as to how they look.

My friend actually didn't take many while we were up, and a lot of them were overexposed, but it was his first time with the camera and I think they still came out good. The first one is my favorite for 2 reasons, it just looks cool, and we were going pretty fast which saved me some cash.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmysilva/sets/72157622995966678/

 

[ETAV8R]

I'll throw some info your way. I have been involved in photography since 1981, 3rd grade. I have always used Canon cameras so that is what I know and prefer.

Evaluate what it is you and your significant other are primarily going to use a camera for. Think about if a DSLR will be a grab and go camera. Will you really be willing to haul the gear? Most entry level DSLR's aren't too bulky and entry level lenses work really well but it puts off people from bringing the camera with them. The newer DSLR's also feature great video capability.

There are point and shoots out there that work very well for most things. It is not pocketable really but the case I put it in can be shouldered, holds a spare battery, memory card, and even a small tripod.

I have both a DSLR and a high-end point and shoot. I try to take the pns with me all the time and the DSLR when I have a specific interest in mind. If you go on a lot of trips an underwater case may be a good idea to invest in as well. After I purchased my first digital, which was a Canon S45, I then picked up an underwater case. When I went to Hawaii a few years ago it was so cool to take underwater pics while snorkleing (sp).

My current line up is a Canon 5D with two L lenses and a Canon G9. Both are a couple years old and have been replaced with other models. If you do decide to make a purchase keep in mind Amazon (no tax and free shipping) or B and H Photo (no tax unless you are in NY).

This is a great site for Canon enthusiasts and can give you a lot of information: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php
They have a great transportion section where some incredible aviation photography can be found.

Photography is not what it use to be and can be learned fairly quickly. What takes time to develop is an eye for scenes or set ups which may ellude the layman.

 

[boondr]

Went with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35.



12.1 MP
18x zoom
HD video
High-speed auto-focus
and it has a threaded lens to accept lens attachments(limited to proprietary stuff but still it is better than the other "ultra-zoom/bridge" cameras which have none.)