Upgrading Cameras

[Matt]

Congrats. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with a Canon too.

[skiboarder72]

Awesome, those are great cameras... only thing that really bugs me on them is the little tiny buttons under the screen and the low resolution screen... nothing that hurts the quality of the images it takes though, that 17-85mm is a great lens as well, good choice!

[chris270]

Welcome to the Canon side...hope you enjoy it.

[HaloGirl]

I would really like a new camera. Capture Rochester has definitely re-sparked my interest in photography. However, my eyes glaze over when I start reading all of the technical information on this thread.

First of all, I don't know if I should just get a nicer point & shoot or make the transition to SLR. I took a black/white photography class back in college (more than 10 years ago), so I've forgotten most of the technical aspects of shooting (F-stop, etc). The manual setting on my current camera gives me some direction on what it thinks is good lighting, and I'm getting better at playing with that, but I'm more comfortable with something that I can figure out intuitively without reading a 100-page manual.

I have an interest in trying macro photography, but I'm guessing that I'd need an SLR to get the right lens.

I'd appreciate any advice you all have.

[Matt]

what do you have now?
What's your budget?
What subject of photography are you most interested in?

[HaloGirl]

I have a Sony Cyber-shot, 4.1 megapixels, smart-zoom DSC-P73 that is four years old (actually my husband's camera). My old film camera was an Olympus.

Budget... That's a good question. I guess I'd prefer not to spend more than $400 (and less is always better), but I want a camera that will last me a few years and not make me wish later that I'd spent more now. So I guess my absolute max would be $600.

I tend to focus on landscapes, nature, looking for an angle that hasn't been caught. I am interested in macro photography. My current camera has a macro option that lets me get a decent "actual size" photo, but not anything like the zoomed-in photos that I loved on CR. I also take the standard family & friends photos, but these are more for the memory books.

Oh, and unless my husband gets a separate new camera, it would be nice to get good video as well.

[Matt]

Okay... I don't think an SLR would be a good step for you now.

I have used this camera and think it would fit you well. (my brother owns one and he likes it.)
[amazon=B000Q3043Y]Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS[/amazon]

Here's why:
8-Megapixel (more megapixels doesn't mean better for point and shoots. 8 is a great compromise)
Canon 12x zoom (36-432mm equiv.) with Optical Image Stabilization (not the widest angle, but good for wide shots- and zoom is nice)
Super Macro closeup focus to 0 inches (if it's in front of the lens, this camera can focus on it. No matter how close)
Articulated 2.5-inch Vari-angle color LCD flips forward and rotates 270° (this will allow you to get those creative angles)
Auto and full Manual modes (allowing you to either point and shoot or learn manual)
Movie w/stereo sound (DVD-quality clips)
It has a built-in flash, but you can attach speedlights if you want to (great for learning lighting)
Powered by four standard AA type batteries (run out of power on the road... you can pick up batteries everywhere or use rechargables)
SD/SDHC/MMC memory card compatible, 32MB included (cheap, readily available memory)

More importantly, amazon has it within your price range.
If you go with the camera, [amazon=B000JMJWV2]get yourself a fast memory card[/amazon] and a good set of [amazon=B000IV0REA]rechargables and a charger[/amazon] and you'll be all set.

[HaloGirl]

Thanks for the recommendation. I doubt I'll get anything before Christmas, but this is a good place to start.