Suggest A Digicam For Me

[Blue Bomber]

Right now I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 compact point and shoot (had a Sony DSC-S75 before that). Bought it mainly for it's wide array of features and 720p video. Pictures are usable, but get noisy really fast, even at ISO100.

What I'm looking for is something that will take pictures with as low noise as possible, especially with higher ISOs/low lighting, since I seem to take more than half my normal pics in poor lighting. RAWs are also a necessity. Definitely would prefer fully manual controls, and a nice depth of field range. Video recording isn't critical, since I'll still have the Lumix for that. Finally, I'd rather not spend much more than $500.

I was actually looking at a Rebel XS DSLR. Excellent high ISO quality and lots of features to keep me busy. Any other DSLRs or regular digicams I should be considering?

[ymboc]

If you're considering sticking with a compact, take a look at the Fuji F200EXR.

Supposedly it's sensor is comparible to the venerable F30 (which is known for it's low noise @ ISO400 & 800 -- comparable to the nikon D5).

I own an F30 and have been really happy with it. It rocks in low light but is a bit of a one trick horse -- I've read the F200EXR is improved in this regard.

[Zero]

I second the Canon Rebel XS idea.

If not having the liveview LCD and a few other goodies don't matter, how about the Canon Rebel XTi? You might be able to save more.
Assuming you don't mind buying a used camera.

[mrluilou]

If you're considering sticking with a compact, take a look at the Fuji F200EXR.

Supposedly it's sensor is comparible to the venerable F30 (which is known for it's low noise @ ISO400 & 800 -- comparable to the nikon D5).

I own an F30 and have been really happy with it. It rocks in low light but is a bit of a one trick horse -- I've read the F200EXR is improved in this regard.

most dslr cameras you could barely tell there's noise in the picture w/ iso's 400 and 800. Once you get to iso 1600 that's when you really see the noise. if you are looking into buying a dslr i suggest you get a cheap body and just have really good lenses but that would surely break your bank :(

[phaqgm]

I am also going to jump on the DSLR suggestion bandwagon. Nothing even comes close to image quality as a DSLR, especially at higher ISO ratings.

[Blue Bomber]

Camera size isn't an issue. Wanna stay away from small CCDs so I can get better quality, so compacts are pretty much out of the question.

Still trying to figure out exactly what "live view" is. Do most DSLRs not show an image on the screen of what the camera is seeing? IE, do you have to look through the viewfinder to take a picture, and the screen is only for information? If so, that would be a deal breaker.

[phaqgm]

Camera size isn't an issue. Wanna stay away from small CCDs so I can get better quality, so compacts are pretty much out of the question.

Still trying to figure out exactly what "live view" is. Do most DSLRs not show an image on the screen of what the camera is seeing? IE, do you have to look through the viewfinder to take a picture, and the screen is only for information? If so, that would be a deal breaker.

Live view allows you to see what the sensor sees on the LCD.

To answer your question, yes you're correct that most DSLR's don't show the image on screen. It wasn't until recently (last year or so) that DSLR's began incorporating live view. My camera has it (40D), and to be honest I rarely use the feature. An exception might be for a macro shot, where I would zoom in on the LCD image and manually focus. The Canon XS does have live view by the way.

[Blue Bomber]

Wow, guess I'm just used to regular digicams, but using the LCD to take pics is pretty much second nature at this point. Also makes taking shots where I have to hold the camera way above my head... well, possible. :) So, 1pt for the XS. Anything else out there with live view at that price point that can compete with it?

[Kangaruu]

Do you know if in Live View mode, you only can use manual focus?

I was playing around with it a couple days ago while taking a picture of a turned on light bulb. Obviously I'm not going to try to frame it by looking through the viewfinder :laugh:

I left the lens on AF mode, half-shuttered it, and it didn't autofocus? Ended up having to manual focus it...

[Kangaruu]

I think the XS is the cheapest one with live view.

[phaqgm]

I can enable auto focus with the 40D in live view by using a custom function. I'm not sure about the XS though?

[mrluilou]

i heard that the nikon D5000 has really great video quality. the price is a few bucks higher than what you want but it takes pictures at ISO 6400 that can still be used as passive.

[Blue Bomber]

I can enable auto focus with the 40D in live view by using a custom function. I'm not sure about the XS though?Looks like you can:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1031&message=30389886&changemode=1

[Kangaruu]

Oh okay.

I had trouble turning on the live preview in the first place (gotta press that select button ;))

[atrac7GTS]

as far as non-DSLRs go, i would suggest the Lumix FZ28...great camera with a boatload of features including a wide array of manual ones packed in a semi-DSLR body style. The wide angle that comes on it is one of the better ones i've seen, and has one of the best control set as far as simplicity and quickly accessing menus and options on the fly. 18X optical zoom capability while shooting 720p HD also is a great feature to have. I am very satisfied with the Leica lens built on this Panasonic. But again, that's if you decide to not go the DSLR route. Look into it--the reviews are outstanding for it all across the board. There are people who have posted reviews saying they have religiously used the camera for 4-5 months daily, and still have yet to use all the features on it yet since there are so many.

http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz28.jpg

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/38/lumix-dmc-fz28.jpg


sample shots i've been taking...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs032.snc1/4306_600244024258_25715753_34273321_5800666_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs019.snc1/3029_599145455798_25715753_34244136_5470757_n.jpg

should have put the glare hood on for this one, but i still liked the result:

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs019.snc1/3029_599037487168_25715753_34239923_306758_n.jpg

PM me if you have any questions about the camera man! I'd be more than glad to help out.

[Blue Bomber]

Well, I want to stick with something with a big sensor, so most non-DSLRs are out. Want to get the cleanest images possible, since noise seems to be the biggest issue I've been having.

[Kangaruu]

Get cheap little D-SLR :)

Canon XTi, XS, XSi are all good. I don't know anything about the Nikons.

You can get a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens for less than $80 and it works well in low light.