I need some advice on a camera purchase?
I've perused our local dept.store flyers and noticed several cameras that interest me and I would like to buy one. However, I'm confused as to which one might be best. To begin with I don't want an expensive one. I've had a small samsung digital camera for years but it just won't zoom in much at all. Went away to the caribbean a couple of years ago and stumbled across some amazing wildlife. Took pictures of them and when I got back home, all you could see was a tree with a dark back ground and hardly anything at all with birds etc. We're going away again in a couple of weeks and I want something that will zoom in at least a bit so I can take some quality pictures. I will list them below and can someone tell me which one might be a better deal? I'm not one of these people that sit around and live and breathe photography. I don't want to read a 300 page book on how to use the frigging thing. Something basic with some nice features and "easy" to use, period. Thanks for your help.
Canon 14.1 Megapixel Digital Camera & Case.12x optical zoom, 28mm wide angel lens, 720 HD video
3.0" LCD screen
FujiFilm
14.0 Megapixel Digital camera
30X optical zoom, 24mm wide angle lens
720 HD video
3.0 LCD screen with electronic view finder
smile & blink detection functions
JVC 8GB High Definition Falsh Memory Camcorder
Up to 3 hours of HD recording time
40X optical zoom
Does this one allow you to take pictures?
Nikon 12.1 Megapixel Digital camera
36X optical zoom
22.5 wide angle lens
1080 HD video recording at 30 fps
The top one sounds like a Canon sx150 is.
I would definitely go for this one. It may not have the biggest zoom but that is not what it is all about. It is a pretty easy camera to use and I expect it would have a better quality than any of the others in your list.
The 12x zoom it has go is equal to a pretty powerful slr lens, something like a 300mm -400mm.
I have a slightly older model than this and I can get very professional looking photos with it. When you are using the zoom be careful not to shake the camera, hold it against something, like a post. Or maybe rest it on a wall.
Get in as close as you can to your subject and don't be afraid to fill the frame.
Just don't use digital zoom, I always turn that off because it is useless.
Hope this helps.
Canon has the best image quality
Terry, it sounds to me as if what you really need are classes on photography rather than an expensive camera like a Nikon. Photography is more than aiming the camera. There are plenty of subjects to be informed about to take good pictures. Sorry you did not ask before as time is short before your next trip. I would not buy a new camera just for this trip as I would predict your shots might not be any better, 36x zoom or not. Why? When using zoom beyond a few steps of magnification there's a need for a tripod as camera shake or movement is difficult to avoid. Are you willing to buy and use a tripod during a vacation? Also a new camera does mean reading and understanding instructions and details included in the owner's manual. No way to get around that. Camera angle, sun angle, background desired, framing, special adjustments values available in the menu, etc. All offer great capabilities that will not be used unless you get lessons, read the manual and practice, practice, practice. Even wonder why people take flash photos at football stadiums from hundreds of feet from the action? Flash units are good for about 10 to 15 feet. It makes for a pretty TV scene but for the photo? It ruins it. Of course, it is your decision and you can't go wrong with a Nikon. But do get a quality tripod for long range zoom photos. Best of luck and enjoy your vacation.