Which camera is best for beginners?
I'm studying abroad to Greece for 3 months. I want to buy a camera so I can capture Greece's beauty! However I'm a complete newbie when it comes to cameras, and I'm not pursing a career nor hobby in professional photography.
Which camera would be best for about a $300-$400 budget? I would like to steer away from point and shoots if possible, but I know cameras aren't cheap so that might not even be an option. Any input is appreciated!
Oh also, I've seen the Nikon J1, 2, or 3 and they are absolutely adorable! But obviously it would be stupid of me to go buy a camera for just the looks. Is that a recommended camera for beginners while studying abroad?
A bridge camera would probably be pretty close to what you need.
As a starting-point, look at the Fujifilm S4250 (AA batteries) or SL300 (rechargeable) - if you're going abroad with a rechargeable camera, remember you'll need a mains adapter.
The cameras I've mentioned are at the lower end of your budget, but both have manual controls and viewfinders, and are hard to beat.
IF you don't know a thing about cameras then yes, absolutely, go by looks. At least you would look great while making silly looking pictures, right?
Any camera will do. Just remember to shoot under lots of good light. Lots and good. Lots meaning not dark. The camera does not see the way you do so learn to adapt to it. Good light is best taught the other way around. The sun high at noon is strong and harsh therefore it's bad. Direct light, straight to your face is generally bad. Good light bounces from at least one surface before hitting the subject or it passes through a filter so that it softens a bit.
Now you know those secrets, here's a cheap camera that's way below your budget but will give you superior optics to capture all those light rays hitting those rocks and columns in Greece.
According to me it does not worth to spend more money on camera just to capture the beauty of Greece. I think you must buy a camera of lower range. Since you are not professional photographer so I think it's a waste of money to buy costly camera.
You can buy Canon PowerShot A800 which is affordable, stylish and have high picture and video quality. It has 10 MP sensor which makes you able to shoot good quality of images with 3.3 x optical zoom feature. Even in the dark you can click photos very efficiently and easily.
DSLR is right for beginners. The camera body is the least important part of a dslr system. It's what you'll end up replacing anyway, so don't bother with investing too much money in it now. It is, however, important to pick the correct camera brand, because which brand you choose affects which lenses you will use, and some brands have either generally better lenses or a bigger second-hand market (again: BUY USED). Hence my Canon recommendation.
Canon Rebel T4i Canon's T4i is a solid 18 megapixel DSLR with a large sensor and fast processor. With full HD video, a vari-angle LCD and 5 fps burst shooting, the T4i is a good choice for the $600-$800 price range. Canon also improved on their auto focus system with this model and added new creative filters, including High Dynamic Range options. The T4i offers great image quality and usability for its price point.
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I'd look at a Fujifilm Finepix SL-300 bridge camera. Get a 8GB class 10 memory car or two to go with it.
Since you seem to have no real interest in learning about the intricacies of photography I really think a Point and shoot, especially today's units will serve you best. You want to find one that has a few small features like setting film speed, and some type of "stitch" program to make wide panorama shots and also look for one with a big "optical zoom." There are many with zooms but, when they are digital zooms they actually make your picture look worse the larger size (4x6, 8x10, etc.)you print/get printed.
That all the advice I have as I have researched this question many times and have spent many hours comparing. Go to a website called CNET.com and look at their reviews. I have used them for 10 years and have found their advice really good. Have a great trip…
I would go for the Fuji SL 300. Yes the Nikon J1, etc are cute but they have not been proved as to longivity. Most on this web site suggest holding off to see if they stay around.