Best camera for the novice

[Sprucegoose]

I have been given instructions to pick up a decent camera on my trip to SE Asia.

Any suggestions camera with video, good lens and say around $1k?

Will be in hkg, sin, Taipei so have a choice of places to purchase

Thanks

 

[horseman]

I've got a Panasonic point and shoot type thing only cost a few hundred and its brilliant

 

[jetlagger]

Sony RX100
Brilliant apparatus & suits at around $750 AUD.

 

[k_sheep]

If you're just a normal user then no need to spend $1k. As per horseman, the point and shoots are getting cheap and very, very good for the average user. My day-to-day is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 which is one of the waterproof ones. One of my favourite things to shoot are close up macro shots, which it is very good at - can only do that on SLRs with a dedicated lens and macro rings. Also handy when getting caught in the 2pm daily monsoon in parts of Asia! Can get the new FT4 model for <$400.

SLRs are better, but only if you know how to use them. They're also bigger and more awkward to carry around, and likely a better target for thieves. Many don't have video ability. If you're going this way, can't really go past the Canon 1100D or 550D. But if you only want one lens, there's really no point.

A good compromise is the panasonic mirrorless system cameras which are compact cameras with changeable lenses. Can get them from $400, or $500 with 2 lenses. Very tempted by these myself.

 

[nlagalle]

First question is do you want a point and shoot or an SLR type..

If its an SLR, either the canon or the Nikon are solid choices. The D7000 is a good option for beginners.

For point and shoot there are plenty of options.

Personally I like the Lumix. Great lens (leica lens) and take superb photos. I have the GPS model, which geo tags the images. I have an Olympus waterproof one, so if I upgrade that I'll go for the lumix one.

 

[here2go]

I have a fantastic 3/4 lens made by Fuji Finepix HS20 EXR. Love it to bits. However, it is a monster that is effectively an SLR (you can even put telescope lens on it). I've taken awesome shots with my previous 3/4 lens made by Panasonic too. If you're not going to do a course, and don't care about size, 3/4 is the go.

When Mrs Here2go and I go to Europe next month with the kids (1 yr old and 3 yr old) it is staying at home just due to the bulk. Mrs Here2go will have her tough Panasonic Lumix (forget model) bought in 2010, Master Here2go (3 year old) has a Nikon S30 (a poolside camera that is cheap - apparently camera shops sell lots of them to expeditions) and I'll have a Nokia Lumia 920 - assuming Hardly Normal Darwin honour their promise to get it here in time, otherwise my Nokia N8.

From experience, the prices here can be competitive, and you get Australian warranties. Consider this when purchasing.

 

[Sprucegoose]

First question is do you want a point and shoot or an SLR type..

If its an SLR, either the canon or the Nikon are solid choices. The D7000 is a good option for beginners.

For point and shoot there are plenty of options.

Personally I like the Lumix. Great lens (leica lens) and take superb photos. I have the GPS model, which geo tags the images. I have an Olympus waterproof one, so if I upgrade that I'll go for the lumix one.

I feel we are now ready for the SLR. I'll look at the D7000.

Thnxs

 

[Hvr]

I feel we are now ready for the SLR. I'll look at the D7000.

Thnxs

Whatever your choice, i.e. Canon or Nikon choose carefully. Once you commit you're locked in more tightly than an airline loyalty plan.

Ask whoever the camera is for what they want. Some people love an SLR, others hate carrying anything bigger than a point and shoot. I vary according to the occasion.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I have a fantastic 3/4 lens made by Fuji Finepix HS20 EXR. Love it to bits. However, it is a monster that is effectively an SLR (you can even put telescope lens on it). I've taken awesome shots with my previous 3/4 lens made by Panasonic too. If you're not going to do a course, and don't care about size, 3/4 is the go.

When Mrs Here2go and I go to Europe next month with the kids (1 yr old and 3 yr old) it is staying at home just due to the bulk. Mrs Here2go will have her tough Panasonic Lumix (forget model) bought in 2010, Master Here2go (3 year old) has a Nikon S30 (a poolside camera that is cheap - apparently camera shops sell lots of them to expeditions) and I'll have a Nokia Lumia 920 - assuming Hardly Normal Darwin honour their promise to get it here in time, otherwise my Nokia N8.

From experience, the prices here can be competitive, and you get Australian warranties. Consider this when purchasing.

what lens do you like with the D7000?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Whatever your choice, i.e. Canon or Nikon choose carefully. Once you commit you're locked in more tightly than an airline loyalty plan.

Ask whoever the camera is for what they want. Some people love an SLR, others hate carrying anything bigger than a point and shoot. I vary according to the occasion.

I agree, years ago i had the full kit, but it was too coughbersome.

 

[here2go]

Whatever your choice, i.e. Canon or Nikon choose carefully. Once you commit you're locked in more tightly than an airline loyalty plan.

Ask whoever the camera is for what they want. Some people love an SLR, others hate carrying anything bigger than a point and shoot. I vary according to the occasion.

Agree. SLRs are "Special occasions" cameras - trips to the Bungles, Kakadu, Uluru, birdwatching, zoos, etc. However, around the house, going to a restaurant with the (grand)kids - (I don't know how old you are), either a tough camera that lives in a handbag or a phone with a decent camera still wins. For the latter reason I'm still using Symbian (Nokia N8) even though the OS sucks more than a black hole, and why I'm upgrading to the Lumia 920.

 

[nlagalle]

what lens do you like with the D7000?

The kit comes with a 24-70 (sometimes an 18-70) and an 80-200. So you are covered for all shots. Generally the 24-70 is best for traveling

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agree. SLRs are "Special occasions" cameras - trips to the Bungles, Kakadu, Uluru, birdwatching, zoos, etc. However, around the house, going to a restaurant with the (grand)kids - (I don't know how old you are), either a tough camera that lives in a handbag or a phone with a decent camera still wins. For the latter reason I'm still using Symbian (Nokia N8) even though the OS sucks more than a black hole, and why I'm upgrading to the Lumia 920.

Agree. Got many years left in me.....one hopes.

I do like the little ones for the shots that are mandatory, however 'special' means 'special' - would loved to have an SLR on our last trip to the NT.

 

[Poisson]

what lens do you like with the D7000?

See if you can get the D7000 in a kit with the 18-105 lens. This is a real star in the lower-priced Nikon range. In my opinion it will give you much better value than the two lens kit they normally sell, and you won't often need more than 105mm. (If you do, just crop the image in Photoshop or whatever).

I'd try out the Canon and Nikon ranges before you commit. They are both great cameras, but have quite different ergonomics. I'm a Nikon user from way back, so that's what I prefer and a Canon feels alien in my hands. Others have the opposite experience. Also check out nikonians.org for good discussions and advice.

 

[here2go]

Agree. Got many years left in me.....one hopes.

I do like the little ones for the shots that are mandatory, however 'special' means 'special' - would loved to have an SLR on our last trip to the NT.

My Fuji did wonders on a trip to Kakadu in April, and brought out the colours in the birds at Jurong Bird Park last year. Thing I like about the Fuji too is the AA batteries, so you can either use disposables or some nice Sanyo Eneloops. AA batteries were also an attraction to giving my son the Nikon S30. At $110, and being "pool friendly" ie waterproof and drop-proof, you can't go wrong with near 4 year olds. Should give him something to remember Europe by, and if he manages a decent photo, at least it will be on a half-decent device, rather than those silly kids cameras with a camera on them that makes the first cameraphones weep in disgust.

 

[munitalP]

Canon D1 mk3 with 18/85 red line USM lens.

 

[Joshua]

I think today the top smartphones are adequate for times you'd traditionally have used a point & shoot. For times you need some proper photographic equipment I too fall into the SLR's are too bulky category. I've moved to using mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, starting with the Sony NEX range. That way I can either take it as a high end compact or use it like a SLR.
To answer the question though, the latest full/large sensor compacts are great for a true novice. I'm not convinced everyone needs to pick up a SLR seeing how many people won't move it off auto settings (unsurprising when people won't learn how to use a TV or DVD).

 

[casanovawa]

I ended up buying a Canon 60D a couple of years ago, thought i would buy slightly better than entry level but not blow any budgets till i found out if i liked a bit more serious photography.. I bought the body delivered from Malaysia i think it was as much cheaper than buying it most places here and a lense seperately to keep it under $1000 and beat any added on GST... Wasn't convinced i would want to do many lense changes or carry a lot of gear so bought an 18-135mm lense as a good walk around/leave on option... Before my most recent trip i decided to splurge and get a few new lenses, a 15-85mm for about $600 and a 70-300mm for about $400... The 15-85mm just stayed on the whole trip, mainly bought the larger one for an African trip i am planning sometime, but took it along just in case i found a time to use it, but like i said the 15-85mm stayed on and i would suggest for many just one good lense with a decent range would be sufficient... I have heard that the Nikon's have some good help for new users so if you are very new to it all (did you say you had owned one before) then they might be the one to go for...

But the place i bought the recent lenses, from which looked pretty competitive to me, was Digital Cameras, Digital SLR Camera, Camcorder, Lenses & Digital Camera Accessories and when i am thinking about what to buy i often go to Digital Camera, DSLR and Lens Reviews | Cameralabs for some comparisons and advice... With the Camera Labs site you can even find some review of cameras on You Tube which i find quite useful as well to look and listen to what they say... These are the places i tell my friends about if they are thinking of getting something, DWI from Hong Kong i often check out for prices as well...

But good luck with it and yes once you buy one brand and a few lenses you can be locked in for a while so give it a bit of thought first...

 

[highflyingkiwi]

You might also want to check out the Sony NEX range of mirror-less DSLR camera's. Big sensor's, interchangeable lenses, HD video, and slightly bigger than a normal point and shoot. Put in on intelligent mode and it will do everything for you, and then if you want to get clever, it will take you all the way through to full manual operation.

I personally have a NEX-5N - brilliant camera.

 

[irv]

I feel we are now ready for the SLR. I'll look at the D7000.

Thnxs

I had the same thought before my last overseas trip and bought a Canon 550D. I had not used an SLR for years took a while to reaccuaint and DSLR's are a different kettle of fish. Dependant on your photography knowledge and skills if you are unfamiliar do a course befoure you go. I neglected this, did read a number of "dummies" guides and took some great pictures (and quite a few bad ones ) I eventually did the course on my return and learnt a lot. Photographic skills since then have come on in leaps and bounds, will need to revisit to photograph again !