Camera Advice

[StoneByName]

I am buying a new camera since I don't feel my 2mp phone camera will cut it.

My budget tops out at ¥30,000 which is about $300. I want to use it for landscape shots and cityscapes, nature photos and maybe some macro shots. I'd prefer a rechargeable battery. So far I've been looking at a few bridge cameras such as:

Panasonic DMC-FZ60K
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ60K-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B008MB6YX6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373633672&sr=1-3&keywords=bridge+camera

and

Pentax X-5
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-X-5-silver-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0091TC3OC/ref=sr_1_30?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373638307&sr=1-30&keywords=bridge+camera

I am fairly clueless with cameras but plan to learn more, any suggestions are welcome!

 

[barnyard]

the Pentax is an excellent value, but if you can spend a little more money the Panasonic is a better camera. But either model is a good choice, IMO.

 

[StoneByName]

Thanks for the advice, I've had more of a look since I posted this and I don't think the Panasonic is available in Japan or it might go by a different name. The Pentax X-5 is actually even cheaper here than the link I posted at around $150. Have to make sure I get an English menu though.

 

[RetroGrow]

Check out the Sonys. I just got a cheap Sony Cybershot after owning many Canons. The Sony takes full 1080 HD videos @60 frames per second for some really nice HD video. Shot the fireworks on 4th of July and video was stunning on a 50 inch plazma. In that price range, the biggest difference between brands is the HD video, and whether or not it shoots 1080P @ 60, not 30 as most of them do.
I got this one for 99$, but price is higher now:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-sh...qid=1373783546&sr=8-3&keywords=Sony+Cybershot

You might want to go with next higher up model, DSC-WX150, which has more zoom, and still has excellent video. Very highly rated on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-sh...id=1373783546&sr=8-11&keywords=Sony+Cybershot

The Sonys are really tiny, and they take the best video when compared to Panasonic/Canon/Etc.
Still photos are beautiful.

 

[StoneByName]

I am looking for cameras where I can play around with the settings manually to give me more flexibility when I learn more about photography. I'm not as interested in video at the moment. Does look like a good camera though from the feedback!

Currently looking at http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-S8200-Digital-Camera/dp/B00ATM1NAU as well as the Pentax.

 

[foomar]

If you want to learn the mechanics then a Canon EOS series would be a good choice , discounted older model or second user , removeable lense so can mount any glass from any source and can be used fully manual.

It is considerably heavier and bulkier than the ones you have listed , which might be an issue.

Most of the sales spiel for cameras offers contrived features you will never use , or editing/processing options that are far easier done on a PC.

 

[barnyard]

The DMC-FZ60K is known as the DMC-FZ62 outside of North America if that helps.

The S8200 gets great reviews. Although it runs on 4 AA batteries and you mentioned that you'd prefer a rechargeable battery. Reviews note that the battery life is excellent with 500 pictures per charge. It's also a big, heavy camera.

The Fuji's control buttons have a tendency to be small especially on their pocket cameras. I have a Fuji JX580 and the small buttons drive me nuts but the compact size come in handy at times and it easily fits into a pocket.

Another thing to consider is a flip out screen, none of the cameras you mention have one. Its a nice feature to have on some hard to get to macro shots and also for the old hold out your camera at arm's length and get a group shot that includes the photographer.

Also there's a point of diminishing returns with some camera features such and the # of megapixels and the amount of zoom. Really, unless your creating large posters anything above 10 megapixels is usually adequate. Pixel size is another consideration. Optical zooms beyond 25 are hard to control and require a tripod to hold the camera steady, IMO.

I just picked up a refurbished Canon SX 40HS on sale for $240 USD. The cameras I shoot most with are Canons. Like what foomar mentioned sometimes you're better off with a camera that's a year or two old and/or refurbished. Especially since the "new and improved" might not be much of an improvement.

 

[foomar]

Started with Canon back in the 60,s with an FD 35 mm film body , followed by Eos 35 mm and the more recent Eos digital series.

Still use original FD via adapter ring , and early Eos glass works fine on the recent 450D , the quality of much of the vintage is far better than i could afford to buy as new.


As long as the lense is removeable on any make , you can reverse it and/or add spacer rings for some fine macro,s done cheap.

Allow for a decent quality tripod for landscape and macro , the cheap flimsy ones will drive you mad.

With Canon or Pentax there is a good market and you wont lose much if any money if it does not become a serious interest , most other makes will end up at boot fairs pretty soon.

 

[RetroGrow]

Check out the Sonys. I just got a cheap Sony Cybershot after owning many Canons. The Sony takes full 1080 HD videos @60 frames per second for some really nice HD video. Shot the fireworks on 4th of July and video was stunning on a 50 inch plazma. In that price range, the biggest difference between brands is the HD video, and whether or not it shoots 1080P @ 60, not 30 as most of them do.
I got this one for 99$, but price is higher now:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-sh...qid=1373783546&sr=8-3&keywords=Sony+Cybershot

You might want to go with next higher up model, DSC-WX150, which has more zoom, and still has excellent video. Very highly rated on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-sh...id=1373783546&sr=8-11&keywords=Sony+Cybershot

The Sonys are really tiny, and they take the best video when compared to Panasonic/Canon/Etc.
Still photos are beautiful.

From your price requirements, I thought you were looking for a "point & shoot" camera, not a DSLR. Of course a DSLR is a better camera, but much bigger and more expensive. There are some awesome DSLRs out there. Check out: http://www.dpreview.com/
This is probably the best camera review site that goes into great detail. I also like the buyer ratings on Amazon. If the camera has hundreds of positive reviews, you can learn a lot from them. For point & shoot, you can't beat the Sonys right now, whether for stills or video, and they take great macros. I was actually amazed at how good the macros come out. Also you mentioned that you want landscapes and city scapes. The Sonys have "panoramic" shots, where you hold the shutter button down and pan the camera and it takes beautiful panoramic photos, all stitched together. Amazing!

 

[StoneByName]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I will think about DSLRs but am still a bit wary for a few reasons.
- Price, starting to drift out of budget. I did find a new Canon EOS Rebel T3 for $290 with lens which looks like a great deal. Of course extra lenses increase price. If I go used I could get a DSLR and Tokyo probably has the best market in the world for used cameras. However, my Japanese is rudimentary and I could not get much advice in shops. If I had to return it, it would be quite difficult.
- Bulk. Especially if I needed to carry more than one lens. The Pentax X-5 is small and could maybe fit in a pocket if not for the lens. The Fuji S8200 is a bit bigger but not by a huge amount.

Whilst looking at cameras I've been looking at specifications on shutter speed range, iso range, sensor size (most of the bridge cameras seem to have 1/2.3"), macro distance and whether they have aperture/shutter priority modes since they would be useful before I can use manual better (they all have manual mode). Neither of the cameras I mentioned save files as RAW, although this one does which is within budget http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-SL1000-Digital-Camera/dp/B00ATM1MVU at $260 on amazon japan.

The Pentax has a flip out screen, as does the SL1000 (just vertical movement though) but I am not too concerned with this.

 

[Lucky 7]

Pardon muaa . . . anyone see the new Canon sx50 HS? At $340 it looks to be a very good value . . . the world's first 50X Optical zoom with Image Stab. . . . great macros too according to the reviews . . .