suggestions for new digital camera
 

I've been looking at digital cameras to get some great shots of my Z, and the two I like are the Canon G11 w/10 mp, 5X zoom, at $500.00.

The Canon Rebel XTI w/15 mp, ability to use many different lenses; wide angle or close up zoom, at $700.00.

Both shoot video.

Do any of you have any other suggestions or input before I make the purchase?

Thanks.

almost 300 posts and you were this far off of the correct forum?

i love my XTI

Thanks for the reply. Not surprised you like the XTI.

But......what do you mean about the 300 posts and being far off the correct forum?

go here for the best reviews:

http://www.dpreview.com/

you want video too? Canon 7D

XTi, I shoot a Nikon D5000. Its a DSLR in the same range.

Looks like I've got some more research to do. Thanks everyone for the input.

The G11 would be great, but is pricey unless you are very serius/experienced. XTi is very old now, you should be considering T2i.

Selecting a DSLR can be a very expensive proposition as you buys lens and accessories to cover more situations.

Pictures of a car in good light are pretty easy with almost any new camera, probably the other times you want to use a camera and what you intend to do with the results could help more.

So what else do you want to take pictures of, and what will you do with them?

Get a cannon slr

Depends on:
whether you want a point and shoot (G11) vs. dSLR,
how much you use (or intend to use) your camera gear,
how you plan to use your camera gear,
budget,
how expansive your camera gear can get.

Agreed, dpreview is a great place for reviews and feedback.

I do photography professionally, so I have a Canon 1D Mk III, with a 20D as back up, and a bunch of L-lenses. I also have a G9 for times when I don't feel like lugging my heavy gear. The G9 is obviously more portable, but I hate the delay and limited/lack of ease of adjustability compared to my dSLRs, not to mention the shutter delay and noise.

In your case, if photography is becoming a hobby I would suggest getting a dSLR...more room for expandability. Good luck in your decision.

Thanks to all for the advise. I made a decision based on the fact that I am not ready for an SLR. I would not be able to use all the benefits from such a camera right now. All I need is a good point and shoot camera.

The G11 is a great camera, but after I really thought it through, I do not even need one that sophisticated right now. Plus, I did want at least a 10X zoom.

So, I bought a Canon SX120 iS. It will do everything I want to do right now, and I will be able to use it without taking a photography class.

When I can take the time to really learn and enjoy the higher level of SLR, then I will buy one, but for now, it would be a waste of a good camera outfit.

I researched the SX120 on youtube and even though the video is not HD, it looked fine to me, and the picture quality is also plenty good enough, so I decided to just go buy it and enjoy learning how to get the max out of it, then maybe move up to the next level when I am not so much a novice.

Again, thanks to all who helped me on this. I am happy with my new camera and glad I posted my questions to you all. Your replies helped me to really think of just what I did need, and maybe more importantly, what I did not need at this time.
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No love for Nikons? Guess I'm a little late to the thread.

OP, you shouldn't be afraid to dive into a d-slr. It's less complicated than you think. Most have an auto mode which funtions similar to a point and shoot. I'm also guessing you compare cameras based on megapixels. The truth is, a 6 mp d-slr with a decent lens will shoot far higher quality pictures than a majority of 15mp point and shoot. The difference will astound you, even if you only use the auto settings. My 1st slr was a Nikon D40 which you could probably find for around $250 now including a lens. 6mp is all you really need if you don't plan on doing a lot of photo editing. You'd be surprised how quickly you learn to control all the settings. The sensors on point and shoots are just way too small and lens quality sub-par. Only real advantage is size and portability, that's it. I know you got one already, but it's not too late. The camera shop I usually go to is Cameta Camera on route 110. Prices are usually lower for just about any camera compared to the big box stores. There website is cameta.com if you want to check it out.

Digital Camera Store | Cameras for Sale
Or this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Think about what exactly your needs are because a DSLR purchase is usually a slippery slope of spending. I'm over $10,000 in now with various lenses and accessories..

Take a look at the Canon S90 as a cheaper alternative to the G11.

Congrats on your new purchase!

Thanks, been having some fun with it just trying to learn how it works etc.

Thanks, I did look at the S90, great little camera, nice lens and great zoom, but for now, the SX120 will hold me until I'm ready to make another move.

I'll keep this handy for when I want to move up. Thanks.

Yes, that's a great camera.

This is what I realize that I don't know enough to make a quick purchase. I would have bought the XTi. Sure it's good, but why not get the latest.

Thanks, I'll keep these too.

You made an excellent purchase. I prefer the Panasonic FZ series (have an FZ28), and DPreview's recent comparison rated the SX20 and FZ35 the current best super zooms.

If you want to be prepared for special situations, there is no substitute for practice, and not much cost except time, so take a lot of pictures!

(And get some software - Lightroom is great, Picasa is good and free, Photoshop Elements or PaintShop Pro are good, Paint.Net is ok and free.)

I just picked up a D5000 setup for about $830 with 2 VR lenses (the basic 18-55 and a 55-200).

Bing cashback gave me $137! It was also $50 off both the lenses and camera etc. I am learning how to use it this week as I am visiting Egypt in a week!

im gonna prolly go get 2x t2i tomorrow. Givin one to my sister.

Then i need to start looking into some good lenses.

I'm no camera expert, but no love for Sony??
I just got the new cyber shot and it's friggin awesome..

I really wanted the sony Nex-3a with the alpha lens.. That camera is sick!!
my gf wanted something to carry around so i just went with the cybershot hx5v.. it shoots hd movies in 1080i.. 10mp w/ 10x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom..

i say again, i am no camera expert.. didn't even know what a slr was.
but just givin my .02 cuz when i skimmed through this thread i didn't see anyone mention sony..
:tiphat:

The Sony point and shoot's are ok, but their high end D-SLR's (Digital-single-lens reflex) cameras don't have the array of lens choices found on the Nikon or Canon. Once you hit the $1k mark, the decision between brands really comes down to brand loyalty & preference since the difference between image quality is pretty much on par.

DPReview compared Travel Zooms recently and covered the HX5. They concluded it was a good camera marred by too slow operation and little customizability, but had excellent image quality if a little low in resolution. They preferred the Casio FH100 and the Samsung HZ35W.

But, it is not in the same league as superzoom cameras like the Lumix FZ35 or Canon SX20 IS.

thanks for the insight..
cars and cameras are interesting and expensive hobbies....
well then again, girls and alcohol are as well..
so i guess by default, that's why shooting a girl on your car is so daym HOT!!!

it all adds up..
:roflpuke2:

Anything canon sir, I shall suport you!

this^^^ i just got a 7D last week and i'm loving it so far. my 5D was a fantastic camera too. don't discount the G11, it's a fantastic camera. unless you are planning to print a lot of posters from low light pictures, you'd be hard pressed to see much difference between a G11 and a DSLR. the guy i bought my 5D from got the 5D MkII and later a G11. he would often challenge me to look at the same picture taken with both cameras and try to figure out which camera took which one printed on 8x10 size paper. the only ones i could tell the difference was pictures with a lot of wood textures in them, i could see more texture and sharpness in those textures on the 5D2's pictures (for obvious reasons). for casual shooting, the G11 will do just about anything the average photographer wants to do. the camera and equipment definitely helps (otherwise i wouldn't have a brand new camera and thousands worth of L-lenses) but it's more about finding the right composition and properly utilizing available light (or studio lighting if you have it) and then knowing what to do with the pictures once you get them on the computer in post processing. approach photography like i do and you will do well with just about any kind of camera: photography is the study of light and how it interacts with objects in the world. the object is to convey an emotion or tell a story with an image

Just make sure she has no clothes on so she won't scratch the paint.