thinking of getting a new digi cam

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asiancivicmaniac

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I have the itch to get a new camera. I've always had an interest in photography and the Canon Powershot A620 I have isn't doing it for me with the low 4x zoom it has. I'm looking at superzooms such as the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 ( fz35 ) and FZ40, but came across a low end Pentax dSLR ( Pentax k x ) which seems more worthwhile in the long run. There's also the Canon Rebel XS. Not really in a hurry or anything. Opinions?

What I'm concerned about is that Pentax doesn't seem that well known and what are the ranges of lenses for it.
 
If lenses are a concern Nikon's great.

Like this one for $449.

Pretty much any DSLR is better than about 70% of the point and shoots. They have bigger image sensors which means better low light performance... only so many photons around, you need to throw a bigger net. Past around 6 megapixels the number of MP doesn't really matter: optics and color processing matter more.

Shutter lag is also usually much better. First time I played with a DSLR I was
20.gif
and new tech doesn't often impress me.
 
From what I have read, although it's not a DSLR, the Panasonic FZ35 can do better in most areas than a low budget DSLR like that Nikon D300. Not ALL DSLRs are better than all non-DSLRs. The feature set and the image quality and video quality of the Panasonic rivals or exceeds the Nikon low-budget DSLRs from what I have read in a couple of reviews, and it costs less...and has more features AND has a lot more zoom and easier to use without adding lenses which are VERY expensive.

I am also looking for a new camera and i am also leaning towards a high quality super zoom rather than a low(er) quality DSLR which costs a lot...
If I was a real professional and had a lot of $$ I would look at a higher end Nikon DSLR, but right now I am still an amateur and something like the Panny FZ35 seems more practical for my needs...

YMMV, though...
 
I looked into the Nikon D3000 some more and although the price is nice, it has a limited feature set. The Lumix FZ-35 and Pentax
K-x still look good.
 
I have a K-x and it is a great camera. It's very good in low light. One great thing about pentax DSLR's is that they have the image stabilization in the body, not the lens, so even the cheap lenses are stabilized. Also, pentax dslr's can use any pentax lense ever produced so there is a huge used market available to you. I picked up an old 50mm prime and newer 50-200mm zoom for about $150.

If you are new to photography and slr's I'd recommend you take some time to read the camera's manual and the basics of photography. You will learn so much and it is fun!
 
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Is a used camera with a ~2000 shutter count considered lightly used? Thinking of getting a Pentax K-x from eBay (I like the white one), but if it comes too close to Amazon then I'm going to get a new black one.
 
I have a Fuji FinePix S8000fd, 18 power lens with 8 m/p that I'm super happy with. Its now been replaced with a newer model with even more pixels and less expensive price.

Might take a look at it.
 
If you are still looking at P/S cameras I would prefer the DMC-LX5 over the FZ35. The LX5 doesnt have the super long zoom of the FZ, but it does have the wide angle and very very fast F2.0-3.3 lens. A great thing to have at dusk or indoors for low light situations.

As for DSLR cameras go, I usually prefer Nikon because I already own Nikon lenses. Starting out from scratch, I'd give a hard long look at Canon and Olympus.
 
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Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS


As for DSLR cameras go, I usually prefer Nikon because I already own Nikon lenses. Starting out from scratch, I'd give a hard long look at Canon and Olympus.



Hmm...the only Canon I can afford is the Rebel XS. Didn't think of Olympus.

I Should add that my price range is under $550 for camera and a kit lens. So pretty much basic entry level stuff.
 
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Originally Posted By: eljefino
If lenses are a concern Nikon's great.

Like this one for $449.

Pretty much any DSLR is better than about 70% of the point and shoots. They have bigger image sensors which means better low light performance... only so many photons around, you need to throw a bigger net. Past around 6 megapixels the number of MP doesn't really matter: optics and color processing matter more.

Shutter lag is also usually much better. First time I played with a DSLR I was
20.gif
and new tech doesn't often impress me.

Also, in similar price range, I'd take a look at Olympus E-PL1. It is smaller, yet offers more features than a D3000, including ability to shoot HD video. Image quality is supposedly better on the E-PL1 as well, at least according to dpreview.com. Not sure about lens prices though... A full range zoom lens (comparable to the range of Panasonic FZ35) is about $600 if I'm not mistaken.
 
I got a Panasonic FZ-3 back around 2004, and liked it so much that I had it repaired when it fell off a bookshelf last year.

I did get the FZ-35 as a replacement, though, and it is far superior. Exposure is better and shutter lag is much shorter than the FZ-3.

Before recommending it, I have to say this--I just sent the FZ-35 in for repair under warranty because the zoom lever was sticking. Compared to the older camera, the lever feels sloppy, like there's not enough spring tension to return it to center. Instead of fixing mine, they sent back a refurbished model. Some accessories are missing and the battery charger is wrong, so I need to call and straighten that out Monday. I'll reserve my judgment on Panasonic's customer service until then. The new lever has the same feel, so we'll soon see whether I was just unlucky or if there's a design flaw.

I assume the 35 will be harder to find now that the FZ-40 is out. If you have access to a demo model, definitely try out the 40, and see if the zoom feels sloppy.
 
PSSSSST..... FZ35 is $259 at BH.....$239 at NEWEGG.
I just got the ZS7 this year ( 25MM to 300MM plus)and doing a fine job for me. Over the years I've had the big Nikons, Hassy's etc.....I'm done lug'n big cameras and lenses around.
The ZS7 fits flat in my pocket like a pack of cigs and ready to go.
BOB in PA
 
Yeah, I'm thinking if I want to look like a tourist with a huge camera around my neck. But I want something that does well in low light and I have a feeling that the small sensor in compact point and shoots aren't going to do well.

I'm really leaning towards the K-x right now. Although I the FZ-35/40 is pretty nice, I want something to grow into and not another camera that I will outgrow. Now I'm just deciding if I want to plop down the major dough for it. I need cheaper hobbies.
 
You will not regret getting the K-x if you decide to buy it. Some other things I'd recommend also are a camera bag to carry it in, some rechargable batteries (Sanyo Eneloops work great) and an SDHC card that is at least Class 6 or higher.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
...can do better in most areas than a low budget DSLR like that Nikon D300.


You must be referring to the D3000, not the D300. The D300 runs about $1800 and is just a couple notches below the top-of-the-line pro-level D3.
 
That 55-300mm kit lens is very highly regarded. I wish I would have gotten that one instead of the 55-200mm. Enjoy it.

DA-L 55-300mm review

Also, just another word of advice about batteries as this could make or break your experience with the camera. Don't try to use regular alkaline batteries. You'll eat through them...like 75-100 shots per set. They're internal resistance is too high for a high discharge devices like a dslr. For rechargeable, get only ones that are advertised as 'pre-charged' as they won't drain with time like normal rechargeables. I carry four eneloops in the camera, a fully charged set in my bag and a set of lithium energizers that came with the camera. Rotate through the eneloops and use the lithiums as a backup. That way you're always covered.
 
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I have a 2 sets of Rayovac Hybrids that I'm currently using in my Powershot A620 that should work. Was thinking of doing exactly what you suggested.
 
Oh and another thing, check the firmware version. There was an update that corrected the battery indicator for Nimh batteries. Newer cameras like yours may not need it.
 
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