Need new camera, suggestions wanted

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K2e2vin

K2e2vin

Senior Member
I'm in the market for a new camera. I mainly shoot outdoors/sports(fast movement) type stuff. I'd rather have a point and shoot, but maybe the speed of a DSLR works better for me. Anyways, my budget is ~$500(prefer something with a good bang for buck), needs to have +5x optical, good for low-light, and a quick shutter. Some cameras I've been considering.
Nikon Coolpix L120, P100, S8100, S8200
Nikon D3000, D3100
Canon Powershot S95, SX130 IS, S100
Canon EOS Rebel XS/T3
 
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I have the Canon Powershot, and all of the current Rebel models at my disposal. They are all good cameras. The main thing is that the DLSR is only as good as the glass you have on it. With that being said you can find great deals on used lenses all the time on CL, Ebay and your local photography store. Any of the Brands you have listed are time tested and proven.
 
those are all very different cameras. you can't have "good in low light" and "quick shutter". its' just how cameras operate.

there are several factors to think about, just like building an engine. do you want to put it in your back pocket when you are traveling? do you have room for extra lenses? do you want to be able to take your camera wherever you go? what are you going to take pictures of?
 
I know it's possible to get good low light pictures and fast shutter speeds; it's adjustable on many cameras(ISO, different lens on a DSLR, etc.). My main problem is figuring out if I have to get a DSLR for something that's good at both.

I do want something compact, but not necessarily be able to fit in my pocket so to say. Right now I'm kind of leaning towards the L120. Anyone can think of similar cameras?
 
K2e2vin said:
I know it's possible to get good low light pictures and fast shutter speeds; it's adjustable on many cameras(ISO, different lens on a DSLR, etc.). My main problem is figuring out if I have to get a DSLR for something that's good at both.

I do want something compact, but not necessarily be able to fit in my pocket so to say. Right now I'm kind of leaning towards the L120. Anyone can think of similar cameras?
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Guess that depends on your idea of low light.

I have a 50mm 1.4 (there is a 1.2 but that is a $1,200 lens lol) lens that is about as fast as you can get. While it does do good lowlight, the shutter speed still needs to be slowed. Also want to avoid high ISO otherwise you add a lot of noise to the picture (depending on the camera).
 
K2e2vin said:
I know it's possible to get good low light pictures and fast shutter speeds; it's adjustable on many cameras(ISO, different lens on a DSLR, etc.).
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like b16 said, it depends on your definition of low light. low light to me means, night pictures. but for you it might mean an indoor christmas party.

what are you going to be taking pictures of? why do you need a "fast shutter"?
 
I need a fast shutter for sports/action. I need low-light for taking pictures outdoors during the night time and also capable of taking pictures of stars.
 
haha.. just the lens is out of his budget.. lol
 
Some of the newer point and shoot cameras have backlit sensors inside the camera bodies that help to boost the gain in low light. Look at the Canon SD4000- it's what I carry on me most of the time, and it's a bit cheaper than the S95/S100 (which is what I would recommend for a pocket cam).

I shot this from long range with the backlit sensor mode turned on at a dark concert- came out pretty decent for a tiny point and shoot in my opinion. Not DSR quality of course, but also no humongous bag of glass to haul around.
 

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