Please help me make the right camera choice

Mark · 24-04-2009, 23:06

I'm going to put my previous thread on this subject to bed for now. It might turn out to be the right choice, but there are issues that need sorting first.

I'm not asking anyone to make a choice for me - I need to do that myself - but over the last several weeks I've come to the conclusion that I know more than enough to be dangerous, but I don't know enough to make the right choice, and I don't want to dump £1,000 on something that may turn out to be the wrong choice (that's the likely street price of what I was previously looking at).

So as not to over-complicate things, I'll ask questions one at a time and welcome any and all feedback (tell me I'm a stupid **** if you feel it's sufficiently constructive

).

1. Do I need a new digicam at all?

My reasons for looking for something new are simple. Both my existing cameras (Sony DSCP200 and Canon S3IS) are compacts. Like virtually all compacts, ISO100 is great in good light, ISO200 is OK, ISO400 is just about usable, and ISO800 is a joke. I keep my cameras firmly pinned at ISO100 whenever possible as a result.

I also don't like using flash unless I have to, because I don't tend to like the results (really needs a diffuser/bounce - something that isn't easy to do on a compact), or the puny flash isn't man enough for the job, so my low-light options are severely limited and all too often I get results that are only fit for the bin due to camera shake.

However, and this is the real downer, I've seen several images on review sites taken with the S3IS, and I only wish I could get even close to that good. I think, however, that I'm actually doing myself a disservice because others say I can take a decent enough photo (admittedly of the holiday snap variety). Doesn't stop me wanting to do better.

Discuss, and thankyou.

24-04-2009, 23:06	#1
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Please help me make the right camera choice I'm going to put my previous thread on this subject to bed for now. It might turn out to be the right choice, but there are issues that need sorting first. I'm not asking anyone to make a choice for me - I need to do that myself - but over the last several weeks I've come to the conclusion that I know more than enough to be dangerous, but I don't know enough to make the right choice, and I don't want to dump £1,000 on something that may turn out to be the wrong choice (that's the likely street price of what I was previously looking at). So as not to over-complicate things, I'll ask questions one at a time and welcome any and all feedback (tell me I'm a stupid ** if you feel it's sufficiently constructive ). 1. Do I need a new digicam at all?** My reasons for looking for something new are simple. Both my existing cameras (Sony DSCP200 and Canon S3IS) are compacts. Like virtually all compacts, ISO100 is great in good light, ISO200 is OK, ISO400 is just about usable, and ISO800 is a joke. I keep my cameras firmly pinned at ISO100 whenever possible as a result. I also don't like using flash unless I have to, because I don't tend to like the results (really needs a diffuser/bounce - something that isn't easy to do on a compact), or the puny flash isn't man enough for the job, so my low-light options are severely limited and all too often I get results that are only fit for the bin due to camera shake. However, and this is the real downer, I've seen several images on review sites taken with the S3IS, and I only wish I could get even close to that good. I think, however, that I'm actually doing myself a disservice because others say I can take a decent enough photo (admittedly of the holiday snap variety). Doesn't stop me wanting to do better. Discuss, and thankyou.