What Is The Best Camera For Photography?!?
September 9th, 2009 | 
Author: I am a photographer who is trying to get into event shooting. Weddings, parties, babies, kids, engagements, stuff like that. I would like to spend around $500. I know I want it to have a quick shutter speed, the camera I have now is sooo slow I always miss the shot 
. The big requirements for me is that it has high resolution, quality images and is quick, I don’t want to start charging people and then give them crappy pictures, you know. I do like a manual zoom, but it is’nt a requirement. Also, I want digital. I have read reviews up the wazoo, but they can be extremely persuasive. I would just like to know what other photographers are using and love. I am soo afraid to spend that amount of money and end up hating the product. Any ideas? And please don’t respond if you are just going to say the latest camera you heard about, please be an actual user and know something about camera’s 
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I recommend to anyone seriously contemplating the purchase of a new digital SLR camera to consider these two primary questions:
1. How much money do you have to spend???? $500.? $800.? $1,500.?
2. What level of photography do you aspire to “progress to” in the coming years ? (i.e. basic beginner, intermediate, or professional/business use).
For most beginners to intermediates I usually suggest one of these two manufacturers: Canon vs Nikon
1. Canon EOS Rebel model XSi. (Also known as the Canon 450D in Britain) The “kit” package comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens. The camera has pop-up flash, 12.2 Megapixels, and shutter speeds up to 1/4000th, 100-1,600 ISO sensitivity, 7 auto exposure Scene modes, PLUS Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Programmed Exposure Modes and Manual. It also has a 3 inch LCD screen, 3.5 frames continuous per second max., 9 point AF system, Live View Functioning and the ability to record photos in 3, 6 or 12 Megapixels PLUS numerous other great features found only on more expensive cameras. Wal-Mart is also selling them now for about $799. Sam’s Club also has them for $729. I also think that Amazon dot com has them for around $650.
I bought one of these 6 months ago and use it as my “back up” camera. I absolutely love it. I have gotten some fantastic photos with it and cannot praise it enough. I routinely enlarge my photos to make 8×10′s and 11×14 size enlargements with no noticeable distortion or loss of detail in the pictures.
2. Nikon D-90: If you prefer to use Nikon equipment I strongly recommend the Nikon D-90 which has 12.3 Megapixels, 3 inch monitor with Live View, 200-3,200 ISO sensitivity, 11 point AF system with Face Priority, 4.5 frames per second in continuous mode, 5 advanced Scene modes for auto exposure plus Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Programmed Auto plus Manual. The D-90 sells for around $900-950. (Body ONLY. The 18-55mm lens cost an additional $150.-175.) Typically, Nikon equipment is slightly more expensive than Canon equipment, but (having owned both Nikon and Canon cameras), I have seldom noticed BETTER quality results using Nikon equipment.
You might also consider the Nikon D-40 ($499) kit that comes with the 18-55mm lens. Another great choice is the Nikon D-60 kit ($649) which also comes with the 18-55mm lens. All of these Nikon’s can be found at Best Buy or Amazon dot com for a very low price.
These selections are probably the best choices for any beginner to intermediate skill level, offering the most lenses and other accessories, dealers and places to purchase.
I strongly recommend that ALL beginners buy a good book on digital photography AND take a class or two from a Vocational school or Community Education Center in your area.
You can learn more about the technical specifications of each of these two cameras at these websites:http://www.usa.canon.comhttp://www.nikonusa.com
Good Luck
Sorry but you are NOT “a photographer”. You may be a person who owns a camera but you are definitely not a photographer.
If you were then you would have no need to ask any of the questions you have.
If you want to know about different cameras then go to http://www.dpreview.com
they have reviews of all the lastest cameras from all manufacturers.
You have to know a little about cameras to be able to do the comparisons though so maybe it won’t be much use to you.
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While I have a Nikon D40 I would opt for the D60. I have one of those as well and there is a definite difference in quality between the two. I know the D60 is more money but I think it is worth it. I scored one at eBay for $350 for the body (new). Since I already had a couple lenses it was a good investment.
cannon eos xti
nikon D40
any dslr of 10mp (for 8×12′ prints) or more for $500 will do you
Canon 40D, XSi or Nikon D80.
I think your concern is with what is known as “shutter lag”.
A dSLR will eliminate shutter lag and allow manual zooming. I would stay away from a P&S camera specifically because of your concerns. $500 will buy the dSLR but you need to budget a bit for the lens too.
Addendum:
“Also, is there a camera that just takes good quality images without having to buy various lenses and all that?”
Yes, like the Canon G10 P&S. However, like all P&S cameras they suffer from unbearable, image losing shutter lag. Not really suitable for weddings or engagements.
> The big requirements for me is that it has high resolution,
> quality images and is quick, I don’t want to start charging
> people and then give them crappy pictures, you know.
Cameras don’t make good / great image. Photographers do. Even the lowerest 6 MP cameras will make very good prints up to 13×19 (or sometimes 20×30). I’ve done it.
A 6 MP camera has 2000 dots in short dimension.
A 12 MP camera has 2800 dots in short dimension.
So that just 800 dots more!!! Not much !! So forget about it.
And the same goes for shutter, etc. They are all about the same.
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Many pros use Nikon or Canon. And if you ask a Nikon user, they are the king. And the canon users feel the same.
What is MORE important is what lens can you afford with that system.
Good Luck…