new digital camera, help in picking the right one Options

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

recently my konica minolta x50 broke and so i'm looking for a new camera. i really didn't favor the konica minolta x50 because of how noisey all of my pictures taken in low light were.
now that i'm picking a new digital camera to buy, i keep jumping from camera to camera so i need help, especially from those who either own the following cameras or are very experienced with cameras. also, i'm not sure yet if i want to buy a dslr or a regular point and shoot camera because i haven't taken any classes, and don't have much experience with SLRs, i'm afraid i'll waste my money on one and won't know how to use the DSLR to its fullest.

the single DSLR that i'm considering because of its low price and many pros:
-Digital Canon Rebel Xt (350D):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...ec=&topnav=
$599.99 at Costco -- where my family buys everything you can imagine hahah (;

OR should i get this point and shoot:
-Canon Powershot G7:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...ec=&topnav=
$499.99 at Costco

i was wondering if im willing to spend 500 on the G7, if i should spend that extra 100 on the canon rebel and get a much better camera. on the other hand, i was worried that the canon rebel would be a hassel to carry around to outings, parties, etc [places where i usually take my digital camera] and maybe should stick with the simpler and smaller powershot G7 (i've heard many good things about canon powershots and the G7 seems to be my fav. out of all of them after researching reviews]

i want all the tips i can get please (: and if anyone has any suggestions for any other decent sized camera with image stabilaztion and takes good quality [clear with little noise] pictures in low-light please note those as well

thanks in advance!

[btw, if you want examples of the types of photos i take -- check my flickr in my sig]

[Simba]

Alright, I haven't personally owned a Canon Rebel XT, but I know people who have and they've all enjoyed it. (Anyhow, I own a DSLR.) If you want some good examples of what the Canon Rebel XT is capable of (with the assistance of some Photoshop) take a peek at page three of my friend's Facebook.

If you want to make the jump from point and shoot to DSLR, I'd say you should have a rather strong interest in photography. I took a look at your flickr and your stuff isn't half bad. A DSLR would really allow you to expand your photography, but I don't know how passionate you are about it.

Point and shoots are meant to be really easy to use, and that G7 looks pretty decent and easy to handle, especially with that image stabilization. And it's pretty much fact that the G7 is going to be much easier to carry around than any DSLR.

Wrapping up, I'd say only get a DSLR if you have a strong interest in photography. If not, stick with the point and shoots. I had two friends that got DSLRs only because they saw what I could do with one (and these were pretty wealthy people). Their interest in photography wasn't really that strong so their cameras just sit in their rooms a lot of the time. It's a waste really.

If you want some other camera recommendations, check out the Camera Resources thread.

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

thanks for the help ;]

andyeep, i think i have a strong enough interest in photography and am willing to learn more and more. my concern is that once i get the DSLR, if i'll be able to learn how to use it on my own . i'm afraid that i won't be able to take the best photos possible by simply reading manuals and experimenting. but then again, maybe experimenting on my own is what it takes.. i'm not quite sure haha

[Simba]

thanks for the help ;]

andyeep, i think i have a strong enough interest in photography and am willing to learn more and more. my concern is that once i get the DSLR, if i'll be able to learn how to use it on my own . i'm afraid that i won't be able to take the best photos possible by simply reading manuals and experimenting. but then again, maybe experimenting on my own is what it takes.. i'm not quite sure haha

You're welcome.

I don't know if this would help you feel more secure about diving into the DSLR world with lessons, but I'm completely self taught.

[kimmytree]

After looking at your photos, you seem really good. I would spend the extra $100 and get the DSLR. I'm saving my money up for one. :)

[much2muse]

That puppy is so cute!!

/offtopic.

You take some nice pictures So i'd go with the better/more expensive camera

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

thanks everyone
i'm thinking i'll probably go with the dslr now

and just wondering, Arjuna Capulong what camera(s) do you use to shoot?

[Simba]

Such an old, old thread.

Right now I've got the Nikon D80 (and the battery grip).

You'll be glad you bought a DSLR. They're mad fun.

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

ok well i'm probably being a pain now.. but i still never bought a new digital camera but i've finally decided (even after your opinions.. lol) that i'm gunna get a point and shoot instead and then later on maybe i'll get a dslr so now i'm debating and i need help choosing between:

Canon PowerShot A640
&
Nikon Coolpix P5000
&
Canon PowerShot G7 *but i'm not sure if this one is worth its price*

[Simba]

Hm, have you ever considered hybrid cameras?

And, if I may ask, what brought you to decide to go with point and shoots?

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

i gotta admit, i know nothing of hybrid cameras lol
and i decided to get a point and shoot because a dslr seems like it'll be a hassle to carry whenever i go out. i need a pocket/everyday camera first

i've been looking at photos taken by the g7 [especially low-light ones] on flickr and i like what i see

[z3nn1]

You'll be glad you bought a DSLR. They're mad fun.

Dude I wanna get a DSLR, Nikon is the coolest.. I am gonna break my piggy bank in a 1 year for a niffty camera

[Simba]

i gotta admit, i know nothing of hybrid cameras lol
and i decided to get a point and shoot because a dslr seems like it'll be a hassle to carry whenever i go out. i need a pocket/everyday camera first

i've been looking at photos taken by the g7 [especially low-light ones] on flickr and i like what i see

Oh ok, if carrying the camera around is going to be an issue, then I'd forget about hybrids. I'm not gonna lie, you've definitely got potential with photography. So if you're going to get a point and shoot, for you I'd get the most versatile one, which would appear to be the Canon Powershot G7.

Also, the G7 is going to have that image stabilization that you wanted. It has plenty of features, and of course, it's going to have that portability you want. For low light situations, that 1600 ISO will help, but expect noisier photos (though a photo is better than no photo).

If you want a review on the G7, here's a decent one: http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_PowerShot_G7...7-32069604.html

Dude I wanna get a DSLR, Nikon is the coolest.. I am gonna break my piggy bank in a 1 year for a niffty camera

Nikon.

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

okaaay again, thanks for the help
hopefully i'll stick to this choice though
i change my mind very quickly .. as you can tell
lol

[z3nn1]

okaaay again, thanks for the help
hopefully i'll stick to this choice though
i change my mind very quickly .. as you can tell
lol

Believe I went through the same thing when I was purchasing my digital camera because I wanted to spend a good money on a decent cam to makesure I wouldn't be let down by it.

[*kryogenix*]

Canon S3IS > Powershot G7.

[Simba]

Too bad it's a hybrid.

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

yeeah i was actually looking at the Canon S3IS ..
it's, again, the size factor

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

heeey i got my g7 but i have a question if anyone can answer it for me please: everytime i connect my usb to the camera and then turn the camera on and try to upload the images, i get a message saying "cannot detect camera .. check the connection and retry" i checked, and its conncecting fine. i even uploaded images off the camera before so i dont know why its become a problem now. any solutions?

(btw.. i turned on the camera after connecting it to the usb obv. so that's not the problem)

[Simba]

I don't know about that one. Sounds like it's a problem specific to that camera. Maybe ask a technician or something. If all else fails, buy a card reader for your computer.

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

this is weird b/c i restarted my computer & now it works. whatever.. i'm satisfied as long as works haha hopefully that doesnt happen again :] thanks though

[Simba]

Ha ha, alright then.