I'm not a photographer, by any means... but I am looking to improve and learn some things. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good digital camera in the $500 range... hopefully with good zoom settings as well as micro (or is it macro? lol - for small subjects, ie insects, etc.) capabilities. Any brands to avoid? Any brands tried and true?

I'm completely clueless about these things and would hate to spend that much money on a 'dud'... like last time. sigh  I just need something with good clarity and the ability to really capture textures on both large and small objects, basically.

Thanks,
Brandi

Attached Link: Panasonic DMC-FZ50S

I'm leaning towards this one: Panasonic DMC-FZ50S ... any thoughts or opinions?

I have been a huge fan of olympus over the years and have always been impressed with the camera's. If I was looking for a new point and shoot camera this would be the model I went with.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1289

My only reccomendation overall would be to stick with a company that makes camera's example (canon, olympus, nikon) I left fuji off the list as I was not really impressed with their point and shoot cameras. Hope this helps.

I agree as much as sticking with Canon. Olympus or Nikon

[ Canon PowerShot S3 IS

](http://dpr-cnet.com.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s3-is/4014-6501_9-31740582.html?tag=pdtl-list) There is a newer model..but I can't find a price on it..

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp

I'm with Viper. I'm a big Oly fan, and the SP-550 is a very tempting proposition. I would probably have gotten it if not for already have picked up the very camera you are looking at, only in black. The FZ50 is a great camera for all round use. The pros are it has a nice long zoom range (though not as long as the SP-550), a super lens, image stabilazation, moveable LCD, 10MP, manual zoom ... and the list goes on. It is not the greatest for macro photography, though does take a good close up. It is not on par with my Olympus C8080wz though. The big downer for me is the noise and noise reduction. 10MP on a small sensor and you are going to get noise, even at lower ISOs. In bright sunglight and using the whole image you probably would not notice it. But in low light and if you crop your image, it becomes a problem. And Panasonics noise reduction is very heavy handed, giving images a very watercolory effect the that become more pronounced at higher ISOs (lower light). Here is a 100% size crop from a low light image from the FZ50. The speckling around the edges is the noise and noise reduction.

Here is a 100% crop from a brighter shot. Not as much noise.

Here is a full image that I reduced for the web. As you see, you can't really notice any of the noise I showed you in the above images. The FZ50 is a great camera and if you can live with this one flaw (most cameras have them) then I think it would be a great choice for a non DSLR camera.

Attached Link: Canon G7

Here is another thought. The FZ50 is very SLR like in size. If you want something smaller, then I think the G7 would be a good choice. Onslow (Richard -- see link) just got one as replacement for his stolen G6 and the results are quite impressive. Having read about it at dpreview.com, it is a solid all round performer. I have seen it on Amazon for around $450. Nikon has releases the P5000 and it seems like a super camera too. Both have outstanding macro abilities. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong7/ http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonP5000/ http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympussp550uz/ http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz50/

Thanks so much to all of you for the terrific information and advice. I think rather than the Panasonic, I'll go with the Canon Powershot G7 or the Olympus SP-550UZ as there's no denying the macro capabilites of the Canon after seeing the shot from Onslow.  Of those two, which do you think would be best for macro shots? They both cost the same but the Olympus is less megapixels but a higher zoom than the Canon. Being a complete dummy at this stuff, I'm not sure which would be better for close range shots & macros. I do like the more compact size of the Canon, though... but that's really not an issue as long as I get the best shot possible.

Thank you again! You guys are great! :D

Brandi

I would head down to your local circuit city or best buy and check them out for yourself. see which one feels good in your hand and works the best for you. I'm not a huge techie but one thing I have read is that high mega pixels + small sensor = increased noise. Also compare which model has the shortest focusing distance also as you want to shoot macro shots.

I'm with Viper on this you have to actually hold the camera and make sure you like it before you buy. 

I have attached a 100% crop from the canon so you can compare with above - click on it to see full size image. Keep in mind also this has not had any postwork done to it - and it is saved at 55% quality because it from a 4mp original and I had to get it down to 200K for here. 

If close up photography is going to be the main use having a large zoom lens won't help you in fact it will mean lower the quality.

Ditto all above - hold it in your hands. Tech specs may look great, but the second you hold it you might have doubts or even hate the feel.

My only advice as far as brand is stick with a major camera manufacturer. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus. Steer clear of the Samsungs, Sharps, Fischers, etc. Even Fuji or Kodak - they're good for fun, but not if you want to take your photography seriously.

A little sideways question... Are you specifically intent on buying "new"? You can get many a good SLR used at KEH.com or "like" places.

This is something I keep forgetting to mention in previous threads, but there are plenty of "only slightly used" professional or prosumer cameras out there. You could get a used Oly E-20 for $400 (of course, I AM talking about a 5MP camera, but MANY a magazine covershot have been taken with 5-6MP cams).

Just something to keep in mind. Good luck-
-Lew ;-)

Quote - Steer clear of the Samsungs, Sharps, Fischers, etc. Even Fuji or Kodak - they're good for fun, but not if you want to take your photography seriously.

 

Huh?

Go spend a day or two with a Fujifilm S5 Pro or a Fujifilm F31fd, then come back here and explain your above nonsensical comment.

Actually, I'll take the Fuji comment back - I actually love their DSLRs (I was only thinking of the P&S cams). Their P&S cams however are slow on the draw compared to their DSLRs which is why I put them on my "steer clear" list.

Now that Kodak has dropped their DSLR line (their 14MP cam was awesome!) I've lumped them into the P&S only category - I've got one of theirs, but don't use it for serious stuff.

Basically, that's the explaination of my nonsensical comment - you need fast response for serious photography - otherwise the Dragonfly has moved out of the shot and you don't realize it until you get the image up on your LCD. Good cams or not in "general" there are things you'll want it to do that prety much MOST P&S cams can't do - even expensive ones.

I've got the Nikon 5700 - around $600 when I got it - and it's slow on the draw compared to EVERY SLR or DSLR I've ever had - you miss the action.

The only manufacturer that I see right now that has gone to a LOT of trouble to make their "you cannot replace the lens" (the hybrid type of SLR that is basically a jacked-up P&S - like my 5700) cams have the full response and pro-SLR handling capabilities is Olympus.

Make sense?
-Lew ;-)

LEAVE THE PANASONIC ALONE, the noise is high and trust me you are going to regret not being able to get a dedicated Macro lens.

I would say for price and accessories and lenses Canon and Sony are good choices. Entry level DSLRs that is.

www.dpreview.com    is a great site to read.

I went with the Canon Powershot G7 instead. Haven't had much time to work with it yet as I've been busy with my kiddo now that school's let out. Thanks again to everyone who helped and offered advice! :D  I appreciate it so much! :)

Congrats Brandi! Enjoy your new camera and let us know when you start posting images you shot with us and share any impressions you have about it with us. :) @ Lew, I think you meant that Kodak was dropping their LOW END digicams, not their DSLRs and higher end cameras. Also, for a point and shoot, the FinePix F31 fd is one of the VERY few current point and shoots that has usable high ISO functionality. http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/page3.asp

I just bought the Sony A100K, 10.2 MP with the 18-75 mm sony lens but went with the TAMRON 70-300mm lens also. Just waiting for it to get here so I can try it out. Pretty impressed by all the reviews I have read and went to the store and played with all the comparable cameras and was most impressed by the Sony. I do mainly everything full manual but was very impressed by the turn-up speed and the auto-focus speed. Very fast.  And I like the stabilization being in the body rather than the lenses. Now we will have to see if it lives up to the hype!

Cool Jen! Give us an update when it arrives, would ya? :)

Kodak dropped this camera - and has bowed out of the "Replaceable Lens" DSLR category. They also stopped manufacturing their own digital backs for medium and large format systems - which my buds and I thought was a dumb idea since theirs was one of the best (16MP at the time), and lower cost ($15k as opposed to $25-$35k).

They seem to be focusing on upper end P&S to prosumer quality EVFs.

While their digicams are nice - even the EasyShare I have has a beautiful Schneider lens - they have a sluggish response time - and that's more of what I was getting at - as well as most off-brand cameras were what we saw coming in most for repairs. A good portion of the camera buying goal is to be actually "shooting" with your camera, not waiting while it's at another trip to the shop.

While Canon has come really close to having their EVF's (as well as their non-replaceable-lens SLRs) respond almost as fast as their SLRs, the top contender is still Olympus - it really is hats-off to them. Starting with their IS line in the mid-90's they've made that type of system every bit as reliable.