Comments on: What Camera is the best to take professional Pictures?

By: Terisu

Terisu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:54:00 +0000

It will be awfully hard to take professional pictures on a budget of $500, so you’d be better off starting with something used and learning on it. Right now you can get great deals on used 35mm SLRs. They are film cameras, but learning photography on a film camera teaches you things you’ll never learn on a digital. And many times, you can use the same lenses on a digital SLR, when your budget allows an upgrade.

Pocket digital cameras are fun and easy to use, but frustrating once you try to get really creative. Don’t waste your time on them.

Meanwhile, take a class somewhere and learn even more about photography.

By: ayyadm

ayyadm — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:18:07 +0000

I have good experience with Nikon coolpix 5000. You can do both macro and distance shots with excellent quality. It has resolution of 5 mega pixel. I doubt that you can get it new as the model is more than 3 years old. Check it on ebay and you might find it for less than $250
The other good option is CASIO EXILIM EX-Z1000 10.1MP DIGITAL CAMERA. It’s an excellent camera, slim, handy and light weight. I’d say it sells new for less than $350 (check fryes) or used on ebay for less than $250

Best of luck

By: anthony h

anthony h — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:52:11 +0000

Generally speaking, you’re going to want a digital SLR with a bunch of lenses for the things you’ve described. However, that’s not really possible on your budget.

So, you’ll have to go to the next tier down, a digital camera with an “all-in-one” lens permanently mated to it.

I would recommend the following cameras for you to consider:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8, about $290
Canon PowerShot S3 IS, about $300
Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd, about $355
Canon PowerShot S5 IS, about $390
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd, new camera, expected to be about $400. 18x zoom with image stabilization!

As you go up in price, you get more features and/or more megapixels. Personally speaking, I probably would pick the last cameras, but any of these cameras will do what you’re asking. I would have no problem buying any of these cameras.