I'm shopping for a digital camera and need some advice.

[driver8]

I posted this in the photography group and am posting it here, as well...

I am looking for a camera that takes decent shots in low light. The thing is, my wife doesn't want a DSLR -- she wants something simple that she can use at our kids' school (low light in auditorium). I guess I'm looking for something between a point and shoot and a DSLR. I would like to keep the price under $300.00.

Any help would be appreciated -- thanks!

[carlyhippy]

1. hmm, walmart has a olympus e420 bundle for 399, but it's a dslr

that is a really good deal. A point and shoot may not give you much in flexibility in low light, and if you sit back a ways in the auditorium you probably aren't going to get the zoom you want, but that all depends on the lens.

I have an Olympus E410 dslr, and have taken alot of auditorium shots in low light using a tripod, mine has auto settings for low light, sunny day, snow, etc. as well as manual settings.

For a point and shoot, maybe look at the Canon cameras or Fuji.

[pokerfan]

2. compact cameras that perform well in low light

If compact digital cameras have one Achilles' heel in reviews, it is that none are great performers in low light -- such as indoors, at night or at dusk. The exceptions in this category are the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR (*Est. $330) and the lesser-known Ricoh CX1 (*Est. $320). Both cameras break new ground with versatile sensors that produce great image quality in low-light conditions.

http://www.consumersearch.com/digital-camera-reviews/best-cameras-in-low-light

[driver8]

3. Thank you very much!!

I appreciate it. I wanted to buy a DSLR, but my wife wants something that easier to use.

Thanks again...

[pokerfan]

5. In defense of DSLRs

some DSLRs are as easy to use as a compact point and shoot. They just that you have the option of using the more complex features if you choose to. If size isn't the issue (the only reason to get a compact IMO), then find an SLR that your wife can use in auto mode but also gives you the added functionality and features that you want.

When people ask me what cameras produce the best quality photos, I always tell them D -SLRs (Digital-Single Lens Reflex) do. They usually reply, "Oh no, that's a serious camera. I just want something that's easy to use for taking snapshots." I am here to tell you the latest generation of digital SLRs come with enough ease-of-use features to help-along all but the most novice of photographers.

Granted, D-SLR cameras give you lots of options and features for total command and creative flexibility. I also understand that all these settings may intimidate some casual users. To address this, camera companies have been working hard to include plenty of easy-of-use features on their devices. Of course to make things really simple, many D-SLRs come with an Auto mode that lets the camera figure out the shutter speeds and apertures for you. Thankfully, all the camera discussed have this handy setting.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2113122,00.asp

[driver8]

6. I wanted to get a D40 or D5000 -- maybe I'll go in that direction.

I have seen some great deals on D40s. Everyone that I have spoken with who has a D40 absolutely loves it.

[WinkyDink]

18. The real answer is : "Film cameras."

[pscot]

12. You might look for a used Nikon D40

It's a DSLR. but it's dead easy to use, is fairly compact and you can find them on Craigslist for under $300. Best part is it gives you access to most Nikon lenses.

[driver8]

15. That is exactly what I was thinking of getting.

I have read a lot about this camera and have seen some amazing photos taken with it.

Thanks for the advice.

[elifino]

4. Kodak EasyShare Z1485IS

They offer a rechargeable battery which is good for about 400 shots, it is simple to operate, has setting for
just about any condition you would want to take a snapshot. It is 14.2 mega pixel The lens/digital zoom gives
you the equivalent of a 55mm-175mm lens. It is excellent in low light conditions. My cost from Dell was less than
$200.00, I did purchase the optional rechargeable battery and charger for less than $50.00,

[applegrove]

7. Go for as much quality as you can muster. I bought two digital cameras that

were cheap. And I use neither one. One made a doe in the woods disappear (I swear the deer was about 20 feet from me and when I look at the shot I took all I see are leaves...that was really eerie). The other added rainbow colors to my picture of people.

[hunter]

8. I just bought a working Minolta XD11 SLR with a 1:1.4 lens for $10

Thirty years ago that would have been one of my dream cameras. Heck, it still is.

This camera is an utterly magical chunk of precision metal and glass. I doubt anything will ever be made like that again.

It appears I am traveling backwards in time, so no recs on digital from me. Plastic and silicon fail to excite me.

My current little Canon digital does okay in low light but digital cameras are always short timers in my world. They die and they are not worth fixing. I'm on my fourth digital camera. Fuji, Fuji, Kodak, Canon. Electronics and I don't mix. I abuse machines. Some of my film cameras are older than I am and they all work exactly as they were meant to.

If you are buying something your wife likes, then buy something your wife likes. Maybe she should go to the camera store (always support your local camera store if you have one!) and leave you at home.

[driver8]

14. I've got two Minolta XG-1 -- one I bought in 1980, and the other I bought

on eBay for 75 bucks with a lens, flash, camera bag. They both need a "tune up", but I think I'll get these cameras working again!

The digital cameras are great for sharing photos with family and friends -- I've got family all over the country and it is a pain in the butt to make prints to send to everyone.

[edbermac]

9. I'd go for a DSLR rather than a point and shoot.

Most DSLR's have an AUTO mode that you can switch to which practically makes the camera a point and shoot. It will sense the light conditions and pick the best f-stop, exposure time, focus, ASA, use the pop-up flash etc.

There are also settings for low light/nightime. Just turn the program dial to AUTO, point and shoot. You might get a good deal on a second hand camera.

[Bennyboy]

10. Nikon Coolpix 110...

long lens. Low light at wide setting. http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26194/COOLPIX-L110.html r ight the edge of your budget.

There is another Nikon that has the same zoom and moveable screen.....

[Bennyboy]

16. I took this one with a Kodak easyshare but I want the Nikon...

And the reason I like non SLR's is the fact I can get them into shows....No detachable lenses for concerts and this camera and the Nikon have LONG lenses and are legal and do well in low light.

[jobycom]

11. You can use a DSLR as a Point and Shoot, and they impress the hell out of people.

Sling a Nikon D70 around your neck and stare enigmatically at random items, and soon people are asking what magazine you work for. Then you just snap a couple of shots on Auto, and Voila! Oos and Ahs galore. Most of them couldn't tell the difference anyway.

For a more serious answer, check out this web site. http://www.cnet.com/ (Best site for all matters of technical consumerism. Don't trust great "consumer research" sites--they aren't all bad, but you never know when they have an expert who knows something or just some writer who got suckered in by a good salesperson. At times when I've worked in sales, they were more often wrong than right about the products I sold).

Here's their page for cameras. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/?tag=TOCleftColumn.0
Here's their page of editor suggestions, broken down (on the left column) by various types of cameras. http://reviews.cnet.com/best-digital-cameras/?tag=leftColumnArea1.0

[Xipe Totec]

13. My advice is very simple

Anybody that recommends a particular camera, ask them to post a picture they took with said camera so you can asses the quality.

[LibraLiz1973]

17. I have the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 12 MP Digital Camera and I LOVE it

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W230-Digital-Stabilization/dp/B001QWG1ZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267294573&sr=8-1

Takes AMAZING pictures. I had the 6mp cybershot for years (still do, actually) and got really great pix with it- but I could not resist going up to 12.1 MP.


This is a picture of my Christmas tree- no other lights on in the room

[WinkyDink]

19. Including when these are printed out?