Digital cameras 101

[Skimo_1960]

I have been looking for a more advanced digicam that offers higher (8+) megapixels, higher optical zoom and some kind of Image Stabilization system.  I want this camera for a lot of reasons, but primarily to shoot my son and his soccer team during games.

If anyone has any suggestions, please share.  My eyes are BLEEDING from looking at the dizzying amount of cameras available.  

THANKS

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Skimo_1960,

Welcome to the Q&A Board!

Yes, deciding on which digital camera to buy can sometimes drive you up a wall!  

When you say "more advanced digicam" I'm assuming you're not talking about a digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. What cameras have you looked at, and what is your price range?

If you're looking for at least eight megapixels and something with image stabilization, these cameras come to mind:

Panasonic FZ30 12x optical range (35-420mm equiv)

Coolpix 8800 - 10x optical zoom, eight megapixel

Konica Minolta DiMage A200, has mechanically operated 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens

[bdery]

It is not our policy to recommend particular brands, but your requirements limit your choices (to two cameras actually, if I'm not wrong). I'd suggest using a site like DPreview.com and make a search based on your requirements.

However, I will ask you a few questions. First, are you sure you need 8 MP? You might, but for many people less is enough. Second, IS is a really nice feature but you could also consider a camera that supports higher ISO. Maybe even a DSLR if you're intend on high resolution. But maybe one of the 5 MP megazooms (there are many) could be enough too.

What print sizes do you want? Other than soccer games, what shooting situations are you likely to encounter?

Sometimes we create needs for ourselves that aren't necessary. Again, you might perfectly be right about wanting 8 MP, but it does limit your choices. Think about the other features you might want : videos, large/swivel LCD, hotshoe, manual controls? There are many (sorry if I'm not helping) but if you take the time to list your needs, you'll find the choices narrow down all by thelselves.

[Skimo_1960]

ShutterbugGail,

 I would like to keep the total cost at around $1,000 (including memory).  I started looking at the Rebel XT with the 17-85 IS and 70-300 Is lens.  I thought it would a great package but the cost is around $2,600.  Then I considered the XT with the Tamron 18-200 XR DI II lens.  Cost around $1,500 but no image stabilization.  Then I saw the Canon S2 IS, great telephoto, IS, but only 5 MP.  Normally 5 MP would be fine but the sports application with cropping photos down significantly would not be the quality I was looking for.

[ShutterbugGail]

 Normally 5 MP would be fine but the sports application with cropping photos down significantly would not be the quality I was looking for.

If you want image stabiliztion, to keep the price around $1000 AND need more then five megapixels, your options are limited. Digital cameras of more than five megapixels are relatively new entries. Of couse, if you bought a 5mp you could get a converter lens...for under $200 so zooming in even closer means less cropping.

I'll mention one other camera but it doesn't have IS, though it is capable of shooting images at higher ISO so in some circumstances, camera shake may not be as much of an issue:

FujiFilm FinePix S9000 has a 28-300mm focal length range and has nine megapixels. It has a sensitivity range of 80-1600 ISO. From reviews I've read, the ISO is useable up to 800 with little visible noise.

[ShutterbugGail]

I just wanted to point out that there is no perfect digital camera. Each has strong and weak points so get the one which has features you need most. Here are two links to realated reading:

Converter lenses:
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-converter-lenses/index.htm

Digital camera sensitivity
http://www.digicamhelp.com/advanced-digital-camera-settings/iso.htm