Digital cameras 101

[ken212]

I need help with buying my first dslr camera.I have a Kodak Z812 IS ZOOM. While it takes good pictures I was hoping a slr would help me take better pictures. I take a lot of pictures of my daughter playing sports and the do not always come out as sharp and clear  as I would like with my camera. I take a lot of her playing lacrosse and field hockey. So I am taking a lot of action shots from a distance. I also take a lot of her playing basketball which are also difficult. With that besides them being action shots I also have the problem of the weird lighting(flouresent) in gyms. The flash does not help because she is to far away. I need a good zoom.Tripods do not help in stands. I need something with a good zoom because I want close ups and am pretty far away. I'd like to move up to a 10 or 12 MP. What I like about the camera I have right now is it has an optical image stabilizer, which helps with sports/action shots.I also want where I can later buy other lens that might be even better , but still not cost me an arm and a leg.I would like to keep the cost of the camera and lens around or less than $1k since I would also most likely have to get 2 memory cards, I always like to have at least two. Plus the same goes for the battery, at least two plus a charger. I have had friends tell me all different things about which camera to but. I have heard any type Sony. I have heard either the Olympus E-600 or E-620 because they both have in body image stabilization. But even with the two lens kit it only goes to 150mm. One is the 14-42mm and the other lens is 40-150mm. I have heard the Nikon D 5000. But if you buy that kit the one smaller lens is VR which helps with stabilization or vibration, but than the one that goes to 200mm is not and if you want the good VR lens they get pricey. Than finally come the Canons I have heard the Rebels or the T1i, but it seems the kits have cheap lens.
 

[admin]

I think any of the brands you mention are fine DSLRs. However, since you take a lot of action shots, you may want to consider a camera that takes image stabilized lenses. Why? Because, unlike a DSLR with in-camera IS, your view will be stabilized when you look through the viewfinder, making it easier to follow and frame a shot.

Don't underestimate the quality you can get from a newer image stabilized kit lens; they will be designated as VR on Nikon cameras, and IS on Canon lenses. They are much improved over the same focal length lenses without Image Stabilization. So whatever DSLR you buy, just make sure it has the latest version of a lens.

I have a Canon XSi/450D and think the lens is terrific, sharp and produces excellent color, clarity and image quality. I have some photos in my pbase gallery posted here:

18-55mm IS Kit

http://www.pbase.com/gailb/xsikit

Canon 55-250mm IS zoom lens

http://www.pbase.com/gailb/55250

A DSLR should be perfect for your needs, and the high ISO performance is so much better than compact cameras that, for some shots, you may not even require a flash.

All the best on your purchase.

Related reading;

Why buy a DSLR?

http://www.digicamhelp.com/buying-guide/camera-types/dslr/

Things to consider before buying a DSLR

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/dslr-dilemma/things-to-consider/


Should you buy a kit lens?

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/should-you-buy-a-kit-lens/


Canon 55-250mm IS zoom lens

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-xsi-450d/canon-55-250mm-is-zoom-lens/

[dimitrz]

Just to add on

since you have not mentioned any budget / price range - I would also consider Nikon D90 or D80 apart from Cannon

However a big challenge for you is the action shots - well unless you are pretty close to action even the 200mm lens can fall short of what a 12x zoom lens can achieve on a advanced digital camera.

Ideally you need to decide whether you really want to go for a DSLR (granted DSLR has a lot of advantages but  it may not be what you really are looking for )

Ps: you may also want to have a DSLR which gives you more frames per second - I belive Cannon takes a lead in that

[pattypatty2010]

I would recommend you Nikon D3000 Digital SLR Camera
10.2megapixel CCD sensor,11-point autofocus system, Fast response,Guide mode,3-inch TFT, 3 fps continuous shooting allows you to capture fast-moving action at 3 frames per second.