I'm looking to get a new camera and just wanted to get some reviews or ideas from ya'll. I would like it have a 5 megapixel and 4x optical zoom minimum, with both an auto mode with some manual overrides for apeture and speed. Video would be nice but I don't want to sacrifice much of the still picture quality to get it. I'd like to keep it to around $600 or less but if it can be legitimately justified I will spend more. I'm leaning toward getting a Sanyo HD1 right now. Anyone have any experience with this camera?

 

You can get a pretty nice camera with $600...eg, Rebel XT or D50

 

canon rebel xt is the hot thing right now (if you're looking for a big bulky cam that takes good pics). Everyone and their grandma's got one. It's around 650. go to dpreview for all the user reviews. You can check for other camera at that site as well. Very good site for digi cams.

 

+1 on the cannon rebel XT. Awesome camera, great quality photos, no obnoxious features you have to work around.

 

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T9 Black...very nice camera IMO...

 

With your budget, you won't have to worry about 5 megapixel and 4x optical zoom. There are numerous choices under $600 for your megapixel and optical zoom need. Also, most of these choices will come with full manual mode so no worries there either.

I personally do not know anyone who owns a Sanyo camera since they aren't readily available at stores. It might be hard to find someone who has experience with Sanyo HD1. I've looked at specs of HD1, and it seems more geared towards video capturing.

Since your budget is around $600, you can either go for entry level DSLR models or DSLR-Like / Compact models. As everyone is saying, for entry level DSLR you can look at Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D50. Both are excellent cameras, and you don't have to worry about image quality. However, you won't be able to take video clips with DSLRs. Also, unless you buy another lens the kit lens that comes with these are about 3x optical zoom or little less (plz correct me if i'm wrong). Canon Rebel XT is excellent camera and it is little more expensive than Nikon D50 but it's a bit smaller than Nikon D50. If you decide to go look for DSLRs, go to a store and handle it to see how it feels in your hand. Anyhow, Nikon D50 with 18-55mm kit is about $540 or less at Dell right now. ( Link for D50 deal Dell link D50 review Canon Rebel XT review)

If you still want video capture capability, or don't want to deal with DSLR lens stuff then you can go for high end compact cameras. You have too many choices here. But most won't match Sanyo HD1 for video capturing and likely only capture up to 640 x 480 resolution at best. I'm not sure what size of camera you are considering, but I'll recommend few in different sizes.

Canon is coming out with S3 in late May or early June. S3's predecessor, S2, is pretty much a proven camera so S3 will probably be a good camera also. S3 will have 12x optical zoom, 6 megapixels, image stabilization, video capture capability, swivel LCD with full manual mode and you can pre-order them at places like amazon for $499. Within that class, you can consider Sony DSC-H2 & H5. Almost same specs as S3 and they are available now. But can't say if they are excellent cameras (no experience with them).

If you want something a bit smaller, then you can look at Canon S80 (3.6x zoom). It has 8 megapixels, video capture capability, and full manual mode and a lot of people carry it in their pockets. Circuit City has it for $430. If you're not too picky on image quality, then you can also check out Panasonic LX1(4x zoom). It has a true 16:9 sensor with 8 megapixels, image stabilization and full manual.

For tiny cameras, you can check out Canon's new SD series cameras like SD 700(not out yet but 4x zoom), SD 600(3x zoom), and SD 550(3x zoom). SD 700 and SD 600 were just announced in March, and SD 550 is from last summer. SD series usually take pretty good video for thier size and image quality is decent.

With so many cameras pouring out from all manufacturers, it's really hard to pick a right camera. My recommendations do have bias toward Canon, but they do make excellent cameras for all possible market. Sony, Panasonic, and Nikon are always there for alternatives and some are very good cameras too.

 

what will you use the camera for? while you can take a dslr on a vacation, if you just wanna snap pics, a p&s is fine. the XT is smaller than the D50, so depending on your size, the one will feel more comfortable than the other. the D50 has a better kit lens than the XT but Canon has better lens.

for a P&S, i'd recommend the Canon PowerShot A620

 

canon ftw

 

I have the Canon S2 IS and love it. But hell, if you want to get a DSLR I'm definitely not gonna stop ya

PM me and I'll link you to some pictures I've taken with it.

 

post them up in the photography subforum.

 

I absolutely love my Canon A620. For a point-and-shoot, it's really great and it doesn't cost a fortune.

 

go rent one for free at costco

 

Wow, it looks like I might have to check out the Canon cameras again.

I'm planning on replacing my old 3.5megapixel point and shoot with a new camera. I'd like something that would give more manual control than my current Sony and still be at least semi-portable. I've pretty much made my cellphone the internet picture/video camera and would use the new camera for actual prints or if the mood hits, for more artistic stuff. I'm currently using my film SLR camera and scanning the negative or a print into Photoshop for this stuff now. Someone had told me about the Sanyo HD1 having HD quality video as well as decent still pics and I thought I might be able to replace both my P&S camera and camcorder with one unit if it worked well.

Thanks for all the recommendations. The Canon Rebel XT looks like it's on most peoples short list.

 

Let still cameras be still cameras and video be video. If you get one that does both, it won't do both very well. What type of film SLR do you have? If you have lens that can be switched to a dSLR, you may want to check out the same brand. That way you don't lose money. I have an XT and it's a good camera.

 

I have an Olympus and a Minolta FSLR. I got them when I did a lot of photography and developed and printed my own film. I thought about maybe getting a semi-pro DSLR and using my current lenses but it's more money than I want to spend right now for something I don't do as much now. I probably would have to get two camera bodies, an Olympus for the Zuiko lenses and a Minolta for the Minolta lenses or I'll have to get one body and add more lenses.

The XT is sounding more and more appealing.

 

Olympus has the E500. I'm not sure if your lens will fit, but it doesn't hurt to check. It produces very good pics and it's around $500 - $550.

 

Olympus CAMEDIA C 750 Ultra Zoom above. About $250.

 

Olympus P&S produces good pictures and has very good optical zoom. I don't care for them and Sony because of the XD and Memory sticks. Some of the Olympus takes CF, but it's more of the prosumer cameras. I had the Olympus C5050-Zoom before it was replaced by my XT.

 

It looks like you are considering DSLR and I don't want you to get misinformed by my previous post. Canon XT is indeed excellent camera, but general consensus is that the kit lens that comes with XT is about average at best. However, many people are just fine with their XT kit lens. On the other hand Nikon D50's kit lens seems better compared to XT kit lens. Since you are an experienced photographer, I'll just leave it at that. You can always just get the camera body and the lens separately.

 

Here's some blah shots at medium res with my A620:

(too big to post)
http://www.myfjcruiser.com/CAS06/161.jpg
http://www.myfjcruiser.com/CAS06/56.jpg
http://www.myfjcruiser.com/CAS06/165.jpg