It's my birthday! Help me pick out a digital camera for my present to myself :)
I've been having too many, "Damn, wish I had a camera" moments lately, so I need to take care of that. Would appreciate any recommendations for a camera that will meet my needs:
Camera is not going to be used for content, so I don't need high-end professional gear. It will be primarily a personal use camera, however I want quality to occasionally take shots to be used on webpages, so I don't want a low end point-and-click.
5 megapixels minimum, I want to be able to make an occasional 8x10. I'd also like to be able to record at least TV quality video with sound, time only limited by size of memory stick.
Small is not an advantage. I have big clumsy hands. In fact, I have been considering a digital/SLR hybrid so I can use interchangable lenses, but interchangable lenses aren't a necessity if the camera has decent zoom and macro. Shutter speed is tremendously important. I have taken back 2 cameras that take the shot a half second after you release the button. I can't kept those steady enough to take a clear shot.
Budget is $1k. (This should include a lens if I go the digital/SLR route)
If you have a camera that fits these criteria please tell me your experience with them, from quality of pics to user-friendliness. Thanks!
__________________
.
|