So, the camera I’ve been using for the last few years is the Canon PowerShot A630. And day in, day out it’s a pretty decent camera. Sharp pics, nice range of options, 4x zoom, 10 megapixels, handles my average photographing needs. But there are two situations where it’s not really up to snuff: low light, and anything requiring a fast shutter speed. It’s just not a quick camera.
And two places where I take a lot of pictures are at concerts (low light, lotsa movement) and conventions (low light, lotsa movement), so I’d like to get another camera that’s suited for those sorts of situations since I love going to cons and I know Teres will be making plans for the upcoming Bon Jovi tour. However, there are some restrictions.
– It’s got to be in my price range, which means under $150 at the most and at that I’ll be selling some stuff on eBay first. (Although if an expensive camera is otherwise perfect, I can always look for a used one.)
– It needs to perform well in low-light, fast-moving situations. Sharp zooms would be nice.
– It needs to be fixed-lens, since most big concert venues frown (and may confiscate) pro-looking cameras or cameras with detachable lenses.
– The faster the shutter response time from the second I push the button, the better.
However, this camera doesn’t have to be good at anything else. My Canon works very well for most things I use it for. I just need something for specific conditions where my current camera is weak. So basically I need a cheap pocket camera that takes amazing concert photos. How tough could that be?
Ideally the new camera would also use AA batteries and SD cards to match my current one, but that’s optional. I want a concert camera.
Any suggestions?
I wanna see the sweat that’s running off of his body. Well, his face really, but the song says body, so that’s what I said.
And want to be able to catch the great expressions he makes that can be quite fleeting.
And we might not be terribly close.
Cannon Rebel is what I use in concerts, but I have to say that I REALLY want to move up to the 5D Mark II. For doing concert photos you will really want to save up for a DSLR (detachable lens). Get the 50mm lens though and the Cannon Rebel should be ok. You should be able to find one on eBay or Craig’s List for way cheaper than new. Don’t stress on getting an older model. Most users are still very happy with even the first digital version. These cameras age very well. No matter what anyone tells you, it’s all about the size of the sensor. No point and shoot will have a big enough sensor for live concert photos. You need DLSR for that. Hope that helps. If not feel free to ask questions.
Like Mark says, all compact cameras are pretty much the same. They all use a sensor smaller than your pinky nail, which deliver terrible picture quality and really bad low light performance. Their advertising really tries to suggest that there are differences in quality, but really, the differences are slim — minor programming differences, different menus, different brands.
New concepts are just coming over the horizon: The new Panasonic GF1 is the size of a compact camera, but they crammed a larger sensor inside. But it costs $900. This is the trend though — many companies are about to introduce compact cameras that have larger sensors inside (including Ricoh and Samsung). It is remarkable, really — finally amateurs will be able to take pictures with the same kind of detail as professionals. But for at least the first year these cost even more than DSLRS.
For $150, you can’t go wrong because at that price you can’t really go right.
http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr_sony_tx1
If 150 bucks is REALLY your price range you’re not gonna get a superb camera with that. Maybe some cheap Canon Ixus-model would be good choise if they sell that cheap.
Forget that AA-battery need. If camera comes with its own battery pack – you’ll learn to love it the instant you turn the camera on.
If you really wanna move up a notch you’ll get Canon EOS450D. It comes with a decent kit-lens too. Get it and you wont regret it. But your price range is very low there, so Ixus is the next best thing for you… great quality in pictures and it shoots better in dark than most of the competition