Nikon camera

[Paleosuchus]

Hello, i am looking to get a new pro digital camera. i have found that Nikon has the cheapest. I have found some Nikon cool pix 5700 for around 300 dollers on ebay. Wandering what the best Nikon is to get. To many numbers and options for me to deal with. Any idea would be great. thanks Jason

[paul vader]

I've used the Nikon coolpix 4300..it's really great for close-ups...I don't think it's available anymore but I'm sure the 5700 @ $300 U.S. will give you lots of options..I think the thing about Nikon is that you're supposed to get good close-up with whichever model you're using...They use a Nikkor lens...

[Big Mike]

The Cool Pix 5700 looks like an OK camera but it's definitely not a "pro" camera. It's got a lot of good features but the sensor is only 2/3 " (8.80 x 6.60 mm). It has a decent zoom range but it's still a fixed lens. It's much better to be able to remove & switch lenses.

If you really are looking for a digital pro camera, you will have to spend quite a lot more than $300.

Typically a 'pro' camera will be an SLR camera. Digital SLR cameras start around $1000 (Nikon D70 & Canon Digital Rebel)...and even those are not pro quality but they are head and shoulders above the typical digital camera.

The real pro DSLR cameras are very, very expensive. The Nikon D1X is around $3800 US. On top of that you have to buy lenses, which are not cheap.

So what exactly are you looking for? If I had an idea of what you want, I could give a better recommendation.

[Paleosuchus]

Looking for something that will keep me out of harms way with hots pretty much. My little kodak easyshare makes me get well within striking range of some hots here. I will get a pro camera soon enough already priced them, but for now a Nikon 5700 would do or something like it. What camera re you currently using Big Mike? thanks jason

[Tim and Julie B]

The most bang for the buck are the Canon A75, Nikon 3200 and that new Olympus is good as well but I can not remeber what it's called. If you what to spend a little extra try going up to a Canon A85, Or Nikon 4300. These camera are great everyday users. With enough options you won't get bored in a couple of months. Nikon takes a better macro then the Canon. Both have a 30 sec movie mode but the Canon has a mic for sound. They are both 3.2 mega pixel and 10x zoom (A 85 and Nikon 4300 are 4mp). We had an older Olympus that we loved so you might want to compare their model in the same price range. But the more money you spend the more you get. You just have to decide if you really are going to use those features to make it worth the extra cash! TB

[Big Mike]

Originally posted by Paleosuchus
Looking for something that will keep me out of harms way with hots pretty much. My little kodak easyshare makes me get well within striking range of some hots here.

That's easy enough...you need zoom. The 5700 has 8X (35mm-280mm equivalent). Thats not bad.

There are similar cameras with 10x & 12X zoom. That doesn't really tell you much but you can check the maximum zoom to see which cameras have the highest magnification.

Other than that...go with a camera that had the features that you want/need. I'd stick with a good camera company like Nikon, Canon, Minolta etc. You might even want to check out a store so that you can hold & compare the different models. That may be hard if you are going to buy a used camera though.

You can compare cameras at www.dpreview.com

I will get a pro camera soon enough already priced them, but for now a Nikon 5700 would do or something like it. What camera re you currently using Big Mike? thanks jason

Ironically, I don't own a digital camera myself. I've used some point & shoot type digitals that we have here at work but nothing like what you are looking at.

I do however spend a lot of time researching digital cameras because I plan on getting one. I'm leaning toward the Canon 10D or it's replacement the 20D. I also spend a lot of time talking to people on photography forums who ask & answer questions like yours on a daily basis.

My main camera is a Canon EOS 650. It's an old tank of a camera...the first auto focus SLR that Canon made. I have a load of accessories and a few lenses...that's mainly why I'm going to get a Canon digital.

[Paleosuchus]

Yeah, i think i will go to a local camera shop..hold and campare cameras as you suggested and just look for a used model online of the one i feel i like. Thanks for the help , jason

[Cham911]

In my house we have a few different models of digital cameras.

We have from an old Kodak 4800 to a new 8 Megapixel Minolta Dimage A2.

When taking pics, I GENERALLY reech for our mid camera a Minolta 400. (point and shoot).

The Dimage A2 is a high quality camera, with TOO MANY DAMN FEATURES to take a good pic Yes....we're learning, but generally we take better on-the-fly pics with the Minolta 400.

So....my recomendation is to buy a middle of the road camera, that can zoom and is 3-4 MP......instead of the higher end cameras UNLESS you will be doing Photo-Shoots all the time.

The time It takes to setup for the shot with some of these higher end cameras makes you miss the perfect pic anyways