What types of cameras do you all use?

[L.M.]

I'm sure this has been posted a million times over, but I was just wondering if some of you can recommend a camera for me to buy my husband for his 30th birthday.  Neither of us are great photographers by any means, but we certainly take a ton of pictures.  I'm not looking to spend a huge amount of money...in the past we have had a Sony and right now have a cannon powershot.  I'm not looking for anything really fancy, but maybe something one step up from the cameras we have used in the past.  We have a baby on the way and some of you have such beautiful pictures posted, I figured I would get some feedback before making a purchase.  Thanks! =)  

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hi Lindsay! I highly recommend upgrading to a DSLR - especially since a baby is on the way. (Congratulations!!!) Unlike point and shoot cameras, where you miss those really important precious moments because of the maddening "lag" time between when you click the shutter button and when it actually snaps the photo (usually, long after the cute/funny moment has passed), a DSLR will respond much better for you and enable you to capture all those precious moments right when they happen.

My personal preference is Canon. There are several "Canon EOS Rebel" models to choose from. They are very easy to jump in and use, and as your skill level grows (we can help you with that), the camera will grow with you. You'll be able to add additional lenses/accessories that can have you shooting like a pro in no time! 

(Note: if you decide to get a DSLR, let me know, so I can show you how to change the default setting of "closest-subject priority." This will save you time/frustration.)

[Dori & Rua]

Lindsay, I went with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i with a two lens package.  I have added a 3rd lens, and thinking of yet another.  It does start adding up.  Canon does make an XS series that is still a DSLR and is one step up from the point-and-shoot.  I think you are going to get some good advice here...the hardest part will be figuring out what you want to spend.  With a baby on the way, a camera that also does HD video would probably be really nice...but of course, that will up your price. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Welcome to the group. We have lots of fun and interesting things here. There are many discussions of Canon versus Nikon. Depending on your budget, the dSLRs can be pricy but give you much more flexibility and room to upgrade lenses etc. We also have some info on point and shoots although they limit you. I usually take a point and shoot with me when on a day trip, for instance and you can still get some lovely pictures.  You can search after you go to view all in the discussion section. We also have an index which might have some ideas about cameras under the equipment section.

[Carol and Banjo]

Congrats on your expected baby Lindsay!   I have the Canon T1i Rebel and love it.   If you haven't already, you might want to look at Camilla & Darwin's page.  Camilla bought the same camera - body only - not the kit and then purchased separately the 500mm lens.   IMO it's a wonderful set up for pet and baby pics.

[Camilla and Darwin]

50mm lens. :-) Yes, it's the 50mm f/1.8 lens. I purchased the lens and the body separately because I didn't want the kit lens the camera came with. It ended up being about 10 dollars less than the kit lens+ body would have cost. I 100% recommend getting this lens as a beginner lens. I am still able to capture action shots with it, but mostly I take portraits and they look really really great with this lens.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I'm gonna jump in as a complete DSLR noob and agree with everyone else on upgrading. I just bought my first DSLR, a Canon EOS Rebel T2i, on Thursday. It's a huge learning curve coming from my point-and-shoots but I'm delighted in the difference in image quality and the amount of control I have. It also does HD video, which was a major selling point for me. I bought the single-lens package figuring I'll learn how to use THAT before I start thinking about other lenses, plus an inexpensive eBook that (having worked through several chapters now) I can highly recommend.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Welcome to the Photography Group, Lindsay!  I agree with everyone about the advantages of the DSLR.  If you decide that you can't make that investment at this point, I can recommend the Canon Powershot S95, which sells for about $350.  I carry this one with me in my purse, and it gets some great quality photos.  There are times when I just don't want to have to carry the camera bag with the DSLR.  The benefits of this camera IMO are that you can shoot in fully automatic mode or you can set a manual exposure.....great if you decide you want more control over your photos.  There are several programmed modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Kids&Pets, etc.  This camera allows you to shoot in RAW or JPG which gives you additional photo editing options.  It also is a video camera...and it's easy to switch back and forth.  Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I use the Canon Rebel T1i. I would definitely say it's worth it to get a DSLR, it has made my photos SO much better!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Just to stir the pot, I have a Nikon D-60.  For a point and shoot I really liked my Sony Cybershot.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I have a Nikon D80 ( that I'm still trying to learn how to use) and for a point and shoot and video I have a Nikon Coolpix S8100. I don't know enough about any camera to recommend one over another.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

My first DSLR was a Nikon D60 and I loved it.  I came with a kit lens which was fine for learning.  It does become an addiction!  The 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 is a must for portraits.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

BTW, I have a Nikon D90.