Buying a camera - advice required.

BigCityBanker

I have a standard issue digital camera but i get pretty annoyed as i can only take bog standard pics. I want to splash out on a new camera, something that will allow me to take better quality pics. Can people suggest some cameras for me? My budget is probably in the region of €1k to €1200. also, where is a good place to buy such cameras? thanks.

[mods if this is in the wrong place please move it]

Thecageyone

That's a decent starting budget, wish I had it myself

You'll get all sorts of recommendations from the Canon/Nikon users, but really, any camera in your price-range will be great. Probably best to use just over half of it for a camera and the rest for additional glass.

A nikon D90 would be a good option:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D90-Digital-18-105-VR/dp/B001EO6WAI

Nice zoom lens with that bundle. Spend the rest on a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and maybe a 28mm or 35mm prime too.

CabanSail

You have a decent enough budget but the problem is that a new camera does not take better photo's .... you do.

Before getting too carried away spending your money you may be better off working out what you want to acheive from the camera. Have a read in the FAQ sticky, which has as section that should help you.

If you want more advice here then it would help if you could give some more information.
- What do you want to photograph?
- How much do you understand about exposure & the physics of light?
- What is your previous experience in Photography?
- Are you familar with software/methods for Post Production?

Remember, that regardless of what some sales people will claim, they have not yet invented the perfect camera/system. They are all compromises. The smaller compacts are meant for users who want the camera to make decisions for them. The Bridge Cameras are good for general use & allow you to take some control. The DSLR's are meant to allow for specialisation, where you have a Body & add glass & accessories to try to make the best system for your needs, and that is where the fun starts.

You could save some money & start off with a good Bridge Camera which will allow you to learn more about exposure & controlling light. Then move to a DSLR when you hit the limits there. This is often a good way to progress as you will still have a smaller Bridge Camera to use when you need some compct kit.

Thecageyone

I'd agree that a good bridge cam is a great place to start. I spent a year learning basic manual controls on one [and this was after years of many, many compacts and old film cams] before even considering a dslr ...But - He clearly has the funds available for a camera specifically, and a dslr, even if stuck in Auto mode, will produce better quality images than any bridge camera.

Something like the D3000 might suit if you are a complete novice with manual control. It can be used pretty much like a compact with the new Guide button, but still gives you the IQ of any entry level dslr. You can learn as you go with these things, depending how much effort you're willing to put in. The great images won't just happen automatically, but these dslrs will handle the IQ at least.

mrmac

Before you consider what to spend your budget on, you should take the time to think about some questions.

1) What is annoying you about the pictures you currently take?
2) What kind of pictures would you like to take? (Post some links to examples, if you can)
3) Why can you not take those types of pictures already?

The answers to those simple questions, will help both you, and us, to understand how best to help you.

Thecageyone

One thing I can say about those 'super-zooms' - you rarely use the range on them. The fuji I had was 12 x optical [6 - 70mm] and apart from macro shots I never used the widest end, and rarely used the longest. And funnily enough, once I got the dslr, the 50mm was attached most times.

So it is a good idea to look at your current images and think whether you actually need zoom or very wide angle. You may find a standard kit lens will cover you for most things.