Best camera out this sequqence?

[jacobchris12]

I am quite new to photography (new as in reading a few books and practicing shooting on my spare time) and I have been using a relatively old camera (4-5 years old). I was just wondering which camera people would choose out of the the given selection? Keeping in mind the quality in relation to the price since I am broke

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Nikon Coolpix P500
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
Thank you in advance.
Please feel free to give alternate choices.

 

[analog.universe]

I'd get the Canon, or a Canon G12 maybe?

I like the way Canon's feel though... there is a lot of competition at this price point.

 

[jacobchris12]

Thanks for your feedback
Oh, I forgot to mention I'm kinda looking for a more advanced point and shoot? I think it's called a bridge camera? (So new to this it's not funny...)

 

[sm4him]

It probably depends, somewhat, on what you want to DO with the camera...landscapes, close-ups, portraits, street photography, etc. I have NO idea how these cameras compare and stack up against each other in various aspects.

I will say this: after owning several digital point-and-shoots over the early years of digital photography, I bought my first Canon Powershot, around 2000 or 2001, I think. I never bought ANYthing else except Powershots until last year when I upgraded to a DSLR.
And I never had a bad experience with a Powershot. Powerful, sturdy, reliable little cameras. IMO.
And I am not a paid spokesperson for Powershots. Hmmm...maybe I should write to them and see if they'll pay me for the glowing things I say about them...nah...

 

[jacobchris12]

How far would you say the Powershot deviates from a dSLR?

 

[analog.universe]

It has a smaller sensor, and you can't change the lens. The dSLR also has a through-the-lens optical viewfinder, which is what makes it an SLR. On a compact, if the viewfinder is optical, it's a separate optical system from the lens. Many times the viewfinder is electronic, meaning an lcd screen inside the viewfinder. I'm not sure what type the cameras you're looking at have. dSLRs also have phase detect autofocus, instead of contrast detect like compacts. (there might exceptions to this? i don't know...)

But yeah, the main advantages of an SLR over these are:

larger sensor. Gets you better noise performance, better dynamic range, and shallower depth of field.

interchangeable lens. Hundreds available, some specialized, some general purpose, at various qualities and price points. The compacts just have one lens, which means sacrifices were made so it can do a lot of different jobs.

through the lens optical viewfinder. Lets you easily focus manually, and see the image exactly as the lens renders it.

phase detect autofocus. In a dSLR the autofocus system is a separate optical path from the capture sensor, which is separate from the viewfinder. They all share the lens however. The dedicated autofocus system is much faster than that of a compact.

 

[KmH]

Best camera out this sequqence?

Best for what kind of photography?

If it's for just general photography, the best one is the one you have.

 

[MLeeK]

Either the Canon SX40 HS or the Nikon P500. They are both awesome bridge cameras and you won't be sorry no matter which one you choose.

 

[Joel_W]

Up until recently, I was using a Nikon P500. Outside of being a non-interchangable lens camera, it's pretty amazing at what it can do. 18-540 mm focal length. Micro focusing which really isn't 1:1. The Tilt LCD works very well, but you need a hood loop to really take advantage of it. I did find the viewfinder uncomfortable to use compared to my D70S. For less then $400, your getting a bridge camera that will serve you very well until you're ready for a DSLR. One thing I found out rather fast, is that you go through a charged battery flairly quickly by using the LCD all the time. So carry a spare.

 

[jacobchris12]

Okay thank you everyone for all the input
I think I'll investigate the Canon and Nikon some more...

By the way, does it have full manual? And where is a good place to buy a camera (online, store, etc.) in Canada?

 

[sm4him]

Okay thank you everyone for all the input
I think I'll investigate the Canon and Nikon some more...

By the way, does it have full manual? And where is a good place to buy a camera (online, store, etc.) in Canada?

Never been there, but I thought Canada was a pretty big place... Might want to narrow that down a little...

Haven't looked at the specs for either of these specific cameras, but even my Canon Powershot a630, which is pretty old at this point, had full manual mode, as well as Aperture- and Shutter-Priority modes. I'd expect both of these newer cameras to have those settings.

 

[Joel_W]

The Nikon P500 besides having the multitude of special modes, has A, P, AP, SP, and Manual. For the price, you just can't beat it. But for the price, the camera is mostly made out of plastics, like all P & S cameras.

 

[jacobchris12]

Okay thank you everyone for all the input
I think I'll investigate the Canon and Nikon some more...

By the way, does it have full manual? And where is a good place to buy a camera (online, store, etc.) in Canada?

Never been there, but I thought Canada was a pretty big place... Might want to narrow that down a little...

Haven't looked at the specs for either of these specific cameras, but even my Canon Powershot a630, which is pretty old at this point, had full manual mode, as well as Aperture- and Shutter-Priority modes. I'd expect both of these newer cameras to have those settings.

Umm... I think I'm trying to say in general a good reliable (cheap) source to purchase a camera from.
For example, would you recommend buying from Amazon.com?

 

[jacobchris12]

The Nikon P500 besides having the multitude of special modes, has A, P, AP, SP, and Manual. For the price, you just can't beat it. But for the price, the camera is mostly made out of plastics, like all P & S cameras.

Is there another camera you would recommend then?

 

[analog.universe]

If you're going to buy from a website, go to B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders