Looking for camera around $400

[Schweehog]

I am looking for the best camera I can get for around $400. I like taking pictures of birds (http://i.imgur.com/HiVgp6Q.jpg) and nature (http://i.imgur.com/G00IqTG.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ljZaw2j.jpg) and if I had a better camera, I would like to take some nice pictures of the planets and Moon, for example Saturn or Jupiter. I have been looking at the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS because of its high zoom (for planets) and its general review qualities. Could somebody please point me towards a few cameras that would be able to do these things, of tell if if the Canon would be best.

*All pictures were taken with an Olympus FE-46*

 

[jrizal]

These Nikons are that model's closest competitor.

Amazon.com: Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 42x Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and GPS Record Location (Black): NIKON: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Nikon COOLPIX P520 18.1 MP Digital Camera with 42x Zoom (Black): NIKON: Electronics

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 50x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom: CANON: Electronics

But you may want to consider these reviews.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 - Our Analysis

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs Nikon COOLPIX P520

Based on those reviews, Canon seems to be the winner. Also, I like that Canon has a hotshoe also.

 

[jrizal]

These Nikons are that model's closest competitor.

Amazon.com: Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 42x Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and GPS Record Location (Black): NIKON: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Nikon COOLPIX P520 18.1 MP Digital Camera with 42x Zoom (Black): NIKON: Electronics

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 50x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom: CANON: Electronics

But you may want to consider these reviews.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs Nikon P520 - Our Analysis

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs Nikon COOLPIX P520

Based on those reviews, Canon seems to be the winner. Also, I like that Canon has a hotshoe also. By adding a speedlight, you can vastly improve your photography.

Here is a link to a highly regarded inexpensive speedlight. (A Canon branded speedlight can cost the same as the camera. )

Amazon.com: Neewer TT560 Flash Speedlite For Canon/Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

 

[Mully]

Someone on here was selling a Nikon D90 for about the price you want to pay.....search for a D90

 

[Schweehog]

Someone on here was selling a Nikon D90 for about the price you want to pay.....search for a D90

A link would be awesome. I am very inexperienced with cameras, is that a very good/popular type? Can it zoom in as much as the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS?

 

[MrMessy]

You might also look to Craig's List a used DSLR if you're planning to grow in the future.

 

[jrizal]

The D90 is a rock solid DSLR. But you would have to invest in telephoto lenses. A focal length equivalent (500mm) may set you back $1000. The Canon has manual controls and a hotshoe. Should you want to go to the DSLR route, you really would have to sacrifice reach. But then you can vastly improve your photos but without the reach. I have a bridge and a dslr and quite familiar with both.

 

[jedirunner]

I am looking for the best camera I can get for around $400. I like taking pictures of birds (http://i.imgur.com/HiVgp6Q.jpg) and nature (http://i.imgur.com/G00IqTG.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ljZaw2j.jpg) and if I had a better camera, I would like to take some nice pictures of the planets and Moon, for example Saturn or Jupiter. I have been looking at the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS because of its high zoom (for planets) and its general review qualities. Could somebody please point me towards a few cameras that would be able to do these things, of tell if if the Canon would be best.

*All pictures were taken with an Olympus FE-46*

While I normally shoot with my 5D3, I bought the Canon SX50 for its zoom range and have found that I quite like it. My daughter borrows it from time to time when her camera doesn't have the zoom she wants, and she *LOVES* my SX50. We both use either manual mode or the Tv/Av modes, and find it works quite well and easily.

I will say that if you extend it to the full 50x optical zoom, and *then* extend out the full digital zoom, it's absolutely nuts how far you can see. While I'd never actually print a picture that I took at that crazy distance due to how much I hate image degradation with digital zoom, it's insanely fun to see what you can do with it.

I did compare the SX50 with other cameras and for me it came out on top, and I haven't regretted it for a minute.

Kevin

 

[Schweehog]

I am looking for the best camera I can get for around $400. I like taking pictures of birds (http://i.imgur.com/HiVgp6Q.jpg) and nature (http://i.imgur.com/G00IqTG.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ljZaw2j.jpg) and if I had a better camera, I would like to take some nice pictures of the planets and Moon, for example Saturn or Jupiter. I have been looking at the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS because of its high zoom (for planets) and its general review qualities. Could somebody please point me towards a few cameras that would be able to do these things, of tell if if the Canon would be best.

*All pictures were taken with an Olympus FE-46*

While I normally shoot with my 5D3, I bought the Canon SX50 for its zoom range and have found that I quite like it. My daughter borrows it from time to time when her camera doesn't have the zoom she wants, and she *LOVES* my SX50. We both use either manual mode or the Tv/Av modes, and find it works quite well and easily.

I will say that if you extend it to the full 50x optical zoom, and *then* extend out the full digital zoom, it's absolutely nuts how far you can see. While I'd never actually print a picture that I took at that crazy distance due to how much I hate image degradation with digital zoom, it's insanely fun to see what you can do with it.

I did compare the SX50 with other cameras and for me it came out on top, and I haven't regretted it for a minute.

Kevin

Thanks. I was thinking about going straight for the DSLR, but I think it's a good idea for me to just go with this for now.

 

[jedirunner]

I am looking for the best camera I can get for around $400. I like taking pictures of birds (http://i.imgur.com/HiVgp6Q.jpg) and nature (http://i.imgur.com/G00IqTG.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ljZaw2j.jpg) and if I had a better camera, I would like to take some nice pictures of the planets and Moon, for example Saturn or Jupiter. I have been looking at the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS because of its high zoom (for planets) and its general review qualities. Could somebody please point me towards a few cameras that would be able to do these things, of tell if if the Canon would be best.

*All pictures were taken with an Olympus FE-46*

While I normally shoot with my 5D3, I bought the Canon SX50 for its zoom range and have found that I quite like it. My daughter borrows it from time to time when her camera doesn't have the zoom she wants, and she *LOVES* my SX50. We both use either manual mode or the Tv/Av modes, and find it works quite well and easily.

I will say that if you extend it to the full 50x optical zoom, and *then* extend out the full digital zoom, it's absolutely nuts how far you can see. While I'd never actually print a picture that I took at that crazy distance due to how much I hate image degradation with digital zoom, it's insanely fun to see what you can do with it.

I did compare the SX50 with other cameras and for me it came out on top, and I haven't regretted it for a minute.

Kevin

Thanks. I was thinking about going straight for the DSLR, but I think it's a good idea for me to just go with this for now.

I highly recommend going the DSLR route when you can, as it just has so much more potential. However, for the budget, the SX50 is a nice tag-along with me in my bag, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. Knowing its limitations, and the limitations of what I can afford to put in my SLR setup, the two cameras complement each other fairly well.

Kevin

 

[Schweehog]

My mother let me have her Nikon D60. It has a regular lens, a zoom lens, and a macro lens. All perfect condition. Some slight problems, the Camera itself has 2 dead red pixels. What I'm thinking is getting a Nikon D90 body only, then using the D60 lenses. I think that would suffice pretty well .

 

[Mully]

Here is the member that is selling his D90 http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/buy-sell/316771-nikon-d90-mb-d80-grip.html

 

[Schweehog]

Here is the member that is selling his D90 http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/buy-sell/316771-nikon-d90-mb-d80-grip.html

Here is the member that WAS selling his D90 http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/buy-sell/316771-nikon-d90-mb-d80-grip.html

He already sold it. Check the second page.