Need Advice - half-professional camera with good auto mode

[Light Guru]

As I said, I have noticed that even on auto mode the quality of photos taken by half-professional camera are MUCH better than photos taken by simple point and shoot or phone cameras.

I have much more important things to do rather than learning how some device works. From my point of view, it is much wiser to put efforts into other things, for example, reading books on child psychology and pedagogics (this is in regards to my reference about the child) etc

You simply are not going to find people here that agree with you on this. My favorite camera to use has nothing automatic on it at all and it shoots 4"x5" sheets of film. It's fair that even new digital users on this forum will use a full auto mode.

Why don't you just go down to best buy and try out the cameras they sell there.

 

[cgipson1]

Hi, I am going to buy half-professional camera. I am the beginner and don't understand anything in this area, and even more, I don't want to learn how to use the camera more professionally (and have no possibility, since I have a small child). However, I have tried once to use my friend's half-professional camera (in auto mode) and was just amazed how good the quality is comparing to my simple cheap point-and-shoot camera.
So I decided to buy half-professional camera as well. But the main criteria for me is good auto mode. No need to have several lenses and so on. It just has to be as smart as possible to choose the correct settings itself in auto mode. Also is has to be very fast, since mostly I am going to shoot my child.
I also do not like very "sharp" pictures, I prefer "warmer" and "softer".
Price limit 400 usd.
I would appreciate a lot if you can advice which half-professional camera is the best for me taking into account my requirements. I have heard some good comments about Canon SX40...
Thank you in advance! Anna

Not sharp? Warm and Soft? That is typically done in post, which requires learning... and a software purchase. Any low end entry level DSLR will probably do better than a tiny point and shoot.. but for $400? You won't find anything decent in DSLR's for that. Maybe a bridge camera (SX40) or something like the G15 that was mentioned...

 

[Derrel]

Canon has an entire lineup of half-professional cameras. I would check out the ads from the Big 5 camera retailers, such as Adorama, B&H Photo, Samy's camera, Cameta Camera, and the other, fifth member of the cartel, which shall remain unidentified...

I saw a page of half-professional cameras that Adorama has for sale, the purchase of any one of which earns the buyer an automatic gift card.

Free Adorama Gift Card

 

[cgipson1]

Canon has an entire lineup of half-professional cameras. I would check out the ads from the Big 5 camera retailers, such as Adorama, B&H Photo, Samy's camera, Cameta Camera, and the other, fifth member of the cartel, which shall remain unidentified...

I saw a page of half-professional cameras that Adorama has for sale, the purchase of any one of which earns the buyer an automatic gift card.

Free Adorama Gift Card

Nah.. most of those are only 1/8 professional.... no where near half!

 

[TATTRAT]

Here's half a pro camera

 

[tecboy]

Here's half a pro camera

That is awesome! I want one!

 

[Derrel]

see also post #8's link

 

[TATTRAT]

see also post #8's link

D'OH!

 

[Juga]

As I said, I have noticed that even on auto mode the quality of photos taken by half-professional camera are MUCH better than photos taken by simple point and shoot or phone cameras.

I have much more important things to do rather than learning how some device works. From my point of view, it is much wiser to put efforts into other things, for example, reading books on child psychology and pedagogics (this is in regards to my reference about the child) etc

I am not normally mean but...save the excuses. I am active duty military, have three children (6, 4, and 5 months), go to college for accounting, and still find plenty of time to learn photography, take pictures of my kids, AND shoot small events for other people.

Advice...get off this forum and do some research of your own and not depend on others doing it for you. IE - READ REVIEWS!

 

[tecboy]

As I said, I have noticed that even on auto mode the quality of photos taken by half-professional camera are MUCH better than photos taken by simple point and shoot or phone cameras.

I have much more important things to do rather than learning how some device works. From my point of view, it is much wiser to put efforts into other things, for example, reading books on child psychology and pedagogics (this is in regards to my reference about the child) etc

I am not normally mean but...save the excuses. I am active duty military, have three children (6, 4, and 5 months), go to college for accounting, and still find plenty of time to learn photography, take pictures of my kids, AND shoot small events for other people.

Advice...get off this forum and do some research of your own and not depend on others doing it for you. IE - READ REVIEWS!

Relax, the whole point is to get her good advice. Never heard of half professional camera. Go for DSLR, it has full auto mode and different scenes settings. Full manual is even better!!!

 

[TATTRAT]

As I said, I have noticed that even on auto mode the quality of photos taken by half-professional camera are MUCH better than photos taken by simple point and shoot or phone cameras.

I have much more important things to do rather than learning how some device works. From my point of view, it is much wiser to put efforts into other things, for example, reading books on child psychology and pedagogics (this is in regards to my reference about the child) etc

I am not normally mean but...save the excuses. I am active duty military, have three children (6, 4, and 5 months), go to college for accounting, and still find plenty of time to learn photography, take pictures of my kids, AND shoot small events for other people.

Advice...get off this forum and do some research of your own and not depend on others doing it for you. IE - READ REVIEWS!

Relax, the whole point is to get her good advice. Never heard of half professional camera. Go for DSLR, it has full auto mode and different scenes settings. Full manual is even better!!!

Relax, this has all already been said.

 

[Juga]

As I said, I have noticed that even on auto mode the quality of photos taken by half-professional camera are MUCH better than photos taken by simple point and shoot or phone cameras.

I have much more important things to do rather than learning how some device works. From my point of view, it is much wiser to put efforts into other things, for example, reading books on child psychology and pedagogics (this is in regards to my reference about the child) etc

I am not normally mean but...save the excuses. I am active duty military, have three children (6, 4, and 5 months), go to college for accounting, and still find plenty of time to learn photography, take pictures of my kids, AND shoot small events for other people.

Advice...get off this forum and do some research of your own and not depend on others doing it for you. IE - READ REVIEWS!

Relax, the whole point is to get her good advice. Never heard of half professional camera. Go for DSLR, it has full auto mode and different scenes settings. Full manual is even better!!!

I would relax however I think her arrogance is insulting to the numerous of people on this forum that offer great advice and have wasted time already offering great advice. Only for her to throw it all out the window because she has "much more important things to do" than to learn how to take good pictures.

 

[o hey tyler]

I would relax however I think her arrogance is insulting to the numerous of people on this forum that offer great advice and have wasted time already offering great advice. Only for her to throw it all out the window because she has "much more important things to do" than to learn how to take good pictures.

I don't know to take good photos. I just throw my cameras on auto mode and ride the wave at all the weddings I shoot.

 

[wes1007]

Here's half a pro camera

And it takes half decent photos too

 

[Malina1]

I find it interesting that a person so interested in the science/art of teaching has no interest in learning.

Is "reading books on child psychology and pedagogics" not learning from your point of view? There are so many interesting and vital thing to learn that I have to priorotize. Learning "how any technical device works" is the last in the queue.