Perfect Camera for a Peak Bagger?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 3:13 am
I'm looking for a new camera and there are so many options out there it's a little confusing, hopefully you can help me out. I've currently got a Cannon PowerShot S2 IS (5 MP) and it has been a great camera but I need to move up to a camera with higher quality pictures. I'm basically trying to decide if I need a DSLR or just a high end point and shoot. Here is what I am looking for in a camera:
High Quality: I've recently been printing out and framing some of my pictures and my 5 MP point and shoot has reached its limits. This is the main reason I am looking to upgrade. When looking at quality for printing large wall size pictures, what is the most important? Megapixels? Lens? What should I look for?
Portability: I love being able to just reach back into the stretchy side pouch on my backpack to access my camera for quick photos on the go. My current camera barely fits into these pack side pouches but it sure is convenient. If I go with a DSLR I will certainly have to carry it on my chest with a separate case for easy access. For those who have carried a camera like this, is it annoying? Does it get in the way during scrambling (class 3/4?). I imagine most point & shoots will be able to fit in a pack side pouch like I currently use.
Long Shutter / Bulb: I'd like to take some night time photos, but my current 30s max shutter open time isn't cutting it. I know most DSLR's have bulb mode to keep the shutter open as long as I need, but are there any point and shoots that have a bulb mode? Do I really need to go DSLR for this feature?
Panoramas: I love taking panoramas! My current camera has a panorama mode where it locks the settings, and shows me the last half of the picture I just took so I can line up the next shot. I love this feature. None of the DSLR's I've looked into have this feature. Some newer point and shoots even have a scrolling panorama feature where you just hold a button and pan the camera across and it captures and stitches the panorama right there. This looks really cool, but being a new technology isn't available on many cameras out there. Taking panoramas is very important to me, probably #2 after high quality.
Other Features: Zoom - at least 10x optical zoom is a must weather it is built in (p & s) or a lens (DLSR)
Image Stabilization - I don't know if it's just a Cannon thing, but it's great for using zoom without a tripod. Not critical but would be nice.
Movie Mode - I actually just returned a DSLR I bought (Nikon D3000) which I got an awesome deal on, but did not have a movie mode. Turns out it was a deal-breaker, I need it.
Price - Under $1000 for sure, ideally more in the $400-$500 range. I love a good deal.
I know this is a lot, but any help would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.
High Quality: I've recently been printing out and framing some of my pictures and my 5 MP point and shoot has reached its limits. This is the main reason I am looking to upgrade. When looking at quality for printing large wall size pictures, what is the most important? Megapixels? Lens? What should I look for?
Portability: I love being able to just reach back into the stretchy side pouch on my backpack to access my camera for quick photos on the go. My current camera barely fits into these pack side pouches but it sure is convenient. If I go with a DSLR I will certainly have to carry it on my chest with a separate case for easy access. For those who have carried a camera like this, is it annoying? Does it get in the way during scrambling (class 3/4?). I imagine most point & shoots will be able to fit in a pack side pouch like I currently use.
Long Shutter / Bulb: I'd like to take some night time photos, but my current 30s max shutter open time isn't cutting it. I know most DSLR's have bulb mode to keep the shutter open as long as I need, but are there any point and shoots that have a bulb mode? Do I really need to go DSLR for this feature?
Panoramas: I love taking panoramas! My current camera has a panorama mode where it locks the settings, and shows me the last half of the picture I just took so I can line up the next shot. I love this feature. None of the DSLR's I've looked into have this feature. Some newer point and shoots even have a scrolling panorama feature where you just hold a button and pan the camera across and it captures and stitches the panorama right there. This looks really cool, but being a new technology isn't available on many cameras out there. Taking panoramas is very important to me, probably #2 after high quality.
Other Features: Zoom - at least 10x optical zoom is a must weather it is built in (p & s) or a lens (DLSR)
Image Stabilization - I don't know if it's just a Cannon thing, but it's great for using zoom without a tripod. Not critical but would be nice.
Movie Mode - I actually just returned a DSLR I bought (Nikon D3000) which I got an awesome deal on, but did not have a movie mode. Turns out it was a deal-breaker, I need it.
Price - Under $1000 for sure, ideally more in the $400-$500 range. I love a good deal.
I know this is a lot, but any help would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.