I currently have a Nikon CoolPix (some numbers) point-and-shoot camera. Unless I'm outside, it takes TERRIBLE pictures. This is a $200 camera. I have a swimmer, who competes mostly indoors and a ballerina, who dances indoors (obviously ). I cannot get ANY good action shots with this camera!! My dd12's swim championships are this weekend, and I REALLY want some decent pics. Ballet recital isn't too far away either. We cannot use flash during meets/recitals, so it needs to be able to do a decent job without the flash. My budget it $250, though I like to keep it below that if possible. Anybody got any ideas for me? If I just can't get what I need on this budget, let me know. I need honesty, because I know NOTHING about cameras!!
I have a Sony Cyber-shot DSC and, if you can handle long flash recharge times, it takes absolutely phenomenal pictures. You can even buy additional lense attachments for things like close/small items (macro lense), telephoto, etc. BUT... it's a point and shoot. I have an older model (the DSC-h2), so you'd have to buy it used. But I'm finding them for under $100. The brand new ones are $319 direct from Sony. It even has settings for "indoor action" and "water" (meaning taking pictures of things in water, not that it's water resistant). Like I said, though, the flash sometimes takes 4-5 seconds to recharge itself. That may be because I don't use Lithium batteries in it, though, now that I think about it. IDK. [There is also a very basic, flat, point and shoot camera called the "Sony Cybershot," but it does not have the "DSC" in the name. I have zero idea about the quality of the pictures, but even the newer of those are well within your price range.]
I have a Kodak C183, and I get great pictures with it. I take quite a few indoor shots of my kids without the flash, and they come out well. I got mine on a sale but even without the sale price you can get it within your budget.
We have a Canon Powershot and love it. It has over 12 megapixels and takes great shots. It is also capable of taking HD video which can be cool and sometimes very handy. I am pretty sure it is right around $250 though (it was a gift).
HEHEHE...Pecan, you made me laugh... I got the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS. There was an EXTREMELY helpful girl at Best Buy. I told her what I wanted to do with the camera, and she explained all the options that would make that possible. I can't get fast action shots with no flash with a point-and-shoot, but she told me features that would increase light. Then she told me to just practice the timing- press the shutter just before the shot I'm going to want-to account for delays that point-and shoot cameras have. So, I'm practicing the timing thing. I was able to take a pic of my dd on the block from the opposite end of the pool. I never would have been able to get that shot from my other one.
We just bought a new one. We talked to a friend who is a photographer and asked him what he reccomended. He said that for his studio work he uses nothing but Nikon, he said but for point and shoot that he can throw in his pocket he uses a Canon Powershot and wouldn't reccomend anything else. Now we couldn't afford the model number he has.. his was $700, but we took all the specs from his and went shopping. We found one at Walmart it's an SX130 for $200. He was very impressed and said he felt like he had been taken by the pro shop since ours has pretty much the same features and specs for a fraction of the price..lol
I have a Sanyo. Just got a new one that is a newer version of an older one I have LOVE LOVE LOVE it! But, if you like your camera otherwise and don't need a new one for any other reason than dark indoor pics-have you tried editing your photos? There are lots of free options online. Most people I know who use free software choose Picasa or GIMP. But there are others as well-just google 'free photo editing software' Also, how do you use your camera? Do you know what all it will do? Do you know how to change the settings? (Please don't think I'm calling you dumb, most people don't know what all their camera can do) see if your camera has a manual setting where you can adjust the ISO. For indoor sports you want a high ISO, play with it and see how it works for ya. This will result in a noisier shot, but it's a trade off in photography. If you're using 'AUTO' mode-cameras pick the lowest ISO it can for crispness, but many cameras allow you to override this with a setting that allows you to program your settings-choosing a high ISO. I find most settings on my point and shoot never use over 200 ISO. If I know lighting in a situation calls for a higher ISO (action shots, low lighting, no flash allowed, etc)-I choose my manual setting and bump the ISO way up....or just edit it in photoshop afterward if it's a grab the camera quick moment (which it often is with young kids....) To compare graininess - I'll show you examples of ISO setting- this photo I took at 800 ISO and is unedited This photo was taken in the same lighting at 200 ISO and edited in photoshop (for lighting/contrast only) afterward. Both photos were taken around dinner time (6ish PM and indoors with bad lighting) this photo was taken at 100 ISO due to all the natural light pouring through the sliding glass door and is unedited. HTH
I know NOTHING about changing settings!! I know that you CAN to get better pics, but don't know what to do. I'll try the higher ISO tomorrow. I have a very general editing software, but it will lighten some. My other camera was really grainy. That's not so easy to edit.
