Picking a digital camera (help)

I agree with djfsolo, was just looking into the Canon DSLRs.
I think the question here would be the size and budget of the person buying the camera.
Do you want something that you can drop in your pocket and how much do you want to spend.
The Mp story is obvious, the manufacturers are out there to make money and the easiest way is to just increase the memory size.
The best quality will be with the SLR, but the price is higher and it is bulky to carry around.
I think once you narrow down to size and price it becomes very easy, and there are deals out there.
I do like Canon as #1 one choice.
 
I love this post and looked at your photos (djfsolo) of Maine. I used to live in Augusta Maine and we miss it very much. Maine is a wonderful state and I really enjoyed looking at your shots of candlepin bowling!!! Only found in New England if not mistaken. You have some great all around photos!!!

Anyway, I was looking to purchase a camera for my Christmas present. I love the older Canon AE-1 but I wore mine out and it is not digital. I looked at the D50 and was set on that until I realized that there is no video function. For me--I like the combo of photos and video as it cuts down on what I gotta carry around. I also looked at the Pentax K 7 and liked that one too but I tossed that one out though because it is actually smaller than the Nikons. Nikons (D90 was what I was looking at) are good too but I felt the body of the camera is just to small to hold--it does have video though.
 
Hows about the Canon EOS 7D......:clap:
 
Bubbles you might find yourself shelling out a hefty amount given your pickiness and need for features - but I like that. :D - I personally don't touch any canon models below the XD series, they're just way too small and the plastic bodies feel like toys in comparison to magnesium alloy.

Sounds like you'd prefer, like you said, a 7D or 5DMkii. The D90 is alright, it could be worse size-wise... feels huge compared to a D40- but I will warn, the video function isn't the greatest on that camera- from what I recall either zoom/focusing is not possible during recording, and recording is only in 720p with limited frame-rate options and the built-in mic. Canon has 3 frame-rate options, stereo mic, mic input, and up to 1080p recording on their models, but obviously you'll have to pay for it. I don't really look for video in DSLRs so I don't know about competing models' features, I just happen to know about canon because well... I love canon.

Thank you for your kind words regarding my photos, Maine is indeed a beautiful place. I love it there. I spend most of my time in freeport, bar harbor, and the mt.desert island area. I currently go there every summer peer-leading a 10-day-long freshman orientation trip throughout the park and towns- it's a good deal for me- teach the little freshman something every day, do all the stuff they do (hikes, biking, lobster-dinners, the whole 9 yards)- except without the $1700 fee- I go for free! And get to shoot :D

At any rate if I were you, personally I'd keep video and DSLR separate- while this does make things a bit more bulky in general (2 bodies vs 1)- you'll be able to save money for sure, find a very suitable DSLR size and featurewise (I'm thinking 30D/40D/Nikon D200), and probably a cheap HD camcorder to bolster video- one of those shirt-pocket models. I suggest this site yet again to further investigate any camera models you have in mind, great reviews: www.cameralabs.com
 
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