Any Camera Recommendations?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I really have to commend those of you who have been kind enough to follow along on my blog the past few years.  My photography skills are sorely lacking and my photography equipment is, well, my phone.  And those Instagram filters can only do so much.

This is where you come in.  I plan to put "new camera" on my Christmas wish list this year, and I'm looking for some recommendations from you.  Said camera should meet the following requirements:

1.  It must be easy to use.  Technology is clearly not my thing and, as a general rule,  I usually check out around the 2nd paragraph of the first chapter of most Owner's Manuals.  And PS, my kids are in school all day so they won't be available to help me until in the evening and even then they won't really want to help me. 

2.  It needs to compact enough to come along on shopping trips and hopefully slip into my purse.

3. Here's the biggie - it needs to be affordable.  You'll have to guide me here. Is it even possible to get a camera that takes decent pictures for $300 or less? I don't mind going used, obviously - I mean  you have read this blog, right?.  And, if I do need to get a good used (scratch that ) previously owned camera, any suggestions on where to buy it and what to look for?

That completes today's assignment!

Thanks - and here's to better pictures in the near future!

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

To learn about the services I offer,click here.

13 comments:

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I just went through all of this. My daughter got the Nikon (big fancy one) for graduation. I used it for a while, too big, huge photo files, etc. So I went to a great camera store and spoke with an extremely knowledgeable guy. We went outside with 5 cameras, shot the exact same pictures, and then compared them on a monitor. I bought the Panasonic DMC-LX5. You can get a new one online for about 350. I paid a bit more and bought it from the store because they have free photo workshops on Sunday's. All the pictures I took from this post, are with this camera.
http://mycraftyhomelife.blogspot.com/2012/10/lowes-gift-card-giveawaypart-2.html

Susie said...

I LOVE the Kodak easy share camera. My son-in-law gave me my first one, I am on my third. It is really inexpensive at best buy. I love best. Buy because the geek squad is incredibly helpful and unfailingly courteous & sweet. I think it takes great pix with no fanfare. I personally love technology, but photography not so much. This works for me. Good luck! Susie

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Kim-
I have a very small Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens. I love it, and it is in this price range. WHile I plan to buy a more expensive, more profession camera when I can, this little camera is fabulous!
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Wish I could help you here, but I need to get my own camera and learn how to use one. Cant wait to see which one you buy. Good luck!

My Interior Life said...

I have a Canon PowerShot S90, but it's a couple of years old so I'm not sure if they still sell this model or a different version of it. It's a great point and shoot that has auto and manual settings. Of course, I always opt for auto; my husband likes that it shoots in RAW format. I like that it's small and has no heavy lens. I'm fairly close to things I'm photographing anyway. It takes MUCH better photos than my iPhone. I have no idea of the price of the newer models but I bet they're in your range. Good luck!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Kim, I have a recommendation of a camera NOT to get: the Nikon Coolpix - a point and shoot camera. I bought it for a trip when my big camera broke last year and it's not worth the money. Good luck; I'll keep my fingers crossed that Santa brings you one!

Brooke @ Inside-Out Design said...

I'm not one to offer advice in this area because my husband does the shopping for this type of stuff. I love the camera he just bought me (before it I was like you and just using my phone) but it's not one you can stash in your purse and it wasn't around $300. So when I go to stores I still have to just use my phone because I'd feel like such a spectacle pulling out this bulky camera! Best of luck- I hope you find the perfect one for you!!

InteriorGroupie said...

Unfortunately I have not inspiration to provide you here, but I am interested in hearing the results! Some good info so far

The Pink Pagoda said...

I have a big unwieldy camera that I never use, except for at home. Most of the photos I that I take and post on my blog are from my iPhone 4. It takes surprisingly good pics. Good luck! Let us know what you do and how it works!

Whitney said...

hey Kim! I am going to do a few guests blogs this month and I would love if you would be a part of it-- let me know if you are interested!

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

I have a Canon Powershot SD780 and it is great for bright sunlit shots but otherwise blah. It is a light hog. The pluses are that it is tiny and about $200-250. I am interested to see what others have to say.

Haus and Home said...

Have you tried a new app instead of instagram? I have a Droid but there is one called PicsArt that is really awesome!

SHERRY HART said...

I have to tell you that I just upgraded my iPhone 4 to the 5. Unbelievable camera! So much better than the 4. I use that for everything unless I am photographing one of my own design jobs....for which I use my cannon rebel. Although I just use manual...:). The best tip is that I edit them in iPhoto a little and that really helps. Plus I make the pictures as big as I can on my blog.