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Question: Question about cameras!.!.!.!?
Recently I have taken a bit of an interest in photography!. My current camera is the Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP, and I've been pretty satisfied with most of the pictures, however I find it difficult to take good pictures of my mostly white cat!. With the flash, most of her ends up a white blur, and without the flash, the pictures are annoyingly fuzzy!. I have to set the exposure compensation to -2 to be able to get somewhat good pictures of her, unless she's about 7 or more feet from the camera!. also, like any digital camera, the resolution drops considerably when I zoom in!. I don't like grainy pictures which is why I bought this one thinking the higher resolution would allow for better pictures when zooming!.

So, I'm looking into perhaps buying a different camera, or maybe even asking for one for Christmas!. I've checked out cameras at different websites and think I know where I'll buy the camera if I decide it's worth my money, but I need some help deciding what type of camera will be best!.

In particular, I'm not very familiar with SLR cameras!. I know they're the best for serious photographers, but are they really worth the extra money for them!? I got my camera for less than $150, while 8MP SLR camera kits range from $700-$2000, but I'd be look for higher MP if I got a different camera!.

What are the biggest benefits of going SLR!? What is your personal experience with the difference between SLR and regular digital cameras!? Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
A DSLR gives you more flexibility with the lenses you can use, adding on filters, etc!.!.!. It also has a much larger sensor than the point and shoot variety!. It is also much more expensive!.

With your coolpix, it seems that you are using the "digital zoom"!. That is always a bad to terrible thing to do with what may have been a great photo!. Never, ever, use digital zoom but only the optical zoom or just get as close to your subject as possible!.

If you really feel the need to upgrade, I say stick with a point and shoot but look for one with a better OPTICAL zoom and better choices for setting the :

Shutter speed
Aperture
White balance

Sony makes some really good super zoom cameras!. I still have a Sony H9 that I used for most of my nature photography!. It takes some really good shots and is flexible enough to adjust to most lighting conditions!.

Don't get all worked up over how many Mega Pixels they have crammed onto the sensor! The more they cram in, the less capable your camera gets in low light!. 6 or 8 MP is just fine for the small sensors they use in point and shoot cameras!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

More important than anything else is for you to learn about photography!.

The most amazing DSLR in the wrong hands will take awful photos, but a good photographer can do wonderful things with a half reasonable P&S camera!.

Borrow books, watch tutorials, and practice, practice, practice with the camera that you already have!.

Once you know a lot more about photography, you will also know exactly what you need and want from a new camera!. You will then be able to make an educated choice that is right for YOU!.

Don't rush into buying a DSLR until you know what to do with it - it will not solve your problems, only YOU can - by learning!.

Once you have learned more, you will understand the problems with a white cat and you will know exactly what to do to get good photos of her!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Go to a film SLR!. You can get a pro grade one for under $300 now because of the digital craze!.

If you want to go Digital, you want 10 Mega Pixel or better!. One of the problems with the SLR's is the dust when changing lens' however if you are willing to go with a complete unit that cannot change lenses (and it will cost about $400 complete), I would HIGHLY recommend the Olympus SP 560 UZ http://www!.olympusamerica!.com/cpg_sectio!.!.!. for it's sealed 18X WIDE-ANGLE ZOOM (27-486MM EQUIVALENT)!. No internal dust here and it's got a waterproof case available too (should you want to photograph the other 3/4 of the world)!.

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