Any photographers... need a camera recommendation

[gwyncara]

My cheap-o digital camera (an Olympus D-390) died back in June and I'm contemplating the purchase of a (not-so-cheap-o) new one. But I'm thinking about exploring the land of the digital SLR instead of a point & shoot. (I'll still get a P&S for the kids to use and for general use when I don't want to break out "the big dog".) Through the exploring I've done, I think I'm leaning toward a Canon or Olympus. I also don't want to spend more than $700 - $800. I tend to shoot action (dance and soccer), landscapes, and indoor stuff. Any recommendations for a SLR beginner?

[antimony]

I have an analog Canon Rebel, and I *adore* it. I have played with the digital Rebel in the store, and it seems to have a similarly pleasant feel to it.

[resullivan]

I looked into the digital rebel, but went with the Cannon Powershot instead. It had point and shoot and some settings I can adjust. I thought it would be a good in-between camera for me. Maybe next camera purchase will be the "Real thing"

[zorba]

I just (yesterday!) ordered a Sony A-100 DSLR. Largely because I already have a half dozen lenses that fit it from my film SLR, but also because of its internal image stabilization. It gets high marks from all the photo mags and, IMHO, is a better system than Canon.

This said, if I were starting from scratch, it'd be a race between the Sony and one of the Olympus DSLRs as Olympus has similar features. I've had a couple of Olympus P&S cameras, and like them.

[*Shira*]

Since you like to do action shots, one of the features you'll want to look for is a camera that does NOT have a delay between when you press the shutter versus when it actually takes the picture. I don't know what the specific models out there currently are, but that's a feature you'll want to check them for.

Another factor to consider - does your computer have a slot that you can put a digital camera's memory card into? If so, what kind of cards fit into that slot? It would be really convenient if you can choose a camera whose flash memory fits the slot in your computer. For example, my Sony computer has a slot for a Sony Memory Stick flash card, which works with the Memory Sticks that fit into my Sony digital camera. I love this feature, because it means I don't have to drag a cable around with me when I travel and want to view my photos on my laptop.

[gwyncara]

Originally Posted by zorba

This said, if I were starting from scratch, it'd be a race between the Sony and one of the Olympus DSLRs as Olympus has similar features. I've had a couple of Olympus P&S cameras, and like them.

I liked my Olympus too. I also like the img stabilization and bright capture technology that they offer on their newer models. It would probably make it easier for me to get an Olympus since I already have programs in my desktop that are associated with my old camera.

[gwyncara]

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Another factor to consider - does your computer have a slot that you can put a digital camera's memory card into?

No such luck there. My computer is homemade (hubby likes to build them) and doesn't have a slot for memory cards. But that's an option to keep in mind for my next computer.

[gwyncara]

Originally Posted by antimony

I have an analog Canon Rebel, and I *adore* it. I have played with the digital Rebel in the store, and it seems to have a similarly pleasant feel to it.

I've heard lots of nice things about the Rebel. It's one of the ones on my list to check out.