Hi boysie
When I'm asked for advice from my learners about what camera to get there is always some key advice that I always cover.
What are you going to us if for and what might you use it for in the future?
As you've mentioned that you want to post the pictures to the web then a high megapixel camera is not a priority, but if you want to make prints of them then higher is better. Although for most cases the current trend of double figure megapixel cameras are overkill. As an example below are some of the rough sizes that a picture can be blown up to:
2 megapixel will do a print 5" x 4"
6 megapixel will do a print 10" x 6.5"
Click here for a more detailed guide
Next is the feel of the camera. Get you hands on it, see how it feels. There is nothing worst than trying to hold a camera that makes you hands ache. As an example I was looking a looking at a Nikon D50 DSLR that one of my learners had bought, I found that I could only hold it for short lenghs of time and found the controls hard to reach, this was main due to breaking the bone on my right hand just below the little finger knuckle and them not being able to reset it
My Canon 300D I found I could hold more comfatable with the optional battery grip even though this increased the weight significantly as it gave more support for my hand. Even if you find on online cheaper, nip into somewhere like Jessops or PC world etc. to get a feel.
Now this one is subjective, but get one with a view finder if you can, these are starting to get like rocking horse crap but you are better off. There are a few reasons for this but the main ones are:
* With an LCD screen they can be hard if not inpossiable to see in bright sunlight, some makes claim you can see the screen in daylight but this can still be problamatic and adds money.
* With LCD's people tend to hold the camera at arms length, this add a lot of instability to your shots as the smallest movement in your body will be applified at the camera. With the view finder the camera is nearer and you can bring your arms in for more support.
Make sure you can attach it to a tripod and get yourself a good one if you are going to be taking still lifes. The sturdier the tripod the less shake you will get on the camera when you press the shutter.
Consider the flash. A lot of flashers on camera are not that cracking, only been effective upto 10 or 20 feet and can be badly placed. Have a look to see if you can fit an external flash and if you do get a external flash ensure it's for digital cameras as the sync voltage on older flasher can be 200 volts and up which will fry your camera in a heart beat.
And finaly look at the memory cards and batteries that it take. Batteries can be a big thing - does it use standard AA or its own. With AA, these can drain quickly and you end up going through them fast, you need to use high capacity good quality rechargeables to get the best. The own type batteries will last a long time but will eiither need to be charged in the camera of a separte charger, also how expensive are replacments. With the memory card I would always go for a camera that used Compact Flash or SD type cards, both these are cheap, proven, and can be obtained in high storage capacities. Both Sony memory stick and XD are used less and are more expensive. Get yourself a card reader as well this will save having the keep conecting your camera to the computer to transfer images and is safer and cheaper (card readers can be got for couple of quid)
Hope that give you some insight into your camera choice.
Mark............
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