res·o·lu·tion/ˌrezəˈlooSHən
1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.
My father always said “it’s a poor workman who blames his tools,” and I’d have to agree with that for the most part, but there are times when the tool at hand just isn’t right for the job-then it’s time for a new tool. I’ve reached a decision concerning this blog which has led to a resolution, and that is to get a new camera sometime during this New Year.
Back in the days of film photography, before digital cameras were even imagined I would think, I had a fairly expensive SLR (single lens reflex) camera with a few different lenses, and I used to do a lot of nature photography. I was never that good but I sold some of my pictures in local gift shops and that paid for more film, developing, and matting, which was good enough.
I know what a “good” photograph should look like. Or at least, I know what a good, sharp photograph should look like. Unfortunately, few if any of those have appeared in this blog unless they were taken by someone else, and this is because virtually every photo appearing here since this blog started has been taken with a cell phone camera.
The cell phone camera I use has auto focus and some kind of gizmo on it that reduces motion blur, but the photos are still slightly fuzzy and I think it’s because of the low quality optics. It’s also hard to get any good quality landscape photos or close-ups with a cell phone camera, and that’s something I miss doing.
I’m tired of inserting pictures that aren’t sharp and crisp into this blog, and am determined to do something about it. My problem is that I know next to nothing about digital cameras, so I’m hoping to get some input from readers. I’m looking for a camera that will take good sharp landscapes as well as crisp close-ups/macro, and everything in between. I’m not necessarily looking for an SLR with telephoto, zoom, macro and wide angle lenses because I don’t really want to carry it all. A real good point and shoot with a fixed lens and quality optics would probably do just fine.
I’ve already heard that a Canon Power Shot is a good camera-any other suggestions? If you have time and don’t mind, I’d be interested in hearing what your favorite digital camera is and why.
New Hampshire Garden Solutions 
I have been pleased with the Olympus SP 590UZ. It is a few years old and has been reliable. The macro is great. I took it on a trip out west and was pleased with the landscapes. It has a lot of reach and one can even capture some good bird photography. I would not suggest Olympus newer version in this line the SP 800UZ. If you can find this older model it should be at a good price and give you the option from shooting leaf hoppers to eagles.
I was hoping I’d hear from someone who used something other than a Canon, so thank you for taking the time to chime in. I’ve known about Olympus cameras for years but have never known anyone who owned one so I haven’t been able to form any kind of an opinion about them. When I have more time this evening I’ll read some of the reviews. I’m all for spending less money too! Thanks again for helping out.
I have a Powershot SX 130, and I love it. At wide angle, it is the equivalent of a 21 mm lens. It has 12 X optical zoom, and 48 X optical and digital xoom combined. When you zoom past about 36X, noise does start to become a problem unless the subject is lighted by direct noonday sun. The macro function is good, not great if you compare it to a DSLR with a true macro lens.
The Powershot line has another model, I think it’s the SX 230 that has 35X optical zoom, and I would be interested in trying one of those out if the SX 130 I have dies.
You’ll never get fantastic results from a compact digital, even though I think they are under-rated by the experts. If you know that going in, and are OK with it, I think they are very good cameras for most people. I wouldn’t be with out one now that I have had one. What you will get is really good photos without a lot of hassle, or lugging a body and three or four lenes all the time.
Thank you for taking the time to give such an in-depth reply. Input from people like you and Jomegat who are actual users is important. I have trouble believing everything the maker says because, for example, I just bought a “1/4 sheet sander” only to find that 1/4 sheet didn’t fit-after I had cut the paper up! So that’s one reason I decided to ask for reader’s help.
I looked at a review of the SX230 and it sounds like a good camera, but has only 14X optical zoom. The SX 40HS has 35X optical zoom, but costs nearly as much as my daughter paid for an excellent trade in DSLR Nikon body and lens. I’m not sure why you need a GPS on a camera but I could just ignore that and the video capabilities on the SX230.
I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just go ahead and get a DSLR, but the thought of dragging all that equipment around isn’t very appealing. I’ve done it in the past and know what a chore it really is.
Clearly, I’ve got some decisions to make. I’m still hoping for a try it before I buy it deal at my local camera store. Thanks again for the help.
I use a Canon PowerShot SX110-IS, which has a fantastic macro lens, but it’s less than stellar for landscapes. They don’t make the 110 and more – it was replaced with the 120 and that was replaced by the 130. Two of my siblings bought 120’s, and I have heard good reports about them. I have no reason to believe the 130 is anything less.
I have taken some amazing macro shots with my 110, and I really can’t say enough about its macro capabilities. I guess the landscapes are OK, but I have never really been satisfied with them (blaming the tool, when indeed, the blame lies elsewhere). But I think I can legitimately blame the tool on the zoom shots. Any appreciable zoom causes plenty of noise in the picture. I also get noise at high ISO settings.
The one other downside I am compelled to point out is that it takes about 5 seconds for it to recharge the flash circuit. I don’t use flash very often, and this is probably part of why. The camera (including the flash) is powered by a pair of AA batteries. That’s probably why it takes so long between shots with flash, but I really like using AA’s. I use rechargeables, which work great. I also like the idea that you can buy AA’s at about any place that sells anything: museum gift shops, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.
I am jonesing for a DSLR one of these days, but they cost a mint. I really do love my SX110 though, and since it’s smaller than many a lens, I imagine I would still carry it in a DSLR kit.
Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed answer to my question. I’ve looked at reviews for the Canon SX130 and they don’t sound bad. I like the fact that this camera has manual aperture and shutter settings. Have you tried manual override when shooting landscapes? It is also wide angle and zoom capable and the sample pictures on the review sites didn’t look too bad. I don’t care anything about making videos and would probably only use the flash when the subject was backlit or in low light, so the 5 second delay wouldn’t bother me. What would bother me is the noise you describe when you zoom. Though not impossible, it’s hard to shoot an animal or bird without zoom and get a decent shot. Macro is real important so I’m glad it does that well.
I’m going to go to my local camera store and ask them if I can do a “try before I buy” deal on different cameras. Also, camera stores often have excellent deals on used/trade in cameras. My daughter got a sweet deal on a trade in Nikon DSLR for about half what it costs new and you couldn’t even tell that it had ever been touched. You might want to think about doing the same when you’re ready for a DSLR. Thanks again for your help.
You’re welcome. A lot of people like to document birthday parties and the like – mostly indoor cameos. The SX110 is terrible for that because of that 5 second delay.
Yes, I always shoot in the fully manual mode (unless I’m using flash indoors – I still have not mastered that), Birds and animals are the main reason I want a DSLR. It IS hard to shoot them without zoom, and I don’t think the noise is caused by anything I’m doing as the photographer. Blur, yes. Noise, no.
I don’t do too much indoor photography, so that’s not a problem. No, I don’t think you’re causing the zoom problems either. I’ve read reviews that say this camera has problems at both ends of its zoom capabilities. That bothers me enough to not want to buy one without trying it first.