Camera recommendation?

[sphelps]

Depends on your budget, many people do have success with P&S but the DSLR route really is better but it does come with a price. How much are you looking to spend?

[doch]

Yeah, I kind of figured that would be the case, but I was hoping that somebody out there was having success with a good point and shoot... ideally one that can go under water.

I haven't set a budget yet... I just want to get some ideas first and go from there. $600 doesn't scare me... but I don't know if I'd want to go much higher than that.

Here's the next question: Being that I know nothing about the tech behind photography, will I be OK to start with a DSLR? They seem pretty advanced from the few times that I've played with them. Would I be smart to take a photography class?

[Starry]

Ive found my sony cybershot dsc-tx10 to take pretty good macros, and its submersable. also takes HD video. pretty sure i have some pics i took with it in my gallery

[Blom]

doch, Ive had my DSLR for close to 2 years now and to be honest I still dont know all that much about using it. To be fair I dont use it as much as I should, nor have I spent to much time reading up on it. That being said the picture quality is unreal and I wouldn't want to snap pictures with anything else.

[Blom]

Sorry forgot to mention the camera lol. It is an Olympus E-620. I know a few years ago it was over $1000 but I have noticed that the price of DSLR cameras has come way down. You can pick up a Canon EOS Rebel T3 for just over 500 bucks now from bestbuy.

[StirCrazy]

take a look at the cannon EOS series, I have the 12.something MP one and an very impressed with it but I did spend close to 8 to 900.00 but it came with two lense and such. doe 750 costco has the 15.something mp with a external flash bag ect but no extra lense, which you would have to look at buying anyways with any DLSR for good macro stuff.

some people like the nikon also I don't know much about it though...

Steve

[sphelps]

It'll almost be easier to use a DSLR these days compared to a P&S. Take a look at the entry level nikons, the D3100 for example sells for $600 with a lens and this camera can take great pictures on it's own with all it's auto features. Plus it has a built in guide to teach you more advanced features. Just keep in mind that this camera will need AF-I and AF-S lenses unless you want to focus manually, probably not a big deal as all new lenses are but if you're looking to save a few bucks by using the older style then that's something to consider.

[syncro]

Some random ideas:

I haven't done much aquarium photography but I've found the point and shoots get great pictures when lots of light is available. They are usually pretty good with close up macro shots. I suspect with aquarium glass you will want manual focus controls though which almost all point and shoots are terrible at.

- the Canon Gxxx "pro" point-and-shoot line might have the manual controls you want but doesn't have the large sensor of the DSLRs wiith interchangable lenses

- the micro 4/3s system from Panasonic / Olympus gets you interchangable lenses (some really nice ones too) in a small package

- The Camera Store in Calgary will rent out cameras and lenses so you can try them

- Try the Camera Finder on Flickr to see what is possible. Pick a camera then search for aquarium-type keywords. For example, here are some decent pics from an iPhone: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=clow...ple%2Fiphone_4

Some good sites for research:
www.cameralabs.com (more practical, good comparisons)
www.dpreview.com (more technical)

[Slick Fork]

Take a look at all the various DSLR options out there. Try them all out and see which one has the most features for the money and feels the best in your hands. If you're comparing in the same price points the image quality betweek a Sony, Nikkon, and Canon will be negligible. Especially between Sony and Nikkon as Sony makes the image sensors for all the Nikkon cameras. You will find that lens selection impacts image quality more then camera brand.

I would recommend getting something in the 12-16mp range. I shoot with a Sony a55 and am thrilled with it.

www.dpreview.com is full of camera reviews.

[doch]

What about something like this...

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003...pf_rd_i=915398