Tooele City Photography

So I have been thinking of getting a new camera. I have narrowed it down to 2 that I really like.  Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300. The specs are at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dscw290.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dscw290.asp

Which do you think would be a better camera?

Ok, so this is going to depend on what is more important to you.  The 290 has a wider range on wide angle and zoom.  But the 300 has a wider range on shutter speed and aperature.  Plus the flash on the 300 can reach up to 5.5 meters compared to 3.9 on the 290.  And you can get a bit closer with the 300 if you are doing macro shots.  And finally it has more mega pixels, but not enough for you to really notice.  So, really the only thing the 290 has over the 300 is the wider angle and longer zoom for the lens.  But that might be important to you.

Hope this helps. 

I want to do alot of macro pics and some landscaping pics. I don't really like to use flash too much. I love to take nature shots.  I just liked how the 300 had manual shutter speed, but i am not sure how manual this is.

Ok, so I went to best buy and now I am thinking about Sony DSC-H20.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665794519

What do you think? Good camera, better than the other two?

Ok, so this camera does have some extra umph that the others didn't.  More zoom for one.  Greater range on shutter speed.  You can get a higher ISO.  You can get more effective range on your flash. And there are a lot of extra "features"  that the others didn't list, but I wouldn't want to say weren't there.  However, the 290 still had more wide angle, which is great for scenery shots and you could still get closer for your macro shots with the 300.  Not a enormous difference on either of those (24mm vs 35mm on the wide angle and 5.5mm vs 6.3mm on the macro shots)  The one you will notice more is the wide angle.  The macro you could just crop in a bit more on the post production side.  Still, all in all, the most recent one you posted seems like a great point and shoot.  Just a tip, if you are purchasing from a store, see if they will show you some pictures PRINTED from the camera or at least enlarged onto a computer screen.  Not completely necessary, but I have found sometimes that what looks ok on an LCD screen, doesn't quite look the same once you see it in a larger view.  I've not personally seen that with a Sony, but there are a few other brands I could mention that I've seen that with.  Happy shopping!

If you are not set completely on Sony, you might want to look at the Pansonic Lumix DMC-TZ4.  I got one of these for my husband and it is a super little camera that takes very nice sharp pictures.  It has 28mm wide angle and a 10x Optical zoom. We are vdery pleased with it.

I am stuck on sony, however I have thought about it and am now really looking into saving money and getting an slr. Which is better in your opinion? What are the pros and cons of SLR's?

SLR's are great if you are serious about photography.  There is a lot of money involved it one to get several lenses also that  gives you a great range.  If you are taking photos of kids and parties, reunions etc. you can still do really good with the point and shoot that has a good range. They have really improved these cameras.

So I am looking at some cameras again.. I love sony so I am looking at the Sony α A380 DSLR and the Sony α A330 DSLR . Which one is a better camera? I also have the option to get the camera with one (lens18-55mm standard zoom lens) or two lenses (18-55mm standard zoom lens and 55-200mm telephoto lens). Would it be better to get the one lens or the two lenses?    Thanks again for your help.

Hi, sorry it took me so long to respond.  I've gone back to school, and it's taking up all my time

From what I can read the A380 is a better camera.  The A330 got so-so reviews.

Often times packages are offered that give you a second lens for cheaper than it would cost you to buy alone later, so if you are really wanting the zoom lens, buy it in the package.  Just make sure of what you are paying for.  Sometimes a second lens is offered, but then it turns out to be an off brand, which is ok, but if they are charging you an extra $100 for the off brand, which costs that much anyway, then you really aren't getting a deal.

Now you just have to decide if you are really going to use that zoom.  Or you may want to in vest in a lens that is wide angle and zoom in one, like an 18-105VR.  There are so many choices!