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Anonymous
Hey /p/, long time lurker here

anyway, I am looking to upgrade to something better than my current Canon Powershot A530, by better I mainly mean more control and versatility.

And budget is also a major concern, so my options (that I know of) are:

1) S3 IS ~$300 - handled one at bestbuy, liked the more responsive shutter and faster zoom along with the live histogram, but it seened kinda dinky. The buttons were really small and felt really cheap.

2) Pentax K110D w/ 18-55mm lense kit ~$400- a basic DSLR that i have heard a lot of good things about though I haven't found one to handle and I would have to buy more lenses for it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, Pentax does have a good line of budget lenses.

Pic related, took it with my A530, I like the camera but at times i just want more control.

Just wondering about your opinions / ideas on a budget camera
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A530Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 (20060914.r.77) WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2007:04:24 19:15:53Exposure Time1/80 secF-Numberf/2.6Lens Aperturef/2.6Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.80 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width623Image Height800RenderingCustomExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> elf_man
Heh, I've got an a530 myself. Plenty of control, I mostly keep it in manual, just need more aperture settings. I've been impressed so far.
Looking into a nikon n80 right now. Still like digital, but I miss film.
Film or digital, I would recommend an slr.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>50560

Yea, one of the things that drew me away from other cameras was the full manual option at that price.

For example in this picture though, I would have liked more macro ability. I would love the idea of an SLR, but my budget may not be able to support it, for now anyway

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A530Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.6Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size5.80 - 23.20 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.00Owner NamedavidImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2007:05:22 04:25:47Exposure Time1/500 secF-Numberf/2.6Lens Aperturef/2.6Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.80 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height600RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeProgramFocus TypeClose-Up (Macro Mode)Metering ModeEvaluativeISO Speed RatingAutoSharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeLargeFocus ModeSingleDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeOffCompression SettingSuperfineMacro ModeMacroSubject Distance0.100 mWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed160Image Number100-0368
>> Q
I agree that the S3's buttons are dinky, but I'm wholly impressed by this wonderful camera.
>> ac
>>50561
Go for the SLR. If you get the S3IS, you'll just end up selling it later to get an SLR when you realize that what you really want is a faster lens, or zero shutter lag, or a larger telephoto, for an overall loss in money. The S3IS doesn't give you particularly better pictures (or, really, photographic control) than the A530. Mostly it just gives you longer zoom. And the cost for that is much less convenience, since you can't fit an S3IS into your pocket.

You might want to look into used cameras, too. Adorama and B&H (adorama.com and bhphotovideo.com, respectively) both have "Used equipment" sections where you can get DSLRs for cheaper. Also, eBay.