New Digital Camera Suggestions?

dugmar

We are going to get a camera for work. Something that anyone here can use - including people with little knowledge about photography and camera gear.

I want it for product photos (High-res magazine print quality) and for website products, but somewhat idiot proof as well. Any suggestions? I'm steering away from an SLR only because of the intimidation factor for some users, but want something on the high end as far as photo quality. Manual settings would be a plus for when I use it. Interchangeable lenses is not needed as most shots will be close-ups and product photos for our website.

Thanks,

-Doug

gus

If i didnt have my DSLR then the next best thing in my opinion would be the Panasonic DMZ-20

No questions asked !

Harryb

Humungus wrote:

If i didnt have my DSLR then the next best thing in my opinion would be the Panasonic DMZ-20

No questions asked !

leebase

Wanted -- easy computer so we can write software important to our business...without knowing much about writing software.



More important than any camera, is to have someone who knows how to take good pictures.

Lee

wxwax

I'd go for a Canon G-series.

Sam

dugmar wrote:

We are going to get a camera for work. Something that anyone here can use - including people with little knowledge about photography and camera gear.

I want it for product photos (High-res magazine print quality) and for website products, but somewhat idiot proof as well. Any suggestions? I'm steering away from an SLR only because of the intimidation factor for some users, but want something on the high end as far as photo quality. Manual settings would be a plus for when I use it. Interchangeable lenses is not needed as most shots will be close-ups and product photos for our website.

Thanks,

-Doug

Here be my 2 cents worth,

Think about: Lighting, backdrops, tripod, image editing software, and the knowledge or desire to learn how to use all of this.

Not everyone will be able, or even want to do learn all of this.

Sam

pathfinder

dugmar wrote:

We are going to get a camera for work. Something that anyone here can use - including people with little knowledge about photography and camera gear.

I want it for product photos (High-res magazine print quality) and for website products, but somewhat idiot proof as well. Any suggestions? I'm steering away from an SLR only because of the intimidation factor for some users, but want something on the high end as far as photo quality. Manual settings would be a plus for when I use it. Interchangeable lenses is not needed as most shots will be close-ups and product photos for our website.

Thanks,

-Doug

I'd suggest an E-10 or E-20 Olympus - SLR viewing without interchangeable lenses. They will allow total manual control or program mode shooting. And they make nice images also. Better than most P&Ss and less complicated than DSLRs with interchangeable lenses. Cheaper than most DSLRs too.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,15461,00.asp

Google Olympus E20

Shay Stephens

Any modern digital camera with a macro setting will take the pictures you need.

But in the end, it's not the camera that will determine how good the photos will look, that depends on the product styling, lighting, and composition, all factors outside the cameras ability to control.

dugmar wrote:

We are going to get a camera for work. Something that anyone here can use - including people with little knowledge about photography and camera gear.

nzmacro

I use a Panasonic FZ10 and I've used an FZ20. So what camera would I get if it was for pure image resolution and ease of use today............. a Nikon 8800.

Why, the quality I've seen from full images and the cleanness of them is remarkable. To give someone a camera that has IS, a 10x optical zoom for what you describe would be ideal IMHO.

For close up/macro and product shots, I would combine the 8800 with a Nikon 5T or a 6T to give a comfortable lens to subject distance and that would also enable the full use of the zoom range to get EXACTLY the ratio required for the shot. That extra lens to subject distance enabled by the 5T/6T also allows for a decent lighting setup.

Throw that camera on auto, enable the IS, add the 6T and let them shoot away The only other camera I would consider is the FZ20. Only IMHO.

Danny.

dugmar

Sam wrote:

Here be my 2 cents worth,

Think about: Lighting, backdrops, tripod, image editing software, and the knowledge or desire to learn how to use all of this.

Not everyone will be able, or even want to do learn all of this.

Sam

Thanks everyone. We got all the other bases covered. Just need a camera suggetion that everyone can use at work for any reason. I will be taking most of the product shots myself. I have the techniques, and other equipment already. I'm just tired of lugging all of my gear to work everyday.

DoctorIt

dugmar wrote:

Thanks everyone. We got all the other bases covered. Just need a camera suggetion that everyone can use at work for any reason. I will be taking most of the product shots myself. I have the techniques, and other equipment already. I'm just tired of lugging all of my gear to work everyday.

well the answer is clearly: work needs to buy you a setup to use only for work (and leave there)! why would you buy a P&S and let other people murder your (to date) great reputation for product shots?

How's that GS treating you???