Cameras & Camcorders

[artemisaud]

Any suggestions???? I am looking for a new digital camera i am told for fast picture taking i need one with good lag time and shutter speed. can anyone recomend a digital camera that i can use to take good fast pic's. i have a son who will be starting T-ball and karate and 12 more years of what ever else, AND i scrapbook. I need a good fast picture taking digital camer, Please help.....

[Dval]

Got a few models that I'll toss out there as ones I recommend.  Digital cameras are divided into "Point and Shoots", "Mid-size models", and "DSLRs" (at least that's how I break them down). 

Point and shoots (P&S) tend to be your smaller models that you can put in your pocket/purse and carry around pretty easily. Great models with a decent speed, okay focus time, and low to mid zoom range.  Also the most affordable.  Here a couple models I like in this category:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+DSC-HX20V+18.2-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/4996146.p?id=1218...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+Coolpix+S9300+16.0-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/4860498.p?id...

Mid-size cameras have a larger body/frame than your P&S.  You usually get a very high zoom capability but the focus time and speed aren't always the greatest.  Two models that might pique your interest:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PowerShot+SX40+HS+Black+12.1-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/30...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+Coolpix+P510+16.1-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/4860983.p?id=...

And finally, DSLRs.  DSLRs are going to be your best overall cameras; especially if you're thinking of a camera that will last you for many years.  Excellent image processors give you superb picture quality.  Interchangeable lenses give you the capability of getting the perfect shot for the occassion.  Super fast FPS (frames per second) allow you to get the shot you wanted rather than half a second too late.  The price is going to be the most on these models than any of the others, but the quality and capabilties as well as the life of the units more than make up for it.  The majority of the units come with a basic lens so I recommend a decent telephoto lens for those long-range shots.  Here's two great starter models:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+EOS+Rebel+T2i+18.0-Megapixel+DSLR+Camera+with+EF-S+18-55mm+Lens+...

I was going to recommend the regular T3, but with the price-drop on the T2i, this one is much better.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+D3200+24.2-Megapixel+Digital+SLR+Camera+with+18-55mm+Zoom+Lens+-...

Took a little longer than I expected!  Hope all this helps in making a decision.  If all else fails, just stop into your local store and one of us will be glad to assist you.

[xl]

To really appreciate the issue of shutter lag and camera differences....

Have a friend hold up an object (a $1 bill) and try taking a picture of it when your friend releases it. This will simulate your son in action and you trying to take a picture.

DSLR will be near instantaneous.  Other cameras may need time to focus and may require a flash.

A few other thoughts...

• Are you allowed flash?  If not,  you will need to raise your ISO.  Raising the ISO will increase unwanted noise or grain in the image.  You might find yourself needing a fast lens (f/2.8).
  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+AF-S+Nikkor+70-200mm+f/2.8G+ED+VR+II+Telephoto+Zoom+Lens+for+Nik...
  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+EF+70-200mm+f/2.8L+Telephoto+Zoom+Lens+for+Most+Canon+Digital+SL...
• Do you take lots of pictures?  Be carefull of the DSLR shutter life.  Some are only rated for only 100,000 pictures.  More expensive models will last longer.