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Camera advice for a novice?

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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I've grown tired of having only my phone's camera to rely on and also of it's limitations in various conditions, so I would like to look into options for cameras. I was wanting to purchase a camera after Christmas when Boxing Day/Week sales occur (in case you're unfamiliar, Canadian retailers host huge sales right after Christmas). I have a basic understanding of some photography concepts, but it may be better to assume that my knowledge is small. Anyways, here are my requirements and specs; I'll try to be as comprehensive as possible:

- I'm considering a budget of about maybe $500 maximum. I'm totally open to second-hand cameras if it saves me $ while still having acceptable performance. Literally anything will be miles better than my phone's 5MP cam.

- I plan to use it not just for shooting skiing, but also for other things like auto photography and just base picture taking too I guess.

- I'd really like a DSLR so that there is settings that I can learn to utilize as I get better. If there is a non-DSLR camera that fits my needs I'm fine with hearing options from that area.

- For the most part (like 70%) I'll be the one using the camera, except for when I ask my brother to use it to shoot me. He probably has no idea about advanced camera settings, so I'd probably pre-set them before he starts shooting.

- A burst mode is essential to me so I can can capture the right picture while either my brother or I are performing. I don't know what is considered a good FPS speed, but my phone cam took 6 shots in a time frame of what I can only guess as 1.5s to 2s; it's slow.

- I'm not totally sure if I want a video mode, but it might be beneficial to have one should I choose to start filming later.

- Being able to shoot in low light/night time is another important feature I'd always wished I possessed. Phone cams suck at this.

- I don't think portability is a big issue for me, I'd make room to carry my camera.

- I'd like some zoom, but I don't need a ridiculous amount of it.

- My HP laptop is my main PC for now, it has an AMD A6 4 core CPU at a rather slow 1.6GHz. It has the graphics card built onto the chipset and to the best of my memory has 1GB VRAM. Speaking of RAM, I have 8GB RAM upgraded from the stock 4GB. Hard drive is 750GB, and is about 160-200GB full; There is still plenty of room.
I don't own any professional photo and/or video editing software so that is a downside.
__________

Hopefully I'm not asking for too much features outside my budget. All suggestions welcome.
Oct 8 2013 1:43PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
T2i or D5100 with 18-55mm kit-lens.

If that is not sufficient:

Buy a Leica.
Oct 8 2013 1:53PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Thanks, I'll look into those.

I'm assuming you are being sarcastic about getting a Leica, as I queried the web about them and some cost more than a small car, used or new....! (in that order)
The reason I was being so detailed was because I read 1337's "What Camera" thread before posting and wrote answers to those questions. I could be more vague if that's better.
Oct 8 2013 3:10PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Details are always good and I'm serious about the Leica, we don't joke around here.

The Canon and Nikon are just the go to "beginner" DSLR set-ups. If you want to be a unique flower get a Pentax or Sony. You can also opt for an "EVIL" camera such as Micro 4/3, NEX or FUJI X-mount stuff. (Of which many have higher burst rates for a lower price because they don't need to slap-up a mirror.)
Then there's the high-end compacts with manual control class.

So much fucking choice, and you can take amazing pictures with every single one of those.
A warning from me: don't become a pixel peeper, just get something you like and go out and shoot.
Oct 8 2013 3:28PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Ok, my apologies; I just glanced at Leica prices and some new ones were $10,000+. NS tends to house some snarky individuals..
I'm sure that if they're asking that much for their product, there must be a good reason behind it. Alas, for me, that is too much cash to drop on a camera.

So Nikon and Canon are just the popular choices then I guess....
If I looked at Sony or Pentax's models of similar spec to the Nikon or Canon you suggested, what would the pros and cons be?

Why are those cameras considered 'evil'? is it just because they're unpopular?
"slap-up a mirror" .... that phrase flew over my head...

Thanks, I understand. I'll try not to over research.
Oct 8 2013 4:04PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
EVIL = electronic viewfinder with interchangeable lens
slap-up a mirror = DSLR's have a mirror in front of the sensor that needs to lift up in order for the light to hit the sensor, if you're shooting at a high burst rate, that mirror needs to go up and down a lot of times in one second. a mirrorless camera does not have this problem, so they are able to achieve very fast burst rates.

there's no such thing as over research.
Oct 8 2013 4:12PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Id say just get the standard ns dslr... a t3i or t2i with a kit lens
Oct 9 2013 4:45PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Thanks for those explanations. I didn't know that was an abbreviation. I thought it was capitalized for enunciation reasons.

I'll probably just get a Canon or Nikon. Compared to my phone's continuous shot mode, the burst mode on these guys will seem like a photographic machine gun. I'll probably be plenty satisfied with the speed they offer, that I won't long for the extra FPS a mirrorless camera can offer for quite some time.
Oct 9 2013 6:02PM
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