The Sony Cybershot series is good becuase you can manipulate all of the settings like WB, Aperture, exposure. Yet if you just want to snap photos without worrying about settings, the auto mode works great, dead easy to use.

I have had two (and one camcorder/camera) and I have really enjoyed them.

If DSLR is too expensive you could always try a "bridge" camera. Lumix FZ ranges and Fuji s9*** and s5*** ranges spring to mind.

Whatever you decide on, go into your local retailer and try them out first. Make sure you get them to think you'll be buying from them. I took memory cards for the 2 cameras I was interested in and took a few random snaps, loaded up them up on my home PC and compared the results, helping me make a decision.

Also take a look here http://www.dpreview.com/ for some indepth reviews about all the latest (and some old) cameras.

SubZer0 wrote on Dec 26^th, 2007 at 2:18pm:

I'd say that would be perfect for a beginner, but most Fujis are. They're quite simple and straightforward to use, and take excellent photos with good colour depth. Lots of settings mean that it will take a lot of learning once you get into setting aperture and ISO but as an "out of the box" camera it will do from the off.
Don't forget to look at the Panasonic Lumix range too, there's not a lot to choose between the 2 brands.

There's nothing stopping you going spotting. Some people do it with nothing more than a notebook & a pencil. Are you interested in static ground shots or aircraft in the air? Depending on how close you can get to the aircraft you might be surprised at the performance of the camera you already have. Apart from the 3x zoom compared with 10x it's a much better spec than my first bridge camera, a Fuji S5000. No complaints with the camera but on looking back I wish I'd put the money I spent on it towards a DSLR.

The Fuji S5700 looks extremely good value for money. Bridge cameras have improved a lot since I got mine but they still have some drawbacks compared with a proper DSLR. It really depends on how serious you are on this photography lark & what you want to do with the photos you take. Take Omag's CharlottesDad's advice & go & try some out at your local camera shop. Don't rush into it.

Hagar wrote on Dec 26^th, 2007 at 3:15pm:


That would be Charlottesdad's advice... 

But I second it. My 2 cents? First and for all, set a budget. Look what's available in that range.

option 1) The bridgecamera ( or superzoom): Small, a big optical zoom ( 10 - 12 - 18x), you can learn to control all the settings as on a dSLR and you don't have to buy additional lenses. Personally I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ5. Look at the newer models like the FZ8 and FZ18. Fuji is also known for great value for money. They especially have a low noise advantage. Click the link in my signature on what type of shots you might get with a bridge.

option 2) dSLR. Far superior in quality IF you are dedicated to invest some money and time in the hobby. I recently bought my Canon 400D and I'm still figuring out all the controls and how it behaves. Don't be fooled by the low prices on the Canon 350 or Nikon D40. Though they are good camera's, you'll still have to buy additional lenses. My set-up ( 400D + kitlens EF-S 18 - 55 mm + Canon 70 - 300 mm IS) will have cost me about € 1.000, and I still don't have all the possibilities I have with my Lumix.

If you are new to photography, I'd be on the outlook for a nice bridgecamera. And one more thing, don't trust the salespeople. And forget about digital zoom, only optical zoom counts.

Read reviews, user comments and articles in advance.

www.dpreview.com

www.cameralabs.com

www.fredmiranda.com

That reminds me, my computer graphics teacher in school is also a photography teacher. I'll talk to him and see what he says, but I really don't want to rush into this and waste my money. I'll read as much as I can before buying anything, even if it's fairly cheap.

I can also recommend the FZ-8/18, although when your in that price range it is only a small jump to a EOS 300D. There really light and small though, wich can be quite an advantage.