Stilllearning

Who will help a longtime amateur photographer (I've taken photos for 50 years- starting with the Brownie Hawkeye) choose the next good camera for personal, not professional use?
I loved my old film (1993) Konica Minolta 5000i. Then in (2004) I moved on to digital using the Konica Minolta Dimage Z1. I wish that camera had lasted forever. It was my favorite. I had it repaired when the power button went bad, but then the battery box quit holding the batteries and then the pixels began to go. POOR OLD FRIEND. so I bought a small point and shoot, Canon Elph SD880 IS. it has been a good little camera, but I miss the eye piece. And now it's pixels are going.
I take nature photos both plants and animals .. everything from gorillas to millipedes and trees to mushrooms. Another interest is old buildings, cobblestone roads and sometimes people get into the photos.
I like to take night photos but I'm not good at it.
NOW the question is WHAT CAMERA DO I BUY? A friend who is a photographer suggests a NIKON DLSR with exchangeable lens like my old film Minolta. So this means a heavy camera to carry. I've gotten spoiled with the size of the Canon Elph but I do know it isn't a REAL PHOTOGRAPHER'S camera. Are there some great cameras on the market that are digital zooms? I am open to suggestions on both types of cameras.
I'd like a camera that has the features of my Minoltas and if a digital zoom not more that a 20X optical zoom or less than a 10X optical. I'd love an eye piece or a tiltable LCD might be sufficient. I do not know what a good sensor size should be.
I read about "cropped" in sensors of 1/1/7" BSI CMOS; and the Canon Elph has a 1/2.3" CCD with 10.3 million pixels and the Minolta Dimage had 1/2.7" CCD with 3.3 million pixels. I DON"T have a clear understanding of what this means for the consequences of getting a great photo.
My photos are for my own pleasure . For years I developed and put them into albums now I leave them in computer , or on thumbdrive and enjoy them. Occasionally a photo will be printed as an 8x10 and framed. I'm ready to get a new camera before June 2015. I hope I'll get some great information. Thanks, Stilllearning

Dragonfly Loc: Indianapolis

I love my Nikon D7100 and think it will do me good for many years to come. As for a lens, I like my all in one, but maybe if you like nature photography a good telephoto would be best.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I agree. I have a D7000 and it is probably my last body. Also the Nikon 55-300, Sigma 18-250 or Tammy 18-270 are lens that we have that work really well. I usually carry the Sigma as my all in one walk around lens. Everything else just sits in a bag someplace.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Take a look at Sony's RX 100III. It has 24 pixels, a 1" sensor and a Zeiss lens. The only draw back I can see is that has a short zoom, 74. But it has a viewfinder that pops up!
Take a look at it, here's a link:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/compacts/sony_dscrx100m3

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

You might look at the 'mirrorless' camera varieties, if saving 'bulk' is an aim. I am currently 'getting acquainted' with the Sony a6000. Set me back 699 but the telephoto was on 'special' for 200 bucks off.

jbeejay80120 Loc: Littleton, Co 80120

SLR's do not zoom, lens change required. I suggest going to COSTCO and trying a Lumix. This is a Panasonic point and shoot with a Leica lens. I don't know the number for the latest version but check out Costco The Numbers start with DMC-ZS and maybe the latest would be a 35 or 45. I suggest this because you can get a full refund if you don't like point and shoot and SLR is what you really want, Nikon D7100 seems to be highly recommended on this site.

Nightski

Have you considered a mirrorless camera? This is a link to a class on the Sony A99. It is $29, but John Greengo will make you an expert. He explains things logically and thoroughly.

http://www.creativelive.com/courses/sony-a99-dslr-fast-start-john-greengo

He has classes on quite a few cameras from Nikons to Canons, and Sony and Fuji. Once you think you have your decision nailed down, I think it would be worth it to buy the class for the camera you choose.

The link below is a basics course on photography that he gives. He has a whole segment on the different cameras. He explains the pros and cons of many cameras. It's an excellent course and you would get much more out of it than just learning about a specific camera. I think the segment on cameras would help you decide.

http://www.creativelive.com/courses/fundamentals-photography-2015-john-greengo

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Welcome to UHH! :-)

bgl Loc: Brooklyn,New York

Every current camera maker has great offerings. Since you have fond recollections of Minolta, why not check out the Sony website for starters (they bought out Minolta and have continued in the tradition of high quality innovative cameras). If possible, you should visit a camera store so that you can get a good "feel" of cameras that interest you. After YOU have identified specific cameras that appeal to you, you'll get all the feedback you desire (and them some!) from forum members. What a wonderful time to choose a camera!

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Another point to keep in mind the measures such as 1/2.3" is old B&W TV which was called Optical Format of TV videocon cameras. OF is defined as (get this) approximately 50% larger than the 'sensor' diagonal expressed in inches as 1/(to one decimal inches). For example, one of my camera's has an optical format, OF, of 1/2.3 inches. The works out to a diagonal of 7.36 mm but else where in the documentation 7.76 mm is cited. As another example, my Sony a6000 has a sensor of 23.5 mm x 15.6 mm - the diagonal is 28.206559 mm or 1.11049... inch which expressed in OF terms is 1/0.9 ". So message is forget OF, insist on actual sensor dimensions.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Budget?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Budget?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Sorry for the double post

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Have a look at the Sony RX10, see if it fits your needs. But, it's a bit pricey. Nice sensor and lens combination though.

http://store.sony.com/dsc-rx10-digital-still-camera-zid27-DSCRX10/B/cat-27-catid-All-Cyber-shot-R-Series-Cameras

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Try Sony SLTA65 mirrorless technology and light to carry for a camera with interchangeable lenses and visual zoom in the electronic viewfinder. Should be a few about second user now mine cost £350 body only with an exchange deal including my Sony A230. M mount lenses come direct from Minolta's past so your lenses will still fit and probably AF will work.

Better news is that Sony kept much of Minolta buttons and switches so your fingers will know what to press and where to look on the menu......!

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

I started with a Pony 135
I still use my Rb67 (circa 1972)
my favorite digital is my 20d
I will probably never buy another camera.
My goal is to maximize my ability with the cameras I now have.
By the way my 20d will mount on my Sinar F. I made the adapter.
Good luck in your search!