Nursepaula99 Loc: Cocoa,Fl

I just recently joined a few days ago. Love photography but don't know much about it. My husband bought me nikon D 5000 almost 2 christmas's ago and have done nothing with it other than p&s. I never take it with me because it's big so I just pick up my little p&s camera. I've been thinking of taking some photography courses at the local college. I've had the small compact cameras for several years until I decided I wanted more but I think I bit off more than I can chew with this d5000 as beginner. And now the small ILC's are out. So I thought maybe a smaller camera with capabilities of a DSLR would not be so intimidating and I would actually take it with me. I've looked at quite a few online and read about them. But so confused about which would be better for a beginner. The Sony nex 3c or Sony nex5n were at the top of my list but you keep reading and it gets confusing. Then I thought about then nikon 1 j1 or v1 since I have a nikon already but they didn't seem to be as good as the sony. And then there's the panasonic GF3. So confusing. Anybody with any suggestions on which would be better for a novice???

robmont Loc: Miami, Florida

Hello Paula, the D5000 Nikon is a great camera I know because I have one, this camera if you use all of the auto features on it will give you great photos. Don't let it intimidate you with its many settings when you are more experience you will be glad to have them, but for now just go into the manual and look at the auto features use them and you will be amazed at the colors and sharpness of this camera.

Nursepaula99 Loc: Cocoa,Fl

Thanks so much. I'll give it a try. Also which of the ILC's would you suggest for a novice?

robmont Loc: Miami, Florida

Not familiar with this acronym...Robert

Nursepaula99 Loc: Cocoa,Fl

Hi,Robert Sorry about that. I was referring to the small interchangeable lens cameras such as: panasonic GF3, nikon 1 V1, Sony Nex 3C or Sony Nex 5N. They look and sound pretty neat. Paula

robmont Loc: Miami, Florida

You know Paula I'm a Nikon person and I will probably be very Bias. If you follow this link...http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm and plug in the cameras, this guy gives great reviews...Robert

Nursepaula99 Loc: Cocoa,Fl

Thanks.I'll give it a shot. I also have a nikon coolpix p5100. So I'm kinda liking nikon too. But I did think the Sony nex cameras seem to be pretty neat. But what do I know, all I do is point and shoot. Paula

Dr_Photo Loc: Raleigh, NC

HI Paula,

If you're a novice and all you do is point and shoot any camera will do and the Nikon 5100 is probably more than you need for a long time. But if you want to make rather than take photographs, get rid of the p&s, read the 5100 manual, set the 5100 to manual, play with aperture and speed and take a thousand pictures in your first month, throw away 95% of them and get constructive reviews of the remaining ones. Then shoot more and after 10,000 think about another camera. Best Wishes and Happy Shooting!

gessman Loc: Colorado

I totally agree with Dr_Photo, Paula. That Nikon 5100 is way more than you need. Why don't you just put it in a box and send it to me. I'll send you a private message which will include my address. It will be a bit of a strain but I'll help you get rid of it. :)

gizzy.whicker Loc: Cumberland Co., Illinois

Hi, Paula. Don't listen to that old coot, Gessman. He'll pull your leg... and your arm and... well... never mind what all else. You just send me that Nikon 5000 and I'll put it on the closet shelf with my other Nikon and lens. The best camera in my opinion for all around versatility is the (new) Canon SX40 IS. It's got an unbelievable range and features, and it fits nicely in a medium-sized fanny pack for tromping around out in the bush.

Nursepaula99 Loc: Cocoa,Fl

Ha! Ha! To both of you. Very funny. Keep up the humor.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Gizzy, why don't you go help Janicenone with the macro focus on her SX30 and just leave this whole nursing thing to me.