good to know-I'm with AAA, I'll have to check that out.
Good luck with the misfortune that might turn into good fortune. Hope the pics turned out marvelous : )

amazing shots - felt like I was part of the action

Beautiful

Thanks for all you help. So much info you all have given me to think about. All though, I am still 50/50 I am going to sit down, put the pros and cons down for each system, and see where I am leaning. Took one of those what kind of camera do you need and it was also 50/50. But I like the vac to take pics or take pics while on vac-At this point I don't think I would go on vac explicitly to take pictures, but definitely be thinking of all the pics I can take while we are on vac. I do think the pics I have taken turn out pretty good and have put a couple on canvas. Some have even surprised me- Maybe I am looking at the DSLR like I look at chocolate-that small piece of cake would be sooo good but if I had that huge piece it would be better Then wind up only eating part of the huge cake. The DSLR looks so enticing but will I really take the time to learn all I need to do and purchase the lenses- Sorry I do tend to ramble. Going to do the pros and cons today and take all your advice and tips Blessings Meri

Tried to find your site on FB and couldn't. There are several under waters edge but they weren't yours I tried entering the RI to the name but nothing came up. Would love to see what you have

Thanks- I had not thought about the extra weight of the larger lens-Just thinking about the one that come with it. You're right - If my Canon shows up then I'll be a happy camper and have a little more to spend on vac : )

thanks Mike, what I am trying to do is decide whether to move up to a DSLR or stay with the SX40 or buy the SX50 if my SX40 doesn't show up. I wanted to post the pics so I could get some comment on whether or not a DSLR with the lens it comes with and adding a wide angle lens would make enough difference in my pictures to upgrade. I did go to Best Buy & Electronic Express to handle the 5200 w/the lens attached, and it seemed like it would be o.k. weight wise.
That's the main thing, making the decision to stay with the "bridge" type camera or make the move to the 5200

I read all your comments re my indecision whether to purchase a dslr - 1st, think I lost my mind when I said Canon G12, I am using Canon SX40 - I had taken the G12 with me on a trip a couple of weeks ago-guess that why I had it on my mind. I've spent the last 2-3 days trying to make a decision. I am attaching a few of the basically undedited pics I took last yr out west. Some I took from the plane as we flew over the Rockies (I think) and over the Grand Canyon. What I need to know, would I get better pics with a DSLR -with the basic start up DSLR camera. My SX40 is missing, not sure if it was stolen or during some remodeling is hiding from us. We are going back to AZ/UT in Sept so need to make a decision soon. I have always been a Canon girl, but the Nikon 5200 has a lot of extras that I like-and is rated a little better than the T3 or T5 Among my friends and family I am the only one that has the photo bug so I get no help - The difference in the size of the SX40 and the Canon or Nikon is min. so that will help if I chose to go the DSLR route I have probably put more pics than I should but just wanted to have a range of things I shoot - More nature than family - Leave that to the family : ) Thanks for your input/insite

nite shot in sedona

(Download)

shot from the plane

(Download)

above hoover dam


from plane


Cave dweller home AZ


Part of Painted Desert


Honeycone in small cave at the Cave Dwellers site about 100+ feet up




Colorado River Shot from Top of the Grand Canyon


Desert Brush


Disney on ice - no flash we were about 50 rows back




sunset Grand Canyon


Red Rock Sedona




Sun Rise GC

I have seen some mirrorless. What exactly does that mean? I'm not very technical - : ) Just enjoy taking pics

It's been a while since I've been on the forum-but hope to get back into the "fold" now. I have finally decided to buy a dslr - beginner/entry level only. I really like Canon, but am also open to Nikon or others that you would recommend. I do not expect to take award winning magazine pictures, but do want to take better pics of nature, the canyons, mountains, etc. 2nd thing I would like to ask, what is your opinion of refurbished cameras? I am hesitant to upgrade to new because of cost, but also afraid of what I'd get on refurb.
I currently have a Canon G12 now, it takes awesome pictures. We went to Grand Canyon and explored N. AZ., we also spent time in CA on the trip, Tahoe to the deserts, and all the pictures were beyond what I thought I was capable of but know that it was really the camera. The only problem, was the wide angle - I tried doing the stitching but wasn't great at that. We've just returned from VA doing the Civil War trails and stopped by D.C. while there. Went to the National Cathedral and was very much aware of of my limitation when trying to capture the Cathedral My husband wants me to go ahead upgrade to one that will let me shoot what I see in my mind. Thanks

I can't imagine how you all are feeling and coping. Just seeing the pics and clips from the news channels- We thought our flood in Nashville a few years ago was bad-but seeing this mass destruction just breaks my heart. - Prayers are with you and all that are there.

Robert thanks so much-I will try that. Since the G12 was so accurate on the colors last year when using auto, I thought I would get the same results with this one.

Bram-if I said I was 32 would that make a difference : ) I am 63 and use glasses for close-up only. Other than that, dr. says I have 20/20. Truthfully, everyone that pulled into the overlooks was commenting how brilliant the colors were this year. That is why I was disappointed in my pics.

I guess I really need to learn how to use the manual settings better and be consistant with them.

Wabbit - Yes I was using the auto focus - What would you suggest to get the true colors? I thought the auto focus would do the best job until I could learn the camera better.

All of us struggle with sin daily-but grace, mercy, draws us near and when we ask, we are forgiven. I say amen to all of you who are traveling the road with me.

I didn't get all of the pics post right. Look at the ones I've added. The last one is the color of all the foliage all so vibrant - I am really disappointed in the colors. I have compared some of them to ones I took a couple of years ago in the same area with me G12 and most came out true to color and just a few needed correcting.