Need help from my photographic friends

[sister_red]

In May, I will be going to Korea. I want to come home with great photos of a beautiful country and people.

At this point in time, I have a crappy little kodak point and shoot that has served me well, but has never taken the photos I see in my mind. This is where you come in.

I need a new camera. I'm willing to save up for it.

What would you recommend for someone who wants to and is willing to learn about photography?

I have my eye on this:Canon PowerShot SX201S

Is this a good one?

Any pointers, protips, brand recommendations - any help at all you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Oh, books on photography? Any good ones?

Thanks!

Comments

[snickersaddict.livejournal.com]

Canon Powershots are always a good purchase, also Nikon Coolpixs. I have a Canon G10 which is like a mini DSLR, it was about $500, so it really depends on your budget. Invest in a fast writing memory card as well.

[brokensiren.livejournal.com]

I'm a big fan of canon cameras, and it looks like the one you linked to is a pretty good choice. I don't like that it uses AA batteries though, since I find that cameras eat through them pretty quickly. I prefer the rechargeable batteries, although I suppose you could buy the rechargeable AA batteries.

I'm hoping to get this (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-G11-Stabilized-articulating/dp/B002LITT56/ref=wr_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1D6BFTNFBRUBU&colid=1JRG7JOVX5B1O) camera before our honeymoon. It also shoots video and has the rotating LCD screen (my favorite feature!), but uses the rechargeable battery that I like, and lets me attach my own more powerful external flash.

[brokensiren.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I have a couple photography books I can lend you if you'd like!

[wyldemusick.livejournal.com]

I swear by the Canon digital cameras, although I'm told the higher-end Kodaks are pretty good too. On the other hand, I still miss my old film cameras...

[xioley.livejournal.com]

I know quite a few people who are partial to Nikon SLRs, but one I know is professional and his particular camera is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-12-1MP-Digital-Camera-Body/dp/B000VRV6LY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1283575943&sr=1-2 (EXPENSIVE!!! + more than you need) Actually, I'm partial to Nikons myself, but I don't have a digital Nikon or a digital SLR at all.

/nohelpatall

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

It was reviewed in this group test (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q110superzoomgroup/) over on dpreview.com...

Take a look at their conclusions :D