1. Buy any of the DSLRs. Even the cheapest one will give you much lower noise tahn the best P&S. Focusing will be faster, and with live-tracking of active kids thru it's optical viewfinder, you won't miss many shots..

2. Regarding close up shots of small objects: The typical kit lens can fill the frame with an object of size 70mm x 50mm or larger. Hopefully that will be adequate for you..

3. If you shoot handheld, then a DSLR (e.g. Pentax K100D) with in-body image-stabilisation will be great value at less than $500 on amazon..

Develonet wrote:.

I am looking to buy a better digital camera mostly for close upshots of small to medium sized products. Something that takes pics300dpi or higher. Since this is a very small part of my business, Ido not want to spend more then $500 on a camera. Would also like touse it for general photos like taking pics of our kid's activities.I am really not concerned either with how the camera feels, howheavy it is or other handling aspects full time photographers mightdesire..

Can someone please provide me maybe a few makes and models ofcameras that are good for taking clean, consistent close up productphotos? Maybe even provide a little guidance on any special lens Imight need if any?.

Thanks for any and all advice!.

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Develonet wrote:.

I hate to admit this, but I have been using an old Olympus 2.1mp camera for photos of my clients products. This of course leads to hours in photoshop cleaning up photos, getting rid of noise, recreating sections an so on.>>.

I started in digital with on Oly 2020z and it actually required less post processing for print work than many of the current cameras. I think Olympus has always had a really great exposure system. Also I have a friend still using a 2.1mp Nikon and she gets marvellous print quality from it..

So don't go the way of small pixel-crammed sensors or you'll still find yourself spending too much time with Photoshop. If you're busy like me then anything in addition to curves or a layer or two is an unescessary nusiance. I'll even use the Focus Magic plug-in rather than USM as it is more consistent..

The cameras do not shoot at a native 300dpi, rather 72dpi or similar with a metre wide (3ft) image. Photoshop nicely resamples this to the 240-300 dpi required for print..

You said $500 budget was important. If that's the case then you'll need to go for one of the prosumer or bridge cameras. They can be noticeably noise prone above 200 ISO. You might like the Panasonic FZ50 if you can keep the ISO down. Live preview is a major help in composition and you'll lose that on a DSLR (apart from Olympus where I think you have to fiddle with mirror lock to use it.) I,m using a Fuji 9100 in conjunction with a DSLR because of this..

But really you should go to a DSLR so that noise is no longer a real issue. Sony Alpha 100 is presently available under $700 with an 18-70 kit lens. You might be able to find previous generation Canons and Nikons in sales, and the lower megapixel count will help someone like yourself provided that you do not need to crop tightly. Later you might want to get a good Macro lens like the Tamron 90mm f2.8. It will capture incredible detail..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

You said $500 budget was important. If that's the case then you'llneed to go for one of the prosumer or bridge cameras..

Plenty of good SLRs for about $500 on Amazon..

The second post says it all. No need for more really.Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

It may be helpful if you listed those DSLRS at Amazon because when I took the trouble to look before replying there were some being offered, but without lenses at that level. An accessory flash would also need to be bought, thus breaching the OP's budget..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

John farrar wrote:.

It may be helpful if you listed those DSLRS at Amazon because whenI took the trouble to look before replying there were some beingoffered, but without lenses at that level. An accessory flash wouldalso need to be bought, thus breaching the OP's budget..

I'm assuming a slightly flexible budget!.

Nikon D40 kit is $533, but the Pentax K100D and K110D both come in under $500 with kit lens. Or the K100D without lens for $427..

Okay, the question is, could the OP equal the results of the old camera with this basic setup, bearing in mind there's no macro lens? I reckon so, just about. A cheap extension tube would solve the closeup problem if there was one. Later on, when you get into the benefits of having an SLR, you usually find you have a bit more in the budget for extra lenses and flashguns. And who says you have to buy brand new lenses?.

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..