Camera Help Please!

[FarDreamer]

Hi guys,

This is actually very pony related as I use my camera so much for taking photos of my collection.

I'm debating if I should invest in a different camera, I'm the problem, or it's a mix.  I openly admit I am not technologically savvy.  I don't even text, it annoys the heck out of me, if that shows you where I'm at.

My camera is the same brand and a lot like this one, but I don't think they sell it anymore:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8114516&CatId=3616

My husband helped me pick it out, he actually enjoys technology, but isn't a camera buff.  It had good reviews.  We largely picked this one because I wanted something I could hold onto, not an itty bitty one.

I asked either here or at the trading post early on how to get better photos with it and things improved significantly.  You can see the progression as I got better if you look through the photos in this section of my website:  http://www.mlppreservationproject.com/mycollection.html

My photos just never seem to be as sharp and clear as other people's and even with the settings for movement and poor lighting good luck having any of those turn out.  Yes, I read the manual and refer back to it at times.  My mom has a little point and shoot Nikon that she paid about the same amount for and I have an older Canon that uses film and we both get great photos with those.  My mom isn't technologically savvy at all either.  I would kill for my Canon to be digital, I love this camera.

There are some point and shoot Nikon's and Canon's for sale at Best Buy right now for around $100, which I could pull off.  Would it be worth investing in one, or am I just going to screw it all up again?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Digital-Cameras/Compact-Cameras/abcat0401001.c?id=abcat0401001

Please be kind in your replies.  I'm openly admitting to being an idiot when it comes to this!   

[Eviecorn]

I wish I could help, but this is so not my area.  Good luck!

[Teddy]

Sorry, can't help you with the camera stuff. I'm just learning how to use a "real" camera as well (previously just had really crappy 10 year old point-and-shoot digicam).

BUT, I just looked though all your pages of pony restoration and I really enjoyed it! You've done such an awesome job with your ponies! ^-^ Makes me want to go through my own collection and do some resoration work. All I ever did with any of them was give them a good bath and comb out their hair as best I could. I have so many with really bad hair and other issues I should probably do something about one of these days.

[TokiBear]

My photos just never seem to be as sharp and clear as other people's and even with the settings for movement and poor lighting good luck having any of those turn out.

My suggestion, if you're going with a point and shoot, get a tripod.  You won't regret it.  If you're not shooting with a tripod, you should be using two hands at all times when taking the photos... keep your arms tucked close to your body to minimize shaking.  Its tough with a point and shoot sometimes because you don't have the control over the settings like you would with a DSLR.  I guess my last suggestion for you, make sure there is enough light... even shooting with settings that are optimized for action and poor lighting... the camera can only do so much.  I think the biggest thing that can help you is a tripod.

As far as other models... I don't know anything about  the one you posted... sorry.  lol  It looks decent enough.  I am a Nikon shooter, but Canon is good too.  If you did decide to go with another brand, I prefer what Nikon does for point and shoots over Canon.  I had both a Canon PowerShot and a Nikon CoolPix and the CoolPix outdid the PowerShot by leaps and bounds on every level.

[kaoskat]

I'm useless for this but best of luck!