Hello photographer people! I am looking for some advice about buying a new camera. I work as a journalist, and on rare occasions, I need to take pictures for the publications I write for.

I recently found, though, that while the point and shoot digital I own can take very large photos, it won't take them at anything higher than 72 dpi (almost all publications want a minimum of 300 dpi).

So... I've been told that I need to get an XLR camera if I want to have that kind of control over my image size. I've been thinking about getting something better for a while now, but I'd like it to still be flexible enough that I can shoot fairly automatically when I need to (I take a lot of family shots too). I also don't want to go nuts, cost-wise.

The dude at the store recommended the Canon Digital Rebel or a comparably priced Nikon. Any guidance you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

In my opinion, I think choosing a camera is a very personal thing... often governed by financial restraints, usage, and characteristic of camera. Some folks want technical features, others look at the camera aesthetics. One thing I would suggest is to hold a camera in your hand to have a feel for it. To check your grip, ease of use... whether you use the viewfinder or LCD screen etc., you need to feel what is comfortable... what feels right.

Both Canon and Nikon have good reputations. But what suits one person may not suit another.

I do however, view a purchase of a camera as an investment due to the enormous pleasure it will bring you. I'd also take a moment to consider the importance of using a tripod... so that may sway your budget and determine what you get.

Sorry not to be able to give concrete advice.

The Canon Digital Rebel is a great entry level SLR camera. If money is a problem for you then you should keep in mind that if you go down the SLR path you'll find yourself buying more/better lenses. :)

The resolution that you mention (ie. 72/300 DPI) is a function of your display or printer, not your camera.

Thanks for the info!

Huh... When I download the largest format images from my camera in raw format and open them in photoshop, they are all 72 dpi. I can shrink the picture and change the resolution to 300, but that seems to make the images a lot less crisp.

I think you mean that the photo is being displayed to you at a resolution of 72 DPI (dots per inch). The default "display" resolution in Photoshop is 72DPI as determined in the Edit/Preferences/Units & Rulers menu. The default "print resolution" in the same menu is 300DPI.

When you say that you "shrink the picture and change the resolution to 300" how are you doing this? What are you clicking on? ;)

I go to Image->Image size. There, under "Document size" the pixels per inch is always listed as 72.

I have tried increasing that to 300 and reducing the overall doc size or pixel dimensions.

You are saying that image size has only to do with what I'm seeing on the screen and not how it will print?

Also... a pro photographer that I worked with earlier this year instructed me that I would need set my camera at 300 dpi with a minimum 4 X 6 image size when I had to take a filler shot for a publication that we were both working on. That's why I thought better cameras must have dpi settings.

I think what the pro was trying to say was that you would need a camera that is capable of producing a 6 inch X 4 inch photo at 300 DPI resolution.

This translates to any photo which is 1800 pixels (6 inches x300DPI) X 1200 pixels (4 inches x300DPI).

I just checked my old retired 4 megapixel camera which produces photos at 2288x1520 which is clearly more than enough for a 6X4 inch photo at 300dpi.

I would say that if you have a camera with 4 megapixels or greater then you're doing just fine for 6x4 prints.

I hope I haven't confused you. There are several sites on the internet which explain resolution such as this one related to printing - http://www.lakeshorecamera.com/index.asp?p=3791

Best Wishes, Jim.

Well darn! There goes my justification for getting a nice camera. Although, that delay all digital point & shoot cameras seem to have may be my new one.

Thanks so much - that is helpful. Tracy

:-) Don't let me talk you out of getting an SLR! They're wonderful things.

After you've used one for a little while you wont find ANY point & shoot camera very satisfying ......you will be spoiled forever. :p

I've just got an Olympus SP550uz. It's a "compact" camera rather than an SLR but has many of the features you'd get with an SLR, but in a smaller package. It has an 18x optical zoom, modes for aperture or shutter speed priority, preset shooting modes, fully automatic or fully manual settings for both exposure and focusing.

I've put some of my shots with it in my gallery. It's an 7 megapixel camera, but the images get resized when uploaded to the gallery here. At full size I'd just about get my cat's nose on the screen of my laptop.