[Sam-fi]

I am looking for a new camera, I have been shooting with an old Olympus point and shoot. Samples: see my system pic. I feel it is time to upgrade to something that has the capability to create nice photo's. 

I am very interested in a camera that uses a lens that shoots very well in low light conditions and has nice bokeh. I am very impressed with what I see and read about f/1.7 lenses. I think a cannon or lumix comes to mind.

It would also be great if the video quality was nice and have a mic jack for better video sound.

The more compact the camera the better - because the more it will travel with me.

Budget - used $700 or less. I am not opposed to getting tech that is a year or two old - or - waiting a year to finally upgrade my camera.

Thanks,
Sam

[low.pfile]

Sam, Are you looking for better performing P&S or a DSLR with a separate f1.x lens?

I've found that most P&S with fast lenses (less than f2) do not provide isolated subject with blurred background images*, which would be achieveable with a DSLR and even a f2.8 lens. Though, the fast lenses on P&S are substantially responsible for capturing images in low light-pretty cool! DSLRs with fast lenses are much more versatile.

*this does not include macro mode shots. P&S take very impressive macro shots with a nice blurry background(which I believe you mean by bokeh). But the macro mode in not appropriate for taking portraits of people as there is a limit to the distance the camera has to be from the subject.

FWIW: my experience has been with the Lumix LX3(f2.0), Canon S90(f2.0) P&S, and many Nikon DSLRs

[jvc]

No DSLR is going to come with a kit lens of F/1.xx.
These lenses, considered to be fast lenses, aren't cheap either.
B&H Photo is one of the better places to buy camera equipment, and they have a Canon 50mm F/1.4 lens for $449. You might find an off-brand lens a little cheaper than that. But remember, with camera equipment, you pretty much get what you pay for. The good stuff costs........

So, you're not just looking a camera. You're looking for a camera, lens, bag, an AV filter to protect the lens, and probably a polarizing filter. Don't forget the flash and memory card. The built-in flashes aren't very good, but may get you by for awhile. Before long, you may want a telephoto lens, a macro lens, and maybe even a fisheye lens. Just like with HT, there's always something to get. If you're good at it, and can sell some of your photos, at least it will help pay for itself. Good luck.

[Sam-fi]

I am looking at that cannon

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Standard-Medium-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B00009XVCZ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301535431&sr=8-2

Or also,

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Aspherical-Pancake-Interchangeable-Cameras/dp/B002IKLJVE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301535027&sr=8-1

Would I suppose be the two contenders. The Lumix has the 4/3 size going for it. I suppose price is the factor here.

Sam

[thunderbrick]

What type of subjects do you plan to shoot?  Under what conditions?

[Pez]

I've purchased some very cheap (relatively speaking) nikon fixed lenses @ 1.8F. I have a 35mm and 50mm that have beautiful bokkeh and subject focus. Not to mention wicked fast! For outdoors your pretty much good to go at ISO 200 and high shutter speed. Of course some don't like fixed lenses, but for me I love em.

35mm I paid $200
50mm I paid $100 used - great lens!

[Sam-fi]

I plan to shoot - friends, food, environments, equipment and listening rooms. Lots of indoors. Outdoors in alley's at night. Artwork. All the good stuff. I like a lens that sorta follows what my eye naturally sees. And Bokeh is nice too.

Sam

[thunderbrick]

It's one thing to have a 1.7 lens, it's another thing to shoot wide open a lot.  I have fast (1.4, 1.8)lenses and shoot a lot of low-light theater work (stage plays).  I use mostly 2.8 lenses (17-35mm, 70-200) and try not to shoot wide open unless lighting is terrible or I want selective focus.  ISO? Usually 400, 500 tops.

[dB Cooper]

I not long ago bought a Pentax K-x, partly because it can use most K-mount lenses going back to the 70's. With a Pentax-A 50mm  1.7 the street price would be right around $700. On these (APS-C sized sensor) cameras, however, 50mm is equivalent to a short tele. A 35mm f/2 lens (a mere 1/3 stop slower than 1.7) would give a "normal" angle of view and be in the same range or a bit more. High speed wide angles cost $$$$.

Most recent digital cameras allow very high ISO settings without too much noise. You may be able to meet your low light requirements with a slightly slower lens, like around f/2. Every stop of additional speed more or less doubles the cost of the lens.

[bunnyma357]

I just bought a canon 50mm F1.8 and it was around $130 new, it is not supposed to be super well made - lots of plastic, but it looks good to me, a casual beginner.

I bought it mainly for low light video work.

Jim C

[toxteth ogrady]

Timely post...check out the 4/3 cameras. I'm selling my Nikon gear and buying the panasonic 20mm 1.7 pancake lens to put on an Olympus Pen e-pl2. It's no Leica but the images I've seen look pretty good. I only hope they follow up with a fast high quality portrait lens.