After reading a few of the threads on here I have a better idea of what I should upgrade to, but still have some questions.

We were thinking of getting a dslr (our first one) and another small digital camera for everyday use as our other is quite old. I'd say my budget is around 400 for the dslr and 200 for a regular digital camra. I'm not sure now that I really need to buy two cameras-the Panasonic Lumix (TZ6 or TZ7) looks eally good, with the Leica lens and large optical zoom potential. Would a dslr still be better?

I am all geared up to learn more about photography but have heard a lot of camera clubs are v cliquey so have been put off. Also, I wouldn't know how to use the manual settings and my technical abilities are limited.

Should I buy something like the Nikon D3000 as a dslr starter camera or get the Panasonic lumix TZ6. Or something else/combination entirely?
Please help!

Unfortunately there is no camera that is best in all situations. A DSLR should really be considered as a system that can grow with you. One important consideration is how you intend to use the camera; I love my DSLR camera for example, but I find it too big/bulky to carry around in all situations especially once additional lenses or other accessories come into the equation (- when I travel I usually pair it down to two lenses). That's where I find a more compact camera to be useful. It means I have to accept some compromises such as absolute image quality especially in low light. But as the majority of photos are not printed out particularly large this is generally not an issue. Or I just accept it as a trade-off given I do want to have a camera with me. The TZ6 despite not being the smallest of compact 'compact' cameras does have a nice long zoom which is pretty useful at getting you closer to what you may wish to photograph. Otherwise there are plenty of reviews out there detailing its pros and cons ( - a long zoom means optical quality has to be somewhat compromised).

If you plan to learn more about photography, then a DSLR with proper manual controls is a good idea. You can always start off on Auto first and gradually increase the use of manual options. The advantage with digital anyway is that you take as many shots as you like and just delete them off the memory card afterwards if you wish. Experiment with different subjects, decide what is the important element in what you are photographing and get in close or zoom. General 'scene' pictures are ok to give you an idea of where you've been for example, but if there isn't an element that you don't focus your eye on naturally when you come to look at it then it probably won't be a great shot. There are some good introductory books on photography that will teach you about shutter, aperture size and ISO settings. On compact cameras its hard to blur the background/narrow the depth of field which is accomplished pretty easily on a DSLR, for example. Then it comes down to developing an eye - I think you'll find most camera clubs are quite accepting of beginners, since we all started that way at one point. But unless you live in a very small town/village there are likely to be a number of them so you can always keep changing until you find one you like.

In summary, the two camera approach would be very appealing - but it depends on your priorities really and the kind of photography you intend to do.

Robert

I too am thinking of the TZ6 as an initial upgrade from my Canon Ixus 400. I found Bob's contribution very useful. One of the reasons for possibly choosing the TZ6 rather than the TZ7 is that I'm not that interested in video capability, particularly HD. I'm a little stuck on card choice. What is the advantage of sdfc over sd and what size card to buy for phographs? I'm tempted by a fail safe approach of 2 4MB cards for occasions such as three week vacations. Also, what is battery life like on mainly outdoor photographs? I have heard that more powerful zooms use considerably more power.

Paul

Mr Neils comments are very apt, I have last years TZ5 and a Panasonic DMC-L1 SLR, and the SLR is a great camera in the right place but for touring and general photography the TZ5 is excellent, I do as P ROBERTS suggests and use several smaller cards rather than one large card as I never like having all my eggs in one basket. The SLR is great if I'm going out for a day of photography and am just prepared for that, but if I'm walking or cycling then the TZ5 gets dropped in my bag every time. I really miss the manual controls of the SLR for the depth of field but as a general camera with a fantastic zoom then the Panasonic TZ series are brilliant.

DSLR: a lot of people find camera clubs too clique-ish. I don't reckon the camera sales would be what they are if only people attending camera clubs bought anything...

Best starter DSLR are from, in alphabetical order: Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony. Which one you will prefer is something only you can work out, so you find a store that sells at least two of those brands, better still three, and check out which features you can see yourself using, how comfortable it is to hold the camera, and what sense you can make of the controls layout and the manual. Once you have held, seen, discussed three options, BUY NOTHING on the spot. Most sales staff have good reasons, as far as they are concerned and not in your interest, to push one brand and not another. Sleep on it, and then go and haggle for the model you, and no-one else, have chosen.

Once you've got used to the DSLR you will have a better view on what, if any, second camera you need to buy. I reckon you will save the money for another lens for the DSLR.

Tz6 and Tz7 are brill cameras, work in a camera shop, you may also want to consider the canon sx200, a close rival to the tz7 (12mp, 12 opt zoom, hd movie.) the focal range you get with these two are equivilant to a standard slr lens and 70-300 zoom. saving money on two lenses and less hassle changing whille out. however if you were keen about photography you would get a better picture with an slr (larger censor) and as one of the posts mentoned it does depend what you would be using it for (and i don't mean photographs). Some entry level slrs to look out for are certainly nikon's d3000, canon's 1000d, or sony's 230, unfortunatly all without LV. but in or around you budget. Also a strong recomendation is the sony 330 (with live view (LV), a tilting screen and fast focus, really light and compact too. hopefully i have helped you situation without being biast.

Simon

Cameras have censors? Are we no longer able to photograph our own sessions of rumpy-pumpy and flog'em to You've Been Framed?

Gosh-darn it, what will I live on?

To be serious, don't get involved with any chase after megapixels on compact cameras: the fings wot capchers the pyx carn't handel thum. (Good grief!)