What brand do I buy?

[Keneshiro]

I'm knda newbie here and i would love opinions from everyone. I want to learn photography and have a budget of Rm 1k (around 400 USD perhaps?) and i want something that lets me twiggle with the settings but also has point and shoot properties. And i only trust Sony,Canon, Nikon and also Olympus. Please help >.<

[chris-p]

Hi Keneshiro, welcome to the forums

Firstly, why do you only trust Sony, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. What is wrong with Panasonic, Pentax, Casi, Fujifilm, Ricoh or Samsung?

US$400 is about £270 at the current exchange rate, so I will use that as a guide price. It would be helpful if you could give us an idea of what sort of photography you want to do, or if size is important as some of the best options for your budget are quite different in size. Have a look at the following...

Canon Powershot SX120 IS, the Panasonic DMC-TZ10 and the Panasonic DMC FZ-38. All of these cameras have fully automatic and scene modes but they all also have the semi-manual and full manual modes which let you twiggle the settings.

[Keneshiro]

I unfortunately live in Malaysia. Canon products arent that large ranged as other countries. The problem is, i am totally new in photography. I trust those brands because the other brands arent available and the quality here aint that great either. The latest one available is Canon IXUS 210. The price is Rm1.3k . So yea, its kinda expensive for me. I have a budget of Rm1k. And by the way, do you happen to know where i can get photoshop CS4? I cant get it anywhere. Thanks!

[swan lover]

Hi keneshiro, I would physicali try the camera you choose so that you are happy with it in your hand, ease of use as far as dials etc are concerned, the bonus of course is if it is the brand you like.
good luck with your search.