Still Camera Recommendations.

[Big Guns]

I'd like to buy a quality camera.
Easy to use with a high shutter speed. Something that will snap some nice shots at sporting events ... F1 / Tour de France etc.
But of course, versatile enough to do the job on vacation ... landscapes etc.

Wanting only to spend less then $1,000.
Appreciate your recommendations.

[nakatago]

for that price, you won't be able to buy equipment that can catch F1 cars. that said, you need to learn certain things first so that you'll understand the limitations of what you can buy. here's a nifty website which has absolutely no affiliation with me that can bring you up to speed with information that will enable to make an informed purchase: http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/

even if you don't want an SLR, the same principles apply so when you look at camera specs, you'll know what all those numbers mean and you won't end up buying an expensive camera that is overkill. for example, if you want a compact camera but still want the power (but not exactly in the SLR range), you can opt for prosumer cameras. more info here: http://www.photonhead.com/digitalcameras/cameratypes.php (still not affiliated with me). it's never about which has the highest numbers but rather which has the right numbers for your shooting needs. when you go around stores, never give in to sales pitch--their job is to sell you the most expensive gear they can (there are stores that are exceptions of course but err on the side of caution).

happy reading and i hope you find the right camera for you--which is the one that will meet your needs.

[x9200]

Probably Canon G11 (or G10, G9) could be the right choice
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/C ... on_g11.asp

but I agree with Nakatago: do your homework first.

[nakatago]

Probably Canon G11 (or G10, G9) could be the right choice
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/C ... on_g11.asp

but I agree with Nakatago: do your homework first.

was also thinking of recommending those cameras as from what I gather, those are the most powerful cameras short of SLRs. but they're still not fast enough for formula cars (and the powershot Sx have longer zooms) so i figgered OP may need a crash course and may want a different camera.

also, inception.

[durain]

hey, i had a G2 and still do! those were the days before DSLR was main stream, G2 was da best!

[x9200]

Probably Canon G11 (or G10, G9) could be the right choice
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/C ... on_g11.asp

but I agree with Nakatago: do your homework first.

was also thinking of recommending those cameras as from what I gather, those are the most powerful cameras short of SLRs. but they're still not fast enough for formula cars (and the powershot Sx have longer zooms) so i figgered OP may need a crash course and may want a different camera.

also, inception.

Yep. SX20 would be probably even better choice for more casual amateur. G11 is a bit outdated... stop, wrong, is more for people who know what and how they want to do and likely that's why Canon decided to release this model with no HD capability. An advantage of G11 over SX is mainly the larger matrix with lower pixel/inch density (more usable, lower noise hi iso exposures) and shutter speed up to 1/4000 - both pretty important for sport I believe both cameras can be usable for F1 type of event if one knows what to do. Of course, following a perfectionist criteria you would probably need a FF dslr with very bright telephoto lens and a price tag above 10k.

Edited: and yes, a different cameras could be also a good option.