Looking for a new Digi-Cam.....

DETAILKING · 03-02-07, 10:31

I am running out of reviews to read and my head is spinning!

I am hooked on getting an SLR after borrowing my friends for a week, but I still need a good point and shoot (something compact) to bring on vacations and stuff. My old one is dying and I plan to get one in the next week or so.

My wish list (in order of importance) is:

(5-7 MP max)
Among the best of the pack in low light (even if it does suck, which all P&S do apparantly)
Good macro capability
manual settings...want to be able to set shutter speed / apeture
Compact size
Good battery life
Large LCD
Under $250-300US

So with that......I'd like to hear all your recommendations.

BigJimZ28 · 03-02-07, 10:34

canon a710 is

Danase · 03-02-07, 10:36

Something Canon for sure. I have had Sony, HP, and now Canon and my Canon A85 has been the best out of the three. Awesome battery life and is easily used as a point and shoot or you can mess with a ton of manual settings.

jasonmac · 03-02-07, 10:55

I got a Canon S3iS and it's great, big feature set, feels solid, etc. It's not a pocket cam though...

TigerMike · 03-02-07, 10:59

I just got a Canon XTi (and a few lenses) and love it. Big upgrade from the P+S Canon A95 I had (although it takes wonderful pics in its own right).

If you are looking for new product, I would go with this....and then pick a nice lense to pair it with. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (a.k.a. 350D) Digital Camera Body (Black)

This is a decent alternative... Nikon D50 Digital Camera (Camera Body)

I am definitely a Canon fan though, and if you can afford it, I would pick the Canon.

BigJimZ28 · 03-02-07, 10:59

review:
Canon PowerShot A710 IS Digital Camera - Full Review - The Imaging Resource!

best price I found $219.90 shipped
@digitalsuperdeals.com

TigerMike · 03-02-07, 11:01

Oh, sorry, I had read your post as saying you were looking for a entry SLR.

In that case, have a look at the Canon P+S. I still love my A95!

I would personally go for the Canon A640, with 10MP. Can be had around $300 and produces wonderful images. DCRP Review: Canon PowerShot A630/A640 The rotating LCDs are very nice and useful. The 570 and 710 IS cams are very nice also, with the IS feature, although to be honest, I have never once truly needed IS with my A95, even at full zoom.

Diesel1 · 03-02-07, 11:17

For P&S and something compact in your price range, i have the nikon coolpix 5200 and it takes pretty damn good pics for what it is! All the pics I have posted on heere have been from that camera.

The following concert shots may be slightly blurry because I didn't have my lil tri-pod

The coolpix has many manual features which I am still tinkering with and the P&S is pretty good. You can also take consecutive shots in sport mode like this:

For what it is (My first digital) I really like this camera. I have a Canon Rebel SLR (Film) that I used and really like film, but this digital camera made me like digital. It's pretty small, takes video, manual options, and some other cool features. I am still learning this camera as I am no where near even a hobbyist....I just like taking nice photos. It's small enough to fit in a coat pocket and the case I have can go around a belt to make it even easier to carry around.

Diesel1 · 03-02-07, 11:20

^^^^^ None of teh pics have been photoshopped as I have no clue how to use the damn program! LOL The resolution is a bit distorted as the files were resized to upload into photobucket.

DieselMDX · 03-02-07, 12:35

I have the canon SD630 and it is perfect for what I use it for

Grimm · 03-02-07, 06:32

Sounds like you want something like what I was looking for. The Canon S3 IS, Sony Cybershot H5, and Panasonic FZ7 were the three I was down to. I ended up going with the Panasonic mostly on price as it was under $300, and the other two were closer to $400.

I just got the camera late November so I haven't had the opportunity to take many outdoor shots, but the Panny has one of the best lenses and takes some of the best outdoor pictures.

Here are some samples. I'm new to photography so excuse my lack of proper lighting skills. The second to last one is a close up of a bottle of XMT polish. The one knock people have on this camera is the noise. To me it's not an issue at all. The last picture is at ISO 400 and to me the noise is minimal, and a noise program easily removes it.

Corey Bit Spank · 03-02-07, 10:12

this one: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...finepixf20.asp

which is the compact of:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf30/

which was replaced by,

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...nepixf31fd.asp

I really like Fuji's P&S cameras. Soooo great for indoor, low light shots.