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

[DETAILKING]

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



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]

canon a710 is

[BobD]

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]

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

[TigerMike]

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) (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6222&A=details&Q=&sku=371189&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)



This is a decent alternative... Nikon D50 Digital Camera (Camera Body) (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6222&A=details&Q=&sku=381586&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)



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

[BigJimZ28]

review:

Canon PowerShot A710 IS Digital Camera - Full Review - The Imaging Resource! (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A710/A710A.HTM)



best price I found $219.90 shipped

@digitalsuperdeals.com

[TigerMike]

Oh, sorry, I had read your post as saying you were looking for a entry SLR. :D 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 (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a630_a640-review/) 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]

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.



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Mikayla%2006/July4Random011.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Sept%20G%20Detail%20and%20Photoshoot/Sept06G35021.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Sept%20G%20Detail%20and%20Photoshoot/Sept06G35037.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Sept%20G%20Detail%20and%20Photoshoot/Sept06G35046.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Sept%20G%20Detail%20and%20Photoshoot/Sept06G35097.jpg



The following concert shots may be slightly blurry because I didn`t have my lil tri-pod

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Billy%20Joel%20Jan%2026%2006/BILLYJOEL004.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Billy%20Joel%20Jan%2026%2006/BILLYJOEL047.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Billy%20Joel%20Jan%2026%2006/BILLYJOEL021.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/FrontSideM.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/MSide.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/GallardoSide.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/C6Yellow.jpg



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:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Stratton/Stratton06052.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Stratton/Stratton06053.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/dieselg35/Stratton/Stratton06054.jpg







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]

^^^^^ 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.

[imported_DieselMDX]

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

[Grimm]

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.



http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6638/p1000597ws2.jpg

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/9260/p1000551ad6.jpg

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1872/p1000533qo6.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/5237/p1000188og9.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4349/p1000010yq1.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6744/p1000021zx9.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/652/p1000823lb4.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3808/p1000826uz3.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/748/p1000028zt5.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6744/p1000021zx9.jpg

[Corey Bit Spank]

this one: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixf20.asp



which is the compact of:



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



which was replaced by,



http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixf31fd.asp



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

[gmblack3]

Dell has the Canon A710IS (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0725573) for $239.



7.1 Megapixel

IMAGE STABILIZATION

6x Optical Zoom

2.5" LCD Screen

FULL Manual Controls

ISO 800



Review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710_pg5.html)

[BigJimZ28]

Dell has the Canon A710IS (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0725573) for $239.



7.1 Megapixel

IMAGE STABILIZATION

6x Optical Zoom

2.5" LCD Screen

FULL Manual Controls

ISO 800



Review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710_pg5.html)



that the one I just went with but I found it for a little less

(see post #6)

[PhaRO]

The Canon S3IS is on Samsclub website $279 plus around $7 for shipping. Best price I`ve seen on it. I may be ordering one this week.