Need recommendations for a new digital camera

[Fastrunner]

I'm currently using a Sony DSC-T1(5 years old). Does anyone have any recommendations for a non DSLR digital camera? I have the following requirements:

1. less than $500
2. Easy to use (point and shoot).
3. Small enough to put in my pocket.

OPTIONAL:
4. Maybe something with an interesting feature (I've seen some small ones with interchangable lenses).

Thanksl

 

[Osiris_x11]

what do you think of this?

I'm more-or-less in the same boat! I've contemplated mid-level D-SLR's (non Canon/Nikon, I like Pentax - don't ask... lol!) or an unique point-&-shoot like a Panasonic Lumix series (w/ actual/genuine Leica lens). Have you ever looked into such or heard from others who went w/ such (ie. Panasonic Lumix series w/ Leica lens)?

By no means am I anywhere close to being a proficient/experienced photographer nor is photography an avocation/hobby of mine. I grew up w/ Kodak (misc'), Minolta (SLR), and Fuji (point-&-shoot film & digital, SLR) cameras. With that said, though- I like cool, unique & esoteric stuff!

 

[synth19]

Subscribed. I need a new P&S bad!

 

[RSO 34]

Check out the canon powershot G12.

 

[synth19]

^ A bit too bulky. Looking for a P&S for the wife she can put in her pocket or purse.

 

[RSO 34]

^ A bit too bulky. Looking for a P&S for the wife she can put in her pocket or purse.

If you don't mind sacrificing image quality for portability then checkout the nikon coolpix series.

 

[DocL]

I like the Canon SD series for p&s pocket cameras.

 

[Motegi]

I also like my Canon PowerShot and SD series compact cameras when I don't feel like taking my DSLRs with me.

Of course with a compact point and shoot you do make many sacrifices. If you want something smallish but yet with an interchangeable lens for under $500 then how about the Olympus PEN E-PL1 micro 4/3 camera:

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Interchangeable-Digital-14-42mm-Black/dp/B0035LBRJO

Its like the intermediate step between a compact superzoom camera and the full size DSLRs. As an added bonus they are also popular among the HD video crowd just like the DSLRs.

Some HD videos shot by E-PL1 users:
http://vimeo.com/11377921
http://vimeo.com/13842069
http://vimeo.com/15104181
http://vimeo.com/15688358

Here are some reviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu4FqR1AMug
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusEPL1/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXn33wEtEHA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7oQfDi6ehk&NR=1

Or the Panasonic DMC-GF1 micro 4/3 camera:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-GF1-Four-Thirds-Interchangeable-Digital/dp/B002IKLJUK

The Micro 4/3 standards website:
http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/index.html

If you aren't interested in changing lenses here's a link to a VERY recent comparison test between some of the high-end all-in-one compact cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q42010highendcompactgroup/

Also the brand new Canon PowerShot G12 might be a good option like RSO had mentioned initially:
http://review.techworld.com/compact...hot-g12-review/?view=review&intcmp=rv-ia-tb-2

 

[Kyras]

I bought a Nikon Coolpix S8000 because I wanted a small digital, Consumer Reports loved it, and Costco had it. I like it.

 

[Motegi]

^ A bit too bulky. Looking for a P&S for the wife she can put in her pocket or purse.

Canon Powershot S95

BTW, I try to make sure that my wife carries a purse that can hold my 60D... and a lens or two...

...and my tripod has a shoulder strap that fits perfectly on her shoulder.

I'm lucky to have such a great assistant.

 

[RJPKRP]

Re: what do you think of this?

I'm more-or-less in the same boat! I've contemplated mid-level D-SLR's (non Canon/Nikon, I like Pentax - don't ask... lol!) or an unique point-&-shoot like a Panasonic Lumix series (w/ actual/genuine Leica lens). Have you ever looked into such or heard from others who went w/ such (ie. Panasonic Lumix series w/ Leica lens)?

By no means am I anywhere close to being a proficient/experienced photographer nor is photography an avocation/hobby of mine. I grew up w/ Kodak (misc'), Minolta (SLR), and Fuji (point-&-shoot film & digital, SLR) cameras. With that said, though- I like cool, unique & esoteric stuff!

I have a Nikon D200 DSLR, a Nikon P90 SLR-Like (think Lumix), and Coolpix L14 for a pocket camera.

I've been pleased with the SLR-Like camera. It takes very nice pictures for not being a dSLR or SLR. I also have a buddy that has the Panasonic Lumix FZ8 that he bought a few years ago. He absolutely loves the camera. He was coming from Canon SLR film when he bought it, and wanted something with a fixed lens. He takes as good of pictures with the Lumix as he did with his Canon and Canon glass. There have been a few model revisions since he bought his, however he really likes the camera and is not looking to replace it any time soon.

 

[passline]

I'm currently using a Sony DSC-T1(5 years old). Does anyone have any recommendations for a non DSLR digital camera? I have the following requirements:

1. less than $500
2. Easy to use (point and shoot).
3. Small enough to put in my pocket.

OPTIONAL:
4. Maybe something with an interesting feature (I've seen some small ones with interchangable lenses).

Thanksl

You got the "bug" now too Nick? After that trip we just experienced, who doesn't want a new camera? I am off to B&H Photo today in NYC to look around. :biggrin:

 

[SilverStone05]

I bought a Sony dscw220 last year for about $150.

Can't beat it at that price point. I know nothing about photography- save for the fact that I know i'll always get a crisp picture with this sucker.

 

[ravi4l]

how about 1 of these i have a older model love it but love the Canon DSLR more
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1497

good luck

 

[docjohn]

we went from point and shoots to the rebel and it is night and day for motion sharpness because of the faster shutter speeds....just sayin

 

[synth19]

we went from point and shoots to the rebel and it is night and day for motion sharpness because of the faster shutter speeds....just sayin

I don't think you can compare an entry level DSLR to a P&S, at least not the basic ones. The main purpose of P&S is for quick, easy, and portable.

 

[docjohn]

I don't think you can compare an entry level DSLR to a P&S, at least not the basic ones. The main purpose of P&S is for quick, easy, and portable.

maybe true but every other pic with the p&s sucked poopy cacka...:tongue:

 

[Moses]

I bought the following for my wife, considering we go hiking and to the beach a lot. Also bought it cause she tends to accidentally drop things.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...eras/model.DMC-TS2S_11002_7000000000000005702

14.1 Megapixel
•Advanced Tough Design (10m Water, Shockproof)
Waterproof: 10M Shock Shockproof: 2M Freezeproof: -10 C
•AVCHD Lite HD Movie Recording
Record HD quality movies
•Power OIS
Enhanced technology to further prevent blurring caused by vibration

Photo/Movie Hybrid Tough Digital Camera
With a 28mm Wide-angle Lens Featuring POWER O.I.S
and Intelligent Resolution Technology

Same as above, but without the added bulk from "toughness":
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...eras/model.DMC-FP3S_11002_7000000000000005702


I use the following and have no complaints, which led me to buy the DMC-TS2S

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...ras/model.DMC-FZ35K_11002_7000000000000005702

All the pictures in the following thread were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ35K. Straight from the memory card, unedited. All pictures were taken in Intelligent mode.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115019

 

[RSO 34]

I don't think you can compare an entry level DSLR to a P&S, at least not the basic ones. The main purpose of P&S is for quick, easy, and portable.

Yes, and that serves a purpose with the understanding that there is a considerable loss in quality of the photo. A "compromise" P&S would have been the the G12 I recommended but the intent was to have a P&S that could fit into a purse. Such a P&S has its place but I would still never recommend one as the only camera a family has, especially if you have children.

If you "must" use only a simple, compact P&S with its inferior glass (the most compact ones can only have a "nominal" size lens), then I would recommend getting one that shoots both RAW and JPEG and then familiarize yourself with software such as Photoshop to be able to "clean up" the "noise", etc. that is common with simple point and shoots.

But, on the other hand, if quality does not matter as much as portability, feel free to ignore everything I just said.

Just my .02.

p.s. don't be swayed to going with more megapixels since a 14mp P&S will just result in being able to enlarge the artifacts/noise in a final print more than a 10mp. And don't waste money on any camera with a "digital zoom" instead of an "optical zoom". Digital zooms do nothing more than create increasingly obvious pixelation as you increase the zoom.

 

[vf2ss]

I encourage you to check out DCResource (digital camera resource). I've been using it for years prior to making any purchase. They rip every camera to shreds, meaning exhaustive testing and run consistent shooting conditions (both video and still) so you can see for yourself the differences. Click on Reviews & Info to check out the one you're looking at purchasing and/or Buyers Guide to get break down of the best cameras for certain price ranges.

 

[nsx20014me]

Re: what do you think of this?

I'm more-or-less in the same boat! I've contemplated mid-level D-SLR's (non Canon/Nikon, I like Pentax - don't ask... lol!) or an unique point-&-shoot like a Panasonic Lumix series (w/ actual/genuine Leica lens). Have you ever looked into such or heard from others who went w/ such (ie. Panasonic Lumix series w/ Leica lens)?

By no means am I anywhere close to being a proficient/experienced photographer nor is photography an avocation/hobby of mine. I grew up w/ Kodak (misc'), Minolta (SLR), and Fuji (point-&-shoot film & digital, SLR) cameras. With that said, though- I like cool, unique & esoteric stuff!

I bought this Panasonic Lumix ZS5 camera for our trip to China. Here a a few pixs taken with it. All the indoor shots was taken without the flash and in automatic mode. I rarely use the other picture modes with the exception of taking panoramas and video.
Tom

 

[NsXMas]

I highly recommend Canon, and Sony if you're inclined to go that way.

I've had Casio, Panasonic, Nikon, Sony, Canon. Canon had the best cameras in my experience by far.

 

[Osiris_x11]

very good stuff here from everyone...

Insightful comments in this thread by all, they got me doing a fair amount of online searches as well as broadening my horizons...

I have a Nikon D200 DSLR, a Nikon P90 SLR-Like
(think Lumix), and Coolpix L14 for a pocket camera.
I've been pleased with the SLR-Like camera. It takes very nice pictures for not being a dSLR or SLR. I also have a buddy that has the Panasonic Lumix FZ8 that he bought a few years ago. He absolutely loves the camera. He was coming from Canon SLR film when he bought it, and wanted something with a fixed lens. He takes as good of pictures with the Lumix as he did with his Canon and Canon glass. There have been a few model revisions since he bought his, however he really likes the camera and is not looking to replace it any time soon.

I bought the following for my wife, considering we go hiking and to the beach a lot. Also bought it cause she tends to accidentally drop things.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...eras/model.DMC-TS2S_11002_7000000000000005702

14.1 Megapixel
•Advanced Tough Design (10m Water, Shockproof)
Waterproof: 10M Shock Shockproof: 2M Freezeproof: -10 C
•AVCHD Lite HD Movie Recording
Record HD quality movies
•Power OIS
Enhanced technology to further prevent blurring caused by vibration

Photo/Movie Hybrid Tough Digital Camera
With a 28mm Wide-angle Lens Featuring POWER O.I.S
and Intelligent Resolution Technology

Same as above, but without the added bulk from "toughness":
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...eras/model.DMC-FP3S_11002_7000000000000005702

I use the following and have no complaints, which led me to buy the DMC-TS2S

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...ras/model.DMC-FZ35K_11002_7000000000000005702

All the pictures in the following thread were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ35K. Straight from the memory card, unedited. All pictures were taken in Intelligent mode.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115019

I bought this Panasonic Lumix ZS5 camera for our trip to China. Here a a few pixs taken with it. All the indoor shots was taken without the flash and in automatic mode. I rarely use the other picture modes with the exception of taking panoramas and video.
Tom

Thanks for these replies, very helpful!

I'm visiting some family right now, they got 2-3 Canon point-&-shoot camera's in the household!

Off-tangent but not totally off-topic... what do you guys (and gals) do w/ your past film camera's?!? I got perhaps half-a-dozen or so from over the years...

 

[lunchman]

I'm in the same predicament, trying to decide on a new camera and this thread has been helpful. I'm currently using a Nikon 3.2MP Coolpix that's 6+ years old and it's time for a replacement.

My choices are narrowed down to the Canon G12 and the Nikon P7000. Somewhat of a toss up as far as reviews go, leaning towards the Nikon since I'm familiar with the controls/menu system. Anyone on the board own either of these who can provide some comments?

I'm also looking at small pocket sized P&S cameras for the Mrs. and so far am down to the Nikon L22, the Canon A3100 and the Canon SD1300. Reviewers seem to hate the Nikon, but complain about lousy picture quality on the Canons. I've played with the cameras at Best Buy and still prefer the controls on the Nikon. I haven't considered other brands, but some of the Sonys might fit the bill. Time to do more research.

 

[Motegi]

P.S. don't be swayed to going with more megapixels since a 14mp P&S will just result in being able to enlarge the artifacts/noise in a final print more than a 10mp. And don't waste money on any camera with a "digital zoom" instead of an "optical zoom". Digital zooms do nothing more than create increasingly obvious pixelation as you increase the zoom.

Cannot agree more.

Don't be fooled by the megapixel marketing scam.

The quality of the lens is FAR more important.

Here's a NY Times editorial by tech writer David Pogue covering the megapixel myth:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/technology/08pogue.html

A more recent article with additional info:
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/technology/digital-cameras-and-megapixel-myth