Point and shoot camera suggestions please

[toujours]

I have a Minolta DImage F100 (4MP) at the moment. I'm looking for a newer model, mainly because :


The flash is horrible
Battery life (I use 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables) seems to be relatively poor
4 MP size reduces my possibilities of enlargements and/or cropping.

What I do like about it is it's apparently fast response time between push (the button) and shoot (the picture). I tried a friend's Sony Cybershot over Xmas and it was sooo slow.
Also the optical zoom is fine on this model (3x ?)

So can anyone suggest a brand (or a range of models) with :


Good battery life
Fast reponse time
Flash not too harsh
Higher resolution (say 7 or 8 MP and above)
Budget : um, let's say around 500 maximum (but less is better) ... ?


EDIT : removed card format requirement

[Phr3sh]

Canon SD 700/800 is

[toujours]

Canon SD 700/800 isI went to Steve's digicams. That looks nice. Long battery life, ENORMOUS screen, widescreen still mode, ... Response times seem fine. Price around $400 (Best Buy) for the 700.

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3605/sd700yy7.jpg

[Phr3sh]

I went to Steve's digicams. That looks nice. Long battery life, ENORMOUS screen, widescreen still mode, ... Response times seem fine. Price around $400 (Best Buy) for the 700.

Yea, i have the SD 700 myself and i would highly recommend it. The IS works great and the pictures come out crisp and colourful.

[mack]

i just picked up a nikon s7c...one of their top slim/point-n-shoot cameras. its pretty good.....the pictures turned out to be a lot better than the reviews i've read online (trust me i've been reading reviews for the past 2 weeks on digicams)

some highlights:
7.1 MP
powerful flash - for a slim type camera
lost of extra features
SD cards
3 inch screen
wifi - pretty cool feature
lots of functions
iso 1600
battery is pretty good
decent startup time

some lowlights:
buttons are small
must use the dock to connect to PC
menu is a little confusing at times


i dunno how this compares to the canons (was highly considering the SD 700 too) but i didnt like the design.....the s7c on the other hand looks awesome

[Phr3sh]

The nikon is a nice camera too, but with slim looks comes a huge decrease in performance

It cant really touch the Digic 2 processor in colour reproduction or speed

And it doesn't have a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization (which pwns)

Keep in mind the SD 700 has near SLR performance, unheard of in a compact of its size

[klam]

Keep in mind the SD 700 has near SLR performance, unheard of in a compact of its size
Umm... no.

My recommendation is the Fuji F30. Good performance all-around.

[cwb27]

Keep in mind the SD 700 has near SLR performance, unheard of in a compact of its size

You have a source for this? The Fuji F30 far out performs other Point and Shoots when it comes to very low noise at high ISO, the F30 also has massive battery life (around 500+ shots with LCD on) I've only charged it twice since I got it several months ago.

F30 vs. SD700 (several pages)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf30/page11.asp

[Aske001]

Check the article on CNET today about the trade-offs between megapixels and sensor noise: http://news.com.com/More+megapixels%2C+better+photos+Fact+or+fiction/2100-1041_3-6156398.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

Their point is that consumers are overly focused on the marketing hype of megapixels, ignoring the corresponding negative effects of increased sensor noise and the image quality reduction caused by noise-reduction processing in the camera. They mention Fuji's laudable efforts in this area as being largely overlooked.

[toujours]

Nice looking camera too !

BUT :

Apparently wi-fi function limits the size of pictures ?
And response times are quoted as slower in a couple of reviews I read this morning.

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/3123/nikoncoolpixs7cdn9.jpg

[toujours]

You have a source for this? The Fuji F30 far out performs other Point and Shoots when it comes to very low noise at high ISO, the F30 also has massive battery life (around 500+ shots with LCD on) I've only charged it twice since I got it several months ago.

F30 vs. SD700 (several pages)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf30/page11.aspYup, the reviewers like this one ! Point and shoot times are low too ! And that low ISO rating certainly seems to work well in low light.

Shame about it being xD card though...

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4402/fujiyo5.jpg

[goofball]

Yup, the reviewers like this one ! Point and shoot times are low too ! And that low ISO rating certainly seems to work well in low light.

Shame about it being xD card though...


You shouldn't let the memory storage format dictate the camera you will buy. Would you accept a weaker performing camera because of your requirement to use your existing memory?

[cwb27]

Yup, the reviewers like this one ! Point and shoot times are low too ! And that low ISO rating certainly seems to work well in low light.

Shame about it being xD card though...



Originally when I was doing research on what new digital camera I was going to get I was a little bummed about learning it was xD memory (my current laptop has an SD Card reader) However when it really comes down to it it's not THAT big of a deal breaker... For when I didn't want to bring the USB cable I got this card reader.

http://ak.buyservices.com/db_assets/prod_images/185/10382185.jpg
http://www.ca.buy.com/prod/Lexar_JumpDrive_Trio_USB_Card_Reader/q/loc/59205/10382185.html

[cwb27]

You shouldn't let the memory storage format dictate the camera you will buy. Would you accept a weaker performing camera because of your requirement to use your existing memory?

This is the same advice you gave me, definitly have to agree with you (and thank you) :)

[toujours]

Well, I suppose you're right about the card format. It might be the moment to get one of those el cheapo combined FDD / multi card readers.

Anyone else got some good suggestions before I start seriously looking at prices and suchlike ?

[goofball]

It might be the moment to get one of those el cheapo combined FDD / multi card readers.


Get one of the USB 2.0 card readers from www.ledshoppe.com. Works very nicely with the XD card I use (fuji 512MB) with the Fuji F10. So small it can go in your camera bag for ultimate portability. It's always nice to be able to load the pictures onto a computer other than your's.

[Phr3sh]

Umm... no.

My recommendation is the Fuji F30. Good performance all-around.

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

[goofball]

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

Why must insults be thrown around? :confused:

What I don't get is in what way you mean the F30 has near SLR performance?

Image quality is a personal thing. What I think is great, you may not and vice versa. Or we both agree that it is great. That said, I find the Canon's tend to oversaturate the colours. I like the Fuji pictures straight out of the camera a bit better.

I find the viewfinder on the F30 better than the SD700.

The flash is stronger on the F30. By almost a factor of 2x.

In any case, half of the battle in choosing a camera is the feel of it in your hands. Are the controls that you will be using easily accessible (not hidden in menu's)? How does it feel in your hands when you're trying to compose a shot? Can you take the picture and adjust any settings you need to without moving the camera all over the place and losing the composition of your shot at that time?

[Sl300]

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

im pretty sure klam knows more about camera's then you do.. anyways you did say the F30 has near SLR quality. But yea to each his own i guess

[matkun]

Not sure if it helps any, but I am very happy with the last Fuji S5200 I picked up from Shoppers Drugmart for ~$220.

Though it's not point and shoot, but an amazing camera with omgwtf the options.

Though I'd agree, finding good xD memory cards is a bit of a *****, especially since they seem to sell out near instantly on any sales Best Buy has on them.

[cwb27]

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

I'm curious why you seem to be downplaying the excellent low light and high ISO performance of the F30? These 2 features alone can often be huge selling points for people (including those who use dSLRs and want something smaller to put in their pocket and go).

Also, what does looking nice have to do with anything? That's like picking a slower computer over a faster one based soley on the look of the case.

An SD card is not that big of a pro, yes, xD are not as cheap, but really, it still does the exact same thing and if you're fretting over $20-$30 you should really re-consider your options.

[spol]

Not sure if it helps any, but I am very happy with the last Fuji S5200 I picked up from Shoppers Drugmart for ~$220.



What 220, When and How?

[goofball]

An SD card is not that big of a pro, yes, xD are not as cheap, but really, it still does the exact same thing and if you're fretting over $20-$30 you should really re-consider your options.

QFT. To me, that's like limiting yourself to one brand of cars because you have winter tires and you MUST use them on your next car and won't buy a better car because of it can't use those tires.

[MethodMan]

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

maybe I'm just a noob as well but I'd take the F30 over the SD700 IS any day. I actually had both and decided to keep the F30 instead as my portable camera in conjunction with my Nikon D50. Oh well I must be a noob.

[matkun]

What 220, When and How?

They had a sale on cameras during Boxing Week. It was lowered from their stickerprice already, and that week SDM had 30% off nearly all their cameras to try and clear them out before new years. So original sticker price was ~400 I think, was marked as on sale for I think some ~$300, then at checkout the 30% off applied to it. I don't remember exact amount, but paid under $250 after tax.

[Bao]

http://www.shopgenie.co.uk/photosProduits/663/ME0000437663_1.jpg

I bought this at Future Shop when it was on sale for 299.99, from 400+.

It's the cybershot dsc t-9 model from sony. The t-10 model they sell now is 7.2 MP, and has x3 flash, slideshow mode which is great for parties, and such, showing your friends pictures. It has a 2.5 inch LCD screen, the quality of which is absolutely amazing. Also a nice plus is that the lense uses some kind of folded system, so it doesn't protrude from the body when it zooms in.

I like the camera over all. It's slic, attractive, has good reaction timing and has a cool sliding cover which will turn on the camera. It also has a nice image stabilization.

On the flip side however, it has a bad red eye problem, but it shoots fine outdoors, and in suitable lighting. It also needs to use Sony's stupid MS Duo brand of memory.

[manixc]

I have a Minolta DImage F100 (4MP) at the moment. I'm looking for a newer model, mainly because :


The flash is horrible
Battery life (I use 2500mAh NiMH rechargeables) seems to be relatively poor
4 MP size reduces my possibilities of enlargements and/or cropping.


What I do like about it is it's apparently fast response time between push (the button) and shoot (the picture). I tried a friend's Sony Cybershot over Xmas and it was sooo slow.
I also like the SD card memory format, as it fits in my Palm for larger screen portable viewing.
Also the optical zoom is fine on this model (3x ?)

So can anyone suggest a brand (or a range of models) with :


SD card format
Good battery life
Fast reponse time
Flash not too harsh
Higher resolution (say 7 or 8 MP and above)
Budget : um, let's say around 500 maximum (but less is better) ... ?


I have the F100 too. Good camera

[toujours]

I have the F100 too. Good camera
Oh absolutely. I'm looking for something that has all of it's good points but without the three bad points I noted.

[2000fordfocus]

I dont know much about the Fuji F30, but fuji super ccd really rocks! Play with my friend's F710, really good P&S DC!!

But I must say, I would much rather buy a Canon A710 with SD card, IS, and better grip. I have first hand experience with A710 and the image quality are one of the better Point and Shoot at around 350cad.

F30 xD card really kill itself, and the lack of IS, is a hard sell IMO.

And stay away from those build in zoon lens DC, they all suck.

Canon S3 pro is a really good camerea too! sell ton of those in Bestbuy!

Dont get me wrong, I am no fan of Canon, but they seems to have a good selection of P&S DC ;)

[klam]

Hey ******, before you start calling me a dummy or silly camera noob I'd suggest you know a thing or two about cameras before you go on these forums spewing crap you read on some digital camera web site, trying to pass it off as your own. I'm guessing you bought your little SD700 (or your Mommy bought it for you for Christmas) and you think its the greatest thing since sliced bread, and so you go on RFD preaching it as some amazing godsend and dismiss everyone who objects as a dummy or silly camera noob. Please...

I think my opinion here is far more valuable than anything that'll come out of your mouth. Unlike you I've actually owned the Fuji F10 (previous generation to the F30) as well as a Canon SD series that we're comparing here. Not to mention that I am a long-time serious hobby/semi-pro photographer who owns two Canon DSLRs. Therefore I think I have a far better idea than you of how these cameras compare... and NO these cameras do not compare to a DSLR no matter how badly you want to believe your SD700 does.

For your information, the Fuji's low noise makes it a far better camera without flash AND with flash (despite what you believe). The reason is simple, by being able to dial up a higher sensitivity while maintaining lower noise levels you can better balance artificial flash and ambient light without having your image quality go to hell. So you are wrong on that account too.

As for my recommendation, I still strongly believe that the Fuji is a better all-around camera. Aside from the obvious low noise SuperCCD, the camera is very responsive and battery life is unimaginably long.

Here are some 100% crop samples I made a while ago when I had just purchased my Fuji F10. The F30 should be even better.
http://www.klamonline.com/posting/f10_1.jpg

Here is the entire scene shot at ISO 1600.
http://www.klamonline.com/posting/f10_2.jpg

To quote your own words Phr3sh, "silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak."

Ummm...no I said NEAR SLR not EQUAL to SLR dummy

Fuji F30 Pros
- Good for low light / High ISO Settings work very well
- Aperature / Shutter Priority mode

Canon SD 700 IS Pros
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 4x Zoom
- Crisper LCD
- Better colour reproduction
- Faster processor
- Looks nicer
- SD Card

Silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak. The bottom line is the F30 is the better camera if you will be doing a lot of no flash low light photography, but for flash and outdoor photography the SD700 is clear winner. So choose which one you purchase accordingly.

[manixc]

I dont know much about the Fuji F30, but fuji super ccd really rocks! Play with my friend's F710, really good P&S DC!!

But I must say, I would much rather buy a Canon A710 with SD card, IS, and better grip. I have first hand experience with A710 and the image quality are one of the better Point and Shoot at around 350cad.

F30 xD card really kill itself, and the lack of IS, is a hard sell IMO.

And stay away from those build in zoon lens DC, they all suck.

Canon S3 pro is a really good camerea too! sell ton of those in Bestbuy!

Dont get me wrong, I am no fan of Canon, but they seems to have a good selection of P&S DC ;)

100% agree. Since the OP wants a DC with SD, then F30 isn't a valid choice. I would say Canon is a safe bet for the OP.

[cwb27]

F30 xD card really kill itself, and the lack of IS, is a hard sell IMO.



How did we EVER survive this long with digital cameras lacking IS...

I don't get why people are SO hung up on this whole memory thing...

[toujours]

Well, personally I am changing my mind about the card format (only idiots never change their minds :D ). So the SD format is no longer in my list of needs, especially if camera boasts significant advantages.

The F30's low light ability certainly seems to fit that category for me.

It seems to me that the Canon IS technology would achieve the same thing in low light, but with longer exposure times ? (correct me if I'm wrong). Or is it more about the CCD quality ?

My Minolta Dimage F100 does give those blurry (camera shake) photos when I don't use the flash indoors and that's certainly something I would like to see less of in my new camera.

[2000fordfocus]

It seems to me that the Canon IS technology would achieve the same thing in low light, but with longer exposure times ? (correct me if I'm wrong). Or is it more about the CCD quality ?


^^Yes, thatz right.

[2000fordfocus]

How did we EVER survive this long with digital cameras lacking IS...

I don't get why people are SO hung up on this whole memory thing...

Well, I am going to tell you why I want image stablizer on my point and shoot.

I do a lot of flash photography using Nikon's system, I love it! But once I use my brother's or my gf's point and shoot with flash, I want to do both of them a favor by placing it in the trash. Point and Shoot camera has horrible flash~ inaccurate, blown out everyone in sight, red eyes, you name it!

I can't believe myself saying this, but for a Point and Shoot camera, I think natural lighting is the way to go. Perhaps is just me, but I cant seem to get the handle of PS flash photography~ And trust me, I love artifical lighting! just not in PS DC...

BTW, so how good is F30 ISO noise? Is it usable at ISO800? or high perhaps? If thatz the case, I guess IS is not necessary! Not sure how many stop advantage in a typical Canon IS system....

So excuse me for liking image stablizer in point and shoot ;) Imagine, F30 ISO noise + 'real' Image stabilizer. Now thatz Godsend!

FYI, some models by Olympus/Kodak has fake Image Stablizer!

[Phr3sh]

LOL how little you know. To say that the F30 is better all around is just plain dumb. Both cameras have their strong points, but being the ignoranus you are, you clearly cant see that. You think just because i have it i think its the best? I did my research before I bought it dumbass, something you should do a little more of. As well I've used the F30 as well so no....sorry....you don't have a better idea of how they compare..awwww eat your words. If you knew anything about cameras or photography you would know that you don't need a high ISO for shots with adequate lighting and while comparing the two cameras with adequate lighting or outdoors the Canon takes the better pictures. Whats wrong with you man, if Fuji had a dick you'd be sucking it.

God i cant stand fanboys


Hey ******, before you start calling me a dummy or silly camera noob I'd suggest you know a thing or two about cameras before you go on these forums spewing crap you read on some digital camera web site, trying to pass it off as your own. I'm guessing you bought your little SD700 (or your Mommy bought it for you for Christmas) and you think its the greatest thing since sliced bread, and so you go on RFD preaching it as some amazing godsend and dismiss everyone who objects as a dummy or silly camera noob. Please...

I think my opinion here is far more valuable than anything that'll come out of your mouth. Unlike you I've actually owned the Fuji F10 (previous generation to the F30) as well as a Canon SD series that we're comparing here. Not to mention that I am a long-time serious hobby/semi-pro photographer who owns two Canon DSLRs. Therefore I think I have a far better idea than you of how these cameras compare... and NO these cameras do not compare to a DSLR no matter how badly you want to believe your SD700 does.

For your information, the Fuji's low noise makes it a far better camera without flash AND with flash (despite what you believe). The reason is simple, by being able to dial up a higher sensitivity while maintaining lower noise levels you can better balance artificial flash and ambient light without having your image quality go to hell. So you are wrong on that account too.

As for my recommendation, I still strongly believe that the Fuji is a better all-around camera. Aside from the obvious low noise SuperCCD, the camera is very responsive and battery life is unimaginably long.

Here are some 100% crop samples I made a while ago when I had just purchased my Fuji F10. The F30 should be even better.
http://www.klamonline.com/posting/f10_1.jpg

Here is the entire scene shot at ISO 1600.
http://www.klamonline.com/posting/f10_2.jpg

To quote your own words Phr3sh, "silly noob, learn your cameras before you speak."

[Amuse]

LOL how little you know. To say that the F30 is better all around is just plain dumb. Both cameras have their strong points, but being the ignoranus you are, you clearly cant see that. You think just because i have it i think its the best? I did my research before I bought it dumbass, something you should do a little more of. As well I've used the F30 as well so no....sorry....you don't have a better idea of how they compare..awwww eat your words. If you knew anything about cameras or photography you would know that you don't need a high ISO for shots with adequate lighting and while comparing the two cameras with adequate lighting or outdoors the Canon takes the better pictures. Whats wrong with you man, if Fuji had a dick you'd be sucking it.

God i cant stand fanboys

:|


For me, I would either go with the F30 or the SD700

[cwb27]

LOL how little you know. To say that the F30 is better all around is just plain dumb. Both cameras have their strong points, but being the ignoranus you are, you clearly cant see that. You think just because i have it i think its the best? I did my research before I bought it dumbass, something you should do a little more of. As well I've used the F30 as well so no....sorry....you don't have a better idea of how they compare..awwww eat your words. If you knew anything about cameras or photography you would know that you don't need a high ISO for shots with adequate lighting and while comparing the two cameras with adequate lighting or outdoors the Canon takes the better pictures. Whats wrong with you man, if Fuji had a dick you'd be sucking it.

God i cant stand fanboys

You've lost your credibility with me. You can't even debate an issue without dropping insults and being outright disrespectful...

Grow up.

[Ryan]

Locked. re: bickering