Need a digital camera recommendation

[Jojo7]

I've got the Sony DSC-P92 (5 mp) and it's very nice.

When I first got it, I had some pictures developed at a photo center and I asked the lady how they looked and she said it was the best pictures from a digital camera she had ever seen.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

TTT, I need some opinions!

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Jojo7
I've got the Sony DSC-P92 (5 mp) and it's very nice.

When I first got it, I had some pictures developed at a photo center and I asked the lady how they looked and she said it was the best pictures from a digital camera she had ever seen.

Doesn't the long shutter lag drive you insane? I've Sony DSC-P72 and although I like the relatively compact size and decent picture quality, I find the shutter lag annoying to say the least. By the time the camera takes the picture the subject (my daughter) is doing something else.

I bought Sony F717 because of this and I've love the speed. Shutter lag is virtually nonexistant compared to P72 and the picture quality is much better. It is however extremely bulky so I use P72 for casual outings.

 

[Jojo7]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Doesn't the long shutter lag drive you insane?

Shutter lag? Explain.

 

[Sid59]

shutter lag is the time it takes from pressing the shutter and waiting for the camera to take the picture. All digitals except the high priced DSLRs show some sort of shutter lag. Older cameras have pretty bad shutter lag and cannot be used for action shots. The newer digitals are getting better with the shutter lag.

 

[Jojo7]

Never really noticed the shutter lag if there is any.

Then again, this is really the only digi cam I've used.

 

[Metron]

In terms of lag...

My first digital camera was an Olympus D-620. The 620 was one of the few *reasonably* priced early SLR digital cameras, and it was the digital version of the IS-10 (which I also owned). It's major downfall was an insane amount of shot lag.

By shot lag, I mean that you would press and hold to allow for auto-focus, press again... and wait, and wait, and wait. Sometimes the shot would never complete, forcing you to reframe the shot, or change the lighting, and repeat the whole press, focus, press, wait, wait, wait... sequence all over again.

The Canons do NOT suffer from this problem!

Good luck!

 

[loic2003]

It's got to be the Nikon Coolpix 3100 evey time. i bought one and it's compact, has a reasonable *optical* zoom, copes with varying light conditions and rapid movement. it's actualy quite difficult to produce a poor picture with these beasts!

Well, there's my 2cents....

 

[Dabappa]

The Canon SD-100 (now 110?) might fit your needs.

It is very compact, just larger than a deck of cards.

It uses SD memory.

It is in your price range, I paid around $279 or so back in December.

It will take movie clips, and I'm pretty sure it will also record sound.

It takes great pictures.

If you really like reading manuals, it has manual features to play with.

The only downside is that the optical zoom is only 2x.



Good Luck,

 

[mrwxyz]

Originally posted by: Dabappa
The Canon SD-100 (now 110?) might fit your needs.

It is very compact, just larger than a deck of cards.

It uses SD memory.

It is in your price range, I paid around $279 or so back in December.

It will take movie clips, and I'm pretty sure it will also record sound.

It takes great pictures.

If you really like reading manuals, it has manual features to play with.

The only downside is that the optical zoom is only 2x.



Good Luck,

i agree with the sd100, its almost identical to the s400 except less zoom and the pixels rnt as high (but still very good). I got the s400 and i love it, but i know i would have definatly taken the sd100 had the optical zoom been higher. If the 2x optical is ok with, get the sd100.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: Sid59
shutter lag is the time it takes from pressing the shutter and waiting for the camera to take the picture. All digitals except the high priced DSLRs show some sort of shutter lag. Older cameras have pretty bad shutter lag and cannot be used for action shots. The newer digitals are getting better with the shutter lag.

I remember using a Sony 4MP camera. There was a noticeable delay after hitting the shutter button. This delay is probably more evident to me since I have a 35mm SLR. I love knowing the instant I hit the button, the picture is taken.

I recently bought a Canon Digital Rebel D-SLR to help me learn... No additional cost for film and developing.. ALSO NO LAG!

Just curious what 'advanced features' are you looking for in a camera?

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: mrwxyz

i agree with the sd100, its almost identical to the s400 except less zoom and the pixels rnt as high (but still very good). I got the s400 and i love it, but i know i would have definatly taken the sd100 had the optical zoom been higher. If the 2x optical is ok with, get the sd100.

I really like the sd100, but the 2x optical zoom is too little for me.

At this point I've almost decided on the s410. Any opinions anyone?

 

[Password]

I would take the S45 over the A80. It's a higher end camera but discontinued. The little 1.5" screen on my A80 drives me nuts. It does take great pictures however.

Remember that besides the size of the camera there is the weight. 4 "AA" batteries are pretty heavy by themselves to be comfortable in a pocket.

For a pocket size camera I would have to go with the S400 or S410.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: Password
I would take the S45 over the A80. It's a higher end camera but discontinued. The little 1.5" screen on my A80 drives me nuts. It does take great pictures however.

Remember that besides the size of the camera there is the weight. 4 "AA" batteries are pretty heavy by themselves to be comfortable in a pocket.

For a pocket size camera I would have to go with the S400 or S410.

Yeah, I've pretty much come to that conclusion too.

Do you (or anyone) know of a store that carries both that I could go into and feel/hold each camera?

 

[Metron]

Fry's

 

[gsellis]

I have some rules I use in determining what I want with a digital camera. Background, I have been using SLRs for more than 25 years. Still have not replaced my Nikon yet, but that's because I am spending too much money on video equipment at the moment

• 
  It should be at least 3MP which theoretically gives 3x5/4x6 quality on output.
  It should have 6x optical zoom unless it excepts different lens. 6x will be approx equiv to 200mm in 35mm land.
  It needs to be able to take at least 5 frames (motor) in 5 seconds.

Of course, those are my rules, and your's do vary. Edit - changed your's may vary to "your's do vary"

 

[egale]

Having had both digicams and now a DSLR, I can assure you that all digicams suffer from shutter lag. Some cameras are much worse than others but they all have it. If you go with a dslr, the shutter lag goes away but you have a very expensive bulky camera. You will have to get used to planning some shots and you will have to get used to missing many an action shot because the camera is not quick enough.

As for megapixels, more doesn't automatically equal better but in general if you have a 3mp camera, you will be able to take a nice 4x5 and possibley be able to print up to 8x10. After that, you start to see a loss of detail and a big increase in noise. Also, if you have a 5mp image for instance and you want to do some severe cropping before printing, you probably will have enough image left to print a 4x5 or 8x10 whereas if the shot was with a 3mp camera, your results will not be as good.

Canon makes very nice digicams. Pick the one you like the best. Make sure it is at least 3mp. Get used to the fact you will have shutter lag, and then learn to use the camera and get around it's faults. No camera is perfect but that doesn't make it a bad camera.

 

[gsellis]

BTW Capt. Kahuna, Thanks!. I think I know what I am going to get my wife for our anniversary thanks to you. A Fuji S5000 is $340 from newegg

 

[DaveSimmons]

Just got my A80, haven't even tried it yet but I can say it's definitely not shirt-pocket or jeans-pocket size. It might fit in one of those leg pockets on cargo pants or in a deep slacks pocket, or in the big pocket of a fall/winter coat.

 

[Metron]

CaptainKahuna,

Let us know what you decide...

Regards,
Metron

 

[imported_Cybercop]

where's ur location?

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: Metron
CaptainKahuna,

Let us know what you decide...

Regards,
Metron

I'm pretty sure I've decided on the s410. I'm trying to find a store that carries both the s410 and the s45, so I can go with the intention of getting the s410, and only change to the s45 if I find it's small enough in my hand.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: Cybercop
where's ur location?

Charlotte, NC

 

[imported_Cybercop]

no wonder... ur A80 is so cheap... sigh.. sg sells abt six hundred plus. guess i can never get that.....