Need a digital camera recommendation

[CaptainKahuna]

I'm looking into buying a digital camera, but there's so many options I don't know what to get. I've done some initial research and come up with a list of cameras I'm considering. Any opinions on them or totally new recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

$289 - Canon Powershot S45
$247 - Pentax Optio S
$288 - Konica Digital Revio KD-500Z (anyone heard of this?)
$299 - Canon Powershot A80 (How well does this fit in a pocket?)
$330 - Canon PowerShot S410 (the current leader)
$238 - Fujifilm A340 (Does this have enough advanced options?)

At these prices (best I could find), is the S45 the clear winner?

Anyway, here's what I'm looking for in a camera:

- At least 3.x megapixels, 4 if possible
- Video capture with sound
- I'm not a "serious amatuer" photographer yet, but I'd like a camera with a moderate amount of advanced features I can grow into
- Form factor is very important. I want something that I can easily carry in my pocket.
- Good zoom (as much optical as possible, I like it better than digital) A combined 7x-8x or more would be good
- Minimal shutter lag! I want it to take the picture when I press the button
- Total cost (including big enough memory card to hold ~50 pictures) needs to be (hopefully) $325 or less.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Anubis]

i dont see you getting a 4mp with thoes features and a media card for less then 300$

 

[beatle]

Get the A80. I carry mine around in my pocket in a pinch, though I don't wear "toight" pants.

Note: it'll be a bit more than $300, probably around $350 after you factor in a media card and batteries.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: Anubis
i dont see you getting a 4mp with thoes features and a media card for less then 300$

If I got a camera that used SD, I wouldn't need to buy a memory card, as I already have a 256MB one I could use. Any recommendations now?

 

[Soulkeeper]

i'm happy with my sub 150 dollar 2.1mp camera

i recommend getting atleast 2mp and having the best zoom (non digital) in your price range
internal memory is also a plus (i still havn't bought a card for it)
it's just some refurbished HP 2.1mp camera that runs off 4 AA batteries

good luck

 

[KeithP]

I believe the S45/S50 have been discontinued, Canon just announced the S60 which should be available in June. If you keep on the look out, you might be able to find a close out deal on a S45/S50. Here is some info link on the S60.

The faq over at the Digital Camera Resource Page has a list of recommended cameras by price range. Dpreview.com is another good source for information.

-KeithP

 

[Chaotic42]

I liked my Konica Minolta DiMage Z2 that does everything you describe, including use SD, but it's $450.

 

[PCHPlayer]

I have an S45. It takes great pictures. It is a little big to carry in a shirt pocket, but it does fit into the front pocket of a pair of not-so-tight pants. It get a better rating that the S50 at dpreview.com (good site for more research). The video is OK, but that's not what you are buying a camera for anyway.

 

[waldog]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I liked my Konica Minolta DiMage Z2 that does everything you describe, including use SD, but it's $450.

Except that it doesn't fit in your pocket.... But I do agree - I have the Z1 (3.2 MP) and I love it. The 10x optical zoom is quite nice.

The A80 is a nice unit, and is what I would go with should I purchase a pocket model.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: waldog

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I liked my Konica Minolta DiMage Z2 that does everything you describe, including use SD, but it's $450.

Except that it doesn't fit in your pocket.... But I do agree - I have the Z1 (3.2 MP) and I love it. The 10x optical zoom is quite nice.

The A80 is a nice unit, and is what I would go with should I purchase a pocket model.

You know, I completely overlooked that.

Tis a good camera though.

 

[snidy1]

Originally posted by: beatle
Get the A80. I carry mine around in my pocket in a pinch, though I don't wear "toight" pants.

Note: it'll be a bit more than $300, probably around $350 after you factor in a media card and batteries.

That's what I bought a couple months ago, it's a great camera for the price.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

To all those who recommend the A80-

Does the somewhat irregular shape make it feel odd in a pocket? The reason I was going for the S45 is the "candy bar" form factor, it feels comfortable in a pocket.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: CaptainKahuna
To all those who recommend the A80-

Does the somewhat irregular shape make it feel odd in a pocket? The reason I was going for the S45 is the "candy bar" form factor, it feels comfortable in a pocket.

I got the A80 because it felt comfortable in my hands, not my pocket. If you want something that feels comfortable in your pocket, I'd get an S400/S410/S500 or an S45/S50/S60.

 

[Mem]

Look at the specs in your first post I would say the Pentax Optio 450 is worth looking at.

Review link. .

Optio 450 is a small 4MP camera,5x optical zoom(decent enough) and takes SD cards.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: CaptainKahuna
To all those who recommend the A80-

Does the somewhat irregular shape make it feel odd in a pocket? The reason I was going for the S45 is the "candy bar" form factor, it feels comfortable in a pocket.

Odd, yes. I don't carry my camera around frequently, however. I have a case that I can use if I go hiking or traveling, so it's rare that the camera is in my pocket. It WILL fit in a pinch, however. That's something that can't be said about the G2, G3, etc. series.

BTW, I'd just sell your SD and buy CF. You'll probably make a couple bucks in the process.

 

[Metron]

I'm very happy with my Canon Powershot S500 Digital Elph. It's a 5 megapixel camera, with a 3x Optical zoom and a 4x Digital zoom (12x combined). I'm planning a trip to Hawaii, and I wanted something I could easily carry when hiking that still had a decent zoom lens. Only problem for you... $500 price tag and Compact Flash media. Others cameras in the Elph line have the same features with less storage, and would make good alternatives.

Current pricing generally tends to run $100 per megapixel, so in your price range you can afford a 3 megapixel camera.

Canon does make 3.2 megapixel version, the SD-100, with 2x optical and 3.2x digital zoom (6.4x combined) for $299. It also uses the SD Memory card!

SD-110@ Fry's / Outpost for $299

If you're willing to forgo the optical zoom, they also have a nice 4 megapixel camera, the SD-10, that runs $349. It's much smaller than it's big brothers, and would fit in a shirt pocket. It has a 5.7x digital zoom (quality is not as good as optical, but functional). This one also uses the SD memory card

SD-10 @ Fry's / Outpost for $349

*edit* All of these cameras do video capture, though I think they only offer video with sound on the higher megapixel cameras. If you really want video, you'll have to pay more $$ and buy a DV camera or higher end model like the S500.

Also, unless you want to crop images for a good shot... or plan to print 8x10's, a 3 megapixel camera is fine for printing high quality 4x6 shots.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

TTT

 

[Anubis]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

check that out, put in the specs you wants and boom you get a list of what fits it

 

[Mem]

CaptainKahuna,decided yet?...Or made a new short list .

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: Mem
CaptainKahuna,decided yet?...Or made a new short list .

Made a new (longer, going in the wrong direction ) short list.

 

[Mem]

CaptainKahuna,here`s some good camera review sites.

Steve`s digicams.

DCresource.

Megapixel.net

 

[flexy]

we have a problem here, because you will soon realize there is no *perfect* camera.

And it all depends what you want to do with it....

As for me i can *highly* recommend the S230 (over the S400) because it is tiny and styly, should be pretty cheap right now. But then you dont have the great zoom. However, the S230 does GREAT 640x480 vids w/ sound (the S400 only 320x200 vids !!!!)....and once you start doing vids and editing with Sony Vegas etc...you never will want to go back

In addition, the cam is so tiny it literally goes anywhere...and i could not see me carrying a A70/A80 or similiar to all the places we go (vacation etc.)

Shutter lag...i really dont know about the other cams...but for me the shutter lag is not an issue at all. If you GET a digital camera then you just have to get used to the 'press halfway down, wait a bit and then shoot'..there's no way around. AFAIK the S230/S400 are doing good there, other cams are having an even greater lag.

4MP and above ? Personally i only laugh at the ads where it looks like that higher MP equals better camera. This is utter BS. Sorry. I dont think so there is even a need nor use for some consumer camera with 8MP or even 5 for that matter. The pix i take with the S230 are 2000x something (3.2 MP)....and even printing letter sized pics/posters in great quality on my PSC 2175 i never had any problems. 3.2 MP are plenty, plenty...actually for viewing at home on the monitor/tv you still have to resize them...in addition, much more pics fit on a card

You say you have a 256MB SD card already...there is a model (i THINK its called S200 SD ?????) which is the successor of the S230 which uses SD...its basically the same cam (and yes, they all have the digic! chip too like the S400 and others)...except that this cam uses the SD cards.

Pros: VERY tiny
Good "point and shoot" quality
very easy to use
styly
GREAT video capabilities !

Cons: Weak zoom
Picture quality only 'point and shoot' and not Canon EOS whatsoever
Kinda limited night shoot capabilities, not the best cam for low-light shots

greets

 

[Jeff7181]

I really like my Olympus C-3020. The only thing I'd like that it doesn't have is a 10X optical zoom. I believe the C-740 is a 4 MP with 10X optical zoom. I believe you can get them for under $400

 

[wkwong]

Originally posted by: beatle
Get the A80. I carry mine around in my pocket in a pinch, though I don't wear "toight" pants.

Note: it'll be a bit more than $300, probably around $350 after you factor in a media card and batteries.

you must have big pants!

i use a sony p72, not that great.if you want something nice and small, get the s400. more options get teh a80.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: wkwong

Originally posted by: beatle
Get the A80. I carry mine around in my pocket in a pinch, though I don't wear "toight" pants.

Note: it'll be a bit more than $300, probably around $350 after you factor in a media card and batteries.

you must have big pants!

i use a sony p72, not that great.if you want something nice and small, get the s400. more options get teh a80.

So are you saying the A80 isn't really pocketable? I'm thinking the s400 is a bit pricey.

I just posted prices I've found in the first post. Judging by them, is the S45 the best deal?