Point and Shoot help
Well, I used to own an Ultra Zoom, but sold it off when I bought my 20D. I'm more than happy with the 20D, but now would like something smaller, for all of those times when a full bodied camera is just too cumbersome.
I'd like something compact, something small that I can easily fit in my pocket. Basically, something that I can always have on me and doesn't weigh down my pants. I'd like a nice all around camera, but most importantly something that I can take with me to the bar or to a concert and still be able to get off a decent shot of the stage without using a flash. IS is definitely a need as well as a camera that can handle lowlight without much noise.
I've been looking at the Fuji F30, and I'm tempted to pull the trigger and just buy it, but I already have CF cards and SD cards, whereas the Fuji takes an xD card. I guess I could just buy another memory card, but it'd be nice to use the ones I already have.
I'd also like to keep the price down to around $300, the new canon g7 looks nice, but not for $600.
Thanks in advance to any and all advice.
I'd like something compact, something small that I can easily fit in my pocket. Basically, something that I can always have on me and doesn't weigh down my pants. I'd like a nice all around camera, but most importantly something that I can take with me to the bar or to a concert and still be able to get off a decent shot of the stage without using a flash. IS is definitely a need as well as a camera that can handle lowlight without much noise.
I've been looking at the Fuji F30, and I'm tempted to pull the trigger and just buy it, but I already have CF cards and SD cards, whereas the Fuji takes an xD card. I guess I could just buy another memory card, but it'd be nice to use the ones I already have.
I'd also like to keep the price down to around $300, the new canon g7 looks nice, but not for $600.
Thanks in advance to any and all advice.
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Canon 20D | Canon 17-40mm f/4L USM | Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di LD IF | Canon 50mm f/1.8 II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
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just a thought.
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
I was looking at the z1000 for a bit, but didn't like the reviews too much, and the 10mp seems like overkill on a p&s.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/casioz1000/
I'm still considering the fuji. I was looking at the canon sd700 IS as well, but the price of that alone was the same as the fuji with a 1gb xD card.
p&s's are confusing.
SD600 is a nice alternative. I do like mine.
Just got my wife a Panasonic LZ3 as her first digital. We needed the long reach (goes out to 200mm) and I liked the fast lens at wide angle (f/2.8). The IS on it is really good and the LCD is big and easy to see except in sunlight.
Flash coverage is also pretty long for a compact. It takes SD memory and shutter lag is pretty low. I'd recommend taking a look at it.
Mike
IR Modified Sony F717
http://2H2OPhoto.smugmug.com
No viewfinder (sucks).
It was so nice that I purchased one for my g/f too.
Gary
About $350
Unsharp at any Speed
"I'm happy with the camera I have, do we really need a new one?"
As the urge to say, "your camera sucks, its 5 years old, only 2mp, has a 1" lcd, and the battery dies after 20 minutes" crossed my mind, I bit my tongue and agreed we didn't really need it.
So I guess I wait now until later, maybe something else will be out in a couple of months that will convince her otherwise.
As you should, according to the textbook "How to stay in a relationship" I have here.
I have a feeling if I bring this up about a month or so before we go on a trip/vacation the better half will be all for it.
Better be careful ... if she doesn't want one now ... then she's probably not into photography ... would rather have something sparklie to go with her new camera.
Unsharp at any Speed
heh, the whole "lets get a new camera" idea just sounds better than "I'm buying more toys" - she definitely understands my gear lust though...I just have to make it up to her. hehe.
J: And "third" the T10, and "fourth" the T10, and...
H: I have the Sony T9, and recommend it's newer sibling without reservation.
J: The IS is extremely effective. The LCD is a wonder (it is so fun to share pics while out and about). The M-A-C-R-O is incredible. And it slips into a shirt pocket.
H: If folks are worried about not having manual exposure settings, I'd put those fears to rest. In the thousands and thousands of shots I've taken, the camera virtually always selects the same aperture that I would have. (Larger apertures generally, and smaller for scenics and in bright light).
J: The only real weakness with these super small cameras is the flash IMO. You'll get redeye in almost every shot, and perhaps an occasional "dust bunny" (very close dust motes illuminated by the flash).
H: I have a small T9 gallery if you'd like to check out some of its capabilities...
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/sony_t9_gallery
And yes, go for the pink!
J&H
I purchased an F30 back in July 2006. I must admit, I was taken with the image quality. On our last family vacation, I took my Fuji S3, my Nikon D200 and the new F30. It was our annual camping trip to Prince Edward Island. The two DSLR's never left the camera bag. The F30 was easy to use and produced nice photos even at high ISO. I will try and post some photos and then let you know when they are up.
I was fortunate enough to try other cameras but settled on this....haven't regretted it so far. I put it in a very small pouch and attach it to my belt when I travel.
Hope this helps....it is always tough as there are so many great cameras to chose from these days.
Dan
Mickey57
http://redbull.smugmug.com
"Money can't buy happiness...But it can buy expensive posessions that make other people envious, and that feels just as good.":D
Canon 20D, Canon 50 1.8 II, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40 f/4 L, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 430ex.
You should abscond with it and give us a report
I've been looking at this situation as well. If you're still looking, you may want to consider Canon's new A710, announced a month ago. It's very light at 210 grams, and very small, but not so tiny as the SD line, which I find difficult to use for that reason. My wife has the SD500 which she just doesn't use very much, and when she does, there is camera-motion-blur.
So I've decided to get her the A710 because it has Image Stabilization, plus the 2.5" LCD screen, the larger sensor (the one called 1/2.5", whatever that means), plenty of megapixels at 7.1 (who needs 10 Mp for informal pictures), USB 2.0 for fast downloads, and DIGIC II processing (I think only the G7 has the new DIGIC III).
The only downer, if it were to be my camera, is the lack of a flip-out LCD, and the 2.0 lens of the earlier G series. But my wife doesn't use the flip-out capability, and with ISO 800 available, it will do almost as well in low light. Pricing is $370 at B&H, which seems reasonable for these features. See http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a710is.asp for more info.
In sizing up my own point and shoot requirements, it's a toss up between:
1. Keeping the G6 (f/2.0, flip out screen, raw, etc.)
2. Going for the G7 for DIGIC III, bigger 2.5" anti-glare LCD, 10 Mp (my px are not just "informal pictures"), IS, 1600 ISO, and smaller size (forgoing flexible LCD, raw, and f/2.0), or
3. Getting the A640 for flip out 2.5" LCD, 800 ISO, 10 Mp, DIGIC II, just about everything but Image Stabilization.
Skip
http://skip-dechert.smugmug.com
Gary
Unsharp at any Speed
Dude, its not about her ... it's all about you (unless you'll be happy with a 5D, in which case I take what I said back because ... You are the man! Good Call.)
Seriously, look into the Panasonic - that 10X optical zoom w/ IS is a lot of fun ... she will enjoy the zoom and use the camera more ... after a while she'll probably start comparing/competing her shots to yours and Viola! She hooked on photography.
Gary
Unsharp at any Speed