I want an Ultra Compact Camera!

jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
edited January 12, 2008 in Cameras
I've all but decided to swap out my A650 for an ultra compact. I just think the ability to put my camera in my pocket will outway the lost zoom on my 650 since I believe I'll have my camera way more often.
Any recommendations on the best Ultra compact out right now? Here are my considerations in aproximate order:
1- Image Quality
2- Fast (speedy and responsive)
3- Small compact size
4- IS
5- Wide angle photos
5- 3 inch bright display
5- At least 7.0 MP (if not more so I can crop photos)
6- Takes SD Cards

I'm also willing to wait a couple of months if something great is expectecd to come out soon.

Comments

  • z_28z_28 Registered Users Posts: 956 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    I'm not aware that such P&S even exist !!!

    Anyway I'm very interested in buying too mwink.gif
    D300, D70s, 10.5/2.8, 17-55/2.8, 24-85/2.8-4, 50/1.4, 70-200VR, 70-300VR, 60/2.8, SB800, SB80DX, SD8A, MB-D10 ...
    XTi, G9, 16-35/2.8L, 100-300USM, 70-200/4L, 19-35, 580EX II, CP-E3, 500/8 ...
    DSC-R1, HFL-F32X ... ; AG-DVX100B and stuff ... (I like this 10 years old signature :^)
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,132 moderator
    edited January 4, 2008
    In the Ultra Compact category, searching with the following criteria,

    Image stabilization
    LCD: 3.0 " or more
    SD card

    ... I found (alphabetical order):

    Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
    Nikon Coolpix S50
    Nikon Coolpix S50c
    Nikon Coolpix S51
    Nikon Coolpix S51c
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55

    The Nikon's tend to be less expensive.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • ktskts Registered Users Posts: 145 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    My Canon SD800IS has been a great pocket camera and I've gotten some nice shots with it. I believe it has everything you want except for a 3" screen (It's 2.5")

    I got it about a year ago so I'm sure whatever the new model is (870?) will have a 3" screen.

    I take the SD800IS almost everywhere I go.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    I think you gots a problem
    I don't think you can get a truely pocket sized camera with a 3" display. That being said, check out this little Leica with a 2.5" display, and I think everything else you were looking for.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    Well gee
    Guess you can after allrolleyes1.gif
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    Thanks for the replies:

    I should have clarified that I didn't necessary need every option I listed, those were just the order of importance of what I'm looking for.

    I bought my girlfriend a Nikon Coolpix S50 and although I haven't played with it much I'm not impressed with its responsiveness so far. (it was a low light situation though) It has a great 3 inch LCD though. I also don't like the fact that you have to remove the battery pack and place it into a clunky charger. You also don't appear to be able to use a regular mini usb cable as Nikon included their own version which I really don't like (why can't everone just use mini usb since those cables are a dime a dozen now?)

    I've never even considered a Leica before, that's quite pricey but the two reviews I read were excellent. I'll have to do more research and see if the price is justified.

    I really want a quick camera that fits in my shirt/pants pocket, has a nice screen and takes good photos. Maybe I should hold on to my Canon A650 for another year and see what comes down the pipeline.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,132 moderator
    edited January 4, 2008
    jeremy3721 wrote:
    ...

    I really want a quick camera that fits in my shirt/pants pocket, has a nice screen and takes good photos. Maybe I should hold on to my Canon A650 for another year and see what comes down the pipeline.

    For Christmas, I got both my lady and my son a Fuji F40fd. It is very compact and produces great snapshots in available light. I found them to be both responsive and capable.

    I had previously purchased a Fuji F30 for myself and I am "very" pleased with it as a very versatile snap camera, capable of professional results with proper lighting and camera setup.

    The F40fd uses an external charger, but I view that as an advantage because you can be charging one battery while using the camera.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    For Christmas, I got both my lady and my son a Fuji F40fd.

    Ziggy, timely post as I just saw this article 5 min ago on the new fugi ultra compact camera that is being released. http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/04/fujifilm-rolls-out-finepix-z100fd-compact-camera/#comments

    I've actually had my eye on these fuji models - Can you tell me if the lens cover also works as the power on/off button? I always thought they had a neat design.
  • IotaIota Registered Users Posts: 24 Big grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    I'm a big Canon P&S Fan. I've used the 400, 500, 550, 600, 870, and 950 over the last 5 years between work and personal and love all of them.

    I personally upgraded from the 500 to the 950 recently, because I wanted the extra reach rather than wide angle.

    At the office, wide angle was more important than the extra reach of the 950 so I bought the 870IS for the office.

    The 870IS meets all your requirements and is a great camera.
    The 950IS gives you more mplxs 12Mp (vs 8) and only has a 2.5" display, but the 2.5" is plenty and hasn't been a problem, but it's not as wide as the 870.

    Additionally, other than the quality and functionality, the Canon's take a beating. I carry my P&S with me pretty much everywhere. When going 'out' I'll typically just throw the camera in my pocket--as is--without a case to add bulk-- and not once have I had an issue with something breaking or getting scratched--other than minor wear and scratches on the body from not using a case.

    -Iota
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,132 moderator
    edited January 4, 2008
    jeremy3721 wrote:
    ... Can you tell me if the lens cover also works as the power on/off button? I always thought they had a neat design.

    I suspect so, but cannot tell for sure.

    http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/z/finepix_z100fd/index.html
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • GrainbeltGrainbelt Registered Users Posts: 478 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    From a features and aesthetic perspective, I love the Panasonic FX series.

    In a compact, 28mm seems like a huge advantage.

    when i finally throw my olympus d600 in a puddle/down the road/other motorcycling incident I'll be getting the FX55 or its replacement.
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    Well I looked at the Canon cameras again today but just couldn't pass up the features of the Sony DSC-T200

    sonyce2.jpg
    8.1 megapixel, 3.5" touchscreen, 5X Optical Zoom, up to 25X Smart Zoom® , Face Detection, Smile Shutter Mode (whatever this means), SteadyShot® Image Stabilization. It also has a wall charger with (NO WIRES) which sort of makes up for having to lug a charger around at all.
    Click here for Product Page

    It's charging now and I'll let you all know how it stacks up to my Canon Powershot A650 which I love other than it's size (portability). I got the Sony for $359 at Circuit City with some Amazon Price matching. I think I should be able to get close to that for the A650 if I decide not to return the Sony. I have high hopes because I only loose 1x on my zoom and Sony even sells a wide angle snap-on lens at a reasonable price and a waterproof case for my snorkeling excursions.
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2008
    Congrats on the camera! I am sure it will work well for you!
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 6, 2008
    swintonphoto wrote:
    Congrats on the camera! I am sure it will work well for you!

    Well crap!

    I just took the Sony back to Curcuit City (no restocking fee thank goodness). I used it all day and I'm mainly just not happy with the resolution of the 3.5 inch screen. The 2 inch screen on my A650 blows it away which kind of defeats the purpose of having a nice big lcd.

    I took quite a few comparison shots as well and while I liked the pictures I got from the Sony T200 I could definately tell there was a slight loss of detail compared to the A650. I could have lived with that if it wasn't combined with the dissapointment of the screen.

    I have decided to either stick with the A650 for the majority of the next year or I may try out the Canon SD870. I played with one at Circuit City and liked it a lot. Going to think about it for a while first though.
  • IotaIota Registered Users Posts: 24 Big grins
    edited January 9, 2008
    Get the 870; You won't regret it :)
    jeremy3721 wrote:
    Well crap!

    I just took the Sony back to Curcuit City (no restocking fee thank goodness). I used it all day and I'm mainly just not happy with the resolution of the 3.5 inch screen. The 2 inch screen on my A650 blows it away which kind of defeats the purpose of having a nice big lcd.

    I took quite a few comparison shots as well and while I liked the pictures I got from the Sony T200 I could definately tell there was a slight loss of detail compared to the A650. I could have lived with that if it wasn't combined with the dissapointment of the screen.

    I have decided to either stick with the A650 for the majority of the next year or I may try out the Canon SD870. I played with one at Circuit City and liked it a lot. Going to think about it for a while first though.
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 9, 2008
    Yeah, Looking for someone that does not have a restocking fee so I can send it back if I don't like it.

    Can anyone provice a performance comparison between the A650 and the SD870? Is there a wide angle lens option for the SD870?
  • GrainbeltGrainbelt Registered Users Posts: 478 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2008
    jeremy3721 wrote:
    Can anyone provice a performance comparison between the A650 and the SD870? Is there a wide angle lens option for the SD870?

    Here are the specs, side by side, from dpreview.

    You'll note that the SD870 has a 28mm wide lens to begin with, whereas the A650 is 35mm. If the A650 adapter is anything like my S5, it is .75, so you'd get down to 28mm.
  • jeremy3721jeremy3721 Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited January 10, 2008
    Well here I go again:

    Ordered the SD870 from Amazon for $297 :-) Sweet price and good return policy so I have nothing to loose. I don't like the returning merchandise but I'm REALLY hoping I'll like the canon. If not this is my last try for a while mwink.gif

    I'll love having the wide angle lens in a smaller camera (much less not having to also attach and adapter and seperate lens).
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2008
    You should have gotten this one:
    http://www.amazon.com/Coby-DP-151-Digital-Photo-Keychain/dp/B000R9BMVU/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200115393&sr=8-1
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
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