Help with a new P&S purchase!

VelvtRide · June 1, 2010

I'm going cross-eyed finding camera after camera and reading review after review and viewing specs on each and every one. Ugh!

I need some help deciding on a point and shoot to purchase. I've had terrible luck buying these things and I just got rid of mine(Sony Cybershot T-70) because I was hopelessly disgusted with it. I want a new one that takes great pics. Mostly I'll be carrying this thing around with me and taking pics on the fly(everyday stuff) - day, night, poolside. If I know a good opportunity for shooting is coming up, I usually drag out my 10D with the good lenses. But all I need is something I can whip outta my pocket and take decent pictures with to capture fun stuff.

My budget is tiny; $150-$200.

The things that are most important to me(in order) are:

1. Clear, crisp images
2. Good low light images
3. Some kind of IS
4. Good battery life
5. Fast recycle time

My dad has a Lumix Z series camera and it takes fantastic pics - but he's got the higher end model that comes with the Leica lens and those are all out of my price range. I was looking at the Canon Elph/Powershot series and figured I couldn't go wrong with a lens on any Canon camera, right? They've got a few that are F2.8 and even one that's F2.7 which is pretty good for a P&S, isn't it?

I figured I could sacrifice getting a camera with a great lens(Lumix series) and go with a brand I know that makes good lenses(Canon) and find an F2.8 which would help with better picture taking....

What are your thoughts?

cmason · June 1, 2010

To be perfectly honest, low light, and fast recycle time and even more importantly, low shutter lag, are all where P&S cameras fall down nearly universally. Nearly any one you pick will be marginally no different among them, and in order to get the best performing models, you will need to spend more than $150. If you can, save a bit more and purchase a slightly used Canon Rebel XS, XSi, XT. You can get these for about $350-$400 on DGrin forums, and these will be orders of magnitude better than any P&S you can find.

VelvtRide · June 1, 2010

cmason wrote: »

To be perfectly honest, low light, and fast recycle time and even more importantly, low shutter lag, are all where P&S cameras fall down nearly universally. Nearly any one you pick will be marginally no different among them, and in order to get the best performing models, you will need to spend more than $150. If you can, save a bit more and purchase a slightly used Canon Rebel XS, XSi, XT. You can get these for about $350-$400 on DGrin forums, and these will be orders of magnitude better than any P&S you can find.

To me, a Rebel would be in the same category as my 10D. I'm looking for a pocket camera that has the attributes I mentioned, in that price range, better than others. I know P&S's are notorious for crappy pics in low light situations, but there's gotta be one that does it better than others.

More specifically I'm wondering what's better:

Canon Powershot vs. Panasonic Lumix with crappy lens.

I've read that Lumix cameras deliver great pics with their Leica lenses, but because I can't afford it, will the Canon Powershot with their lens be better?

zoomer · June 1, 2010

Well you can buy crappy ones for $200 and waste your money and have to buy another one later or buy a decent one the first time and be done with it.
I bought the Canon S90 and love it.
I had previously bought three less expensive ones (all Nikon's) hoping to get lucky but they all sucked, so I should have followed my own advice.

Qarik · June 1, 2010

I am with zoomer on this..buy it once and buy it right.

ElectricDreams · June 1, 2010

In Photographer, You get what you pay for. 150 is going to buy you a point and shoot meant for people just to have fun with. It's not meant to take professional quality images. You can get some really nice point and shoots for about 300-400 but I've gotten so used to using a DSLR that the speed and lack of control in cheap point and shoots has just become frustrating. I still have not used a better point and shoot than the Leica D-Lux.

VelvtRide · June 1, 2010

So most of the consensus here is to not buy a point and shoot or to save up for one that will perform like my 10D.

I really want a simple point and shoot - not a crappy one, not an expensive one, but one that works well in most lighting conditions.

Anyone got a suggestion that will fit a $150 - $200 budget?

nightowlcat · June 1, 2010

http://www.steves-digicams.com/best-cameras.html has it sorted by price. I've had a couple P&S, latest being a Konica Minolta DiMage Z10

ian408 · June 1, 2010

S90 or one of the SD series cameras.

Nothing is going to give you the performance features you're looking for in a small package. I've used an SD870 for the p&s stuff for a while. It just died and I replaced it with the S90.

VelvtRide · June 1, 2010

ian408 wrote: »

S90 or one of the SD series cameras.

Nothing is going to give you the performance features you're looking for in a small package. I've used an SD870 for the p&s stuff for a while. It just died and I replaced it with the S90.

I've been drooling over that all week. Bottom line is that I can't afford it. Good to know you recommend it.

I know I won't get any shots like I can with my 10D on the P&S, but at least I can get decent memories, yanno? Just not sure which is the better camera.

VelvtRide · June 1, 2010

Hey Ian,

What's your opinion of the Canon A3100IS? f/2.7 (W) - f/5.6 (T)....

ian408 · June 1, 2010

VelvtRide wrote: »

Hey Ian,

What's your opinion of the Canon A3100IS? f/2.7 (W) - f/5.6 (T)....

Never owned one so can't really say. On paper it's looks OK.

pathfinder · June 1, 2010

I think an under $200 price target suggests that the poster needs to consider looking for used cameras. I do not think this price target and his stated objectives will converge very well.

One might get lucky and find a used G9 somewhere near that price target, but it will be slow to AF compared to a 10D. A GF-1 will meet most of the objectives except price of course.

Grainbelt · June 1, 2010

B&H has the Panasonic Lumix FX580 for 199 with free shipping (linky). A little bit older model, but F2.8 (at the wide end), image stabilized, versatile 25-125mm equivalent lens. Seems like a lot of camera for the money.

If the JPG performance is anything like my LX3, it will be completely usable for your intended purpose.

Velveeta

ziggy53 · June 1, 2010

The Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR is a rather nice P&S that I have been looking at as a complement to my Fuji F30 and F40fd. I am very much a fan of these little cameras. The JPG files show very nice characteristics for a P&S and I am generally pleased with the results. You can find a Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR in the $200-300 range. Used copies are definitely available for under $200.

Reviews:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/fujifilm_finepix_f70exr_review/

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4154&review=fujifilm+finepix+f70exr

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/fujifilm/finepix-f70exr/fuji-finepix-f70exr-review.html

BradfordBenn · June 1, 2010

Serendipity? http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=1397336#post1397336

No involvement just happened across two posts in succession

telefotoguy · June 2, 2010

The SD940IS/IXUS 120IS is $199 on amazon

as long as you recognize the limitations on a P&S, this takes decent quality pics for a p&s.

VelvtRide · June 3, 2010

Grainbelt wrote: »

B&H has the Panasonic Lumix FX580 for 199 with free shipping (linky). A little bit older model, but F2.8 (at the wide end), image stabilized, versatile 25-125mm equivalent lens. Seems like a lot of camera for the money. If the JPG performance is anything like my LX3, it will be completely usable for your intended purpose.

Velveeta

Ohhhhhh... this looky gooooood AND in my budget!! Thanks, Michael!

VelvtRide · June 4, 2010

I found it for $179 w/no tax and free shipping @ adorama.com.

Help with a new P&S purchase!

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