Looking for a nice point and shoot

LRussoPhoto · October 28, 2011

Looking for something small to carry I'm my pocket so I don't always have to carry around the dslr. I'm a Nikon guy but am open to other brands. Trying to keep it under $200. Was thinking about the Nikon coolpix s3100 or s6200. Any suggestions????

ziggy53 · October 28, 2011

If you're just looking for snapshots then the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS gets good user reviews. The usual problems of a snapshot P&S apply.

I got my daughter a Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR as part of her graduation present and, while I didn't get to play with it myself, I am pleased with what she has produced with it. It does have some neat features that a dSLR photographer would appreciate, like a 15x zoom that starts at 24mm (equivalent), a phase detect AF with contrast AF in lower light (although people say the low light AF is slow), a mode that allows you to blend multiple exposures for lower noise, a mode to stitch multiple images for a panoramic image (landscape or portrait orientation), a pseudo limited DOF mode, etc. It's still just primarily a camera for snapshots.

PBase examples:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/fujifilm/finepix_f300exr

I tried to like a P&S camera for myself, but I wind up taking a full dSLR just for the lighting control.

babowc · October 28, 2011

I used a P7000, running about $250 used now, during my missonary trip to Honduras. This thing was great for snapshots, but it did have the "dSLR" control aspect of it, as it was able to change aperture and shutter speed.

It wasn't much better than a P&S though. But it was a great P&S.

ThatCanonGuy · October 28, 2011

The Canon S90/95 was a popular choice. The newly released successor, the S100, looks very promising - especially in the low noise category. They're small, they have manual controls, and they have larger-than-most-point-and-shoots sensors. Plus, they shoot RAW.

Merlin_AZ · October 31, 2011

I have an S95 and really like it.
You should search for reviews, test shots, etc.

WillCAD · October 31, 2011

I'm liking my Canon SX230HS. It has great performance in low light with no flash at ISO 400 (the ISO goes up to 3200 but it gets noisy above 800, so I usually leave it at 400). And the 1080p video is killer! It's higher than your price range, but if you decide to up that range it's a good option. Street prices are about $300 (Best Buy, Amazon, HH Gregg, etc).

babowc · November 4, 2011

I have been playing around with my P7000 more and more and even in dim light and I'm running into several autofocus issues... Very annoying.

Netgarden · November 5, 2011

WillCAD I have the sx230 also. Fun little camera, not much bigger than a Blackberry. 14x zoom, good noise control. I wanted pocket size, and this is it!

WillCAD · November 5, 2011

Netgarden wrote: »

WillCAD I have the sx230 also. Fun little camera, not much bigger than a Blackberry. 14x zoom, good noise control. I wanted pocket size, and this is it!

If size is a major issue, the Canon SD1400IS is TINY. Not as good a camera as the SX230, but truly pocket-sized, and very affordable.

divamum · November 5, 2011

I can't say enough good things about the s95, but it is out of your budget. However, it is the ONLY point and shoot I have ever had that I consider a viable alternative to carrying the dSLR - the pictures it takes are amazing, even more so when you consider its diminutive size. If you can stretch to the extra (refurb? used?) I can highly recommend it.

WillCAD · November 21, 2011

The Canon SX230 is going on sale at Best Buy on Black Friday for $249. That's $80 less than I paid for it.

Cuong · November 28, 2011

Adorama currently has the Canon Powershot SX230 HS for $199 with free shipping.

Cuong

rainbow · December 2, 2011

Today (Friday) on Amazon: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Digital Camera for $269 ($100 off -- Gold Box Deal). Leica 24 - 90mm f/2 lens.

I have the LX3 and have been satisfied with it as a P & S that fits in my pocket.

aj986s · December 2, 2011

I have a Canon S95, and adore it. Easy to pop into a pocket. I keep it in my camera bag as a backup, too.

FWIW, many of the earlier Canon P&S's (like the SD400 I have) can be had used for not much money. Plus, if you have a tiny bit of computer skills, the Canon P&S's can be easily "hacked" for additional features; research CHDK online for more information. My favorite script (so far) allows the camera to do time-lapse pics and video. There's also one for motion detection.

LRussoPhoto · August 25, 2012

Trying to deciede between the Powershot s100 or the coolpix s9300. Any advise?????

Ed911 · August 25, 2012

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

Trying to decided between the Powershot s100 or the coolpix s9300. Any advise?????

I had the S9300...got it for my BD from my wife...and couldn't abide by its performance. For the same price, you could have a Canon G12 for $379 and the Nikon P7100 for $364.

I didn't like the picture IQ...and when using auto ISO...indoor shots were less than desirable.

I may have had a bad copy...but couldn't wait to send it back. I was hoping that it was more than it turned out to be for an almost $400.00 camera. And, the reviews weren't that stellar either.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

LRussoPhoto · August 25, 2012

Ed911 wrote: »

I had the S9300...got it for my BD from my wife...and couldn't abide by its performance. For the same price, you could have a Canon G12 for $379 and the Nikon P7100 for $364.

I didn't like the picture IQ...and when using auto ISO...indoor shots were less than desirable.

I may have had a bad copy...but couldn't wait to send it back. I was hoping that it was more than it turned out to be for an almost $400.00 camera. And, the reviews weren't that stellar either.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

I would rather get the p7100 but on b&h im seeing it for $450, where can I get it for $364?
The nice thing about the s9300 is the 400mm zoom. The g12 only has a 140mm and the p7100 a 200mm, think all the other features are worth that sacrifice? P7100 has a real high iso compared to the g12 and also dont see the g12 have a self timer. Again if I could find the p7100 for $365 i'd take it.

ziggy53 · August 26, 2012

If you really feel that you need a long zoom in a compact P&S, check out the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS.

500mm equivalence (Woohoo).

Most reviewers give it better marks for image quality than the Nikon S9300. It also has better battery life.

Both cameras are capable of typical snapshot prints and Internet images. Just don't expect miracles of image quality in this price range, form factor and list of features.

ziggy53 · August 26, 2012

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS @90mm(500mm equivalence) from DPReview:
http://g1.img-dpreview.com/670CED4C90AF43CE92A6FB77875721DD.jpg

@4.5mm(25mm equivalence)
http://g3.img-dpreview.com/6891A1C129A047A082D0DAB729423663.jpg

Bottom line from the CNet review, "... against its current competition, the SX260 HS is easy to recommend."
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sx260-hs/4505-6501_7-35137435.html

LRussoPhoto · August 26, 2012

Wow, great shots

WillCAD · August 27, 2012

ziggy53 wrote: »

If you really feel that you need a long zoom in a compact P&S, check out the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS.

500mm equivalence (Woohoo).

Most reviewers give it better marks for image quality than the Nikon S9300. It also has better battery life.

Both cameras are capable of typical snapshot prints and Internet images. Just don't expect miracles of image quality in this price range, form factor and list of features.

I have that camera's immediate predecessor, the SX230HS. Its zoom is not quite as long as the 260, but most of the rest of the features are comparable, and I am very impressed with it. I've had it about a year.

The thing I like best about it, however, is the control setup, with is very similar to an SLR. It's got a mode dial and multiple physical buttons, along with a simple but powerful menu system that make changing settings much simpler and quicker than on most P&S cams. I also like how some of the gimicky special effects modes like Fish Eye and Miniature Effect (software-based tilt-shift emulator) work not only in still mode, but in video mode as well. And whatever mode you happen to be in, you can record video simply by pushing the Record button, and don't have to worry about changing modes or settings.

For a P&S, it's a little on the large side, but if it's your primary camera, it's small enough to be convenient and easy to carry.

LRussoPhoto · September 6, 2012

I decieded on the sx260, should be here today. I will follow up with a review shortly. Thanks for all your help guys....and girls

LRussoPhoto · September 6, 2012

almira wrote: »

what about Canon PowerShot S100 or s95. i hear these are the very best for point and shoot

The s95 is discontinued and the sx260 is very similar to the s100. sx260 doesnt shoot raw but has a much longer zoom then the s100 and is about $100 cheaper.

jmphotocraft · September 6, 2012

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

The s95 is discontinued and the sx260 is very similar to the s100. sx260 doesnt shoot raw but has a much longer zoom then the s100 and is about $100 cheaper.

Similar except for the S100's 24-105mm f/2.0 - f/5.9 lens, compared to the SX260 25-500mm f/3.5 - f/6.8 lens.

Looking for a nice point and shoot

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