Looking for a camera, need suggestions...

[willjoe86]

Im looking for a digital camera....I already have a Sony DSC-P20 (1.3, no zoom) and im looking for something better. I have used my friends Digital Rebel......omg that thing is awesome....hes got the 75-300mm zoom lens. I dont have the money for a really nice camera like the Rebel, and i would also like something that is a little easier to carry around than that.
OK, here are the general requirements that Im looking for:

3-4 mp
at least 3x zoom
ability to take movies that are at least 640 x 480 and preferably 15 fps
a decent amount of manual controls (ISO, f stop, aperture, shutter priority(?) i dont really know much about this stuff)
relatively cheap (less than $200, but im really looking for about $150)

I was looking at the Canon A70, A75 and A510....how are these? Ive heard a few stories about the reliability of the A70 in the long run....
Thanks!
Will

[cgratti]

Why dont you check out the Canon G series cameras... I hear the G6's are sweet!

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong6/

[willjoe86]

yea a G6 would be awesome, but i dont have that kind of money :(

Thanks tho!

[lostdoggy]

Boss, live with the one you have now and save up for a real camera, DSLR. Its a Moot point to buy a camera you won't like just want to buy another. I started many moons ago with a sub 1MP Olympus then a Sony Cybershot P70, 3.2 MP, and now a Canon DRebel. Now I'm waiting to buy the Canon 20D. I could tell right now their is no such thing as Good P&S for Photography work or Hobby. They are great for snapshots to knock around. They are slow and limited in what you could shoot. So, IMHO save for a DSLR. I recommend the Rebel XT. But if have a large hand like me it is rather uncomfortable. But it is still be better then any P&S. But if you insist in buy a P&S make sure you buy one with Optical zoom as far as MP at your price range 3MP would be the limit. Don't trade of MP for quality. Check that the LCD is clear and not choppy. I saw a Fuji P&S and could not believe how aweful it was. Since you already have a sony it might be to your interest to stick with sony, for the sake of on hand memory sticks. I played with a Canon A80 before and it seem to work well and the images were usable. The camera felt well build. I also tried a Canon Elph 5MP it had a nice body but very slippery and hard hold. Quality was good. There is a camera that is of interest its the Canon PowershotS1 IS check this site out its offering 20% off:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0171604
Anyway Goodluck

[KevC]

Canon A-Series is awesome.

Pick yourself up an A510. It's pretty darn cheap, and has all these nice manual controls to let you touch onto photography. Then you'll really know if you wanna dive into it. Because believe me, it's expensive ;)

[Moppie]

I could tell right now their is no such thing as Good P&S for Photography work or Hobby.


That mate is just ignorant arrogance and completely wrong.
There are some absolutly fantastic photos submitted to this forum, all shot with nothing more complex than a Canon A or S series.



If you can't afford a DSLR, or are not ready to make that big a step then i highly recomend ANY of the canon A series.
Either an A95, or an A520 would be perfect.
Both are a huge step up from your little sony, and are quite capable of shooting photos that rival DSLRs in quality. Iv had several photos from my A80 published.

There is a general attitude on this forum that has almost becomes it motto, its the knowledge that it is not the camera that takes the photo, its the photographer.

[lostdoggy]

Sure In Kiwiland!!! Its not nice to call names. If you have read on I suggest several P&S cameras. Maybe the ignorance is upon you. Sure there are always that Kodak moment that you can capture a great picture even with a disposable camera. But that doesn't mean the quality is any good. The fact of the matter is that technology rules. Quality is base of factual science not subjective opinion. Winning a plublish photo does not make a quality photo. I have photo publish that was taken with my Sony P70. Does that make me a great photographer. I don't think so. What that makes me is a lucky guy. Have you seen some of these Paparazi photo being publish they are Horrible. Grainy and poorly composed and yet they are published. yet I agree the final objective of a good photo is in the eye of the phtographer not the equipment used.

[willjoe86]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys....lostdoggy, thanks but no thanks.....Im really looking for a smaller camera, I dont really want to be lugging around an SLR, and i dont think ill be getting into photography enough for one....

Yea, ill probly get an A75 or A510, whichever i can get for a better price....idk about the A70--has anyone heard of problems coming up with those??

Thanks again!!

[Andy_T]

Lostdoggy,

take a minute or two to look up photos by Scott Dommin or Don Ellis.
Or have a look at the latest 'speed challenges' in the G series forum.
You'll be quite surprised :wink:

I agree that a DSLR gives you a lot more creative options and maked taking good photos easier.

Also, my photography surely improved when I went from my G2 to the 20D.

However, I have to second Moppie that saying '...there is no such thing as good P&S for Photography work or Hobby...' might be considered as arrogance born out of ignorance.

Take it easy :wink:

And yes, the A series (or S series, if you prefer a more compact design and don't need to use flash or conversion lenses) are great choices. A used G3 for ~300$ also would be an awesome learning tool.

Best regards,
Andy

[lostdoggy]

Andy,

You miss the premise of my suggestion. I don't believe his creativity will be fully realize with a P&S camera. Take Photos is not just Point & Shoot hence the Term Point and Shoot. The Object of photography is to be able to use the tools to assist you in your creativity. Its like a fine cabinet maker with dull tools. His ability to make cabinets are there but the cabinets will be flaw by the dull tool. No matter how much money you spend on P&S camera at the present they are only capable of 72PPI vs 240PPI or better on a DSLR. That translate to low quality image on paper the final medium. If the Point was to view the image on screen then there would be no point in upgrading his present camera. Computer monitor only need 72PPI to view. I stand by my word there is no such thing as a good P&S further to spend more money to buy a more expensive P&S is just a waste of money. You are limited to what the manufacture think you need to take the picture. With no recoarse to add or change ie lens. Also sensor size is what matters technologically. Again you can take excellent picutres with disposable camera too. Why don't you guys recommend that? They are cheap and unarrogant.
Next time try to read the whole post before calling names. I suggested the Canon Powershot S1 IS which fitted the bill. It has 10x zoom and Image Stablization. Canon is replacing this with the S2, which this a good value camera after 20% discount. But you wouldn't know that since you didn't finish reading the Post.

[katana]

Personally I feel that my shift away from big cumbersome SLRs into small high quality (Point and shoot if you must) digicams such as the Ixus 700 has enhanced my creativity enormously. Certainly the latest batch of 20x30s that were delivered this morning show that my latest Ixus is capable of some stunning images.

Frankly with the small cameras I want to go and take pictures. With the big stuff it just sat in the cupboard as I simply didn't want to use it - too expensive, too cumbersome... I firmly believe the creativity comes from you wanting to explore what you can do. Get whatever camera makes you want to take photos.

BTW did I mention I like the Ixus700 :-)

[Poco]

I recently purchased a Rebel XT and have no regrets about owning the s400. In fact, if my s400 died tomorrow I would seriously consider getting another one (the s410).

- They are clearly being phased out so the price is right (costco.com $239.99).

- They use CF rather than SD like the newer canon SDXXX models (and the A510). I prefer this because it is compatible with my Rebel.

- Even if you want to get a better DSLR later - having a camera you can put in your pocket is very handy.

- It is a sweet little camera.

While it doesn't have all the manual options of the A510, it has enough for most point and shoot.

The A510/A520 are also good options. They are a bit bigger and have a larger screen but don't come with a rechargeable battery (It makes a difference in price).

[KnobCreek]

Well, I would recommend the S1 IS as well, but since that is a bit over your posted budget, the A70 can be purchased for $99 at OfficeMax. From what I looked at it, it is very similar to the A95 except for being a 3.2 megapixel camera. The A95 would probably allow for more room to grow into, and give you the flexibility in the control features you mentioned.