A510 vs A520 vs S2 IS - Which gives the best "bang for the buck"?

[lastdodobird]

Hi guys, I'm an aspiring beginner photography hobbyist here (wow, that was a mouthful :p)

I'm new to photography... I don't even know the basic concepts... I don't even own a camera right now!

I just wanted something that I could use to teach myself the basics of photography... A hobby-camera that would have the flexibility and features that a beginner would need to grow in the field of photography... and at the same time take good quality photographs... but also not so expensive. My price range would be from around $200 - $500.

As far as subject is concerned, I haven't really thought about it... But it would primarily just for capturing the places I go to... People I meet... Friends and Family... although I also have a certain fondness for nature and scenery.

So out of the three cameras mentioned in the title:

the A510 ($ 174.95)
the A520 ($ 239.95)
the S2 IS ($ 499.99)
what would you think gives the most "bang for the buck" as they say? Meaning the best performance/flexibility for its price?

Thanks a lot! Your opinions would really help!

[cjm]

I would say the A510 because it is exactly the same as the 4 MP A520 and is more then half as much as the S2 that the only difference between that and the A5's is the lens.

Thing I have been noticing with the 7 P&S cameras I have had in the past year is that all of them seem to give their best performance when the picture is Super Fine 1600X1200 (2 mp). So don't let MP be a selling factor for you.

[cjm]

Oh and if you could find a A85 or A95 hands down I would take those over the A5's

[lastdodobird]

Oh and if you could find a A85 or A95 hands down I would take those over the A5's

thanks :) what about the price of the A85 and A95, how much would those be? thanks!

oh, and why would you choose them over the A5s?

[cjm]

I would choose A85 or A95 over the A510/20 because of a following reasons.

1. The main difference between them is the size and 1X Optical zoom.
2. The A's take 4 batteries the A5's take 2 batteries, as a former 2 battery camera owner before I got a A60, later A85 I have found that these cameras out last any 2 battery cameras I have used or know people with like my brother. They usually seem to last 1.5X longer which gets more use out of the batteries. I used over the counter batteries and they last hundreds of shots.
3. The macro with the A's is fantastic! When trying out the macro on the A5's it wasn't as impressive as the 3X lens macros on the A's.
4. A's use Compact Flash, same memory card as the Rebel XT and 20D. It writes much faster. The A5's use SD memory card, which is good, can be fast and is becoming the standard for P&S cameras but it isn't as fast a read as CF cards. CF cards are aslo good should you get the bug and want to buy a XT or 20D.
5. I bought a A85 (4mp) July 1st 2005 for less then the A510 (3.2mp) sells. And I am very very very pleased with it, it functions perfectly and takes great pictures. The price on the A85 and A95 has come down a lot because it is "last years" model except both of those cameras from last year have all the same stuff as this years except for size, batteries, 1x Zoom and memory card they are virtually the same. But last years models (which come with a 1 year P&L warrenty) are just as current as this years models.

Here are 2 pictures taken with the A85, first one is a sunset on July 1. The second is me in the back yard playing around with it and taking a picture of a bird house. The sizes were of course greatly shrunk and both settings were automatic.

[flak]

i bought my A95 for 250 €, that should be around US300$, it's a great camera, and i'm pretty much in the same position as you, still a n00b photographer. I'd say the S2 IS can be a little overwhelming, i'd go to the A95 :)

[cjm]

Was at the bestbuy.com site (just to check) and there the A95 is $299.99. Good price since here it is $400-$450 CAD if you can find it anywhere. Everyone is sold out of them here.

[Spirit]

Absolutely, I would take the A85/95 over the A5's as well. My first camera was the A70 and I still firmly believe it's the perfect beginner camera. They (85/90) offer automatic (point and shoot), as well as dummy modes and full manual, and they take BEAUTIFUL pictures. I can't comment on the A5 series for comparrison.

As for MP, if you're not planning on making prints larger than 4x6, you don't need a camera with high mp (2-3mp will suffice). However, the higher mp will allow you to crop your pictures, and still give you a nice 4x6 print. My A70 is a 3mp and although I'm pushing it's limits, it gives me nice 8x10 prints (best 5x7).

Since this is your first camera though, I would suggest sticking to something like the A85 over the S2 (which btw I just bought), ONLY because of price. If you want to spend a little extra (with a 10x optical zoom), look into the S1 (which just dropped in price).

It might appear a little intimidating (and it's a bit bulky) but it's not TOO far advanced from the A series (as far as "easy use" goes). Having said that though, it's not the same camera so I'm going through the learning curve again with my S2 (learning which settings will give me the best pictures). It's not far off, but it's a different camera (with a much bigger lens).

Good luck!

[nwyman]

and I'll chime in with another viewpoint - I started with an A95 back in February, and quickly realized that I wanted more zoom, so bought an S1 and am basically happy with it, but..... now that the S2 is out, I'm constantly wanting more.....
Went shopping around in Delaware today (no sales tax!) and found that the S2 at Bestbuy is sold out, and not in stock at Ritz. I did see an A95 at a Staples store for $299, which I thought was a little high. Also saw an S1 at a Walmart Superstore for $399. I paid $289 for mine back in April - purchased through an internet store with a dubious reputation, but I got lucky. It does a good job, but I am curious about that little bit of extra zoom, and the reported improvement in the low light situation.
Nancy

[lastdodobird]

i got the A85 :p

[Spirit]

i got the A85 :p

YAAAAY! Very VERY easy to use once you start to get the hang of it. Definitely an awesome beginner camera. You'll learn a lot.

Now get out there and start clicking! :D

[cjm]

Here is a photo I took yesterday with the A85. So great choice :)

If you don't mind me asking, how much you get it for?

[lastdodobird]

Here in the Philippines, I got it for around 23,000... that translates to around $340.

Now don't get shocked :p That's relatively normal to see that price conversions end up waaay steeper here. That goes for computer parts... electronic devices... and the like.... sucks :p but you learn to live with it. :lol:

Anyway, here's a sample out of those I've taken. My favorite so far :)

http://photos17.flickr.com/23530513_6e76fc177f.jpg?v=0

[cjm]

lastdodobird you should go to "User CP" at the top and add your location to profile.

Not bad picture, but it seems a little over exposed. And it kind of is making my sweet tooth hungry for cake ;)