Might have to sell, I need advice

I have the Canon A640 and I'm very happy with it. I find it has good IQ although not as good as my L's but it has impressed me for a P&S. I don't think you would regret buying one.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #4239666
Jack I just saw the FZ8 today on Amazon and have been looking up info on it. How is the IQ compared to the other P&S you've shot with?

Of course it is not a SLR, but the IQ is excellent in its price and P&S use class...at low ISO about up to 200...up to 5x7 print size. You'll not be embarassed.

Coming from a 35mm SLR background, ALL P&S digicams have 1) frustrating to intolerable shutter lag; and 2) poor hi-ISO performance. So, you can't shoot outdoor, nor especially indoor sports with them. Short of that, this generation of digicams is pretty darn satisfactory for family, travel, etc. FZ8 is pleasantly responsive in this regard.

Shooting the Pany FZ8 in RAW and coverting avoids the high ISO detail smearing Panasonic's in-camera JPEG noise reduction processing gets complained about. Short of that, it works, and works well. The glass, IS, and flash are excellent. Right up there with the Canon G9.

The Fuji's I tried had better (larger sensors) for higher ISO, but lack of IS, and poor shot-shot time was disappointing.

I just bought my wife a P&S for her birthday. I had her handle a bunch of them and they were all too small, too light.

So I got her a Canon A630. Solid feel, like her old 35mm P&S. Decent lens, good IQ at lower ISOs.

She likes it. Took 400+ pics on a visit to her sister...

-js

Another vote for the Panasonic FZ8. I hate p&s's as they are so slow, but it really is not bad compared with the rest.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #4238409
Due to a few reasons I may need to sell off my camera and equipment. I will have to wait until about this time next year or the following spring to rebuy new stuff. In the mean time I can use a bit of the money from selling to get a good P&S. I really don't know where to put this thread so I'd thought I'd put it where the other DSLR users are. I need a camera that will take the best pictures possible for a P&S. I'm not looking to match my 30D, I know that is not realistic. Last fall I tried the S3 and wasn't impressed with the CA on the lens. I hear the S5 is similar. I like the long zooms, but if they will degrade the IQ I don't want them. I'm not stuck in the "it must only be canon" mindset, right now I just need the IQ above all else, even if it means losing focal length. I want something I can take everywhere (I have a big purse) That will just be lots of fun to use, and that won't make me miss a better camera too much!

The funny part about this is two of my biggest winners this year were older shots taken with an A610 (one was thrid place in the state fair, the other was a calander that reached about 20,000 people)

So please for all you DSLR users what do you recommend. I want something that I will be able to use along with a future DSLR and that will take great shots.

PS- the GREAT news is that the hubby has said that since I offered to do this I can get the 5D next time!!!!!!! Even though it'll take longer to save for.

i may get this one to replace my ancient s400.......

http://www.newegg.com …lCameras-_-E1M-_-30120147

ed rader

Go for the Panasonic Lumix FZ-30 or FZ-50.

Ok, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here.

you should look into the Powershot Pro1 - Fantastic camera and it comes with L glass.

I have a G6, G7 and G9 (and a plethora of others) and the pictures are better and deeper than any of those.

It is a back up to my 40D while I look for a 5D

But, it's the P&S that I reach for first no matter what the situation.

Even though they are a few years old, they were way ahead of their time and besides my DSLR, it'sa my favorite camera.

You can find them on ebay anywhere from $300 to $400.

BEst point and shoot ever made in my opinion (though I'm sure some will disagree

I would suggest at least looking into one, especially if you only need it for a little while.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #4239666
Croasdail I've heard the F31 is a great high ISO camera, but it lacks IQ in good shooting conditions.

My daughter took a F31 to Europe for a couple of months and the photos she brought back were beautiful, easily make great 8x11 photos. They ranged from dark inside church shots to full sunlight. All turned out great. She learned to compensate in sunlight as it did tend to over expose,but the exposure compensation setting fixed that nicely. The camera can be found for just over $200...don't think there is anything that comes close in price / quality.

I'm going to try to Pany. I just ordered it today. Thanks for your help Jack and everyone else.

mdrtoys wrote in post #4241268
Ok, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here.

you should look into the Powershot Pro1 - Fantastic camera and it comes with L glass.

I have a G6, G7 and G9 (and a plethora of others) and the pictures are better and deeper than any of those.

It is a back up to my 40D while I look for a 5D

But, it's the P&S that I reach for first no matter what the situation.

Even though they are a few years old, they were way ahead of their time and besides my DSLR, it'sa my favorite camera.

You can find them on ebay anywhere from $300 to $400.

BEst point and shoot ever made in my opinion (though I'm sure some will disagree

I would suggest at least looking into one, especially if you only need it for a little while.

Love my G7 and 9. I echo his comments 100%.