Camera Recommendation

Hi.

New here. I am looking to get a new camera. I am not a big photography person, so figure any P&S would work.

I was first pointed to the Canon S95. But after doing some research, outside of reviews from Amazon/Net, it seems that the S95 is more of a compact pro/DSLR-like camera, which would make it a bit more than a P&S.

So I am thinking it might not be the camera for me. I have usually stuck with Canon in the past when I bought cameras.

So I was wondering if you have any recommendations? Something that is a good P&S, but also the ability to go above that, if I wanted to do so more "professional" style shots if I wanted to learn and do it.

Obviously, the main use would be taking pictures for traveling and family. Some video here and there, but not really caring about that as much.

Price range, well was around $300-$350 or less.

I don't know photography that much, so I am not sure you can get one without the other (P&S + more control as in the S95).

Thanks

I just picked up the SX230HS. It's almost the same size as the S95, which = very pocketable. But it doesn't have the same lens pedigree - it is more of a P&S, I suppose. 14X optical zoom, HD video, GPS, and manual modes if you want to go that direction. Does a pretty nice job on action shots in normal daylight, and I've been very impressed with flash photos indoors.

It's $350, so at the top of your budget. No doubt you can find something similar for fewer dollars. This is relatively new to market so no discounts just yet.

The best next camera after the S95 is the new ELPH 500.

It has the same wide maximum f/2.0 aperture as the S95,
and adds higher resolution (1080) video with a functional optical zoom during video shooting
(which the S95 actually doesn't have) and even a wider, 24mm lens than the S95.
Its imaging sensor's size is the standard 1/2.3", unlike the S95's larger sensor.

It's the best thing coming from Canon and at a $300 price point, it fits directly into your budget.

how important is the sensor? I mean, I read somewhere that while the S95 sensor is bigger than normal for compact, it uses a CMOS (or doesn't) which kinda "negates" the advantage, or something like that. (Can't find the review atm).

Well, let's just say that DSLRs have overwhelmingly switched over to CMOS from CCD. There are design advantages to either, but CMOS is gradually moving into the P&S lines for the same reasons. The S95, however, uses a proven CCD design, that's been refined over time ( 10 MP 1/1.7" is the same basic spec. as the sensors for the S90 and G12).

looks like I will go with the Elph500. Just a matter of finding it in stock (Amazon out of stock, heh) thanks!

Got the camera. I like it. The touchscreen can be annoying, in terms of keeping it clean (haha).

The only dissapointment I think, is that there is no manual control to set settings (at least that I can see?. You can only change the ISO, but then you can choose Aperture Priority Mode and change the Aperature while letting the camera choose the Shutter speed, or choose Shutter Speed Priority Mode, and camera chooses the Aperature. So I can only choose to change 2 out of the 3 settings at any given time.

But outside of that, looks to be a great camera, especially at a P&S, which is the main thing for me. I think the next camera, once I get completely used to this will be something like a S95 where I can have a little more control over the settings.

If it has exposure compensation (should), then you can force a shift in the other parameter as well. But just relying on the meter, it won't matter whether you or the camera set aperture once you've opted for a given shutter speed, or vice versa. It's only when you don't want to take the default exposure you really need to play with settings.

foucs wrote in post #12444805
go for S95, the best camera handsdown!! I have a Leica by the way, it is good too!!

Read topics the whole way through before replying
He's already bought a camera.

Hi would the elph 300 be just as good as elph 500 in image quality in low light and how much upgrade is it to go for the 500? thanks

The ELPH 500 has manual exposure setting that the ELPH 300 doesn't, and a slightly smaller zoom range.
Much more importantly, the ELPH 500 has a larger max aperture setting of f/2.0, allowing it to use a higher shutter speed (for a less blurry image) or a lower ISO setting (for a less noisy image) in the same situation as the ELPH 300.
Note that the ELPH 500 has a full touch screen - that's a turn on or turn off for most people.
The ELPH 500 costs about $70 more than the ELPH 300.
If you care more about image quality in low light situations - you'd have to decide how much that's worth to you.

Thank you,..decisions, researching, reading reviews back n forth is driving me crazy. I think Im just going to plunk it down and go for the best and what my gut and heart wants which is the s95. The photos I've seen here are mind boggling and nothing like my eyes have seen. it's only the zoom that is the 1% that is holding me back.

eyalg wrote in post #12498527
If you care more about image quality in low light situations - you'd have to decide how much that's worth to you.

Hi...I hope it's not taboo to mention another competitor but I can't help it since I just found out about this nikon p300 that is very close IQ to the s95 but is about 100 cheaper but does not do RAW but does 1080p video. Im not too hung up on RAW or video so what would you rec if you are familiar with this p300?

The main difference between the S95 and the P300 is in the size of their sensors.
Watch the comparison video of DigitalRev TV. You'll get all the necessary details there.

The p300 is closer to the Elph 500, really.