My little Canon broke - suggestions pls!

[My2Girls66]

I looked at getting my dad a camera for Christmas, I also was looking in the $200 range. The 2 I looked at were the Canon SX260 and the Nikon S9300. The guys at Cardinal Camera recommended the Canon SX260. It was nice, I played with it in the store. Seems to be what you are looking for, 20x zoom, $199, pocketable though its not super compact.
I ended up getting my dad the Nikon s9300 because the store only had the Canon in teal and a magenta type color, not what I would give dad The Nikon is 18x zoom, $199 and it is silver I actually liked the Nikon better when I played with them in the store but both guys that worked there had the Canon as a backup to their Nikon dslr's and really like it.
Oh and to add....my DH's llittle Nikon p&s died recently so I have him my Canon A560. I wanted another p&s for myself but I wanted a wider angle than some of the cheaper p&s's have. I checked out the Canon S110 but it was pricey so one day while on Nikon Cafe I saw some photos taken with a Nikon P310. I found a refurbed one for $150 and bought it. I really like it! The only reason I didn't go for that one for dad is the flash doesn't pop up automatically when needed which I didn't think he would like having to pay that much attention to.

 

[mikegood2]

The Canon SX260 is pretty good and you can find it for $190. It has a 20x zoom and GPS. The Panasonic ZS15 is also good, it has a 16x zoom, no GPS, and also sells for about $190.

Agree that both of these are nice photos. Just got my brother the Panasonic ZS20 for Christmas. Even though I only used it for a few minutes, I liked it. I would have preferred getting the SX260 for him, but he did enough research on the cameras that I felt the ZS15 or ZS20 were better options for him.

Just saw the SX260 at Best Buy for $199!

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards

 

[ge0rgette2]

Thanks - will inquire about the sx260 - I think that was part of the loyalty program, but would rather buy new.
I'll look at Best Buy...

I really want to get a small camera without humping lens all the time - only special occasions, on vacations it's a bit of a pain, as I'm the only one that takes the pictures, my husband will, but really doesn't have an interest and he won't change lens, he just wants point and click!!!

 

[ge0rgette2]

Well, I went and bought a Canon PowerShot SX500IS, has a 16 megapix and 30x zoom..

I used it for the first time last week at my daughter's talent show at school.. I'm not that impressed.

You zoom in and it takes so long to autofocus you lose the shot - the battery life wasn't great either.

I bought it at Best Buy and I have 30 days to return it for a full refund.

I'm thinking of exchanging it for the camera's you suggested in this thread.

Does anyone know of this camera -- what's your thoughts.

I also am having issue w/ the Canon Rebel .. it WILL NOT auto focus.... it just stopped working one day - It will work on Manual but I'm not a photography wizard, unsure how to properly use it .. I will have to take a course or two and drop it off to be repaired.. I cleaned the mirrors inside, they look okay (someone told me that might be the issue)

Anyways -- thanks again for the suggestions over the past few months.

 

[havoc315]

That's the compromise of a point & shoot super zoom on a budget.
You're getting the big zoom, but really giving up performance and quality.

Those cameras are pretty good for stationary pictures in good light. But an indoor talent show? Truthfully, even a basic dSLR wouldn't be great -- need a dSLR/mirrorless with a really good lens.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Thanks ...

I just want an everyday camera... low light - high light, whatever it takes lmao, i want a simple throw in my pocket.. but that isn't going to happen is it?

 

[havoc315]

Thanks ...

I just want an everyday camera... low light - high light, whatever it takes lmao, i want a simple throw in my pocket.. but that isn't going to happen is it?

Cameras need light. Low light is the biggest challenge there is.
The best pocket camera for low light is probably the Sony rx100. It's the only compact camera I've seen that can handle Disney dark rides.
But it's not cheap, and has a limited zoom.

If there was a simple cheap pocket camera that could handle every situation, all the expensive cameras would be out of business.

 

[photo_chick]

Well, I went and bought a Canon PowerShot SX500IS, has a 16 megapix and 30x zoom..

I used it for the first time last week at my daughter's talent show at school.. I'm not that impressed.

You zoom in and it takes so long to autofocus you lose the shot - the battery life wasn't great either.

I bought it at Best Buy and I have 30 days to return it for a full refund.

I'm thinking of exchanging it for the camera's you suggested in this thread.

Does anyone know of this camera -- what's your thoughts.

I also am having issue w/ the Canon Rebel .. it WILL NOT auto focus.... it just stopped working one day - It will work on Manual but I'm not a photography wizard, unsure how to properly use it .. I will have to take a course or two and drop it off to be repaired.. I cleaned the mirrors inside, they look okay (someone told me that might be the issue)

Anyways -- thanks again for the suggestions over the past few months.

On the Rebel not auto focusing... have you tried another lens? More than likely it's the lens and not the camera. If it does it on all your lenses then clean the contacts between the camera and the lens. The mirror is not likely to cause AF to fail on a Rebel.

When using your point and shoot for things like talent shows at school you're probably going to have to get it off auto to get the shots. You're also probably going to need to keep the lens wide.

 

[hakepb]

That's where I hate Canon's model numbers. The SX50 (reviews indicate AF is went from slow in the SX40 to a respectful speed in the SX50) should be far superior to the bargain SX500. (Yep 12MP is better than 16MP)

The SX50 can shoot in RAW so you can get a little more IQ in high ISO situations.

But there is still a large difference between PnS AF speed and a DSLr with phase detect focus.

 

[havoc315]

That's where I hate Canon's model numbers. The SX50 (reviews indicate AF is went from slow in the SX40 to a respectful speed in the SX50) should be far superior to the bargain SX500. (Yep 12MP is better than 16MP)

The SX50 can shoot in RAW so you can get a little more IQ in high ISO situations.

But there is still a large difference between PnS AF speed and a DSLr with phase detect focus.

Ahhh... Thought she said sx50. Yes, the sx50 is far better than the sx500. Though shooting an indoor talent show from afar - I still wouldn't expect great shots with the sx50. But it would be a significant step up. The sx50 has a better sensor, faster shooting, and better ISO range.

 

[hakepb]

That's true, a PnS will generally only get you some nice, recognizable pictures that are OK in Facebook standards, but you'll never print a poster from those challenging indoor shots.

Personally, I'm happy that I can zoom in and get recognizable face shots in a kids play, when 5 years ago, I generally only got a zoomed out blur with my old PnS.

 

[henrylarry6]

Why don’t you look at Sony cyber shot, which have a best quality in pictures or go for Nikon if you are looking for zooming. You will get that within your budget.

 

[hakepb]

Why don’t you look at Sony cyber shot, which have a best quality in pictures or go for Nikon if you are looking for zooming. You will get that within your budget.

You cannot talk in those terms. Thats like saying Chevy's are great race cars. A Chevy Corvette ZR-1 is an amazing racing machine, but a 4-banger Chevy Cruise Eco...not so much.
A Sony Cybershot DSC-H90 or a Nikon L510 would perform equally terribly as the SX500. Because they all have cheap, high density CCD sensors combined with slow electronics and lenses.

I am confident that a Sony HX-20 or HX200 would do a much better job, a Sony RX100 could be very nice, and the RX-1 could exceed most DSLr's. but the RX cameras have little to no zoom..

The Nikon P7700 is a very nice enthuiast compact. The P510 is a quality superzoom. And although they have bigger numbers, the s8000 series and s9000 series are not as good as the P7700.

 

[havoc315]

That's true, a PnS will generally only get you some nice, recognizable pictures that are OK in Facebook standards, but you'll never print a poster from those challenging indoor shots.

Personally, I'm happy that I can zoom in and get recognizable face shots in a kids play, when 5 years ago, I generally only got a zoomed out blur with my old PnS.

The technology is advancing. A "super zoom compact" would have been unthinkable in the film days. (I think some people still have trouble understanding that for the most part, you can get more zoom with a Point & shoot than you can with a dSLR).
As sensor technology continues to improve, as well as processors and focus systems, it is quite possible we will reach the day where larger sensors (needed larger lenses) will no longer hold an advantage. In fact, I bet we do reach that day.
We'll get to a point where further advances aren't really all that relevant. Where a tiny sensor can shoot at ISO 6400 with absolutely no noise, with sharp detail.., with lightning fast focus, and with a processor/software that perfectly mimics a shallow depth of field.

I remember when laptops were secondary computers... good to carry around, but could never match a desktop. Now, a laptop has enough computer power to cover the regular needs of most consumers. And some day, that will happen with point & shoots. (And then dSLR interchangeable lenses will start collecting dust )

 

[ge0rgette2]

On the Rebel not auto focusing... have you tried another lens? More than likely it's the lens and not the camera. If it does it on all your lenses then clean the contacts between the camera and the lens. The mirror is not likely to cause AF to fail on a Rebel.

When using your point and shoot for things like talent shows at school you're probably going to have to get it off auto to get the shots. You're also probably going to need to keep the lens wide.

You are so right -- I changed to my bigger lens (100-300mm) and it autofocus'.

So, what could it be with the 18-55mm? think the lens is gone?
I don't know much about those things, as you can tell

 

[ge0rgette2]

Okay - so now that my Rebel is acting semi-normal - I'm still playing around w/ the idea of returning the SX500 and try the 260.

I want a great everyday PnS to take on vacations, throw in my beach bag, etc.

This is becoming a chore finding something within budget ( which I put a $250.00 price tag on) I'd like to stay under that amount, which I could just grab something for $150.00 and get decent shots.

 

[havoc315]

Okay - so now that my Rebel is acting semi-normal - I'm still playing around w/ the idea of returning the SX500 and try the 260.

I want a great everyday PnS to take on vacations, throw in my beach bag, etc.

This is becoming a chore finding something within budget ( which I put a $250.00 price tag on) I'd like to stay under that amount, which I could just grab something for $150.00 and get decent shots.

The SX260 is within your budget and is a decent little camera. We've owned a prior model.
Thing is.. "decent shots" is a subjective statement. To me, "decent shots" means.... if you are close enough to your subject, your subject stays still, and you are in good natural lighting, you can get a good picture. And under those circumstances, many smart phone cameras take "decent shots."

Start lowering the light, getting further from your subject.... the subject starts moving around... You're now in "challenging shots" territory. If you want a "decent shot" of the Peter Pan ride at Disney World... you need to invest in more than a budget p&s.

Typically -- different cameras (and different lenses) have different strengths and weaknesses. A camera that might excel at a certain type of photograph, may be less appropriate for other settings. Within dSLRs "all in one lenses" are known to be jacks of all trades, but masters of none.
So the "all in one" camera doesn't even exist..... so finding the perfect "all in one camera" on a tight budget.... It's kind of like saying, "I want a flying car... and I want it to cost under $100)

 

[photo_chick]

You are so right -- I changed to my bigger lens (100-300mm) and it autofocus'.

So, what could it be with the 18-55mm? think the lens is gone?
I don't know much about those things, as you can tell

The auto focus motor probably died. I've killed a couple of them myself on entry level lenses. I've still been able to use mine with manual focus, which suits my shooting style just fine. But if you want auto focus (which most people do) you might check out KEH.com and pick up another copy of that lens used. Or use this as a chance to add a different lens to your collection. But it will not be cost effective to have the 18-55 repaired.

 

[ge0rgette2]

What does everyone think of the Panasonic Lumix line of cameras ---- within a $200 or so budget.
I have the Canon SX500IS, not jumping for joy over it.

I have a 30 day guarantee at Best Buy - so was thinking of returning it and either getting the Canon sx260 or the Panasonic Lumix (unsure which)

Thanks!!
I'm heading out today - so hopefully someone will read this heheeh

 

[havoc315]

What does everyone think of the Panasonic Lumix line of cameras ---- within a $200 or so budget.
I have the Canon SX500IS, not jumping for joy over it.

I have a 30 day guarantee at Best Buy - so was thinking of returning it and either getting the Canon sx260 or the Panasonic Lumix (unsure which)

Thanks!!
I'm heading out today - so hopefully someone will read this heheeh

Brand doesn't mean much. There are some very good Panasonic Lumix models.... And canon power shot, and Sony cyber shot, and there are lower end poor models.
Under $200, point & shoot, you're making compromises.
But I know the Canon Powershot sx260 and Sony Hx20/30 are pretty decent. (Not sure which Lumix is comparable)