Another recommendation question . . .

[TiggerificTigger]

Looking for a recommendation . . .

I have done some research on a new P&S camera at dpreview.com, bestbuy.com, and amazon.com. I think I want a camera with a travel zoom. However, I don't want to sacrifice image quality for zoom. In other words, I want a camera with good image quality for vacation type photos and if possible, a good zoom.

Based on dpreview.com, I was debating between a Nikon Coolpix S9100 and a Canon SX230HS. I read more reviews on the other websites and found myself more confused.

So, the eternal question - any recommendations? TIA

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

I personally would not recommend the Canon model you mentioned (SX230 HS). I just bought it and tried it for 2 weeks and returned it because my vacation pictures were terrible. I have another (older) Canon that I like a lot, but needed a smaller one that would be easy to carry with me. Some pictures inside with a flash were extremely yellow-tinted, and the camera often failed to focus on the people I was intending to take pictures of (even when they were perfectly centered). It would focus on some other irrelevant point or object in the periphery. It was awful.

I also tried the Sony Cybershot HX7V. The colors were too saturated. My little boys looked like they had clown lips, so red.

These are the only 2 cameras I've ever returned. I promise that I'm not picky.

So, I'm learning what I don't like. Now I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 that I'm trying. It seems pretty good. I have seen mixed reviews, though. It's so hard to find a good P&S camera. My goals include being able to take good nighttime photos at Disney (e.g., Osborne Christmas lights, the lit-up castle, the MSE parade). It's tough, because those are such unique situations. You kind of have to wait til you get there to find out...

 

[Porktitioner]

Take a look at the Canon s95. It can do almost everything the G12 can do, but comes in a smaller package.

 

[eduk8r26]

My P&S is a Panasonic FZ35. It has an 18x optical zoom, takes great night time pictures, and takes videos.

 

[photo_chick]

My goals include being able to take good nighttime photos at Disney (e.g., Osborne Christmas lights, the lit-up castle, the MSE parade). It's tough, because those are such unique situations. You kind of have to wait til you get there to find out...

I'm gonna hijack the OP's thread a minute.

These are tough shots to get with any camera. A point and shoot makes it more challenging. You're going to have to know how to take the camera off auto and set some things manually if you want to do it well every time and not just pray for some random lucky shot. These types of shots rely more on the skill of the photographer than they do on the camera you're using. Go out and take some urban night shots if you want to get used to that type of shooting, or to see if your camera will give you what you want in those types of situations.


Now back to the OP's question...

I like Fuji, Canon and Panasonic for point and shoots. But it's been a while since I've been able to play with some, so I can't really make a specific recommendation. So I'll just say this. When reading reviews online, especially the consumer reviews like at Amazon, it's difficult to tell if a person knows their aperture from their armpit. Keep that in mind.

 

[TiggerificTigger]

Thanks very much for the replies and suggestions!

I went and looked at both models, and I wasn't extremely impressed with either of them. I will keep researching and looking for now.

photo_chick: Good point on the consumer reviews! My mom knows a thing or two about cameras 20+ years ago, which is sort of helpful. However, she doesn't really want to suggest one and it turn out that I am not happy with it.

Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Frantasmic]

Some of the best point and shoot cameras out there are mentioned in this thread and you still say you weren't impressed.

May I ask what you didn't like about some of these?

Your original premise is kind of difficult to meet too. You say you want image quality above just about any other feature. However, you are more than likely going to have to, whether you like it or not, add a qualifier to your statement:

I want the best image quality, for a point and shoot camera. Technique will help you get some great pictures, but physics (sensor size, lens, ISO, etc.) just limits what most point and shoot cameras can do.

As I stated, some of the best point and shoot cameras were listed, image-quality wise, and you didn't like them, so what about them didn't you like?-

 

[TiggerificTigger]

I realize I am not going to get postcard quality pictures with a P&S camera. That takes excellent equipment and extreme talent (which I don't have).

The Canon and the Nikon I mentioned seemed to wash the color out of the photo. Granted that was inside a store - not the perfect conditions for a photo. Other than the zoom, I really didn't see a great difference between them and the 5+ year old Kodak camera I am using. My main issue with my current camera is wash out on faces when the flash is in use. I have tried to adjust the settings with limited success.

I may need to just spend some time learning and practicing.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

The Canon and the Nikon I mentioned seemed to wash the color out of the photo. Granted that was inside a store - not the perfect conditions for a photo. Other than the zoom, I really didn't see a great difference between them and the 5+ year old Kodak camera I am using.

Were you able to compare the pictures you were taking on a computer monitor? Or, were you just comparing the thumbnails displayed on the camera's LCD?

There's often a *huge* difference between the quality of the pic you see on the camera's tiny screen and what's really there.

My main issue with my current camera is wash out on faces when the flash is in use. I have tried to adjust the settings with limited success.

Flash operation on almost all P&S cameras is very hit-or-miss ... usually they've very low power and either don't illuminate enough (when at any reasonable distance) or they completely wash out the picture (as you note).

Some of the better/more-advanced bridge cameras have a hotshoe for an external flash which would give much better flash performance (for an additional cost, of course).

I may need to just spend some time learning and practicing.

This is true of all cameras!