Buyer Beware

[TwingleMum]

I am a newbie so take this post with a grain of salt. Its meant to help another newbie like me. I am researching cameras to buy. Probably a P&S. I thought I narrowed it down to the Canon SD850 or Canon SD870. I knew in my head the main differences were 850 4x Zoom,smaller LCD screen (2.5) with optical viewfinder. 870 3.8 zoom, larger LCD screen(3.0) wide angle lens and no optical viewfinder. I tried them both out and discovered that the optical viewfinder was important to me (more so than I thought) I was testing both cameras in the store and the LCD screen only on the 870 w/o bright sunlight was bothering me and I have 20/20 vision. I also thought that 3.8 vs 4.0 zoom wasn't a big difference but to me it was. I tested both out and I'd say for me the difference was significant. I also have started wrestling with the whole battery issue. Lithium vs AA. Now I'm looking at the Power Shot line of P&S particularily the A640, 720 and G series. Which have a much more powerful zoom yet will still fit in my jean pocket comfortably. (yes I walked around the dept with it in my pocket. being watched very carefully that I didn't 'forget' to give it back )
I guess my long winded post is trying to say before purchasing nothing replaces having the camera in your own little hand and trying it out in real life. I hope this helps someone. Have a magical day!!

 

[captaincrash]

And the moral ...

 

[seashoreCM]

I also thought that 3.8 vs 4.0 zoom wasn't a big difference but to me it was. I tested both out and I'd say for me the difference was significant. !!

Caution (or as you stated, buyer beware).

The 3.8x or so zoom is relative to the widest angle. So, since the Canon SD870 starts off with a wider angle, the maximum zoom will also be wider (less zoomier) than another camera with the same zoom but with not quite a wide starting angle. The SD870's maximum zoom is about the same as most other cameras' 3.0x zoom

More experienced photographers compare zoom using the 35mm film camera equivalent focal lengths, usually published for digital cameras too. When published, the 35mm film camera equivalents are an apples to apples comparison. Whereas the actual focal length printed on the lens rim, for example 5.8 to 23mm, cannot easly be related from one model camera to another. Any data that the camera records to describe each picture, for example the date and what F/stop was used, usually states the actual focal length, unfortunately. If I remember, the SD850 has a zoom range from 35 to 140mm (35mm film equivlanent) while the '870 has a zoom range from 28 to 105mm. . I chose the '850 (called the '700 back when I bought it) because I felt that the greater zoom at the far end was of more use to me than a wider angle at the near end.

Most point and shoots, film and digital, start with a 35 to 38mm (35mm film equivalent) lens. For these the 2x zoom is about 70 to 75mm, the 3x is about 105 to 110mm, and the 4x is about 140 to 150mm. Many SLR cameras start with a 50mm lens so 2x for them would be 100mm. These calculations are simple multiplication.

Almost all of the really small cameras have "proprietary" batteries (as opposed to using AA batteries). Another buyer beware, some cameras that use alkaline AA batteries only take a few dozen pictures before the battery, although still strong enough to power a flashlight, cannot prime the camera's flash which some cameras require before you can snap any kind of picture. So the camera just "dies" although fortunately usually doesn't erase all of the pictures. For these cameras you may have to get extra high performance AA batteries, or use a C or D battery belt holster power pack (if available) with a cord leading to the camera.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[TwingleMum]

And the moral ...

Very funny!!

 

[TwingleMum]

Caution (or as you stated, buyer beware).


I chose the '850 (called the '700 back when I bought it) because I felt that the greater zoom at the far end was of more use to me than a wider angle at the near end.


Almost all of the really small cameras have "proprietary" batteries (as opposed to using AA batteries). Another buyer beware, some cameras that use alkaline AA batteries only take a few dozen pictures before the battery, although still strong enough to power a flashlight, cannot prime the camera's flash which some cameras require before you can snap any kind of picture. So the camera just "dies" although fortunately usually doesn't erase all of the pictures. For these cameras you may have to get extra high performance AA batteries, or use a C or D battery belt holster power pack (if available) with a cord leading to the camera.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

Seashore~ Thanks for the great info. I also leaned more toward the 850 for exactly those reasons.

But when I looked at the Powershot 650 it seemed great. 12megapixels 6x zoom, image stable,face detection,red eye etc etc. It uses AA but I thought actually that would be a plus. I thought at WDW I could use rechargable lithium which are supposed to last a long time (300 -400 shots ?) and keep a couple of AA in my pocket just in case. Rather than worry that my proprietary batteries . I'm a newbie Photographer Mom that always had P&S. I have 3 boys under 7 yrs old so they go,go,go.

What do you think???

 

[andromedaslove]

I don't know a whole lot about the powershot, but I have a Fuji Finepix point and shoot that uses AA's and I absolutely love it. I very rarely have to change the batteries, but when I do it's alot easier than having to recharge like with my DSLR (which I always carry two full batteries with). I always make sure to have 4 extra AA's in case they do die, but worse come to worse I can buy more anywhere in Disney!!

Dana

 

[TwingleMum]

I don't know a whole lot about the powershot, but I have a Fuji Finepix point and shoot that uses AA's and I absolutely love it. I very rarely have to change the batteries, but when I do it's alot easier than having to recharge like with my DSLR (which I always carry two full batteries with). I always make sure to have 4 extra AA's in case they do die, but worse come to worse I can buy more anywhere in Disney!!

Dana

Great minds must think alike. Thats exactly what I think. Do you use rechargeable AA's ???