Buying new digital camera -anyone like 'rotating LCD screens?'

[fa mulan]

I've been looking at the Canon A640 (10 megapixels, 4X zoom, under $300). This will become our main family camera (trips, kids, school functions, soccer, recitals - life ) replacing a Fujifinepix and Nikon coolpix. (We also have a Rebel EOS manual camera, but it's too bulky to take on trips.)

But the Canon A640 has a rotating LCD screen. At first I thought it was a negative - - more to fidgit with, looks breakable. But the reviewers see it as a real positive (can shoot from above for example). Does anyone have a camera w/ this screen, and do you like it for family use?

Thanks!!!

 

[crazee4mickey]

I had a Canon Powershot with a rotating screen and absolutely loved it! I could easily hold the camera over my head and tilt the screen so I could take pictures over people's heads! I miss that function so much!
We used this camera for our entire trip to WDW and I left my 35 mm Minolta back in the hotel room. I honestly cannot tell you how many times that screen made it easy for me to take photos I would not have been able to otherwise!
I sold this camera and DH bought me a digital Rebel XT---I love it, the pictures are great but I miss my compact Canon with its rotating screen!

 

[ntink]

We have the A620 and absolutely love it!! The picture quality is fantastic. While I don't use the rotating screen so much to take pictures, I really like that you can close the screen - I don't use a camera case and just throw it in my purse so it is nice to be able to protect the screen when you are not using the camera.

 

[cinjam]

I have the Canon A610 w/the rotating screen. I do use it. My 3 year old is sometmies obstinate about taking pictures, but if I flip the screen around so he can see himself (I use the eye view finder) - he looks right at the camera. I also use it when doing fund self-pics of me & the kids. I use it when doing a family picture & using the timer (so I can see we are all in the shot). I like it!

 

[fa mulan]

Looks like I can't go wrong - - only one thing I wish the powershot had: a built in rechargeable battery, like a docking station, so I could plug it in and keep it charged. I haven't had to depend on recharging AA's in awhile!!

 

[HappyStamper]

Looks like I can't go wrong - - only one thing I wish the powershot had: a built in rechargeable battery, like a docking station, so I could plug it in and keep it charged. I haven't had to depend on recharging AA's in awhile!!

I'm just the opposite! I prefer to be able to put in a fresh set of batteries and keep shooting instead of having to wait to the camera to recharge!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

We too have the Canon 620 and love it (although it's supposed to be mine, but dh has it most of the time.)

The batteries last a pretty long time -- much better than my old camera which went through batteries constantly.

 

[jakoky]

I had the Canon A610 w/the rotating screen..i really loved it, the screen came in very handy, especially at disneyland last year....canons take really great pics...i did sell mine only due to the fact that 4 times zoom isnt enough for me....i bought a sony H5 which unfortunately doesnt have a rotationg screen but does have a huge 3 inch lcd(which i know would take over the rotating) ...rotating screens are not only handy for taking hard to take pics, but when turned in protects the screen when not in use

sharon

 

[fa mulan]

I prefer to be able to put in a fresh set of batteries and keep shooting instead of having to wait to the camera to recharge!

Hi HappyStamper - -I can see it'd be good to have that option - - But I like to minimize battery use when possible, b/c when you toss them they're bad for the environment b/c of the lead, cadmium & other metals they contain; probably pretty toxic on the manufacturing end too. Recharging a power pack is cleaner all around.

 

[HappyStamper]

Hi HappyStamper - -I can see it'd be good to have that option - - But I like to minimize battery use when possible, b/c when you toss them they're bad for the environment b/c of the lead, cadmium & other metals they contain; probably pretty toxic on the manufacturing end too. Recharging a power pack is cleaner all around.

But that's why I use rechargable AA's