Camera Purchase Help

[DianeV]

Hope I can post this here, if not I'm sorry. I am trying to figure out a new camera (point and shoot). We currently have been using a Canon A720 which is 8MP and 6x optical zoom

We want something a little better but not so difficult that we have a hard time using it. I am looking at the Canon SX130 but wonder if that is too much camera for us? Also looked at Nikon Coolpix S6100

We have had a Sony DSC model in the past and liked it but hate the proprietary memory card etc..

We use for ebay, vacations, concerts etc and just want something that takes better photos than the one we currently have (which seemed to work better when we first got it?)

Is optical zoom more important than mps?

Thanks for any help and any other camera suggestions in the $200 range

~Diane

 

[zackiedawg]

Generally, yes - optical zoom is more important than MP. In fact, nearly everything is more important than MP - as today's P&S cameras all have far more than needed for the average consumer, and often far more than should be crammed onto tiny sensors.

I don't think any P&S model will be 'too much' for you - all of them have very good Auto and Program modes that will simplify the use as much as you need it to - just zoom and press the shutter if desired, or change some settings if comfortable. The amount of zoom you want or need is entirely up to you - don't worry so much about getting 40x zoom or these crazy numbers today - if you're not shooting birds, wildlife, or trying to see the nostril hairs on a person coming down Expedition Everest from Flame Tree Barbeque, you don't likely need as much range as the new cameras are throwing in there.

Don't worry hard on brand either - Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, Olympus - all are generally considered respectible front-runners in P&S cameras - with Nikon, Pentax, Samsung, and others offering fine alternatives.

Don't worry about 'proprietary' - those days are pretty much over. Olympus and Fuji have long since given up on requiring XD cards, and Sony has long since opened up to SD cards alongside Memorystick...SD is pretty much common to all P&S cameras now. Besides, with card prices so low, there's no reason to worry about having to buy a proprietary card - why let a $20 card decide your $200+ camera purchase!?

I'd encourange you to look at the travel zoom compacts from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and Fuji - these usually have 8x - 12x zooms, are pocketable, often come with some snazzy extra features like GPS and image-stacking, and are in the general price range for the lower models. You can also check out the ultrazoom models, but these tend to be fatter and wider to accomodate the big 30x zooms, and are not pocketable. The newly announced Fuji F500 or F550 EXR, Sony HX7V or HX9V, Panasonic ZS8 and ZS10, and Canon SX230 are the big new technology offerings, or look to the previous models like SX130, Sony HX5V, Panasonic ZS7, or Fuji F300 EXR.

 

[DianeV]

Thanks very much for your help! I will look into the ones you mentioned and I didnt realize Sony was more user friendly as far as the card etc. now

I appreciate it!

 

[DianeV]

Want to mention that many of those are over my $200 budget but a couple I am looking into. Thanks again and if anyone else has any suggestions please bring them on

 

[Frantasmic]

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-budget-cameras/

CNET's latest review.

Most people in this forum are using DSLRs primarily. They probably have point and shoot cameras for carrying around, etc., but many probably have one that allows as much manual control since they understand the parameters of taking good pictures.

In other words, it's not the camera, it's the photographer.

Given your objectives and your budget, there really isn't that much distinguishing factors in cameras between $130-$200, so you find one you like that feels good in your hand.

 

[disneymarie]

We want something a little better but not so difficult that we have a hard time using it. I am looking at the Canon SX130 but wonder if that is too much camera for us? Also looked at Nikon Coolpix S6100

We have had a Sony DSC model in the past and liked it but hate the proprietary memory card etc..

Thanks for any help and any other camera suggestions in the $200 range

~Diane

I was in the same situation and this is where it stands. I am not a DSLR user, but love capturing memories.I also use my camera for Investigations as an adjuster and P.I.

I had the Canon SX130, hated a camera w/o a viewfinder, returned for the SX30. I hated my low light photos.
I would never recommend this camera for shooting in the family memory area. As I read many, many, reviews this is an issue with this Canon product.

I find that the camera I bought for work until I could save for another is better quality photos. The Sony Cyber-Shot you were use to.
.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 14.1 MP Digital Camera (Blue) little thin thing with major quality. It is a wide angle 4x zoom, but it uses all my SD cards. $135.

The reason I was sold on the Canon SX was the 35x zoom for work. I am extremely disappointed with photos like birthday, around the living room, in dim lite areas. etc. There is so much grain the pictures have been useless.

I am not sure whether to chance the Canon G12 that I am reading is better then the current one in low lite. If I can not find information that the G12 is better in low light then I will go back to my Kodak and have it repaired or switch to a Panasonic Lumix, the first choice I had.

My ds has a Lumix that is kick butt. It does not have a viewfinder, larger then the Sony Cyber shot, but less bulk the the Canon SX130.
If I were you I would go Lumix

I will not make another purchase until I can actually use it in low light.

 

[snowangel72]

My DH gave me the Canon SD4000 as a gift and it is a wonderful camera!!!!! But it's out of your budget It is worth it though because it's awesome in low light which is most of the time indoors. And it has awesome HD video. It's a great little camera. I make big enlargements from my shots from it.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

For better low light performance I would look at the megapixels. I would think one with less mp would have better low light performance.
Off topic, my new Nikon D7000 DSLR I just picked up is insane in low light. I can now shoot at iso 1600 and even 3200 sometimes and get great results....totally blows my D80 out of the water. On the DW point and shoot Nikon L100, if you crank it up to iso 400, you get all kinds of noise and hot pixels. Looks like it was shot through a screen door...lol
Back on topic.....
It was mentioned by one of my photo friends above, that some small cameras have too many mega pixels. I would try to look for one between 10-12 mp. Even 8mp will be fine for monitor and small picture viewing.