Canon Powershot SX210IS or NikonCoolpix S8010 ???

[TwingleMum]

I am looking for a really good digitial point & shot. I have a Canon Powershot SD850IS. Its OK but there are a few things that really bother me 1. The flash is terrible and the pictures in low light are not good. 2. Zoom lens isn't great. 3. picture quality is OK.

So I'm in the market for a really good camera that I can stick in my pocket when we are at WDW. sporting event or school play. Both the Canon Powershot SD850IS and the Nikon Coolpix S8010 have a pop up flash rather that a smaller one built into the camera body. The flashes seem stronger.

Can anyone help???? Thanks so much.

PS I hope this question isn't too easy (?) for this board. I know everyone on this board has great cameras and are really good photographers. Its just frustrating when you buy a "good" camera and it doesn't perform well. The Canon I have was @ $300 a few years ago.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I don't have any experience with the Nikon, but I bought my wife the Canon SX210IS for Christmas. So far she has been very happy with it. She wanted something smaller and this fits the bill, while providing one of the longest lenses I've seen in a compact point and shoot. The HD video was just a cool add on when I bought it, but she's enjoyed that as well.

My one concern with moving to this camera was battery life. We traditionally have looked for cameras that use AA batteries, so you can always pick up a pack in a pinch to power the camera. This camera has a proprietary battery, so I bought her an extra. So far we've both been amazed with the battery life. I don't even know if she's had to use the backup battery yet.

Like I said, I have no experience with the Nikon you're looking at, but I'd buy the SX210IS again in a heartbeat.

 

[Disney_Family_Fun]

I would really like to know what to buy also. Like you I want a point and shoot with good picture quality. I'm subscribing!! Let me know what you end up doing.

 

[tedhowe]

After doing a lot of reading and research on travel zoom cameras, I just settled on the new Canon SX230 HS - the successor to the SX210 IS.

It is a very nice camera - from reviews and sample photos I've seen online, it is an improvement over the SX210 in image quality and versatility - especially in low light - and it has some new features - most notably, Canon's first camera with GPS tagging of photos.

I literally just brought it home from Target and the battery is charging, so I don't have any first hand experience yet. Hope to use it at the Phillies game tonight.

Ted

 

[Disney_Family_Fun]

After lots of research I ordered the canon SD3500. It is not one of their newest models but it looks like it has all of the features I need. The major selling point for me was the touch screen. After watching lots of videos on the camera it looked like the touch screen would help me use its features easier. I'll be waiting by the mail for it to get here. I need to play with it to make sure I have it down for our upcoming trip.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thank you. Hey Ted how did it work out at the game??? I'm leaning toward the Canon but still haven't decided.

 

[tedhowe]

So far I like the SX230 a lot. I haven't taken many shots, but I love the pocketability, the PQ is very good, the zoom is great, IS works very well, and the 1080P video is REALLY good.

I'll try to post some samples from the Phillies game. I took about 20-30 photos and a couple of videos... of the Phillie Phanatic from across the stadium (about 350 feet away by my guesstimate). The video is crisp and clear - and relatively stable given that I was zoomed in to probably 12-14x.

The screen on the camera is very good - about twice the resolution of the previous generation SX210.

I haven't tried any low-light, indoor photos yet - which is always a challenge with these small ultra-zoom cameras, but when I do I'll report back.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Tedhowe, have you taken any indoor shots yet? I am researching too!
Thanks

 

[TwingleMum]

Just to drive myself crazy I'm now leaning towards the Nikon 9100 over the Canon Sx230

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Just to drive myself crazy I'm now leaning towards the Nikon 9100 over the Canon Sx230

I'm looking at the Nikon 9100 and the Canon sX230 too.

One feature I really like on the 9100 is the panoramic feature. It can go 180 to 360. I also like the 18X zoom.

The Canon SX230 has the stitch assist still. It has the 14X zoom which is ok.

But I do have the right backup batteries on hand for the Canon SX230 since one of my other cameras used to use those same batteries.

Hmmmm, I may be talking myself into trying out the 9100.

 

[mikegood2]

Been helping my dad pick a camera this week and he was leaning towards the Nikon 9100 and the Canon sX230 also. If zoom is important to you either one would be a good choice, but I would suggest trying both of them out before buying.

If a 10x zoom isn't a necessity, I would suggest looking at the Nikon Coolpix p300. This is the camera that my dad ended up choosing and we should have it friday. If you think you will shoot some video, that is where this camera shines. Look for samples on youtube and I think you will be impressed. Also, unlike the other two cameras you are looking at, there is NO motor noise in your video when you zoom.

 

[Otimon]

I purchased the Nikon S8100 about 6 months ago and absolutely love it.

Big reason for me was I wanted a camera also good with low light and this really fits the bill.

Whichever you choose, enjoy.

Best wishes.