Digital Camera Help

[Steven41782]

I am thinking about getting a digital camera for my DW for her birthday (she's the big picture fanatic). Right now we have a Kodak Easy Share. We are most unhappy with the zoom (I think its 2x optical) and the fact that we have never got any good nighttime photos. Based on what I can spend, and reading these boards, I have it narrowed down to:

Canon 6 MP PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera w/ 12x Optical Zoom
or
Sony 6 MP Cyber-shot DSC-H2 Digital Camera w/ 12x Optical Zoom​

Any recommendations? Which one will get really good nighttime shots?

TIA,
Steven

 

[Groucho]

Unless you use a tripod and fiddle with manual settings, you'll still probably be disappointed in the night shots, no matter which camera you get. Point-n-shoot digital cameras just don't play well at night.

That's not to say that some aren't better (or much better) than others - but they all struggle. A DSLR will do quite a bit better due to a much larger image sensor, but it's still no guarantee of great night photos.

 

[Amy]

Steven - I thought I was replying to your post earlier today, but somehow it ended up on another post. (I guess my coffee hadn't kicked in yet.) Anyway, I copied it here:

Someone else posted about a week or so ago with the same issue, trying to decide between those 2 cameras. The thread is here: Canon v Sony

I just got the Canon S3 IS and LOVE it. It's got all the automatic settings, plus it has manual controls, too, for when you're feeling a little more confident about your abilities. I look at it as a step below a digital SLR.

SplshMtn99 and I got our S3's around the same time; here's a thread with some of our pix: S3 pix

 

[Steven41782]

that's a bummer about the night shots. We honeymooned on the Disney Magic and it was absolutely beautiful at night. We had a great view of the Magic at night in Key West, but our photos turned out terribly. That is what got me on the new camera kick. The Canon S3 has a fireworks mode, so maybe at least we could get some good fireworks shots? Thanks for the help!

 

[Caitsmama]

I am debating b/w these cameras: all seem to have good reviews.
Sony H2
Canon S3
Panasonic FZ7
All have 12x optical, and 6.0 mp.
I seem to be torn b/w the sony and the panasonic (i have a sony now and love it). But, the panasonic has great reviews and is a little less.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Like you, I was between the Sony and the Canon - A great web-site to go where you can compare the cameras side by side is:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

Plus it gives their review on the cameras as well - It's a really helpful site -

Good luck!