Does this camera exist?

[kytiam]

I am so ready to replace my old Kodak Easy Share camera, but don't have a clue what to get. Here's what I want the new camera to do...
-I need to be able to point and shoot the easy stuff,
-I want the picture to take right when I push the button, not 3 seconds later, I want to be able to take another picture without a long wait,
-I want to take pictures of my daughter's dance recitals (without flash) even if I'm not right up in the front row,
-I'd like to take pictures (without flash) inside attractions like Peter Pan's flight and POTC,
-I probably need the image stablization feature, I don't want to lug around a huge, heavy thing, and
-I can't spend over $400 (or at least not much over)
-I'm a big-time scrapbooker, so I want really good clear pictures worthy of all the work I put into the pages
So--is this the impossible dream? I know very little about cameras, so when I try to research camera choices, I get a lot of numbers and abbreviations the mean practically nothing to me. You guys seem to have a ton of experience in this area. I would be forever grateful for your advice. Thanks!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Not TOO imposible. If you're able to stretch your budget a bit, Pentax ist*DL with Sigma 18-125 lens will set you back around $650 and it'll be what you want.

 

[Fantasmic303]

Two notes of advice:

1. Listen to Kelly. She knows what she's talking about. (And that I know from experience.)

2. If you don't want Kelly's first advice, I'm gonna suggest the cameras that were suggested to me: the Canon S2 and the one I ultimately ended up buying, the Canon Powershot A620.

I had similar requests when I was shopping for mine, and I've been very happy with the A620 so far. In addition to that, a friend has the Canon S2 and took BEAUTIFUL concert photos without a flash. In fact, there is a message board that I visit where a poster shares amazing concert photographs, and she uses a S2 as well, from several rows back in the venues. The only reason I didn't go with that one was because of the size...it's just a little bulkier than what I wanted, but it is by no means unmanagable.

Good luck!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Fantasmic303 is right about her choice. I've used (and still use) two previous generations of A620, the A80 and A95 (still use that one). The A620 is leaps and bounds in terms of startup and shutter lag time compared to the A95. Also the high-ISO noise is a tad cleaner than the A95.

She basically uses the improved version of my backup of my backup camera for pro applications. (and my backup camera for my vacation/leisure apps)

Long time no see, Kylene!

 

[boBQuincy]

Peter Pan's Flight without flash, eh? That's a tall order!

I would agree the Pentax is the least expensive way to get what you want (other than Peter Pan).

Does anyone here have good photos of that ride taken without flash? I tried with a 10D, 50 f1.8 and ISO 3200 and still didn't get what I would call 'good' photos.


boB

 

[Fantasmic303]

Long time no see, Kylene!

I try not to visit the Photography Board too often....it just makes me salivate with envy over all the equipment I wish I could afford and all of the photography talents I wish I had!!

And, actually, I figured I should come and butter you up a bit, since I'm on a new hunt...looking for a new camcorder. Unfortunately, I'm even MORE clueless about THAT than I was about my camera, so, naturally, my first stop is here.

I've been re-reading your sticky thread with buying tips, trying to figure out what it means for me...unfortunately, I'm starting to wonder if I'm ready to invest the $$$ it seems it'll require for me to get what I should be getting.

Anyway, sorry to hijack the thread, but like I said - take the advice of the folks around here, it really helped me!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

just ask away, you know my e-addy

I also have to update that camcorder info sticky thingie too. It's been too long since I've last updated it.

PS: feel free to visit my photo blog for tips, tricks and rants

Cheers,
Kelly

 

[Kelly Grannell]

LOL! Forget about PeterPan, you should use ISO 12,800 to take that.

 

[kytiam]

Thanks, everybody for the suggestions! Truth be told, I've never actually been in Peter Pan's Flight yet, but this trip, I'm determined not to miss it. I didn't realize it was THAT dark in there. I've seen pictures posted on the theme park attractions board and I guess I just assumed they were taken w/o a flash--considering all the posts flaming people who take pictures with a flash inside dark rides. I know so little about photography (it shows, doesn't it?!) maybe I need to do more research about what all those numbers and letters stand for before I actually make a purchase.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

PoC you can use ISO 1600, with exposure pushed DOWN by 1 or 2 stops, brought back to photoshop and noise cleaned with eithe photoshop CS2 noise cleaner or any other noise reduction programs.

Peter Pan & Snow White: I give up, with ISO 3200 and my Sigma lens at 17mm (f/3.5) I can't take anything.

Pooh: ISO 1600 and quick reflex

IASW: ISO 1600 without any reflex whatsoever necessary

Haunted Mansion: don't bother.