Help picking a new digital camera.

[Donaldfan81]

Hi everyone. I am trying to buy a digital camera. This will be my first and i have never really been a photo type guy. But i want to get into it especially since we are taking my lil sis to disney for the first time in august. SO what i want with a camera is more zoom than the normal 3x and a camera that takes good pics indoors and out at night and of the fireworks and stuff like that. I have looked at these 3 and dont know which one is the best for me, Canon Powershot A710 IS, FujiPix S700, and Olympus SP-510. All three fall within my price range, i really cant go higher. So which one would all you nice people suggest.. Thanks so much.

 

[pyrxtc]

I would go Olympus just because I love the quality of their camera's. the only real drawback for me for any of these cameras is that they al operate on AA batteries instead of and ion rechargable or something like that.

 

[jann1033]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710_pg5.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sp510_pg5.html
copied these review links for you to help you decide. it seemed to me he liked the canon first followed closely by the fugi

not sure if the canon s2IS is over your budget( round $299) but it appears to have better zoom( 12x) and is rated great

 

[YEKCIM]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710_pg5.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/S7000_pg5.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sp510_pg5.html
copied these review links for you to help you decide. it seemed to me he liked the canon first followed closely by the fugi

not sure if the canon s2IS is over your budget( round $299) but it appears to have better zoom( 12x) and is rated great

A few notes here:

First, the Fuji review linked above is for the S7000, not the S700 (also known as the S5700). The S7000 is a little long in the tooth, now, and is probably no longer available. The S700 is pretty new and I did not find any comprehensive reviews on it.

All three cameras that the OP listed have the small 1/2.5" sensor, so none are going to give stellar low light results. If you (OP) consider the S2-IS, you may want to give the Fuji S6000fd a look-see, too. It has a larger sensor and has better low-light image quality than the smaller sensor-ed cameras you referred to.

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

A few notes here:

First, the Fuji review linked above is for the S7000, not the S700 (also known as the S5700). The S7000 is a little long in the tooth, now, and is probably no longer available. The S700 is pretty new and I did not find any comprehensive reviews on it.

All three cameras that the OP listed have the small 1/2.5" sensor, so none are going to give stellar low light results. If you (OP) consider the S2-IS, you may want to give the Fuji S6000fd a look-see, too. It has a larger sensor and has better low-light image quality than the smaller sensor-ed cameras you referred to.

~YEKCIM

opps sorry took out the wrong link

 

[ukcatfan]

the only real drawback for me for any of these cameras is that they al operate on AA batteries instead of and ion rechargable or something like that.

With the OP trying to keep the cost low, I have to disagree with you here. The lithium ones are a little better on performance, life, and so on, but at practically four to five times the cost for extras compared to AAs. Nobody should go without at least one extra set, but preferably two extras. On a proprietary battery, that adds around $75-100 more to the bottom line.

Kevin

 

[MarkBarbieri]

With the OP trying to keep the cost low, I have to disagree with you here. The lithium ones are a little better on performance, life, and so on, but at practically four to five times the cost for extras compared to AAs. Nobody should go without at least one extra set, but preferably two extras. On a proprietary battery, that adds around $75-100 more to the bottom line.

Kevin

That's true only if you buy the camera maker's brand. I've used third party batteries for my cameras without problems. As an example, Amazon has LI batteries for the Canon 30D at $12 each. If you have two, you'll probably find that you can get through almost any day with no trouble. Just pop them on the charger when you get "home" at night and you're good to go all day.

 

[ukcatfan]

That's true only if you buy the camera maker's brand. I've used third party batteries for my cameras without problems. As an example, Amazon has LI batteries for the Canon 30D at $12 each. If you have two, you'll probably find that you can get through almost any day with no trouble. Just pop them on the charger when you get "home" at night and you're good to go all day.

I agree, but I personally do not trust the build quality of third party batteries unless it is name brand like Energizer of Duracell, which are as much as a manufacturer brand. When you are talking about a camera that could cost $300+ to replace, why risk it with no-name third party stuff. I especially would not with your level of stuff. For example, if your Canon brand battery leaks and ruins your camera, Canon will honor the entire repair, but if it was a third party, you are out of luck and looking at thousands in repair costs. I know that you likely carry insurance on your gear, so it likely is not an issue to you specificly, but it would apply to most people.

Kevin

 

[Donaldfan81]

Hi again. I still havent decided yet but i did look at that other fuji is nice and i might be able to pull off a little extra money for the camera i was also just looking at a canon s3. Is this a good model and would it be equvilent to the other fuji that was mentioned. thanks

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The Fuji will take significantly better pictures in low light where the subject is moving. The Canon S3 has image stabilization, which will help close the gap in cases where nothing in the picture is moving. The S3 also has a longer zoom and is significantly smaller. Over all though, I think the Fuji images will look better.

 

[YEKCIM]

Hi again. I still havent decided yet but i did look at that other fuji is nice and i might be able to pull off a little extra money for the camera i was also just looking at a canon s3. Is this a good model and would it be equvilent to the other fuji that was mentioned. thanks

Just wanted to be sure you noted that the S6000fd has a $50 rebate, at present, that is good on purchases thru the end of the month. Beach/Buydig have the camera for a tad over $300 at present, so your after rebate cost would be a little more than $250. Keep in mind, too, that you will need to get a couple sets of rechargeable AA batteries and memory cards, whichever camera you end up with.

You ask about the S3-IS. From all accounts, it is a very good camera, with very good image quality and image stabilization. Here is a comparison of the two cameras. The major differences, IMO, are:

* The S3 has stabilization; the S6000fd does not
* The S6000fd has better high-ISO performance
* The S3 zoom lens goes longer; the S6000fd lens goes wider
* The S3 zoom is pushbutton; the S6000fd zoom is manual (correct me if I'm wrong on the S3, Canon folks)
* The S6000fd incorporates "face detection" technology; the S3 does not
* The S6000fd's flash is a good bit more powerful
* The S3's LCD is 2.0"; the S6000fd's is 2.5"
* The S3 uses sD memory cards; the S6000fd uses xD, which are a little more expensive
* The S3 is smaller/lighter; the S6000fd is bulkier/heavier (it's very dSLR-like in handling/ergonomics)

I think either one would be a great choice; YOUR style of photography should be the determining factor on which one is best for you. Two really fundamental differences between the two are the differences in sensor performance/image stabilization and the difference in the focal length range. If you shoot primarily static subjects in lower light, then the nod goes to the S3, due to IS; if you often shoot moving subjects in lower light, the Fuji seems a better choice, due to better low light performance. If you need extra telephoto reach, the S3 has it. If you want true wide angle, the Fuji has that.

Read some reviews and ask yourself some questions about how you will use the camera. How you answer those questions will help you determine which of the two is your best "fit".

~YEKCIM