Just bought a Canon Power Shot SD800 IS, any opinions

[ukcatfan]

With all these great example photos posted just recently, I am seriously considering this camera!
I'm just torn between this and the S3.
I don't know yet, but I suppose i'll have to figure it out soon!

Those are two completely different cameras. If it helps, here goes.

Do you want a small, light, and ultra portable camera that has a normal zoom range and does the thinking for you? If so, then SD800.

Or do you want a larger and heavier camera that has a bunch of zoom power and allows for you to grow into more manual exposure modes? If so, then S3. (It still has auto modes to do the thinking for you, if you want it to)

As for size, do not think the S3 is some beast though, b/c it is tiny compared to a DSLR. It is not a pocket camera though. Also, larger and heavier cameras help you take better pictures b/c it is harder for you to accidentally move them and cause blurring.

Kevin

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Thanks UKcatfan!
I guess I'll just have to try them out in the store and see which one I like better in person.
I like that the S3 has like 12x zoom, but although zoom is nice, I also enjoy having a petite little camera with a large LCD. Also, the fact that the SD800 seems to have a good ISO range is a plus.
It becomes hard to shop for cameras, but at least I've narrowed it down to 2.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks UKcatfan!
I guess I'll just have to try them out in the store and see which one I like better in person.
I like that the S3 has like 12x zoom, but although zoom is nice, I also enjoy having a petite little camera with a large LCD. Also, the fact that the SD800 seems to have a good ISO range is a plus.
It becomes hard to shop for cameras, but at least I've narrowed it down to 2.

Just my opinion, but be careful with the ISO judgement. I believe that both cameras have the exact same sensor and the S3 has a little less MPs, so the noise should be lower on the S3. Also, ISO 1600 on a p&s camera is not very effective and is more of a marketing tool than actually useful. With the same sensor, they could have gone to ISO 1600 with the S3, but the consumers were not demanding it then and they likely thought that the results were not that great. They pretty much had to put it on the newer SD800 b/c they would look like they were lagging the competition if they did not. Check the samples and reviews and you will likely see what I am talking about.

Kevin

 

[DisneyGirlie]

alrighty then.
thanks!

 

[jann1033]

hopefully this won't be a problem in wdw but i really think the cold might somehow affect the grain/noise...i usually don't have a problem at iso400, even 800 isn't that bad( rebel xt) but if i take it outside in cold for awhile(like 1/2 an hr or so & like it's been under 32 degrees for a month or so, usually under 20 degrees) the photos are noisier than normal

 

[jann1033]

duey---
since i think you said you have both of these, which would you think would be better indoors in low contrast settings...i want to get hubby a camera he can use for before and after shots for work and some of his work is textural rather than big changes in color so i would like to get him something that would work well for that. i was considering the s3( mainly cause i thought it would be a good point and shoot for me to "borrow" from him if i want ) but guess i should go with what would be best for him...if i have to

all the photos here are really nice!