Looking for a tiny, excellent quality digital camera

[Bete]

I would love some recommendations.

I probably won't spend more that $500.

I would like it to be at least 8 megapixels and have a strong zooming power capability. I especially want a small and skinny camera.

 

[photo_chick]

How much zoom is a lot of zoom?

 

[aquafamily]

take a look at the canon powershot sx230 hs. Took this camera with me on our cruise a couple months ago. Am very happy with the pictures as well as the hd video...just make sure to get extra batteries and a large camera card if you end up getting this camera. specs - 12.1 mega pixels, full hd, 14x optical zoom

 

[Bete]

How much zoom is a lot of zoom?

I want at least 10X optical and 4X digital.

 

[photo_chick]

I want at least 10X optical and 4X digital.

I'd ignore the digital zoom listing. Digital zoom is the camera cropping in on the image. You can usually do that with better results with decent editing software.

I just played with a Canon Elph 310 the other day, I was pretty impressed for a pocket camera. It only has 8x, but I think the newer Elph 510 has 12X. But with a lot of the smaller pocket camera's it comes down to the specific features you want. The amount of zoom you want will really narrow down your list fast.

 

[MOmousefan]

I must agree with aquafamily regarding the SX230. I have had one for several weeks and feel I have made a good decision.
This shot is outdoors with flash...

Indoors w/flash...

Indoors, no flash...

This is a feature-rich camera the size of a deck of cards.

 

[Bete]

I must agree with aquafamily regarding the SX230. I have had one for several weeks and feel I have made a good decision.
This shot is outdoors with flash...

Indoors w/flash...

Indoors, no flash...

This is a feature-rich camera the size of a deck of cards.

Thanks for the show and tell; it really helps decide.

 

[DizFan101]

I just saw that you wanted a camera under or not exceeding $500. I really like the nikon s6000, which is around $300.00. not only is it fast-reliable (and silent) is that it takes great pictures!

here are pictures i have took. the skyline of Vegas was taken on a plane
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2811466

and here's a PTR for my upcoming Disney trip. the photos were taken with nikon s6000.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2763786 (only the intros)

the nikon s6000 is an excellent camera for fast/reliable. the only down fall that many (or may not have - all in one's opinion) is that it takes a nikon rechargeable battery (no AA/AAA batteries) but the battery does last a long time**.

*the battery on the first go around seems to go fast but after 1-2 uses to the end, the battery last longer...

 

[Bete]

Canon SX230 right now.

Has anyone done a HD 1080 video with this camera? Do you like it?

 

[Bete]

For owners of this camera have you done high definition video and do you like the quality and so forth?

I'm especially curious about low lighting situations.

 

[aquafamily]

yes we have done HD video and think it is awesome. sharp, and clear

 

[MOmousefan]

Here are three videos taken with the SX 230. Two are straight from the camera with no editing...
Outdoors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSqGUbOvT4s

Indoors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Rvd3DQ2qE

I am pleased with the low-light results.

This one is my son testing some high-performance engines on a rainy day..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hNGZCSbm8&feature=related

I like this camera!

 

[Bete]

Here are three videos taken with the SX 230. Two are straight from the camera with no editing...
Outdoors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSqGUbOvT4s

Indoors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Rvd3DQ2qE

I am pleased with the low-light results.

This one is my son testing some high-performance engines on a rainy day..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hNGZCSbm8&feature=related

I like this camera!

The video is better than I expected. I do see differences from using a regular video camera though that takes pictures, too. I felt the sound and zooming in is not as good. For the money it's good value. For the size it's a good product. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[GrillMouster]

Question: Why do you specify that you'd like it to be at least eight megapixels?