Need a good Point and Shoot...any recommendations??

[dsnygirl2006]

Hey
Just wondering if anyone can recommend a nice little point and shoot camera to take good pics with at Disney.....Brand, what to look for on camera?
Thanks
Kristy

 

[Master Mason]

what type of shots are important to you?
What is your price range?
How important is size to you?
Are you willing to learn a few things, or do you just want to use preprogramed modes?

 

[dsnygirl2006]

I would like good fireworks shots, I would just like the picture to look sharp and clear and look really nice....I would be willing to learn, I have a digital SLR, but I am not carrying that big thing around again, I would like to stay right at $300 or under..thanks

 

[Master Mason]

I personally think if your coming from a dSLR, that most shots will be disapointing to you.

If your willing to have a little bulk, take a look at the Cannon S3 IS or the fuji s6000 the should both do pretty much what your looking for, but are bridge cameras, so a little smaller than a dSLR, but not small enough to go in your pocket.

I really have no suggestions for pocket cameras as I haven't researched them at all.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

If you're looking for something smaller than a DSLR (but, not looking for something that fits in a shirt pocket) I don't think you could go wrong with a Canon PowerShot S3. They're down to about $275, now. 36mm to 432mm zoom, relatively fast lens for a P&S, scene modes in addition to full manual controls and excellent movie mode make it a very versatile "vacation camera".

If you plan on taking mostly low-light pictures, though, the Fuji F30 (pocket sized) or the larger S6000fd are also excellent cameras, and the best at high ISO performance in the P&S arena.

The IQ of these P&S cameras won't be as good as a DSLR (of course, they've got smaller sensors), but unless you're really into pixel peeping at 100% on your computer monitor, it won't make that much of a difference. And, they're certainly easier to carry around a theme park and operate one-handed than a DSLR with a big lens.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I'm not familiar with the Canon S3, but I am familiar with a different one that I would not recommend - the Canon SD750. I bought one to carry around instead of my DSLR and was extremely disappointed. I have an older Olympus P&S, so I already knew what differences to expect between DSLR and P&S. Nonetheless, the SD750 was really, really disappointing and really, really irritating. It went back after one day of blurred shots, missed shots, underexposed shots, etc. Maybe it was defective, I don't know, but I did not give it a second chance. Returned it for a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and was literally blown away by the results from that little camera. The 10X optical zoom with image stabilization produced results that I would say rivaled my DSLR. Just my $.02 worth, your mileage may vary, and all those other popular disclaimers...

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I'm not familiar with the Canon S3, but I am familiar with a different one that I would not recommend - the Canon SD750. I bought one to carry around instead of my DSLR and was extremely disappointed. I have an older Olympus P&S, so I already knew what differences to expect between DSLR and P&S. Nonetheless, the SD750 was really, really disappointing and really, really irritating. It went back after one day of blurred shots, missed shots, underexposed shots, etc. Maybe it was defective, I don't know, but I did not give it a second chance. Returned it for a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and was literally blown away by the results from that little camera. The 10X optical zoom with image stabilization produced results that I would say rivaled my DSLR. Just my $.02 worth, your mileage may vary, and all those other popular disclaimers...

I second the Panasonic Lumix TZ3. It blew me away too. I did not expect the great results I had from that camera. I was a TOTAL skeptic about P&S since I too had used others in the past with dismal results. In addition to the above, it takes wider angle shots than typical P&S because it starts at 28mm. I was able to get shots that no one else was able to get on my recent China trip. When everyone else had to back up 20 feet to get the same shot I didn't have to move for I thought that was great also. The image stabilization is AWESOME on the TZ3. Never before with my Oly 765 was I able to take pictures in a moving vehicle on a freeway and have them come out. They came out fine with this camera. OP, check out DPreview.com for their reviews on this camera (and many others), you won't regret it.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Super small, fits in pocket or and is a great point and shoot in my opininon. Here is a couple I took with it in May 2007. The camera has a lot of options, but can be just point and shoot which is what these pictures were: