Question about Digital Camera Selection

[DebbieinWA]

Ok - I made a deal with my DH - he gets a new toy and I get a new toy My current digital camera is, well, cheap. It is a Kodak Easy Share, and while it does an okay job for point and shoot, it just doesn't have what I want in a camera. I also have a film SLR camera that I love and will probably keep forever. However, I really want a super zoom digital camera. I'm hearing very good reviews here for the Canon S3. Before I go out and buy the S3, I'd like opinions on both it and other cameras with similar abilities as far as zoom, picture quality, different modes, etc. Also, if you have an S3, have you bought some of the other accessories that are available such as the teleconverter lens, lens adapter and hood set, etc? Really just looking for reviews and recommendations before I take the final step of purchasing a good digital camera. Thanks! By the way, the photography on this board is incredible! I've been lurking here daily just to see the new pictures posted - LOL!

 

[Groucho]

If you have a film SLR that you're happy with, I'd recommend getting a digital SLR from the same manufacturer. You will have a lot more flexibility and will be capable of getting much better photos from a DSLR, which has a sensor about fifteen times larger than the one in an S3.

This is especially true if you're thinking about adapters to adjust the lens capabilities.

If you must have a PnS, I'd strongly consider the Fuji line, the newest ones finally take SD cards and they have a larger sensor, so will do much better in low light, as well as have better sharpness in all photos. The downside is that they don't have image stabilization, but I'd go with a bigger sensor (improves all photos) over IS. The best would be both a larger sensor and IS, of course, but I don't believe that anyone makes such a camera at the moment. Hopefully Fuji will take that step soon, if so, it will probably be the obvious choice for a long-zoom no matter your priorities.

 

[YEKCIM]

...other cameras with similar abilities as far as zoom, picture quality, different modes, etc. - LOL!

I have a Fujifilm S5200 which is also a "bridge" or "superzoom" camera, although the zoom range is slightly more limited than the S3. Fuji's newer S6000fd offers a much more useable zoom range than either one, IMO, and has some other nifty features like "face detection" (hence, the "fd" designation in the model number). None of the Fuji's have IS, but they do excel (for a P&S) in high-ISO performance, so are good in low light.

Another option would be Sony's "H" line, including the H2 and H5. My dad has a H1 and, now that he's gotten the hang of it, is coming up with some pretty good shots.

If you are interested in my WDW S5200 album, please feel free to check it out: http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/DisneyWorld 2006/

~YEKCIM

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I'm one of the DISer's who's been very happy with my new S3. It's daytime and "well lit" performance is great and I do find the IS to be a big help especially when at the longer end of the zoom ... however, I don't take lots of P&S night/low-light shots.

Anything I've done low-light, I take the time to set up the shot and use a tripod and a slow shutter ... I do whatever I can to avoid the higher ISO. I don't want to have to NoiseNinja every low-light pic I take....

Like Groucho says, though ... if you're already comfortable with an SLR you might be best served by getting a familiar DSLR. No P&S (even advanced ones like the Canon S3, the Sony H5 or the Fuji (F30, I think?) is going to compare to the sensitivity and quality of a DSLR.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You're probably best off reading reviews on some websites designed for the purpose of reviewing and comparing cameras. Most of them list all the specs of each camera in depth. You need to really ask yourself if you'll be happy with this "bridge" camera as opposed to a DSLR, especially since you're already accustomed to using an SLR. Good luck.

 

[DebbieinWA]

Thanks for the great responses. I don't really want to invest the extra $$ necessary for a DSLR right now, so a "bridge" model is what I want. Still debating on which model to buy. Does anybody know of a good site to go to that does camera reviews? Thanks for your help!

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks for the great responses. I don't really want to invest the extra $$ necessary for a DSLR right now, so a "bridge" model is what I want. Still debating on which model to buy. Does anybody know of a good site to go to that does camera reviews? Thanks for your help!

My favorite lately has been: http://www.dcresource.com, but I also like http://www.steves-digicams.com, and http://www.dpreview.com. Some people also like http://www.imaging-resource.com and I usually read his when I am making a big purchase, but they seem very dry and overly technical.

Kevin

 

[YEKCIM]

Take a look at the "best" 10X-12X Superzooms on Steve's: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Another good tool is this page: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

You can plug in several different models and compare the specs very quickly.

Let us know if you have any specific questions.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

I also read megapixel.net for reviews.

The difference in price between a PnS and a DSLR may not be as large as you think, especially if you get a body only one. An S3 is going to cost around $300, and the cheapest body-only DLSR will be somewhere around $350 and give you much more flexibility and of course, that wonderful large DSLR sensor. With lens, a K110D can be had for only $389 now after rebate, or the body-only K100D with IS is only $399 after rebate. You may be looking at a little more if you are using another manufacturer's lens, but it still may not be as big of a difference as you think.

And honestly, if you're used to a film SLR, and aren't happy with the results from your existing digital camera, you'll probably be buying a DSLR sooner or later. The S3 will probably be faster and give you more zoom than your current camera, but the actual image quality will probably not be significantly different. This is especially true if you're considering add-ons like a teleconverter, etc.