Tell me how much you love your camera!

[My<3BelongsToMickey]

Because I hate mine!

Hi everyone! I am in the market for a new camera... I'm not looking to get too fancy, I'm really just looking for a quality point and shoot. I was debating whether or not to just invest in a larger, higher quality DSLR camera and start making it more of a hobby, but I'm not sure I'm ready to take the leap yet. And in the mean time, I just need a good camera.

Currently, I have Canon PowerShot SD750, from 2008 I believe. It had excellent consumer reviews at the time, but I hate it. It takes awful night-time photos (I realize this is a phenomenon that not everyone/ camera can master, and I admit I am no camera genius, but I'm no novice either.) And it also has begun to take blurry pictures, despite my steady, 23-year old hand.

I feel like just about everyone swears by Canon, and if you are one of those people, convince me not to jump ship and head to Sony or Nikon. (I was just at a camera store and the salesman suggested the Sony DSC-WX9?)

Even better, if you have any models you would suggest, I'd appreciate it!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Sony makes the sensors for Canon and Nikon in the P and S category. Go to www.dpreview.com, look at the reviews in the category you want to have. Go to the photography section on this board and ask the same question. I have had both Canon, Sony and Nikon and they all have worked well for me.Biggest problem that I have seen is that folks just do not understand exposure and stablization does help.

Jack

 

[Disco]

Yes, most point and shoots will do fine during the day but not in the dark. Nothing has changed this much since 2008.
However, the prosumer camera market has made some leaps and bounds of taking pictures in the dark category lately. Their prices are not that much less than an entry SLR camera but they are much more pocketable and they include a lens that is much more flexible than the SLRs. They still won't be as quick and quite as good in the dark but they will be a big step up from your SD750.
Probably the best one out there now is the Olympus XZ-1. If you want something that fits in your pocket better the Canon S95 would be my second choice. It's a lot of bang for a tiny camera. Other choices are the Panasonic DMC-LX5, Canon G12, Nikon P300 and Samsung TL500 (probably recommended roughly in that order).
These cameras have bigger sensors in them and lenses that let in a lot more light. They tend to not have as much zoom power and are not always the best for video though. However I would highly suggest not lugging around an SLR. They are such a hassle and tend to be money pits (always looking to buy a better lens).

 

[Disco]

I feel like just about everyone swears by Canon, and if you are one of those people, convince me not to jump ship and head to Sony or Nikon. (I was just at a camera store and the salesman suggested the Sony DSC-WX9?)

Even better, if you have any models you would suggest, I'd appreciate it!

The latest Sony's have been OK. I looked over the DSC-WX9 and it is good for movies. I will probably do a little better in low light situations than your current camera but if you zoom in on anything it will be horrible in the dark. Sony announced a DSC-WX10 that would have been a good bit better than this one but it looks like they cancelled it. Definitely go to the photo forums if you want a good recommendation on a point and shoot as they are not my strong point.

 

[jlwhitney]

I have the panasonic lumix dmc zs5 and I love it. It does amazing in low light, many many times I get a better picture with out the flash on than with it. Its a little more high end but if you find a sale not too bad (about 300 or so) but I got mine for 250 at Best Buy.

It also sports a 12 x optical zoom which is amazing. My DH had a Canon Rebel Dslr and the Panasonic does almost as well as it.

The Panasonic is still a point and shoot camera and its not that large, larger than the simple cheap ones but worth it to have the quality in it. It still fits in my back pocket and easy in DH front pockets.

panasonic lumix dmc zs7 is the newer version of it and the only difference is in video recording.

 

[Butterfly123]

I have a Panasonic Lumix ZS1...it doesn't do HD video, but I didn't want it for video. It takes really great pictures...I'm very happy with it. I bought mine at Costco.

 

[disneymomto2boys07]

I just bought this camera and I love it!

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020714canonsx220sx230.asp

 

[LisaCat]

I have the panasonic lumix dmc zs5 and I love it. It does amazing in low light, many many times I get a better picture with out the flash on than with it. Its a little more high end but if you find a sale not too bad (about 300 or so) but I got mine for 250 at Best Buy.

It also sports a 12 x optical zoom which is amazing. My DH had a Canon Rebel Dslr and the Panasonic does almost as well as it.

The Panasonic is still a point and shoot camera and its not that large, larger than the simple cheap ones but worth it to have the quality in it. It still fits in my back pocket and easy in DH front pockets.

panasonic lumix dmc zs7 is the newer version of it and the only difference is in video recording.

Another vote for the Panasonic Lumix brand. I am on my third one of the same model line. I had the DMC-TZ1, then the TZ3 and now the TZ5. The TZ8 is now out and I'm TOTALLY DROOLING and hoping for it for a mother's day/birthday gift. The camera is small but takes pretty darned good pics for a point and shoot. I've had excellent luck shooting with it at Disney with no flash in rides and fireworks/parades. I am pretty sure the new model was in this past week's Best Buy ad.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Another vote for the Panasonic Lumix brand. I am on my third one of the same model line. I had the DMC-TZ1, then the TZ3 and now the TZ5. The TZ8 is now out and I'm TOTALLY DROOLING and hoping for it for a mother's day/birthday gift. The camera is small but takes pretty darned good pics for a point and shoot. I've had excellent luck shooting with it at Disney with no flash in rides and fireworks/parades. I am pretty sure the new model was in this past week's Best Buy ad.

The TZ8 came out in mid March of 2010, you may find an upgrade to the next model, just have not had time to look. I have had a number of compacts in the past, switched to Dslr a few years back and I pack it everywhere. Even on the water rides. I only take snaps though, use it in the manual mode, just do not have the time to PP the pictures. Here is a link to a couple of reviews... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/verdict.shtml
Jack

 

[Porturican]

I used to swear by Cannon Cameras but after my last one broke after having it for only 2 months (totally my fault I dropped it while dancing at Glow Fest) I decided to go with a Casio Exilim 14mp my daughter had a 10mp one by Casio and I always liked her pictures better than mine. I love love love the Casio it takes beautiful pictures and I notice if i turn of the flash for certain photos at night (like the castle) the pictures come out great!

Just my 2 cents but I am a former strictly Cannon Camera girl who has been converted to Casio.

 

[Thundergod]

I have shot with nikons and I have shot with Canons.

If you want a nice camera that is affordable and shoots amazing photos and video purchase a canon t2-i.

You can pick up the camera w/o lens for like 600.00 and for another 300 you can put a very good lens on it. or you can buy the camera and lens for about 750.00


This camera is comparable with the other canons that cost 2-3k. The one knock on the entry level canons is they dont' hold up to water well so keep that in mind.

My thing when buying a camera is buy something that is megapixal loaded if you aren't gonna put a high end lens on it and see how they rate in low light. (iso)

Canons are tons easier to use than nikons IMO and the lenses that were once dominated by nikon are now on almost an even playing field.

Also, learn to shoot the thing in manual. read the manual and learn it.

I actually shot video with the t2-i and then shot some video with a canon xh-a1s(high dollar prosumer video camera) and I liked the looks and ease of shooting with the t2-i

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Another recommendation for the Panasonic Lumix. My DH takes great photos with his.

 

[lapdwife]

I got a new one at Christmastime just for pics at DL... http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_s95 I really like it. Its compact in size, but still lets me totally control it manually. I couldn't see carrying a big monster around and this fit the bill perfectly. I've dabbled with the RAW images and am too blonde to figure it out, but hey, it's there for me should I figure it out some day!

 

[VallCopen]

Another vote for the Panasonic Luminex - I have an older version 2008 (?) but love it. It takes great pictures with very little effort. I now also own the Nikon 7000 DSLR and it is amazing but heavy to pack around so I always take my Panasonic to carry around most days at Disney. Costco has such a great return policy - you really can't go wrong by giving it a try.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Ever hear of Micro Four Thirds? A lot of people haven't... These cameras are awesome! If you are torn between a DSLR and a Point and Shoot know that these cameras provide you the best of both worlds. They take great photos like DSLR's because they use the same sensor as DSLR's and they are just as fast (no missing shots because your camera was busy focusing). But they are smaller like Point and Shoot cameras. Well not quite as small but much smaller than DSLR's because they have no active mirror that needs to flap. I really like the Panasonic GF2. which you can read about here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicDMCGF2/. It didn't stellar reviews only because they seemed to be comparing it to its predecessor the GF1 (which I also have, also a great camera but I lean towards the slightly smaller GF2). You really have to see it to believe it! They really are the best cameras that can fit in your pocket!

 

[SplashMo]

I like for a DSLR either Canon or Nikon

However for a point and shoot I like Canon.

as others have mentioned Panasonic also has some nice P&S cameras.

www.dpreview is great

Also

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

The Canon S95 IS is a nice splurge P&S. DOes very well in low light. It is one of the nicest P&S on the market if not the top one...

 

[kiwitravel]

I repair cameras for a living.... Here is my observations on the different makes:

Canon - Canon are specialists in high end cameras and they are well recognised within the professional photographer industry as being a leader in the high end market. Their cheaper models have mixed support at best, their lens mechanics are not strong. Their image quality is still high but reliability and low light performance is an issue. Unless buying an EOS SLR I would not recommend them.

Nikon - Another high end manufacturer who struggles in the lower end market though reliability is better than Canon and low light performance is very good. It has problems with its processing time (shutter delays) and processing circuitry failures.

Panasonic - Struggles to compete in performance in the upper markets, quite well performers in the middle market but biggest weakness is the lens mechanics and overall reliability

Olympus - Reliable cameras overall, though tends not to have as good an image quailty as other cameras in the same price bracket... Support can be limited

Fujifilm - Best bang for your buck in the middle price bracket, produces some of the best low light performance of even some upper market cameras.. Non- detachable lens limits it to going no further than the middle market, struggles in the point and shoot market with reliabilty and performance.

Kodak - The lower priced models really suffer with shutter lag and low light performance steer clear of them but they still produce the odd good middle market camera..

Sony - Tend to be strong cameras but not up to the image quality of others, not due to the CCD array but more with lens quality

Samsung - Have targeted the Point and Shoot market and succeeded... The best image quality and reliability in the bottom end market.

Casio - Can be quite innovative, in fact the first company to commercially sell a digital camera with lcd screen... But largely been overtaken by Samsung in the point and shoot market

Pentax - Not really excelling in any market but also not sucking in any either... Their DSLRs are attracting a growing following, good solid cameras..

In summary
Upper market ($800+) Canon, Nikon
Middle Market ($200 - $800) Fujifilm Panasonic Pentax
Lower market (<$200) Samsung Pentax

Like anything, people can get good runs out of all of the cameras above and everyone has their favourites (like DL Hotels).... And this is very much meant to be a generalisation, Kodak could release the best in any market tomorrow...

 

[nunzia]

I have the panasonic lumix dmc zs5 and I love it. It does amazing in low light, many many times I get a better picture with out the flash on than with it. Its a little more high end but if you find a sale not too bad (about 300 or so) but I got mine for 250 at Best Buy.

It also sports a 12 x optical zoom which is amazing. My DH had a Canon Rebel Dslr and the Panasonic does almost as well as it.

The Panasonic is still a point and shoot camera and its not that large, larger than the simple cheap ones but worth it to have the quality in it. It still fits in my back pocket and easy in DH front pockets.

panasonic lumix dmc zs7 is the newer version of it and the only difference is in video recording.

I have the Panasonic DMC FH20, low cost pocket size, it has an auto focus thing that really works well (I read alot of reviews before buying and bought this one because of them.) it is probably not the right camera for any serious picture taking, but for those park shots that happen quickly that you want a nice shot of..this little camera took the best shots I've ever gotten of WOC and Fantasmic..all with the auto setting.

 

[ducky_love]

My Olympus died just DAYS before my bday trip last year and I was heartbroken. I can't pick something like that fast because I just have to study my choices. That led me to letting my DH pick. He bought a Canon SX210 - I HATE IT. It is just too complex for me. I'm sure it COULD take great pics.. but I don't have the time to take a photography class to learn how. The auto setting takes great daytime pics.. everything else it no good.

I think I'm going to buy another Casio Exilim before our DL trip. It always took great point and shoot pictures without having to fuss over settings too much. Plus all the settings made SENSE!!

 

[lapdwife]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

The Canon S95 IS is a nice splurge P&S. DOes very well in low light. It is one of the nicest P&S on the market if not the top one...

That was fun to read. Now I know to try the vivid setting.... I really do like my S95...I should spend some time learning all it does and I'll like it even more