totally confused

[laura001]

Earlier this week I started thinking I needed my "own" camera. Right now DD and I share a Canon A520. I have gone from one extreme to the other, thinking of just buying another A520, to an A540 to a A710 and to a S3 IS....wow, am I confused!

Does anyone have any opinions that may help. I would like a camera that isn't too difficult to use, but can take great pics with. Am not sure I understand the real differences, like say between the 710 and the S3 etc.

Help me please!!

 

[ukcatfan]

The A710 is a long standard zoom (6x) and the S3 is a superzoom (12x). Both have IS. The S3 is a better lens and will give better overall results, but it is somewhat larger.

Kevin

 

[tinksdad]

If those were my choices, I'd go with the S3 as well!! Better control, better camera = better photos (photographer considered equal)

Check out Digital Photography Reviews for more specs.

 

[laura001]

That site is great that you gave me, thanks! You say that if those were your choices.....do you have another choice?

 

[jann1033]

another good place for reviews is
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
the first link divides the reviews into cost and usage, the second is his pics for best which could be a little outdated, i'm not sure how often he updates

i like the s3 as well but there are more 10=12x zooms on the market now..the thing i think with them is the fact you can get such a great long shot . i also think the 700 canon is fine but i'd always go for that nice long zoom

make sure you check out the photos and the same with the previous dp review link...look especially for the noise levels comparisons since if the photo stinks at a higher iso the iso is basically worthless. you can fix it some with post processing but who wants to do that everytime they take indoor or night shot. don't worry about megapixels to much since you probably aren't planning on printing gigantic mural size photos a 5-6 mp is fine and sometimes the higher mp = bad photo since the sensors are not big enough to really give a good photo with that many mp.
my one daughter has a Kodak easyshare which is awful in low light, unusable, other has the canon a6?? which is very good in low light.

 

[boBQuincy]

Sure you need your own camera! DD and I often stand next to each other and take the "same" photo but they look different (different focal length, exposure, shutter speed, etc.).

Canon's S series looks good. Their G series is also nice, sort of a bridge between P&S and SLR.

 

[laura001]

another good place for reviews is
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
the first link divides the reviews into cost and usage, the second is his pics for best which could be a little outdated, i'm not sure how often he updates

i like the s3 as well but there are more 10=12x zooms on the market now..the thing i think with them is the fact you can get such a great long shot . i also think the 700 canon is fine but i'd always go for that nice long zoom

make sure you check out the photos and the same with the previous dp review link...look especially for the noise levels comparisons since if the photo stinks at a higher iso the iso is basically worthless. you can fix it some with post processing but who wants to do that everytime they take indoor or night shot. don't worry about megapixels to much since you probably aren't planning on printing gigantic mural size photos a 5-6 mp is fine and sometimes the higher mp = bad photo since the sensors are not big enough to really give a good photo with that many mp.
my one daughter has a Kodak easyshare which is awful in low light, unusable, other has the canon a6?? which is very good in low light.

I find the A520 good in low light. It looks like the S3 and the 710 would also be good in the low light.

There is a price difference of $120.00 between the two, am wondering if it is worth spending the extra money on the S3? Any opinions on that?

 

[ukcatfan]

I find the A520 good in low light. It looks like the S3 and the 710 would also be good in the low light.

There is a price difference of $120.00 between the two, am wondering if it is worth spending the extra money on the S3? Any opinions on that?

Do you want a regular zoom or a super zoom? Do you think that you need IS or not? Is the size important to you? Those are the three main differences in my opinion.

Kevin

 

[laura001]

Do you want a regular zoom or a super zoom? Do you think that you need IS or not? Is the size important to you? Those are the three main differences in my opinion.

Kevin

Well.........I don't have a lot of experience with cameras, so not 100 % about the zoom I would like or need for that matter. I would like to be able to learn how to take great pics and would like to be able to "grow" into my camera. I like the IS, both the S3 and the 710 have IS.

 

[ukcatfan]

Well.........I don't have a lot of experience with cameras, so not 100 % about the zoom I would like or need for that matter. I would like to be able to learn how to take great pics and would like to be able to "grow" into my camera. I like the IS, both the S3 and the 710 have IS.

First, let me clarify that this is optical zoom and not digital zoom. Just ignore the digital zoom numbers b/c it is pretty much worthless. I believe that the A520 you have is 4x and the A710 is a 6x. You would notice a difference on how close you could zoom in, but it is not a huge difference. The jump to the S3 is three times the zoom at 12x. You will notice the difference. To see the difference in person, go out to a store and compare them.

Which is best for you is a matter of shooting style. Do you often find yourself thinking that you just could not get close enough to get a shot? If so, then 12x is probably the way to go. If you do not very often, then the 6x of the A710 may be enough. If you never think that, then something else in the "A" series may be enough. If you just want the best lens out of the ones you are considering, then the S3 takes it every day. If the $$$ is not an object, there will likely be an upgrade of the S3 coming out in the next couple of months, but it is not a sure thing. That would also be a chance to pick up a S2 or S3 for cheaper than today's prices. The supply will be lowering though, so you would have to act fairly quickly.

Kevin

P.S. Your online options are more limited being outside the US. I am pretty sure that Adorama and B&H ship there though. Someone else on here might know of respectable Canadian online discount stores.

 

[laura001]

First, let me clarify that this is optical zoom and not digital zoom. Just ignore the digital zoom numbers b/c it is pretty much worthless. I believe that the A520 you have is 4x and the A710 is a 6x. You would notice a difference on how close you could zoom in, but it is not a huge difference. The jump to the S3 is three times the zoom at 12x. You will notice the difference. To see the difference in person, go out to a store and compare them.

Which is best for you is a matter of shooting style. Do you often find yourself thinking that you just could not get close enough to get a shot? If so, then 12x is probably the way to go. If you do not very often, then the 6x of the A710 may be enough. If you never think that, then something else in the "A" series may be enough. If you just want the best lens out of the ones you are considering, then the S3 takes it every day. If the $$$ is not an object, there will likely be an upgrade of the S3 coming out in the next couple of months, but it is not a sure thing. That would also be a chance to pick up a S2 or S3 for cheaper than today's prices. The supply will be lowering though, so you would have to act fairly quickly.

Kevin

P.S. Your online options are more limited being outside the US. I am pretty sure that Adorama and B&H ship there though. Someone else on here might know of respectable Canadian online discount stores.

For someone using the S2 vs. the S3, would there big such a big difference?

 

[ukcatfan]

For someone using the S2 vs. the S3, would there big such a big difference?

The main upgrades from S2 to S3 are 1MP, a little larger LCD, now dark gray body instead of silver, and a live histogram.

Kevin