Which of these cameras?

[tmfranlk]

I REALLY need a new digital camera. We have a 3.5 year old Sony CyberShot. It still works pretty well, but I want to improve greatly on the shot delay/recovery time and at least some on the zoon (3x optical). I started out looking at the $250 price range because I saw a Kodak Z740 on clearance and loved the zoom and that I could shoot several pics in a row with no problems. However, then I started reading recommendations here about the image stabilizations, etc. Sooo....I did some more looking today and have come across 3 cameras.

Canon S2-IS
Sony DSC-H2
Kodak P850

Between the Target guy and the Best Buy guy (experts, I know ) I got totally different recommendations.

What do you all think?

Also, if I decide the $350-400 range is just too high, what do you recommend in the $250 range. I use my camera at least once a week. Pictures are mostly of my DD and at Disney World. I would like to be able to take some good nighttime shots next time around and to not miss the candid shots of DD.

Thanks!!

 

[momrek06]

My DS just walked in the door from Circuit City with the SONY Cyber-Shot DSCT9....wow what a sweet little camera....$399.00! He leaves for Greece on Monday.

Older DS has the Sony Cyber-Shot TSC33 and LOVES that one as well.

The new camera had a STABILIZER in it so even while shaking the camera the picture comes out PERFECTLY STILL.

DS did allot of research and spoke to quite a few stores before buying it at CC!

OH...you can video tape with these little cameras as well.

 

[Sonno]

Get a dSLR.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I would sugget a dSLR too, but given the choices (thus the budget range), I can only recommend Canon S2 IS.

Kodak, oh well, it's a Kodak, I won't even start, I don't have time to type the shortcomings of that brand in general and that model specifically.

Sony, the high-ISO looks like water-colour due to excessive noise reduction.

Canon, the high ISO is not that stellar either, but compared to the other two, the Canon wins hands down.

 

[Greg K.]

Closer to your budget is the Canon A610 or 620 -- both are going for a little over $200, and both are among the best in their class. You won't get the delicious zoom of the S2, or the IS, but you'll save some money and get some stellar pictures.

 

[tolookaa5]

Sonno: Get a dSLR.

What is a dSLR? I do not know much about digital and am trying to learn.

All I do with mine is point and shoot and pray!!

 

[tmfranlk]

So far I hadn't even looked at a dSLR (actually, I may have piced one up at Staples, but that's it) because I'm not sure my skills as a photographer rates that kind of a purchase yet. What are the primary reasons I should go dSLR over the cameras I have listed here? Also what is the minimum price I should expect to spend?

Thanks again!

 

[Dana49]

Check out this website. This should help.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

 

[Sonno]

Get this camera:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=11154

And this lens:
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3287&navigator=6

I'll let the experts tell you why.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

tmfranlk,
Don't feel like you have to go beyond your price range. Since you're just learning, a dSLR ($700+) is NOT what you need.
I know there are issues with the Z740, but I also got mine on clearance and it is a very good price for what it DOES have (which is really quite a lot...and plenty for what you [&I] plan to use it for). Plus, after you buy memory cards, batteries, etc., you're spending even more, so keep that in mind before upping your budget.
Personally, after trying the S2 IS, I found that I personally couldn't do any better with it than I could with the Z740. I also haven't had a lot of problems with "camera shake" and the zoom (I've been practicing).
Z740 has lots of fun features to play with, get the hang of, and then down the road once if you decide you want to really get in to photography, you can drop more money on it.
Personally, though, it sounds like you're about where I'm at and I think the Z740 is just right in terms of features (zoom!) and price. Oh, since you're shooting your daughter, it also has the sports mode (like most do) where it will capture a moving subject clearly, plus burst mode (hold the button down and it takes a bunch of consecutive shots). For the price, it really does a lot of cool stuff.
JMHO

 

[handicap18]

For the ones you listed, the S2 IS is tops. There are quite a few on this board who use it and take stunning pictures.

You might be right about a dSLR for yourself right now. What one will give you is faster start up time (turning the power on to when you can take a pic) and an almost non-existant shutter lag (when you press the button it takes the pic instantly, ok maybe not instantly, but within 2 or 3 tenths of a sec, as opposed to a P&S which can be around 1 second later).

A dSLR also has a bigger sensor (digital equilivent of film) and can record images better. You get a much much much wider selection of lens choices for varied situations. Zoom lenses that range from as low as 10mm all the way up to 400mm (not on the same lens though), prime lenses that can allow you to take pics in very low light conditions without using a flash. Oh and flash choices that are so much better than the flashes built into the camera.

However, those options (amoung others) come at a cost. An entry level dSLR camera body starts at about $450 (Pentax ist*DL) and a starter lens to attach to the body can range from $150 to $250 (18-55mm or 18-125mm). From there you can spend as much as you want on lenses and flashes.

A dSLR isn't for everyone. A camera such as the Canon S2 IS will more than handle most people's photography needs. It can be used fully automatic or fully manual. I've only used 1 digital P&S camera, a Canon S30 (3.2 mega pixel). It served me well for 4 years, however I was a film SLR user going back to the late 80's. I missed having the lens changing option, playing around with shutter and aperture priority, using a bigger seperate flash unit and also having it take better overall pics (IMO). So I upgraded to a Nikon dSLR.

You've already said it, a dSLR might be to much for you. Plus your budget fits the S2 IS (which is at a great price). Take a look at Dan Murphy's and Makinorlando's pictures. They both (amoung others here) use the S2 IS. You really can't go wrong with that camera.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Although I agree with Sonno... very strongly, considering your budget, don't even look at the dSLR, just get the S2 IS (getting the Sonno's combo will triple your budget). Will the picture be 200% better? you bet! Is it worth the money? Only you can decide.

 

[jann1033]

low end of $200 would be A 610 or 620... it has some fun creative type settings( one lets you change the colors of thing inside the camera) and some learning features like you set the shutter or aperture( don't have to but can) 6 / 7mp and if you decide you want more zoom or a wider angle later you can buy little add on lens for about150. high end of $200 squeaking into $300 would be s2...basically the same features as A620 but add the stabilization and larger zoom, 5or 6 mp for roughly $80 more. either would give you a really nice picture , point and shot convenience but the opportunity to expand your picture taking horizons if you want to.

if you have not had a slr i think you could have a steep learning curve with one ...if you want to do that then do it but if you want to not have to do that one of the other 2 would be good...i just bought a rebel xt and it took me a few days to get familiar with it having had a slr film camera before...just got daughter the a 620 and she loves it but is not really into "photography" she just wants to take a picture and play arouind with it if she wants to. we both love our cameras just different set of "wants"

and really with a slr i think $1000+ is a safe figure by the time you get filters, memory, extra batteries, another lens or two, a tripod......etc etc etcetcetc...which if you don't want to spend, you can get a decent snapshot with something lots less and work your way into a slr over a few yrs if that is what you want to do.

 

[mickeysaver]

We just picked up the Kodak z740 on clearance at Staples. It was the last one, so it was heavily discounted, but in perfect condition! I am totally in love with this camera already. It uses SD memory cards, which Staples has a $15 rebate offer going on the 512MB cards from PNY, limit one per address/customer. But, we picked up 2 of them not realizing that there was a limit of one per customer/address. But, that's ok, at least we saved a little money.

We have been wanted in digital camera for many years, but just couldn't make the leap. The quality cameras with features that I wanted finally fell into my price zone. I can't wait to use that 10x optical zoom at WDW! I just hope they leave the HCOE ornamentation on the castle so that I can get some good shots this time. Maggie

 

[Kelly Grannell]

noooooooooooooooooo!

 

[JR6ooo4]

We bought the Canon 620 (I think that is the right number) and it had pretty big shutter lag. Ok maybe it was good for the class but it was too much for Marcie, or anyone. So $30 more for the Canon S2, local store not even the lowest price. The S2 is awesome. She got some better shots than me at the race this weekend. We paid about $370 but it should be availabel for less from very reliable stores. We call it the Rebel XT - Junior.

THe question is the budget and size. The S2 is a little too big to fit in a pocket.

Mikeeee

 

[Kelly Grannell]

For Kodak Z740:

Without image stabilizer, you'll have to be VERY steady when using the long end of the 10X zoom. Or have the shutter speed to be at least 1/400 at the long end.