Would like recommendations!

[tiff13]

I'd like to get a new camera within the next month or two. I guess I know what I want, I just can't seem to find it! So I was looking through previous threads and you all are very knowledgeable, if you could help me it would be greatly appreciated.

This is what I would like:
-Lithium-ion battery or the like (not AA or such)
-preferably 5X voom + (could settle for 4)
-Around $500

The $500 price range is whats causing me problems. I would love to get a Canon, but I'm open to anything. I take a lot of action sports pictures, which is one of the top reasons I'd like a new camera. That's all I can think of right now so, tia.

 

[YEKCIM]

What about the Canon G7? Looks like it fits your criteria pretty closely although, to be honest, if you were to consider rechargeable NiMH AA's, you'd have quite a few more models to choose from.

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

I agree with the AAs. They are so much cheaper for extras that I would only get a proprietary battery camera if I had no other choice. A new set of AAs is less than $10 but a prop. battery might be $40-60 or even more. Considering how I like to have one in, one extra, and one back at the hotel room charging, that would add over $100 to my setup compared to AAs.

The new S5 might be a nice choice if you are willing to use AAs.

Kevin

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I agree with the AAs. They are so much cheaper for extras that I would only get a proprietary battery camera if I had no other choice. A new set of AAs is less than $10 but a prop. battery might be $40-60 or even more. Considering how I like to have one in, one extra, and one back at the hotel room charging, that would add over $100 to my setup compared to AAs.

I have the opposite view. I like rechargeable LI's. They hold more juice and they don't have the memory problems of NIMH batteries. The biggest downside is that they don't perform as well as NIMH in very cold weather. My current camera uses a NIMH (a honking big one at that) and I really wish it was an LI. They actually switched to LI with the new model.

It's a weight and hassle issue to me. I get more energy with less weight and fewer battery changes with the LI.

 

[Master Mason]

If your shooting sports, I would seriously look at the Pentax dSLR's, they are at or close to your price point. They are not the best sports SLR's, but they are going to be much better than a P&S.

I agree that the type of battery should not be a concern, get the best camera you can for your money, and needs, and whatever powers it is what powers it.

 

[tiff13]

The biggest downside is that they don't perform as well as NIMH in very cold weather.

Thats interesting that you say that. This may cause a problem for me, because from November- April I'll mostly be in snow conditions, and will usually be between 20 & 30 degrees.

Maybe I will look into AAs more. With my current camera, I always have to take them out, even if its for 5 minutes, otherwise they'll be drained within 3 hours, and they still don't last for more than 6 hours. I'm assuming this is probably just an issue with Kodaks? There's a lot of times where I'm in the mountains for 3+ days, and just don't want to lug around 6 sets of batteries.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking into all of them.

 

[YEKCIM]

FWIW, I have had very good experience with 2300-2500 mAh NiMH batteries. My Fuji uses four and, although I carried an extra set every day last year at WDW, I never came close to exhausting the fresh ones in the camera. Most days I shot in the neighborhood of 300 pix, some with flash. AA's are also a LOT easier to find if you get in a bind.

Also, and this is just me, I would not base my decision on which camera to use solely on what kind of battery it uses, although that certainly could tip a decision one way or the other, all other things being equal.

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

Thats interesting that you say that. This may cause a problem for me, because from November- April I'll mostly be in snow conditions, and will usually be between 20 & 30 degrees.

Maybe I will look into AAs more. With my current camera, I always have to take them out, even if its for 5 minutes, otherwise they'll be drained within 3 hours, and they still don't last for more than 6 hours. I'm assuming this is probably just an issue with Kodaks? There's a lot of times where I'm in the mountains for 3+ days, and just don't want to lug around 6 sets of batteries.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking into all of them.

That is not normal for any rechargeable battery. It likely has gone bad, but it could also be a problem with the camera draining it. If the camera is off, then it should not do anything to the battery. I can leave my AAs in my camera for weeks and they will still have some charge remaining.

For extended travel, you might want to consider throw away lithium AAs. Mark, any idea if the disposable lithiums are any better in the cold? You might also consider a solar charging unit.

I have heard that in the cold you should keep all batteries near your body when not in use.

One last thing, if it is really cold, you might go beyond the normal operating range of the camera, so you should look at that before buying. Some can handle it fine, but others might not work at all.

Kevin

 

[tiff13]

That makes me feel better about AAs. I know people with 3 other versions of Kodak, and all are having similar problems, so I don't plan on using a Kodak again.

 

[Groucho]

The camera requirements are pretty confusing to me, I can't even figure out what Canon the OP wants that costs over $500. It is very difficult to spend that much money on a PnS camera (which I think is that they're after), and I can't see spending more than maybe $300 or slightly more for a PnS, and only then if you absolutely need a PnS for whatever reason.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The camera requirements are pretty confusing to me, I can't even figure out what Canon the OP wants that costs over $500. It is very difficult to spend that much money on a PnS camera (which I think is that they're after), and I can't see spending more than maybe $300 or slightly more for a PnS, and only then if you absolutely need a PnS for whatever reason.

I think that the new Canon S5 is close to $500. Same with the Canon G7. Same with the Sony DSC-H9. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 is close to $600. I'm not recommending them, I'm just saying that they're priced in the $500 ballpark.

While it wouldn't be my choice, I can see several reasons why someone might want a $500 P&S compared with a $300 model or an entry level DSLR.

 

[Groucho]

Oh, I can see why someone might want one, but I don't care how fancy they make it look, I can't see spending that kind of money for anything with a 1/2.5" sensor, or even a 1/1/8" one or Fuji's big 1/1.6" one.

 

[pyrxtc]

For a nice PnS that can deal wiht the cold weather and be dropped in the snow and also takes takes decent sports pictures, you may want to look into the Olympus 770 SW. It just came out and although I've only had it for a short while, I like it.