Yet another digital camera question...

[Soupermom]

I'm sorry. I know this question is asked and answered but I've searched and cannot find what I once read! Anyway...

Not too long ago someone posted a question asking about buying a new digital camera. I'm in in this same position and although I checked the photography board, I'm still lost...

I currently have a Canon PowerShot which I like a lot. Does a great job and I always have great photos. It's getting rather "old" though (4 years) and since we are taking a big roadtrip to Yellowstone and the Tetons this summer, I thought it might be time for a new one.

Somewhere on these boards I read about lots of people recommending a newer Canon digital camera, but of course I can't find the info. now.

So, can someone either direct me to the right threads or offer suggestions? Most of my photos are of my kids playing sports and vacations (camping, WDW, "nature" trips). I don't need lots of bells and whistles, but some are okay. Nothing too huge to lug around. I like a higher optical zoom (so I can get a good photo of a moose in the Grand Tetons!), and something to handle all the action of kids' sports. I know there is a Canon that everyone is talking about!

Oh, maybe in the $300.00 range...

Can anyone help! TIA!

 

[shirleyb]

I just purchased the Canon S3 on Friday. It's at Amazon right now for $325. It has a 12x optical zoom that I'm very excited about. It's also at BB this week for $349.

I haven't received mine yet, so I can't comment, but you can read more about digital cameras on dpreviews.com

 

[kandeebunny]

I just bought a nikon s9 from amazon for $200 at BB and Ccity it is $279 6mp 3x zoom nice big LCD screen which you can see in the sunlight, super slim. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, I am partial to Nikons though. I have had bad luck with canons and after working for one of the big box electronics stores I tend to stick to Nikon.

Good luck with your decision, and whatever you do...check amazon for prices!!!

 

[DMRick]

I just purchased the Canon S3 on Friday. It's at Amazon right now for $325. It has a 12x optical zoom that I'm very excited about. It's also at BB this week for $349.

I have this camera, and I love it. Takes great pictures, and was easy to learn. If you like to make lots of your own adjustments, it has them! I just bought my DH for his birthday, the Olympus 320 7.1 megipixel for $119 on sale at Office max last weekend (minus the 5 empty ink cartridges I also had, for an even better deal)...and I have to admit I'm wowed. He uses it at the regular settings, but this one also has lots of other settings. While it only has 3 X optical zoom..the pictures are awesome. That one takes great closeups.
I love having the great optical zoom (mine also has digital zoom, but that's wasted, since I can do that zooming on the pic on my computer), but the downside is, you need to put the camera on a tripod or a steady surface. Be sure to get one that has the anti shake too. Oh, one that used a card that is easy to get. The new Olympus has an XD card, which didn't thrill me, but at least they are inexpensive. I was hoping to get one that took smart medai or sd, since we already have those cards.

 

[tangiblehope]

I don't have much advice for cameras but everyone I know loves their Canons.

If you check out http://www.dpreview.com it can help if you have certain models in mind.

Good luck!

 

[Jeanne B]

Definitely the Canon S2 or S3, I have the S3 and the 12x zoom is great as well as the image stabilization. Cameras are pretty hi-tech these days so it's almost impossible NOT to have bells and whistles but I think you'd be very happy with this camera, you can leave it on auto or you can play around with the settings (which can be the best way to learn!!).

There are a lot of Canon lovers on the photography board, the S2 and S3 have been mentioned so often that I think the has spread (I think some of us should be earning a commission from Canon!!).

If you get one of the Canon's you may want to consider an adapter from www.lensmateonline.com. It makes the S3 a little bulkier but it's a nice way to protect the lens should you ever bang the camera on something or heaven forbid drop it when the lens is extended, this just might save it. I often leave my 52mm adapter and a u/v filter on it when we're on vacation.

I also have the Canon A610 and I love the quality of the pictures it takes as well as being compact but it's only 4x and you already made a statement about wanting zoom which is why I would recommend the S2/S3 over one of the A6x0 series.

 

[rhiansmom]

I can't say enough good stuff about the Panasonic Lumix TMZ1. CC has it right now for the $200 range.

It's a 5 mp but that is more than enough but it's a 10 x Optical zoom, has image stabilization and it's a lot smaller than most cameras with that range.

 

[Jeanne B]

I can't say enough good stuff about the Panasonic Lumix TMZ1. CC has it right now for the $200 range.

It's a 5 mp but that is more than enough but it's a 10 x Optical zoom, has image stabilization and it's a lot smaller than most cameras with that range.

I looked at the Lumix cameras before buying my A610 last spring and the few I looked at had no viewfinder, that's what steered me away from them. But I read very good reviews about them otherwise.

 

[T. Lynn]

I also have a Canon and the picture quality is awesome. Especially when you can change a setting to bring out the blues, greens and reds in pictures.

 

[HappyStamper]

Another happy Canon S3 owner here! I love the zoom and image stabilizer!

 

[budbeerlady]

I love my Canon S3, the color in the pictures is amazing and what drew me to other posters photos using the camera. It is very user friendly and I really am glad I made the purchase!

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I'll go check out the Canons and the other reviews. You guys are great!

 

[spoon2003]

This morning, somebody posted on the photography board that the Canon S3 is down to 309.99 at Amazon, great price

 

[stacieps]

the Canon S2 is on sale at dell.com for $245. I just ordered one today for our summer trip to Alaska.

 

[jenr812]

I am working my hardest to save up for the S3IS before our trip I love that the price keeps dropping on amazon! Makes me wonder if they're going to release an S4 model soon, though??

 

[jenr812]

If you get one of the Canon's you may want to consider an adapter from www.lensmateonline.com. It makes the S3 a little bulkier but it's a nice way to protect the lens should you ever bang the camera on something or heaven forbid drop it when the lens is extended, this just might save it. I often leave my 52mm adapter and a u/v filter on it when we're on vacation.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but hopefully the OP will benefit from this too Can you tell me more about this adapter? I looked at the site but am a little confused Does it come with its own cap or do I need to buy that separately? Why would one use a 58mm vs a 52mm (I see both sizes are available for the S3)? Why do you use a u/v filter? How does it improve your pictures? Any other tips to maximize the S3? Thanks

 

[Jeanne B]

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but hopefully the OP will benefit from this too Can you tell me more about this adapter? I looked at the site but am a little confused Does it come with its own cap or do I need to buy that separately? Why would one use a 58mm vs a 52mm (I see both sizes are available for the S3)? Why do you use a u/v filter? How does it improve your pictures? Any other tips to maximize the S3? Thanks

I think you have to buy the cap seperately, it's been almost a year since I bought mine so I don't remember exactly. I bought the 52mm because it was smaller and blocked the viewfinder the least, I don't know why someone would want the 58mm over the 52mm. The u/v filter doesn't improve picture quality, I only use it to help protect the lens, if something is going to get scratched I'd rather it be the $20 u/v filter vs the camera lens.

 

[Rustysmom]

Don't get a Canon Powershot A95. I got one about 2 years ago and the flash just stopped working one day. I never really liked it much anyway because either I got a great clear shot or the focus wouldn't be where I wanted it to be and the person would be blurry and the background sharp, and I couldn't tell until I got home and uploaded the pictures to my computer.

Now I have a Nikon D50 and the pictures are always clear. You don't want something too big, so that one's out for you though.

 

[teresajoy]

Thanks for asking this question OP! My fuji finepix which I've had for 7? years finally took it's last picture this weekend. I'm in desperate search for a new camera! Since my fuji was only 1.2 MP, I would hope anything else would be adequate! Although, I did think it took really good pictures until I dropped it at the Children's Museum in Indianaopolis Saturday!

 

[Frantasmic]

www.cnet.com has good reviews as does www.steves-digicams.com