Cameras...again

[FrekeChild]

Ok. So I think I''ve decided to go ahead and give the thumbs up to my parents on the camera purchase, but before I go ahead and tell them what to buy, I want to get some feedback from you guys.

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Link

I''ve done a bit of reviewing and what I''ve read sounds pretty dang good compared to what I have now. Which is a Fujifilm Finepix A350, and while it''s been good to me for a good 3 years, after 6,000+ pictures, it''s starting to have...issues. And it doesn''t have macro.

So tell me if you know anything about this camera. I know the Canon SD850 is super popular around these parts (I''ve spent most of the evening reading old threads about cameras, and I''ve learned a lot about them in that time.) But I''m hoping to hear about the camera you''ve got. And feel free to post your best pics!! (Preferably with macro and of jewelry of course!

)

 

[TravelingGal]

Frekechild, I have the Canon SD850...I like it for macro shots and bright light shots. Not so much so for low light conditions...it''s quite grainy. It could totally be user error though. I also do not narrower lens, but chose this model because it has better macro.

Overall though, I am very pleased with the camera.

 

[Sparkalicious]

FrekeChild - I, too, have the Canon SD850. I love it! I have to admit that I was swayed to purchase this one b/c I was so impressed with how well TG''s bezelicious diamond stud pics turned out and with hers and others rave reviews about this camera. So far it''s lived up to it''s reputation. It''s really great and easy to use.

 

[strmrdr]

its a fine p&s camera is one doesn''t want too move up too the s5is or the G9.
All of the current p&s cameras have issues in low lighting.
The marketing wars have pushed the mega pixels over what is ideal for the sensor size which hurts low light performance.
5-6MP was the max good MP for these small sensors and low light shooting has gone down hill since then.

 

[FrekeChild]

Thanks for your responses! I''ve heard only lovely things about the 850 on here (and goodness knows we all use our cameras to their maximum capabilities!) I remember seeing a pic a while back, (when I was first starting the search for a camera) of someone''s eyeball-was it TGuy''s?

strm-I''m really not too concerned about the performance in low lights-my current camera is AWFUL-grainy in everything but the best sunlight conditions. Are you saying that the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is ok if I won''t want to move up to the G9 or the S5 IS? Or the 850? If I could swing it/talk my parents into it, I''d be getting a way more bad@$$ camera-more like the $1,500 range-but I''m not a professional and I just don''t need that kind of camera power. You know? My mom said "Around $200" and I''m trying to stay within that range. Do you have any other suggestions?

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 3/27/2008 1:54:41 AM
Author: FrekeChild
Thanks for your responses! I''ve heard only lovely things about the 850 on here (and goodness knows we all use our cameras to their maximum capabilities!) I remember seeing a pic a while back, (when I was first starting the search for a camera) of someone''s eyeball-was it TGuy''s?

strm-I''m really not too concerned about the performance in low lights-my current camera is AWFUL-grainy in everything but the best sunlight conditions. Are you saying that the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is ok if I won''t want to move up to the G9 or the S5 IS? Or the 850? If I could swing it/talk my parents into it, I''d be getting a way more bad@$$ camera-more like the $1,500 range-but I''m not a professional and I just don''t need that kind of camera power. You know? My mom said ''Around $200'' and I''m trying to stay within that range. Do you have any other suggestions?

Yup Frekechild, that was TGuy''s eyeball...I think it was on the bezelicious thread. The macro on this camera is freaky. But I only use the macro for jewelry and not much else...and since I am not a blinged out gal, that means I don''t use it very often.

I also like it because of its size. I found with my bigger camera (and it was not that big at all), I hated lugging it around. I just wanted something I could carry around with me to get candid shots of TTot.

I also meant to say in my first post on this thread that "I also do not like the narrower lens." Typed too fast...

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol TGal! I knew what you meant. I have typos like that all the time, and usually go back 2-3 times to correct little mistakes like that in my posts.

I used to be a wanna-be amateur photographer, so I'll probably use it more than the average person. I debated the size issue, and I decided that's probably the lowest of my priorities. I'll probably still use my current camera if I'm traveling, at family things or go to the zoo or somewhere I want to take pics and am worried about bulking up my bag too much. Or somewhere I'm not as concerned about losing it too. But for everything else-photography projects, bling

, pet pics and other random stuff where I don't have to worry about carrying it around as much- I'm thinking I can deal with the bulkier size.

And honestly, I think the SX100 is not much bigger than my current one...Let me see.

SX100 vs A350
width: 4.28 inches vs 3.5
height: 2.81 inches vs 2.25
depth: 1.84 inches vs 1.25

I do know that it'll be heavier though. Amazon said its 9+ ounces and I'm thinking mine is...Oh heck, I'll go measure that one on my baking scale. It's 6 7/8 ounces. So...It's a bit heavier, but only slightly bulkier.

Hmmm....

 

[star sparkle]

I have the SD550 (got it for my birthday a few years ago), and it works great for everything I need it to do. It hasn''t been put to the diamond-photo test yet, though, so who knows! Takes good pictures of my shoes, though.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/27/2008 1:54:41 AM
Author: FrekeChild
Thanks for your responses! I''ve heard only lovely things about the 850 on here (and goodness knows we all use our cameras to their maximum capabilities!) I remember seeing a pic a while back, (when I was first starting the search for a camera) of someone''s eyeball-was it TGuy''s?

strm-I''m really not too concerned about the performance in low lights-my current camera is AWFUL-grainy in everything but the best sunlight conditions. Are you saying that the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is ok if I won''t want to move up to the G9 or the S5 IS? Or the 850? If I could swing it/talk my parents into it, I''d be getting a way more bad@$$ camera-more like the $1,500 range-but I''m not a professional and I just don''t need that kind of camera power. You know? My mom said ''Around $200'' and I''m trying to stay within that range. Do you have any other suggestions?

Its a fine camera but imho if you shoot a lot the s5is or the g9 is worth moving up too.
There is a lot more you can do with them long term.
The sx100 or the 850 are more suited for occasional use and do what most people need to do.
The g9 or s5is is more of a step towards the dslr world.

 

[FrekeChild]

I''m afraid those are a little bit out of my price range strm.

I wish they weren''t...

 

[ImpatientOne]

Date: 3/26/2008 11:53:37 PM
Author:FrekeChild
Ok. So I think I've decided to go ahead and give the thumbs up to my parents on the camera purchase, but before I go ahead and tell them what to buy, I want to get some feedback from you guys.

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

Link

I've done a bit of reviewing and what I've read sounds pretty dang good compared to what I have now. Which is a Fujifilm Finepix A350, and while it's been good to me for a good 3 years, after 6,000+ pictures, it's starting to have...issues. And it doesn't have macro.

So tell me if you know anything about this camera. I know the Canon SD850 is super popular around these parts (I've spent most of the evening reading old threads about cameras, and I've learned a lot about them in that time.) But I'm hoping to hear about the camera you've got. And feel free to post your best pics!! (Preferably with macro and of jewelry of course!

)

I have this camera and LOVE it! The only negative thing I can say about it is the response time and battery life when using the flash. The picture quality is great! The macro is phenominal!

 

[omieluv]

It really all depends on what you are going to use your camera for and how often. If you just plan to take pictures when you have to, or for more "average" activities, as Storm said, the The sx100 or the 850 will be just fine.

However, if you do find yourself taking pictures often, it might not be a bad idea to maybe add some of your own $$ to the budget your parents have set for you. From everything I have read the Cannon S5 IS is a great camera for both macro + zoom shots. Since cost is a consideration, check out the earlier Cannon S3 IS. From what I have read, the S3 is very similar to the S5, except there are fewer megapixels and there is no external flash. I would not let the lack of an external flash bother you as the one on the S5 is not all that great anyway (so I have read). The S3 has 6 MP's and a 12x zoom, so a good bang for your buck camera. In Amazon reviews, I have read that people owning the S3 do not think upgrading to the S5 is justified, since changes are not all that significant.

You can read a review of the S3 here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/s3is.html
The S5 review is here (the reviewer will compare the S5 to the S3): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_s5is.html

The price for this camera on Amazon is $284, so this is where you would have to add some of your money to the purchase. Of course, you could wait until after May, perhaps prices will go down after the new digital cameras come out.

Cannon S3 on Amazon

Another superzoom camera to consider is the Panasonic Lumix FZ-8. I found it on Amazon for $239 (in black). This has 7.2 MPs + 12x zoom, so another great bang for your buck camera. Additionally, it does have a pop-up flash. The Lecia lense used on the Lumix cameras have gotten great reviews too, so it is definitely worth checking into as well.

Review here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fz8.html
Panasonic Lumix FZ-8 on Amazon

Though superzoom cameras have much functionality, they are larger than your traditional point & shoot cameras, so they are not easily tossed into a petite handbag. However, they are not nearly as large (or heavy) as those DSLRs. The Cannon G9 Storm suggested has more functionality than a superzoom, without the bulk of a DSLR. However, camera snobs think the price on the G9 is too high for what it can do. Though, I have read it takes great photos and it is quite compact, so it is easy to carry around. Of course, the price on this one is way out of your budget, so it really is not a consideration for you anyway.

 

[lotsofsparkle]

I actually have the Canon SD950 which is a 12.1mp point n shoot. I absolutely love it, it has amazing battery life and has great features that I love. I also have a Nikon D80 DSLR but for everyday pictures I end up using my canon a lot more because it''s just so easy to use.

 

[SuzyQZ]

I have a Canon Powershot SD800IS that I bought in November 2006. I absolutely love it!
It''s been replaced by a newer model a couple of times over since then but I''ve got no intention of upgrading for a long while.
It''s a GREAT camera even if it is a little old. I don''t think you can go wrong with any of the Canon Powershot SD IS series.

Here''s a link to my 2006 thread when I first got the camera https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-camera-lots-of-pictures.53106/

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 3/27/2008 1:06:17 AM
Author: Sparkalicious
FrekeChild - I, too, have the Canon SD850. I love it! I have to admit that I was swayed to purchase this one b/c I was so impressed with how well TG''s bezelicious diamond stud pics turned out and with hers and others rave reviews about this camera. So far it''s lived up to it''s reputation. It''s really great and easy to use.

A lot of folks opinions here convinced me to buy the Canon 850 a month ago. I''m extremely happy with it. It has a fabulous macro setting. Once you get the hang of the settings, you can photograph anything.

 

[Allison D.]

I own both the SD850 and the S5, and I used to own the SD700 (predecessor to the 850). I bought the 850 when it first came out, and I was pretty vocal here about great results with it, which seemed to be a good fit for many who followed and got the same camera.

As Storm mentions, most of the cameras struggle in low light - P&S camera aren''t mean to create musem quality pictures. For the money, though, I think the SD850 is an exceptional choice in your budget. It does an amazing job in candids, travel, macro.

Dell has it on sale right now for $239 here: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A1190496&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=27530&lid=627063

 

[Loves2Laugh]

I also own this camera and we love it! Like ImpatientOne mentioned the ONLY negative thing I can say is the battery life and response time when using the flash. I always carry an extra set of AA (rechargable) batteries when I know we''ll be taking a lot of pics. I''m fairly new to the digital camera world but my friend''s DH is a computer/gadget geek and he was pretty impressed when I showed it to him after we purchased it. Good Luck!