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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> I could use some camera recommendations
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 02/10/2006 07:00:04 PM · #1
My husband and I are considering purchasing a small point & shoot.
-3-4mp would be enough
-no shutter-lag is super important
-Size is also an issue. I want something I can toss in my purse
-A decent zoom is important as well.
-sub $400

My dSLR's are just TOO big sometimes. For example, today is my son's first soccer game. While I do want some pics to remember the moment, they are only going to be for my family photo album and not resale, huge enlargements or DPC challenges...LOL

We have a old (4yrs) 2.0mp FujiFilm Finepix but the shutter lag is AWFUL. When I push the shutter button, by the time the camera takes the pic, the action has already moved!

Thanks for any advice!
Jenn

02/10/2006 07:07:50 PM · #2
Hi There

Before I bought my Canon, I had a Fujifilm 3,2 MP (Think its Fujifilm 2000. Gr8 camera. Did a few weddings with it - Worked perfectly.

Also have a look at the smaller Canons. Work has got a small 4MP Canon. Don't know the specs - looks nice though.
 02/10/2006 07:15:06 PM · #3
Check into the canon S or A series. I have an S30 that I'm completely happy with as a p&s.
 02/10/2006 07:20:04 PM · #4
Sony DSC-P92 (or newer version...) It's a great little camera... I used one for a while before I got into all this SLR nonsense... =] Only drawback I could see would be the different media...
 02/10/2006 07:28:21 PM · #5
I am looking for about the same thing...
anyone have any opinions on either the Minolta DiMage XT or the Pentax Optio60??
 02/10/2006 07:34:23 PM · #6
Originally posted by Rae-Ann:
I am looking for about the same thing...
anyone have any opinions on either the Minolta DiMage XT or the Pentax Optio60??


I had a minolta, and while the shutter lag was there it wasn't as bad as some. My first digital camera and i only bought it because it was the dearest one i could afford at the time. Here are some of my shots.
Macro on mine was fab...



Kev
 02/10/2006 07:47:08 PM · #7
Thank you all! It seems like if I stick with the big names I will be alright :) Now off to see what the Exchange here on Guam actually has...LOL
 02/10/2006 08:24:24 PM · #8
I just got a refurbished Canon S50 off eBay and I love it. Takes the same card as my 300D, and I don't find that it lags too much. It's also got manual settings, which is nice. I imagine that any of the S-series might be worth checking into.
 02/11/2006 05:11:14 AM · #9
I think we have decided on the Canon S2 IS. Now, anyone have any recommendations on which SD card to get for it? I probably want a 1 or 2 gig. Thanks :)
 02/11/2006 06:00:37 AM · #10
If you are in Guam, you might want to look for the Asia only Ipro brand cards. They are made in Japan and I found that the price was about 8% cheaper for a 2GB 170x SD card than for other brands who had 2GB 150x cards. I paid 3900NT. (Taiwan currency) IPro is a company that specializes in fast cards only and I don't believe they even make CF.

I've been using mine for 2 months with no trouble and a friend of mine has their 1GB which was also excellently priced.

Comes with a lifetime warranty.

A lot of people also use the Incredibles ones which are ok too.

Sounds like you've made a decent choice. I've been quite happy with my S2. I had an S30 before and I will eventually move up to similar kittage to what you have - the S2 IS and the 20D.

Are there any good second hand markets over there in Guam?

Oh yeah, as with any small-sensor camera, watch out for softness beyond F/5.6. I am guessing that 5MP is going to have less problems in this area than the 8MP FZ30.

Another choice if its available that I would choose over the S2 is the FZ20. Not a huge difference and you will probably pay more, but a few extra features like the focusing ring and constant aperture lens can pay off.

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 06:03:06.
 02/11/2006 06:12:17 AM · #11
Thanks for the advice. We have only lived here for 2 months and I am not sure about 2nd hand markets. How would I look into the cards you suggested?

Right now, B&H has the Sandisk Ultra II 2gb for $89...not too shabby.

I am glad you like your camera, that is good to hear. The size seemed about right and I am sure we will love the movie clips as our camcorder really sucks.......LOL
 02/11/2006 07:14:33 AM · #12
My wife uses a Casio Exilim. It's about 4 years old so only 2mp - not sure what the current ones are like but it's great for putting in a purse as it's so tiny.
 02/11/2006 08:32:02 AM · #13
I got a Canon A85 a couple years ago for the same reason. It's a fine little 4 MP camera. You have total exposure control, great battery life (and the batteries are AA), and it takes CF cards just like my D70.

It isn't the smallest around, but it has a solid feel and has survived a lot of knocking around in my pocket.

P.S. Zoom is only 3x, so not the greatest.

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 08:33:02.
 02/11/2006 10:56:52 AM · #14
Definitely spend at least a little while talking on the phone and asking around if anyone has an older FZ20 that they might sell discounted.

It was a fair bit more expensive than the S2 (like 100-150 dollars or something), but you might be able to get an older one for a very fair price. It's just a case of whether or not your wallet can handle it.

If I recall correctly, it's about an inch longer in the lens than the S2, but about half an inch shorter? It looks smaller, but has a longer lens.

Either will do you just fine though. Watch out for movies 8 minutes for 1GB of footage in full quality! Pretty durned nice quality I might add. I've got a really need 10 second clip of a guy on a ski ramp going down backwards and doing a really nice 180 taken at full zoom at night. Considering that I was around 250-300 feet away and my exposure for a still was like 1/4s at ISO 200, it is pretty incredible. The file size for a 10 second clip is almost as incredible.

Might be worthwhile to look around for a freeware program that can convert or compress .avi files as they appear straight from camera.

Considering what can be accomplished in 8 minutes in a single take, I've considered doing a small film like Mr Joey has done. Long term project though. Joey's skillz blow mine away. :)

Another difference between the FZ20 and the S2 is that the S2 uses AA and the Panasonic uses proprietary. Either way, get an extra set of batteries. I have a backup set of alkalines that stays in my camera case. I have a set of 2500mah Nimh batteries that I use as my main batteries, but Nimh's have a bit of a habit of self-draining if you don't use them. I can take more than 700 pictures on a set of Nimh's, but leave them alone for a few weeks and you get that little red battery light. ARGH. Only 2-3 shots after that light comes on too.

Any card that is 66x or faster will work absolutely fine with the S2. I use a 1GB 66x Ridata and a 2GB 170x IPro. I can't tell the difference when using the camera.

Just for sensibleness though, I'd say get a 150x and make sure it has a lifetime warranty. Personally, living in Asia, I get a bit of an advantage for getting rare and interesting goodies, but I've always considered Sandisk to be more expensive than other brands for the speed. Flash memory is pretty much all made in Korea by Samsung, while the controllers are made wherever they make the card itself.

Therefore, just get the cheapest card that has the speed you want. Most brands are pretty close. Be careful of Kingston and Lexmark. Both of those brands have been reported as being occasional compatibility issues.
 02/11/2006 11:30:17 AM · #15
You might consider the Fuji Finepix F10. It's much smaller than the Canon S2, has a bigger LCD, even less shutter lag, FAR less grain (actually usable to ISO800), very long battery life on the included Li-ion rechargeable pack, higher 6.3mp resolution, the same high quality movie mode, and it's only $275 shipped. The only disadvantage is that it doesn't have the Canon's long, image-stabilized zoom (just 3X).

Message edited by author 2006-02-11 11:31:48.
 02/11/2006 11:32:33 AM · #16
Apparently, the Casio Z57 has the slowest lag if the autofocus is set. IT's not to expensive. Maybe something to look at?

I have a friend who hates the lag on her Nikon CoolPix 3200 (?), so research dug up the Casio when talking about shutter lag.

That being said, I have a personal affinity for the Canon Powershot A series, which have already been mentioned in the thread. I have an old Powershot A70 which I thought was a great little camera.
 02/11/2006 01:29:27 PM · #17
Shutter lagg happens in all point and shoot cameras. I'd recommend looking at the canon powershot pro 1 or something similar.
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