NSR: Good Point and Shoot camera??

**gwat** · 05-20-2007, 09:29 AM

I'm ditching my DSLR to get something more compact. My camera is too bulky and I leave it behind too often. I want something I can throw in my pocket for touring.
I'm not too into the camera scene so I'm hoping you guys can give some insight.
My only requirements are:
-has to fit in my pocket
-needs to take good action shots
-manual shutter speed would be nice (for playing around with low-light shots)

My current camera is only 2.5 megapixel, which was good enough for me so high res isn't totally necessary. I'm not a big fan of digital zoom, so a somewhat decent optical zoom would be nice. And my budget is ~$200 ish (hoping to score a good deal on soemthing used).

Where to start??

**Spats** · 05-20-2007, 02:34 PM

Canon A570 IS, $206 new at buydig. That's such a good deal that it's not worth trying to find anything used.

**summit** · 05-20-2007, 02:48 PM

Newer DSR setup can be very light and compact. For example, a 400D and a Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5 weighs less than 1kg. But then you have a small budget.

Coming from a SLR to a compact camera you will be wanting a Canon G7 or a Panasonic LX1, but then you have a small budget.

And PHOTOVIDEO TALK forum, JONG http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=20

**hutash** · 05-20-2007, 04:55 PM

Cannon power shot is the way to go, it is the size of a deck of cards. Mine (SD400) is 5 mp, but they have bigger chips now. Be sure to get something with a viewfinder. The LCD screens are worthless in bright snow. It is pretty rugged, I have dropped mine a few times. There is some bad press about broken LCD screens from being in peoples pockets, but no problems with mine. I don't abuse it, but it is not pampered either.

**haydukelives** · 05-24-2007, 09:43 AM

dont get one without a viewfinder. also a 5-6x zoom is worth a few extra $. but more than 7mp is not. imaging resource has a filter where you can input what you want and it does the work.

**oftpiste** · 05-24-2007, 10:06 AM

Ditto on the viewfinder as a must-have.

**gwat** · 05-24-2007, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

will be wanting a Canon G7

Drool, drool. Looks perfect, although a little more than I wanted to spend.
Anyone have hands on experience with the G7? Durability?

**2-czech** · 05-24-2007, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by gwat

Drool, drool. Looks perfect, although a little more than I wanted to spend.
Anyone have hands on experience with the G7? Durability?

pm Shirk...he's been using g7 for a while and his pictures are awesome...if i had the money i would definitely go for this one!

**Below Zero** · 05-24-2007, 05:00 PM

Oh man, that Canon G7 does look nice! DO IT!

I have a Canon A95 and it takes great action pics. Very fast sequence shooting. Great durability too, since I've dropped it once from about four feet up to concrete. This was also a recommendation from Summit!

**schindlerpiste** · 05-24-2007, 05:38 PM

What about a Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3. 6mp 12x zoom ($300). I'm considering this for myself. Also, PowerShot A640 10mp 4x zoom ($250). It all depends what you are looking for. To me, 6mp is a lot, and the 12x zoom is killer for skiing shots.

Does anyone know about these cameras?

**mtglider** · 05-24-2007, 05:45 PM

This camera looks sweet. A little pricey, but alot of nice features. Sadly, no view finder...

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...p?product=1287

My 2 cents.

**summit** · 05-24-2007, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

What about a Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3. 6mp 12x zoom ($300). I'm considering this for myself. Also, PowerShot A640 10mp 4x zoom ($250). It all depends what you are looking for. To me, 6mp is a lot, and the 12x zoom is killer for skiing shots.

Does anyone know about these cameras?

S3 has an electronic eye viewfinder (in other words, its just a tiny LCD) so you have viewfinder lag just as if you had no optical finder (cuz you don't). It also has a smaller sensor than most of the A series cameras. Otherwise it is a very good camera (if a little big).

A640 has a low framerate, otherwise it seems solid.

**schindlerpiste** · 05-24-2007, 08:12 PM

Thanks. Is the G7 a much better camera than the S3? I want to get someting for action shots (skiing, fishing). It's about $75-100 more. More mp; less zoom. Is there vf lag and a small sensor in the G7? Is it worth the extra $ for a novice?

**gwat** · 05-24-2007, 08:19 PM

I've also been looking at the G5. Not as pimp as the G7 but more affordable

**seanpistol** · 05-24-2007, 11:20 PM

I got a Canon SD600 around Christmas for $225 from www.newegg.com

I'm super happy with it.

**focus** · 05-25-2007, 02:04 AM

I *just* picked up the canon s3.... I like it. The zoom's nice and I'm still figuring out all the features/controls. The wife wishes it was a little more compact.

It isn't about how big your sensor is, it's how you use it. Some of the smaller mp cameras will actually perform better and take higher quality images, especially in the lower priceranges.

I'll post some images later. It seems my screaming spawn from hell...er....beautiful baby boy.... finally settled back down.

Anybody with a P&S canon should take a look at this: http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

**powder11** · 05-28-2007, 04:14 PM

a good alternative to the canon S3 is the Kodak P712 as its slightly smaller, has a sweet viewfinder and larger LCD, but less $ than the canon. It also shoots RAW, but Ive yet to delve into that arena. I got one a few months ago and Im fully stoked on it.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=83734

**mn_teleswede** · 05-29-2007, 11:59 AM

My .02

I purchased my G7 this spring after years of holding out from going digital.

I previously shot only Ilford B&W film on a Nikon D100 SLR & Contax G2 Rangefinder. I still enjoy the allure of the darkroom, but the pixel prodding and post processing has opened a whole new world for me.

I spent 3-4 weeks reviewing and comparing Prosumer P&S cameras over DSLR's due to the availability/ access to a Nikon D200 and my desire to have a "street" camera that could be hidden in a pocket for traveling & city work.

I narrowed my choices down to the G7, Leica Digilux & Panasonic Lumix (same), Samsung NVS and the Sigma DP1 (not out yet) I arrived at those choices in my attempt to find a camera that had a lot of DSLR capabilities in a P&S package with some classic rangefinder styling cues. Part of me wishes I would have waited for the Sigma DP1, but its projected street price and lack of lens options made me go the G7 route.

I have to say that I am duly impressed- I have never been a Canon fan, but they sure did get this one right. My only complaint would be the lack of RAW capability for post processing, but the JPEG format is sufficient for the time being. It has a lot of manual control functions that you do not have to go through layers and layers of screens to get to. It even has a "hidden" 3200 ISO that does a pretty good job for catching action shots.

One point worth mentioning- even though it has a built in zoom lens, you can purchase multiple lenses for this camera through Raynox and Canon, with Raynox having the upper hand INMHO (reviews only). You can get a 2.2X telephoto all the way down to a .77x wide angle. There is even a fish eye and macro option to get even more creative.

I found that DPREVIEW.COM was the best resource for jumping into the deep end of digital photography. You also might want to look at MYCANONG7.COM

Cheers,

S