new camera shopping...help

Bluephish13

Bluephish13

New member
So i am looking to get a new camera something more advanced than my current compact point and shoot(canon SD600 digital ELPH) . I just want to see if anyone has done the research lately. Looking to spend about 300$ thinking about another canon maybe in the powershot line this time.

What should i be looking for in a lens when i buy a PS camera? I obviously take lots of macro's but its got to take a decent landscape or portrait shot as well.

NO DSLR My dad own's the canon digital rebel and everything imaginable to go with it. If i want to borrow it i can.

As you can see pics from my current digital elph 3x/4x zoom 6.0 megapixel takes a decent pic. I would not even replace it yet , But its 4 yrs old and my buttons are starting to wear out from so much use. I would like to get something of equal or better quality than this.

just some random pics from my current camera..

disney2008017.jpg


IMG_7702.jpg


recent pic
IMG_1037.jpg


sps012.jpg



any advice or links to camera FAQs are appreciated.
Thank you.
 
The new canon ELPH line is incredible as well. For your price range that would be the best I'd say. You can get a great p&s camera for that price. As far as lenses, when I sold digital cameras in college the best lenses were the german made ones. The main two that you will find are Carl Zeiss, and Schneider-Kreuznach. Those two however, are usually found on higher quality Sony and Kodak models. Sony was always second fiddle to the comparable ELPH models IMO, but not by much. Hope this helps somewhat.
 
Check out the Canon SX20is. It's got some serious zoom for a P&S, true HD video and is right around your price range.

This is an HD video another member took with this camera, pretty neat! :)
 
I personally own two Canons (an older G3, and a pocket SD1100IS), and the SX200IS is certainly a camera I would consider. That said, as much as I hate to say this because I hate Sony, I think you should also consider the Sony DSC-H20, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. All three of these cameras are good buys, and all three have 720p HD movie capability. Here's a few sites for you to read more about these and other digital cameras:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM
http://www.dcresource.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/

Just remember (everyone), there's a LOT more that goes into making a good digital camera than more megapixels (which has unfortunately become the consumer measuring stick for how "good" a digital camera is).

Have fun!
 
Send a pm to DadofTwins and ask him about his Sony. He took some wonderful pics of my tank with it, but I don't know the model #.
 
If you might be interested in a bridge camera the Canon G11 is a great option. The G line has been decent for a while. However, the Nikon P100 is just coming out and seems to outdo the G11. Shoots video in 1080 and has 24x optical Zoom. The only thing missing IMO is it doesn't shoot in RAW.
 
I just got the Canon SX20 and I love it. I haven't taken too many pics so I can't really comment. The zoom on it is insane, 20x optical and 5x digital. The HD movies turn out great as well. If you do a search on Youtube for that camera you can check out all the videos and stills people have taken with it. That with the reviews I read online and the Consumer Reports rateing sold me!! I also read that the SX10 takes better quality pics in certain situations, but doesn't have the HD video (if your looking for a bit better quality, I found the difference subjective). I really wanted the video so I didn't have to get a separate camcorder.

It doesn't shoot RAW, but with an eventual f/w hack it most likely will. Check these guys out --> http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK They hack up the Canon firmware and unlock a lot of hidden potential in the camera!!
 
thanks everyone for your input.!

I think this is the camera ?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-...lack/9455127.p?id=1218107269974&skuId=9455127

It was one on my list, but i am not sure if i like the fact that it takes AA batteries. How is this working out for you talon?

G11 is def out of the price range.

I also really want to stick with a canon.

The sx200 ls is also nice, packs a 12x optical zoom,720p video, still keeps the low profile and rechargeable batteries.

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=...g.searchmarketing.com/click.asp?AID=332800454

when would i want the extra 8x optical zoom the sx20 ls provides? only far shots?.

Is that guy utilizing the 20x zoom on his camera during the shrimp video?, or would the sx200 ls shoot that with the same clarity with the 12x?

Are all the above upgrades over any of the elph series camera's?

oh man this is going to be a tuff decision.

Sorry for the random questions! thanks for your help!
 
Below is some info from Consumer Reports. If you would like me to look up any more cameras let me know.

Here's what Consumer Reports had to say:

CR's Take - SX200 IS (Ranked 13th out of 23 in the Super Zoom category)

This expensive Super zoom Has Very good image quality, produces images with Excellent sharpness and some noise. Performs very well in next-shot delay, which is short. It lagged in performance in first-shot delay, with more than other cameras. Has excellent dynamic range, which allows this camera to shoot photos in a wide variety of shooting situations. Includes an output for HDTV. Has manual controls, which makes this camera more versatile than other models. Manual focus makes this camera more versatile than other models. Includes wide-angle capabilities, useful for landscapes and group portraits.

HighsVery good image quality, Short next-shot delay. Excellent dynamic range. Has a maximum ISO with best quality of 400. Includes an output for HDTV. Includes manual controls. Includes manual focus. Also features wide-angle capability.

LowsDisplayed long first-shot delay. No viewfinder. Camera design places flash too close to where you hold the camera, possibly obstructing the strobe.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

CR's Take - SX20 IS (Ranked 3rd out of 23 in the Super Zoom category)

Like most Canon PowerShot SX super zooms, this model runs on AA batteries. It has very good image quality, producing images with excellent sharpness and little noise. It performs very well in next-shot delay, which is short, though the camera did have some first-shot delay. It has excellent dynamic range, which allows this camera to shoot photos in a wide variety of shooting situations, and its manual controls and manual focus both make this camera more versatile than other models . It has wide-angle capabilities, useful for landscapes and group portraits, a hot shoe for an optional external flash, which is rare on point-and-shoots, an output for HDTV, and a swiveling LCD, which allows you to capture hard-to-reach shots.

HighsVery good image quality, Short next-shot delay. Excellent dynamic range. Has a maximum ISO with best quality of 1600. Easy to use. Includes hot shoe. Includes an output for HDTV. It has an ergonomic grip, which can help steady the camera. Includes manual controls. Includes manual focus. Includes swiveling LCD. Also features wide-angle capability. Can zoom optically when recording video.

LowsDisplayed some first-shot delay. Camera design places flash too close to where you hold the camera, possibly obstructing the strobe.
 
yeah cali your right

forget it talon i will order the canon when i wake up.

No more research off to bed.

Thanks again everyone!
 
Damn it!! Sorry for this late response, couldn't find the thread yesterday. However, it looks like you've made your decision, but I'll tell you 1 and 2 anyways. #1 was the Canon SX10 and #2 was the Panasonic FZ35.

If you did go with the Canon, keep on on the CHDK page I posted above. Like I said they hack the firmware and generally unlock alot of hidden potential on the Canon cameras. The best part about their hacks, it doesn't touch the internal firmware of the camera. You load it on an SD card and the camera just boots up off the card and loads the f/w. Don't want it anymore, just delete it off the card,
 
Hey everyone i still yet to buy it, lol. I figured it will not ship until monday anyways so a spent another 2 days researching.

Thanks blurry for the link and your time but it did not work in my pm either. It is ok, i do not really want to go the full dslr route, i want something a lil more portable and all in one, and i like the smell of new electronics.lol


Thank you very much talon4x4 for your time posting the Consumer reports. You can still get the sx10 for about the same price as the sx20. From what i read the trade off is the sx20 sacrifices pic quality, and speed for hd vid and 2 megapixels.

I do not know why the panasonic would rank higher, Maybe because it can take 5 more min of hd vid than the sx20, but in a uncommon format. It costs about 50$ less. Maybe cause they did not want 2 canons in a row.

From the youtube vids i watched the canon's had much clearer hd video. The fully zoomed shot for shots also looked a lot more noisy and off colored with the panasonic.


I am now 100% convinced on my purchase time to go order!

THANKS

Any idea's on any good internet retailer's.
 
I saw the SX20is at Best Buy a few weeks ago, you can play with it before you buy and won't have to wait for shipping! :)
 
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