My camera broke :( Any rec's for a point and shoot digi?

[Terri_A]

What I had was a Nikon Coolpix L1 - it has 6.2 mp, 5x zoom, uses regular AA batteries, is a small point and shoot. I had only 2 complaints with it - it sometimes took a long time to save a photo before I could take the next and it didn't do well in low light. Otherwise, it was perfect for my world. I like to keep my camera in my purse and ease of use is big for me.

Anyone have a camera with at least the features I liked and perhaps an improvement on the ones I didn't???

[Rae]

About a month ago I bought one of the higher end Canon Elphs (~$400). It has 8 MP, a pretty decent zoom, good resolution, and fits in my purse. I was looking at a slighter more expensive, bigger digital Canon, but the only benefit I could figure out was a longer zoom, but it wouldn't have fit into my purse. I haven't missed the longer zoom.

Good luck!

[Gumbeaux]

I had only 2 complaints with it - it sometimes took a long time to save a photo before I could take the next and it didn't do well in low light. Otherwise, it was perfect for my world.

This tells me that you need a DSLR, possibly a Nikon D40 or D40X, and a cell phone camera. :)

[Terri_A]

This tells me that you need a DSLR, possibly a Nikon D40 or D40X, and a cell phone camera. :)

Gumbeaux - So is that just the price I pay for a point and shoot? Can I only get good low light photos from a DSLR? Also, is it the same for time to next shot?

Thanks-

[Hammster]

DW's brother just bought the Canon A560. He's totally happy with it. 7.1mp sensor, 4X Zoom lens. It's better than average in low light photography, has a decent high ISO of 1600 with little to no noise at that sensitivity. Shutter delay is slightly above average at about 1.6 seconds. Only knock on it is that it has a pretty slow flash recharge time between shots.
It's not a subcompact, but will fit in a medium-largeish purse.
Oh average selling price is around $150.00 and it uses readily available AA batteries.
HTH :)

[aggie94]

Terri,

I've been pretty happy with my Sony Cybershot DSC-S700:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=20005005

You can check out some of the San Francisco pics I took with it recently (the link to my Imagestation album is posted on the "Picture You Took Today" thread).

[JJeannette]

Another nice thing about the Canon Hammster mentioned is that it has a view finder like a SLR---I've been drooling over that model for a couple of months and have it on my Christmas list---

[gertdog]

Last January I bought a Canon PowerShot SD700IS (I think it's part of the Elph series) and I absolutely love it. It has 6 MP and 4x optical zoom, but it uses a rechargeable lithium battery. The battery life is quite good, though. It's tiny and it takes great pictures; the lag time between shots is fairly short.

Canon has a newer model now, the PowerShot SD800, that also gets great reviews.

[Gumbeaux]

Can I only get good low light photos from a DSLR?

You can shoot low light with acceptable results with almost any camera and photo editing software.

The picture below was taken earlier this week in a restaurant with my cell phone camera.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/bayoutitan/Album4/Oysters.jpg

[Cookin4Love]

I'm happy with my Olympus Stylus sub-compact. I'm happy enough, in fact, that I'm going to buy the new waterproof, crushproof, drop-proof version. The pictures I posted from the weekend on the "Picture I took today" thread were taken by the version I have now.

[emily]

I have a Canon digit Rebel SLR that I never take anywhere because it's so big. I'm only keeping it around for when I take photos of friend's weddings. As my 'everyday' camera I just bought a Canon Powershot SD1000, also part of the Elph series, 7.1 megapixels. I love that it's so tiny it fits in my coat pocket, but the buttons are still easy to use without getting in the way.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/1136349332_65059aae21_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelingem/1136349332/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/1422851047_8e0cec5fb3_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelingem/1422851047/)

[jlo_of_hotlanta]

I have a friend who has a Canon SD800 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd800-is/4505-6501_7-32069607.html) and loves it. It's small, takes great pictures, and wasn't too expensive - I think she got the camera, a case, cover, and 2 GB card for $300 or so.

I've used it and loved it too - it takes awesome pictures and gives you enough control to play around if you so desire. :)

[breadmama]

I have the Canon SD 800, and I love it! It is small, takes great pictures, has a large screen/viewfinder, and many features I've only begun to explore. The rechargeable battery does seem to last a long time, and I am really happy with the camera. It fits well in pockets as well as my purse.

[leightx]

I really like my Canon S2IS, but I wouldn't say it is pocket-sized. It is however purse-sized, and has an awesome zoom: 12x, which would be perfect for taking soccer photos of the wee one. :) It also has a lot of manual control (if you're at all interested in that), as well as 4 or 5 automatic modes. The "IS" stands for image stabilization, which works perfectly when you are zoomed way in on your subject (that's when you're most likely to get motion blur). There is also a continuous shooting mode - you just hold down the shutter button, and it takes photo after photo (until your card is filled) with no lag time between shots.

My model is older, and the new version is the S5IS - here's the review on that model from DP Review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons5is/). That site also has a buying guide where you can compare cameras, or search by specific features.

[Terri_A]

So....today I bought the Canon Powershot SD850 IS. It's got tons of features - even some manual controls. I'm sure it will take some time for me to figure it all out. Best Buy priced matched another store, so I was able to get it for $253 + tax. I think I'm going to like it a lot. It fits in a pocket beautifully and does everything I need it to and then some. I'll post some photos once I take some! ;)

Thanks everyone for your comments and recommendations.

[Terri_A]

So, I've been playing with the new camera and here are a few shots I took around the house this afternoon. I think I'm REALLY going to like this camera.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/tschlather/IMG_0017.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/tschlather/IMG_0008.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/tschlather/IMG_0009.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/tschlather/IMG_0010.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/tschlather/IMG_0014.jpg

[Hammster]

Looks like you are enjoying that new toy, Terri. :D
Nice pics.

[newcook]

My camera broke also (batteries leaked). I can't seem to make up my mind which camera to get. I like taking wide angle shots and also close-ups. So far the only one I found that does both for a reasonable price is this one:

Panasonic DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera
The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 is a 7.2 megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom. It has a large 3-inch LCD Display. You’ll fit sweeping landscapes into a single frame with the 28mm wide-angle setting. Pull in subjects from far away to capture subtle facial expressions with the 280mm telephoto setting. Ideal for traveling, this camera combines a widely versatile lens with a convenient, compact body. The Extended Optical Zoom function extends zoom as much as 10x, giving you even greater telephoto power.

My problem is that of all the sites that give reviews of cameras, you have to know specifically which camera you want a review on. I have not found how to compare the above camera to another camera with the same features because I don't know which other cameras have those features. Does anyone know how to find out which other cameras have the features of wide angle and zoom at a reasonable price (keeping in mind that prices in Canada are much higher than in the U.S. despite the unusually high Canadian dollar). Price is $317.99 Canadian

[Hammster]

My camera broke also (batteries leaked). I can't seem to make up my mind which camera to get. I like taking wide angle shots and also close-ups. So far the only one I found that does both for a reasonable price is this one:

Panasonic DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera
The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 is a 7.2 megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom. It has a large 3-inch LCD Display. You’ll fit sweeping landscapes into a single frame with the 28mm wide-angle setting. Pull in subjects from far away to capture subtle facial expressions with the 280mm telephoto setting. Ideal for traveling, this camera combines a widely versatile lens with a convenient, compact body. The Extended Optical Zoom function extends zoom as much as 10x, giving you even greater telephoto power.

My problem is that of all the sites that give reviews of cameras, you have to know specifically which camera you want a review on. I have not found how to compare the above camera to another camera with the same features because I don't know which other cameras have those features. Does anyone know how to find out which other cameras have the features of wide angle and zoom at a reasonable price (keeping in mind that prices in Canada are much higher than in the U.S. despite the unusually high Canadian dollar). Price is $317.99 Canadian

Here on DPreview they compare this one to 2 other Panasonics and to a Casio.
When you get to the site, there is a dropdown list at the top of the review pages 5 through 12. HTH. :)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicTZ3/

[Hammster]

Just received the Dec Consumer Reports and the 5 top compact digicams are.
Canon PowerShot A640
Canon PowerShot A630
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Olympus SP-510 UZ
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3.

Looks like a good list to check out. :D

[newcook]

Thanks Hammster, I will check out those cameras.

[Tarheel YaYa]

Thanks for posting the Top 5 list, Hammster. :) We're in the market for digi camera for DFIL for Christmas. He wants a good camera for taking photos of the grandkids.

[trisha]

I am going to get digital cameras for my 3 kids, 5 yr, 9 yr and 9 yr. Any recommendations for cameras that are inexpensive , indestructable(Ok, as much as possible ) and on the less expensive side.
thanks

[greysangel]

I have a canon sd 900 and LOVE it. I haven't even read the manual and have played around with several of the features...love the panoramic stitch, the wide angle shot, the color swaps, black and white with color focus etc. My only complaint is the delay between pressing the button and the shot being taken. Sometimes you do miss the perfect moment!

[Terri_A]

I am going to get digital cameras for my 3 kids, 5 yr, 9 yr and 9 yr. Any recommendations for cameras that are inexpensive , indestructable(Ok, as much as possible ) and on the less expensive side.
thanks


My mom bought my nephews digital cameras at Target that were $99 each and were around 6 megapixels - I think they were made by Polaroid.