Help PLEASE!* Canon powershot pro 1 or nikon coolpix 8800

[salmo636]

Hi there all -i am a graphic designer from ireland so am looking for a good hi res camera (6-8 million pixels or thereabouts) for not too huge a price. To say that i have been scratching my head for the past month trying to decide which camera i should buy is probably the understatement of the year - ripping my hair out would be more like it! Anyway i have done fairly extensive research on the www but i still can't decide which of these two to get (canon powershot pro 1 or the nikon 8800 coolpix). The both seem to have pro's and cons. What do i want from the camera: well two things mainly 1. to be able to take great macro shots (i am an avid angler and do a lot of designwork for flyfishermen and the angling fraternity) 2. To be able to take relatively good action shots in hi res without having to be too worried about huge shutter lags! Oh and i hope to be using this as well to capture the many joys of my two year old daughter trying to evade daddy taking photos of her another good reason for a NOT TOO BAD LAG! I am no expert on cameras which is why i need some advice on this. I would sincerely appreciate any good advice from those that know better than me!! Lastly i want a camera that will last a while and is easy enough to use! Thanks guys

[PhilR.]

Please keep in mind that the following comments are based on U.S. pricing....

The two models you mention are at the top of the pricing ladder for fixed-lens cameras (especially the Nikon). Given that one can purchase a new Pentax *istDS dslr w/kit lens for just bit more than the Pro1, and for less than the Nikon, there is no way in the world I would buy either model -- especially in your circumstance. If you want the best quality, the most flexibility, and the fastest response times for this general amount of money, you can't beat a dslr -- especially for someone who capitalized "not too bad lag".

I would also think that for someone who wants to take action shots, that a camera with a faster lens with more zoom will be more helpful than what is found on either the Nikon or Canon. A Sony H1 will give you a lens that is faster and longer (focal length) than the Nikon, and that also incorporates IS, in a camera with faster response times, and for a lot less money. It will also focus to 2cm in macro. The lens of the Pro1 is about as fast as the H1, but the H1 will give you more zoom, in a camera that will autofocus in half the time.

I'm not trying to knock the Canon and Nikon, as they are fine cameras. It's just that I think you can do better for the same, if not less, money....

PhilR.

[timmciglobal]

I agree.

You are better off buying an ist DS then either of these cameras.

The H1 is "ok" but for the type of dollars buy a dSLR.

Tim