Canon Powershot SD400 vs Nikon Coolpix 5900

[swimsfast99]

I know there are a lot of these posts going around but this is the "Which Camera Should I Buy?" forum.

Im looking at either the powershot SD400 or coolpix 5900. I've found the SD400 for $325 and that is the most I am willing to spend on a camera.

Im going to be a freshman in college next year so I was looking for a camera to get. I'll probably be going lots of places with it (meaning compact) and will be taking numerous pictures from inside poorly lited rooms, to quick sport shots, to outside night and day landscape.

I somewhat looked at the 7900 but I heard pictures get grainy at above 5MP but if I'm wrong please let me know. All help would be appreciated and hopefully I'll get a few responses quickly since I want to order within a week or so. Thanks again.

[speaklightly]

Swimfast-

I don't mean to rain on your parade but the Nikon 5900/7900 are very high quality digital cameras. What you heard is PURE BS! Of course, you will realize that "BS" in this case stands for "bible scholar."

Sarah Joyce

[David Metsky]

Im looking at either the powershot SD400 or coolpix 5900. I've found the SD400 for $325 and that is the most I am willing to spend on a camera.
You will need to buy a larger SD memory card ($30-$80 depending on size), a carrying case ($15-30), and possibly an extra battery ($14-50) so if you really only have $325 to spend you may be in for a bit of a shock. While you can get by without hte case or the extra battery, a larger memory card is really required.

Keep that in mind when pricing any camera.

-dave-

[swimsfast99]

I know I will be spending more for the case and mem card and such. I can spend about $325 on the camera alone.

speak: so are you saying that I should maybe take another look at the nikon's. The only thing that I am worried about with the Nikon's is the very limited manual controls. I know I wont be needing to worry about them too much but how much of an effect will that really have?

Thanks for the input and I will look into it a bit more.

[jessie25]

The SD400 doesn't have much in the way of manual controls either. If you want full manual controls, check out the Canon "A" series, which offers them, but on slightly bigger, slower cameras.

[speaklightly]

swimfast-

Jessie is 100% correct. The Nikons are a newer design and actually offer a bit more control than the SD series. You might also broaden your search a bit and take a look at the Fuji F-10 which is selling for less than $300 (US). It has a lot to offer.

Here is a sample night photo taken with the Fuji F-10.

Sarah Joyce

[swimsfast99]

Ok I have now expanded down to three cameras. . .

the Canon powershot SD400, Fugi F10, and the Nikon 7900.

I like the Fugi F10 for everything except no viewfinder. I just feel like a view finder might be rather important in direct sunlight. Anyone know how it performs in sunlight??

The only thing the SD 400 had really going is how small it is other than that the battery life, megapixles, and overall price really is taking me away from it.

The Nikon has a really nice camera body. It also has the most megapixles and easy scene modes. It does round around the edges a bit, and I have heard some bad reviews about blurry pictures on certain modes.

Overall Im about where I started except Im leaning away from the SD400. Any help on my last descision would be great.

[speaklightly]

Now come on, Swimfast-

If I am posting a ton of sample digital photos from the Fuji F-10, don't you think that I JUST MIGHT be able to give you some input about using a digital camera that does not have an optical viewfinder???

Am I missing something important here?

Sarah Joyce

[swimsfast99]

Not at all I was just wondering :D

Im going out tomarrow to check out both the 7900 and the F10 thanks for all the help.