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View Full Version : Casual use small camera....which one?



FreeBaGeL
04-05-2006, 09:59 AM
Budget
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* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Can't be too specific. $250-$450 but as always the cheaper the better if it's a good buy value wise.


SIZE:
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* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
I want something small that I can carry around in my pocket without it bothering me. I would like to have it with me often and having bulky pockets is a pet peeve of mine. I realize I'll have to give into that pet peeve somewhat, but the less bulky it is the better. Size is high on my priority list.


Features
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How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Anywhere 4mp and up is fine.

* What optical zoom will you need?
3x is fine. More is better, but not really needed and seems like most ultra compacts are 3x.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
7.....These will mainly be for taking pictures while out with friends or on vacations to post online.

Do you care for manual controls?
Not sure exactly what manual controls are mentioned here, but it's not too important to me. I just want to be able to get solid pictures while out, I'm not going to be entering any pictures into an artshow ;)


General Usage
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* What will you generally use the camera for?
I recently went to Vegas without a camera, and now regret that I don't have any pictures. Then, on Monday night my Gators won the national title in basketball so I headed downtown for the celebration and again regret not having a camera. I'm looking for a camera mainly for these types of situations, going out with friends, maybe some post-game intramural football pics, etc.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Unlikely unless I end up with a picture I really like.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Probably some of both, yes.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
It's not in the plan, but I wouldn't mind having the ability. Low on my list of priorities however.


Miscellaneous
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Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I've always heard good things about Canon and Sony cameras, though I like the Casio Exoslim line as well. Never been a huge fan of Fuji, but I'm not going to pick or reject a camera that is a better value for what I need just because of the brand name.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I've looked at a lot actually and am having a difficult time narrowing them down. Sony T5, Sony DSC-T9, Casio exoslim-sr600 and EX-z257, Optio s6, Canon sd450, Fuji F10 among others. My eventual winner does not have to be something from this list though..

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) -
No, these features would just be an added bonus, none are on my 'needs' list.

TampaJim
04-05-2006, 11:14 AM
The Fuji V10 would be my choice for you, based on your answers.

FreeBaGeL
04-05-2006, 09:20 PM
Here's a bit of an update.

I was able to get to a CC today and check out some of the cameras in person. I may be crazy (since not many people have recommended it to me in general) but after seeing it in person I really liked the Sony T9. I also helps that Dell has a deal going right now where you can pick up the T9 for $324 (the Canon SD600 is also on sale for $244 there).

I wish I had a chance to see the Casio Exoslim SR600. I was only able to find one Casio (EXZ600BK I believe was the model) and it seemed very thin and compact (as did the T9). With both of them coming in at .8" thick I can't imagine how thin the SR600 is at .63" (with the Dell sale they're virtually the same price).

They had the SD600 there (also on sale at Dell for $244, actually cheaper than the SD450 and seems to be the deal everyone is jumping on) which impressed me a bit as well.

I checked out the Kodiak and it felt a bit too large for my needs, and comparing the size of some of the other cameras with it (F10, Z750) makes me think those are probably a bit bulky as well.

Didn't have an Optio S6 there to check out either.

I guess I've narrowed it down to the Sony T9, Casio SR600, Casio EXZ600Bk, Canon SD600, and Optio S6.

Time to really sit down and do some hard review reading, though I would of course appreciate more input as well especially since this dell deal on the T9/SD600 could die off at any time now.

Thanks!

avi777
04-06-2006, 12:52 AM
The T9 looks like a good camera. features sound good to me. but am no expert
Check this link
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T9/T9A.HTM