New To The Digital World Need Help

[phoenix rising]

Need some advice I've been looking at the canon s-60 for a all around camera and it has plenty of focal options thatI think will work out well for a person new to the digital world or so I hope. :confused: was wondering if it was easy to use???also I'm into scuba diving and I read some were that when the camera powers down it goes into default mode will this be a problem because it will be in a dive housing and I wont be able to adjust it?????what is the dafault mode for the s-60???? thanks for the help

[NewMossie]

The usability of the S60 is much better than the S50. Button layouts are improved, but display menus and selection are pretty much the same.

I've never heard of a default mode for this camera, although there is a auto mode. You select it with a wheel on the top of the camera, so as long as you don't move the wheel, it will remain in whatever mode you select with all your settings intact.

Anyway, you can turn off the auto off feature if you like. And besides, it wouldn't be much of a housing if you can't change any of the settings. I'm hoping to get the underwater case for mine, too.

[FAUguy]

I would not get the S60/S70 or SD300 because they use
a new type of Canon lens that is not as good and causes distortion:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s60-review/index.shtml
"As you'd expect on a lens this wide, there's a fair amount of barrel distortion. Something else I noticed is blurriness in the corners, which you can see in several photos in the gallery as well."

Maybe take a look at the A95 or G6. Canon also makes an
underwater case for the A95.

[VidGameKing]

Yes I bought a S30 back in the day, and loved every bit of it! and so when I was looking to upgrade I naturally looked at the S70 / S60! but after much consideration I went with the G6 simply because pictures from it look better, (less distortion and blurieness) than that of the new S60/70.

If I were you, I'd take a look at the A95 or the G6.

[NewMossie]

The barrel distortion is not caused by the new lens that's "not as good." In fact, it's present in all three cameras. The reason it's more noticible in the S60 than the A95 and G6 is because it has a wider angle than both those cameras. It should not be a big problem if you take lots of outdoor or underwater shots.

If you plan on taking photography seriously, I find the S60 and G6 have a more options than the A95. But look at the specs of all three and see which matches your needs the most.

[phoenix rising]

Thanks everybody.
You all have been very helpful, I'm really glad that I joined this forum.It's a little overwhelming because I can’t decide between the cameras that I would like. I would like something for every day use.Portate, Landscape, Group and Underwater.I'm looking for a camera that I can grow with. Never had a digital only film. cameras but I have used them.I thought the s-60 would be the right one but comparing the photo's with others I'm starting to think less of it. I don’t want to start spending more money on program's to correct barrel dis and blurry edges. so I guess I'm back to square one.need more input...