PDA

View Full Version : in search: very small, low-light, 100%automatic digi-cam for newbie

Paxson
07-06-2006, 08:39 AM
Whishes:
----------
* Budget: 180-280 EURO (~200-300 US-$)
* Size: ultra-Compact (shirt-pocket-size would be best, pants-pocket-size acceptable!!!)
* Megapixel: I don't really care, anything with more than 4 MegaPix will do, i Guess
* I want optical zoom, I guess Standard (3x-4x) is plenty for my needs
* Image quality is not so important, I guess a "5" (from 1-10)is engough
* Manual Controls - since I don't know Jack about this stuff (ISO,Noise,Shutter,etc, Focal length....) und don't even wanna know, manual controls is not really needed :-)
* automatic controls +++++ - camera should be able to it's best on it's own to produce best pictures !!
* I want the camera to be "ready" when powered on very quickly
* I want the camera to take a couple of pictures in a series without waiting too long
* I would prefer a camera with "regular" Bateries,
* but could also live with a propiertary akku
* but then the camera itself shout be connectable to the Computer/TV (without need of a cradle!!!)

History:
---------
* I currently own a Konica-Minolta Dimage X20. (bought in Okt. 2003)
I actually like the Camera quite a lot, the only really negative thing is:
Indoor/low-light pictures are absolutly terrible !!!! -> thats the *ONLY* reason, why I'm buying a new one (!) - besides that the camera nearly fullfills all my expectations and my feature-list.

Usage:
------
* I usually *NEVER* print the pictues, only put them on my Computer iBook
* I'm only a amateur -> only shooting little number of pictures (vacation, birthday,...)
* I will shoot indoor pictures & low light though!
* usually no sports or action photos
* Shooting little Videos+Sound at parties, etc.
* Camera should be ruged - I tend to drop things from time to time :-/

Considered:
------------
I already searched the web and found these models
* Casio Exilim S500 or S600
* Canon Ixxus 55 (dont' know the name of the camera
* Nikon L3
They are *not* perfect (sometimes needs the cradle to connect to pc, sometimes doesn't use AA-Batteries)

Do you have any others i should consider?
I know I am asking quite some wishes, but maybe you guys have a suggestion for me.
I also looked throught thid recommendation forum, which already helped me a bit....

Thanx in advance,
And cheers from the soccer-worldcup in berlin
paxson
David Metsky
07-06-2006, 09:23 AM
Ultra-small cameras usually will not take AA batteries. You probably will have to give up on that one.

If a camera does come with a docking cradle you can buy a $8 USB card reader and just use that. I'd do that anyways, it makes life easier in the long run.

No digital camera is rugged enough to drop on a hard surface. If you do that, you are going to be in trouble no matter what you buy.

If you are in low light situations and need a flash, no ultracompact will be able to shoot multiple shots in a row quickly.

I'm a fan of the Canon SD series (Ixus) . They have excellent image quality, solid feel, great movie mode, very fast shooting, but are only adequate in low light. Fujis seem to be the leader in low light shooting, but I don't think they have a true ultra-compact.

-dave-
Smokeyblog
07-08-2006, 01:57 PM
Fujis seem to be the leader in low light shooting, but I don't think they have a true ultra-compact.

Hi Dave!

What is in your opinion more important: an ultra-compact, stylish camera or an compact camera with superb low light pictures?
Adhimas Setianegara
07-08-2006, 03:28 PM
I suggest you seriously consider the Fujifilm FinePix F30. Maybe not an ultra-compact camera but it is a pocket camera. It is quite small in size. It can reach ISO 3200 (picture is good for 4"x6" print) with very little noise at ISO 800 and usable picture at ISO 1600. It makes you possible to shot in low light without using flash or having blurred pictures. It also have aperture priority and shutter speed priority mode.

Picture comparison with DSLR camera (Canon EOS 20D) can be seen at: http://www.neocamera.com/review_fuji_f30_crops3.html.

Reviews can be found at:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f30-review/index.shtml
http://www.neocamera.com/review_fuji_f30_more.html
http://dpreview-cnet.com.com/Fujifilm_FinePix_F30/4505-6501_7-31732967-2.html?tag=top

Lowest price ($263 after rebate) can be found at:
http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=bizrate&sku=F30
Smokeyblog
07-08-2006, 03:42 PM
I suggest you seriously consider the Fujifilm FinePix F30. Maybe not an ultra-compact camera but it is a pocket camera. It is quite small in size. It can reach ISO 3200 (picture is good for 4"x6" print) with very little noise at ISO 800 and usable picture at ISO 1600. It makes you possible to shot in low light without using flash or having blurred pictures.
These specs were some of the pros for my decision, to buy a F30:)
Paxson
07-09-2006, 02:11 AM
... Fujis seem to be the leader in low light shooting, but I don't think they have a true ultra-compact....

-dave-

Hi all,

I went to a store yesterday had a look and the clerk suggested the fuji V10 for my needs. I read the review here of the F10 and V10 after that. But must say, that the huge V10-display impressed me and it seems to be a little smaller than the F10...

right now i would go for the V10, even if it's not as good as the F10, but since I hardly never print pictures anyway (only look on TV/comp.) it should be good...

comments? advice?

cheers from berlin
paxson
Smokeyblog
07-09-2006, 02:58 AM
I went to a store yesterday had a look and the clerk suggested the fuji V10 for my needs. I read the review here of the F10 and V10 after that. But must say, that the huge V10-display impressed me and it seems to be a little smaller than the F10...

right now i would go for the V10, even if it's not as good as the F10, but since I hardly never print pictures anyway (only look on TV/comp.) it should be good...

comments? advice?

When the clerk really was knowing he was talking about, he didn't suggest you to buy an V10 but instead of that camera an F30....
This clerck isn't capable to give his customers an reliable advice.

BTW: did you read already Jeff's F30 review????
Compare the specs of this cam with the specs of the V10, and take then a decison...
kornhauser
07-09-2006, 04:30 AM
Bought my girlfriend a Nikon L3 for her birthday. You can't go wrong with the Nikon name, price and quality. I'm finding I'd rather grab that L3 for a weekend away than my D70s.
coldrain
07-09-2006, 05:13 AM
Bought my girlfriend a Nikon L3 for her birthday. You can't go wrong with the Nikon name, price and quality. I'm finding I'd rather grab that L3 for a weekend away than my D70s.
Well, as you can find in about EVERY review of the Nikon L series, you CAN go very wrong with Nikon. The similar Fuji Z1/2/3 and Sony T series perform a lot better. And the L3 is hardly a low light camera. The Fuji Z2 would be the best choice for small low light camera.

Try to look beyond your brand loyalty when you advice people cameras.
jeffryeretico
07-09-2006, 06:14 AM
sony t30?

is perfect for me
Paxson
07-10-2006, 09:19 AM
When the clerk really was knowing he was talking about, he didn't suggest you to buy an V10 but instead of that camera an F30....
This clerck isn't capable to give his customers an reliable advice.

BTW: did you read already Jeff's F30 review????
Compare the specs of this cam with the specs of the V10, and take then a decison...
Hi,

yep, read the F30 and F10 as well.

F30 is too expensive
and the F10 has the stupid terminal-adapter :-/ - this is an no-no for me. (carrying around the adapter, when I wanna shot pic's to my parents, friends...)

V10 seems to be a good compromise for me...

comments?