FinePix V10

[dmbfan]

Hey guys ive recently been getting into photgraphy (currently just into filming) and im wondering which route i should take as far as buying a camera.

Im a huge fan of ultracompact cameras... mainly just because of the flexibility of being able to slide it in a pocket and go. BUT i also appreciate a good image quality, and the manual features of higher end cameras intrigue me.

So this is where im stumped. Should go for a compact camera (such as the FinePix V10) and just live happily ever after, or if i should buy a slightly bulkier camera and enjoy the benefits of the added manual features? Im afraid that once i get ahold of a nice camera, ill be tempted to buy the nicest thing out there. As of right now, im trying to keep the budget around 250.

[tim11]

Fuji V10 doesn't enjoy the most flattering of all reviews in DCRP. If you are into photography, will you be satisfied with a camera with no manual control? Photography is more than just learning to frame; right?
I think F30 suits you better and its price might be around your budget. It has some manual controls, auto and many preset modes and currently the best performer in lowlight. It is bigger than V10 but everything else is much better in every sense. It is still a nice compact camera though. Check this thread for price: Wait for F31fd or buy the F30 (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24891&page=2)?

Or buy one of the larger Canon A series.

[sjseto]

Should go for a compact camera (such as the FinePix V10) and just live happily ever after, or if i should buy a slightly bulkier camera and enjoy the benefits of the added manual features?

It sounds like you might be interested in learning more about photography rather than simply point-and-shooting, so it would probably be wise to get a camera that allows you some manual control over the way the photos turn out.

If you can only have one camera, perhaps the V10 would eventually be too limiting for you. I agree with Tim's suggestion of the F30, which is slightly larger, but still very portable and features manual control over shutter speed and aperture, and overall image quality is better. For me it was the best combination of compactness, manual control, and image quality that was available.

If you find the F30 too large but still want manual controls, there is the Casio EX-Z850. It's a camera that has a lot of bells and whistles in terms of features, but I don't care for the noisy images that I saw in reviews.

The Canon PowerShot A series are very well-respected cameras. For me, they are a little too large to be a carry-at-all-times camera (especially the 600 series). But they take great pictures, and have a lot of manual control. If it's going to be your one and only camera, the slightly larger size might be worth it.

A smaller package would be the Sony DSC-W100. Manual controls are limited compared to the other cameras mentioned, but its image quality was very highly regarded by Jeff in his review on this site.

In the end, even a camera that takes fantastic pictures isn't going to be any good if you're not willing to carry it around. Sometimes you do have to sacrifice features and/or image quality for convenience in terms of portability. So it's best to head to a store, handle some different models, and judge for yourself.

Stephanie