Want Thinnist/Smallest Camera + Great Pics too...(Casio S100 vs Fuji F450 vs ???)

[Xistentialnyc]

I have done a lot of research and want to try to purchase a digital camera within the next week – this will be my first digital camera so I have looked at all the different types/brands, etc. My main purpose for the camera is to have one that is very easy to take with me wherever I go, especially out at night when I go to bars with friends. However, I want to make sure that the camera does take good photos as well and finding the camera with the perfect balance has been difficult. I am not going to be using the camera to print poster-sized images but will mostly use it for pictures on my computer and to display on my large-screen TV through my ReplayTV (which is awesome, by the way). I can transfer pics to my ReplayTV directly from my desktop computer through my wireless bridge so I don't need the camera to have any special connectors/ports.

The smallest and thinnest (ultra-ultra-compact) zoom digital cameras which I have found so far are the: Casio S100, Casio Z55, and the Fuji FinePix F450. I was able to compare the S100 and Z55 at CircuitCity and think the S100 would be better for me because it would fit much more easily into a jeans pocket… while the Z55 is still small, it is a bit thick compared to the S100. I haven’t been able to find any brick-and-mortar store which has the Fuji F450 on display but I definitely want to check it out… it is 5.2 megapixals and the thickness is in-between that of the S100 and Z55 although it might be a bit too “square” in that the height is a bit higher than both of the Casios. I also checked out the Canon Powershot 500 Elf but that was way too thick for me.

I have read many online reviews of the Casio S100 and some are great, some are luke-warm, and one said that the writer returned the camera due to poor picture quality (which does scare me a bit). I am a bit hesitant to get a 3.2 megapixal camera (the Casio S100) when 7 and 8 MP’s are now widely popular. However, size (especially thickness) is tied with picture quality as the most important traits in the camera I am looking for. I have looked at a few samples of the Casio S100 compared to that from a 7 MP camera and the S100's didn't really look all that great.

I also checked out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7K which is pretty cool because it has an image stabilizer and also a focusing light to help it focus in low light. This camera is deifnitely bigger than the other ones but I am starting to think it might be worth it since the pictures quality might be far superior.

Anyway… sorry for the rambling… but what do you think? Have you had any interaction or know anything about the Fuji F450? Are there any other cameras that I missed but that you think I should look into? Basically, I just want the smallest, thinnest camera which takes *very* good (doesn’t have to be professional or even excellent) pictures. Any and all thoughts, opinions, and help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you again for all your help with this. If you have any questions, please just let me know.

Happy Holidays!

:confused:

[DAVIDTU]

I'd like to see other's opinions too, I am looking for something similar to you. Check out the Konica-Minolta DiMage X50 too. Its size and shape are similar to the Fuji. I have a Fuji F402 and I liked it until it got damaged when dropped.

Thanks for info on the Panasonic it looks very good and may be my best bet. Good review of it here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fx7.html

others:
Fuji F450 - under consideration (few reviews online, check similar F440)
Konica-Minolta DiMage X50 - under consideration
Canon SD-20 - rejected because no zoom
Casio Z-55 - rejected because lacks / continuous I burst mode
Olympus Digital Stylus 500 - not out yet, expect January
Pentax Optio 5si - rejected because lacks / continuous I burst mode
Sony - all rejected because of proprietary memory stink, er, stick

[m123456]

It's noticeably lighter than any other 5mp camera I tried. Good pics and when I carry it it's so light I often forget it's with me.

Sorry don't know much about others

[Xistentialnyc]

Well, after researching almost all available cameras, I think I am going to go with the Canon SD300... it is not only one of the smallest, but also takes great pictures, especially in low-light conditions and is fairly priced. Yes, it is only 4MP but overall I think it beats the Panasonic FX7 and the Fuji F450 in terms of overall package (picture quality taken in consideration with ultra-compact camera size).

[Kevin]

I have the Fuji F440 and I really like it. It takes great photos, fits well into my pocket and has both a nice sized LCD screen as well as a viewfinder.
I had also considered the Canon SD200 and SD300, but I went strictly on size since everything else was about equal.
I'm glad I did.
One of the things that I was worried about with the Fuji was whether my hands would be too big, since I'm 6-3 and have large hands, but it's been no problem.

[riggits]

Check the Minolta Dimage XG. Also, the Fuji is DEFINITELY the smallest and sweetest camera you're looking at . The SD300 is close in size, but the shape is somewhat elongated. It depends on what kind of hands you have, if you're sausage-fingered and like clunky controls then go for the SD300.
The F450 is tiny, clean, super-simple. It's got basically 3 buttons on the back, instead of a dial/button-thing and four buttons like the Canon. F450's take amazing auto shots with the best white balance I've found.. I took the Fuji on vacation, never had a single bad shot out of hundreds. YMMV, but you'll be happy with a F450.
I also recommend taking a look at the Minolta Dimage X50. It's larger than the F450, but the internal zoom is pimping. Super quick to do everything. I can't say anything about the pic quality tho, haven't done much with it..
ciao

[flakeup]

What about the Sony t33

[PeteD]

What about the Ricoh Caplio range?

My RZ1 is a treasure, my main regret is that I couldn't justify paying the extra to get one of the more expensive models.

[skagen]

IMO the best balance of size and picture quality is the Panasonic DMC-FX7.
- The Casio S100 is supersmall, but takes awful pictures
- The Pentax S5i is very small and light, but is let down by a poor and fuzzy lens. It going for a great price though at 5MP and that size

Still the FX7 is the best picture of all ultra-compacts. If you bring picture quality into the equation, its the only answer. Otherewise, the next best is to go cheap and get the Pentax S5i.

[flakeup]

dont they got somethin small tiny ultrathin (Credit card size thiness) like the Casio S100 n as good as T33, DMC-FX7 (preferbly non poor quality piture)?
cmon Sony slimmer!

Thas what im looking. thx Flake