Buying a camera is harder then I thought...help me out narrowed it down!

[Matt5L]

Okay im looking for a compact digital camera for pretty much $300 and under.

Im looking at:

Canon S410
Olympis Stylus 410
Pentax Optio s50
feel free to make other suggestions

Which would you choose out of these? I have heard Canon are great, but I see that the movie mode is pretty poor, are they all like this unless I want to spend big bucks?

Any reccomendations would be great. Thanks a lot and Happy Holidays!

[Need4Spd]

If movie mode is important to you, get the Canon SD300 instead of the S410. The newer chip in the SD300 also makes it very fast to shoot, both startup and between shots. Shutter lag is virtually nonexistent. It's also got the size of the Optio 5Si and is better constructed than the Optio in my opinion.

[Thon]

If an ultra compact size and movie mode is not a main factor, then the Canon A-series, especially the A80/A95, would be the best ones.

They are more capable than all the cameras that you've listed, (manual controls, conversion lens), that will grow with you. And they are not too much bigger as well.

Another common problems with ultra-compacts. They take poorer indoor pics. The main reasons, slower lens and less powerful flash. But they are great for outdoors.

I've a Olympus Stylus 400 (very similar to the 410), therefore the common problems are quite familiar to me. Have been somewhat satisfied with its performance except the indoors. But this is one tough camera (mine's been dropped a couple of times and covered in scratches all over, but still running). So if you want a tough P&S, then the Stylus should be a good choice, but remember, no manual controls on this one. I've upgraded to the C770UZ for the extra zoom and controls but the Stylus still remains as a great backup.

[Matt5L]

The SD300 is a bit more then I really wanted to spend...the video mode doesnt matter to me that much as long as it looks 1/2 decent.

[Matt5L]

any other input, i heard that the rechargeable battery is a good idea too, ones that come 'stock' with the cameras any of these canons have them?

[David Metsky]

Of the three you mentioned, only the Pentax takes AA batteries. There others come with proprietary rechargable Li-Ion batteries. If you want a backup (and you will) you'll have to buy one of those. They're generally expensive, running from $30-$50 a piece. You can get them from the manufacturer but some other companies make knock-offs that usually cost a little less.

For the AAs you will want to purchase AA NiMH rechargables and a charger. Regular alkyline batteries (which usually come with the camera) are useful for only an extremely short time, for any real use you'll want the NiMH. That will set you back $20-$40, depending on the charger you get an how many sets of batteries you want.

When planning for cost you'll also need to factor in a larger memory card since the one that comes with the camera is too small to be of any practical use. Budget $20-$70 for that, depending on the size of the image your camera takes and how many shots you wish to store between downloading your images to the computer.

[V_Dub1605]

I would have to agree with thon. I had just about the same budget of $300 and under. I decided to go with canon's powershot A85 and I'm pretty happy with it. It takes AA batteries which is a plus. I got it for $225 shipped and had enough left over to buy a bigger memory card and some rechargeble batteries.

[Matt5L]

I would get the A series I just want a compact camera though that I can slip in my pocket.

[D70FAN]

I would get the A series I just want a compact camera though that I can slip in my pocket.

Then you are probably goin to have to bite the bullet and spend a little more. Compact size has its price.

[Matt5L]

so are you guys suggesting me to not buy the A400 or A410? :confused:

[David Metsky]

so are you guys suggesting me to not buy the A400 or A410? :confused:
Spending a little extra and getting an S410, S500, or SD200 will get you a higher quality camera that is still small enough to slip in your pocket.