Thoughts on Canon A95, SD300 S60 or HP 707?

[Jeff M]

This is my second digital, having bought a large Dimage a couple of years ago. I want this both for family and work. Being in the office furniture business, I need to be able to take good photos in fluorescent lights for publication and wide angle (without distortion) or photo stitching is very important as inside spaces are so often tight. For personal use, I want one that can give great shots on full automatic. Size is important as I tend to leave my Dimage or Nikon 35mm behind due to their bulk. What would you all recommend?

Thanks,

Jeff

[speaklightly]

Take a look at the Canon S-60/S-70, or ther Fuji E-510 the just might meet your needs.

Sarah Joyce

[Jeff M]

HI Sarah,

I have been teetering back and forth over the size of the S60. I have missed so many family pictures over the years because I didn't want to bother carrying a big camera. Do you think the S60 is small enough to still be considered convenient on vacation, etc?

Thanks,

Jeff

[speaklightly]

Perhaps I see it from a slightly different point of view. The S-60 is a perfect size to slip into my purse or for you to wear on your belt with a small utility case.

You have a great wide angle lens and you are getting a Canon G-5 essentially in a smaller package. This digital camera has gotten great review and it is surely not a big digital camera.

Check it out. See how it feels in hand. See if a friend will lend you one for a couple of hours. I really think you will like the Canon S-60.

Sarahy Joyce

[Jeff M]

Hi Sarah,
The moderator, Jeff, mentioned that Canon is coming out with something(s) new. Any inkling if that should impact my choice? About the only thing the S60 doesn't have is image stabilization. How important do you think that is? Also, is lag time an issue with this camera. I have used friends' cameras that seem to take an eternity between the time you press the button and when the shutter releases.

Again, thanks.

Jeff

[Thon]

Hi Sarah,
The moderator, Jeff, mentioned that Canon is coming out with something(s) new. Any inkling if that should impact my choice? About the only thing the S60 doesn't have is image stabilization. How important do you think that is? Also, is lag time an issue with this camera. I have used friends' cameras that seem to take an eternity between the time you press the button and when the shutter releases.

Again, thanks.

Jeff

You normally do not need IS on the S60 or any low zoom camera, maybe with the ultracompacts due to the light weight. IS is more useful in ultrazooms for slower shutter speeds at the 7X or more zoom.

On shutter lag, the camera needs time to lock focus and exposure, therefore the lag. If you just press the button this will take a long time for most cameras. But, if you half-press the button to lock focus and exposure (pre-focus), the shutter lag is virtually undetectable. I believe this is true for the majority of the cameras today.

On the recommendations, the S60 & S70 are fairly compact cameras which are easy to carry around (not pocketable though).

[speaklightly]

Jeff-

New digital cameras are always being introduced. Will Canon come out with a new wide age lens digital camera to replace the S-60/S-70 series? Nobody knows for sure, at all.

OK, wait six to eight months and see if they do. In that time you have missed a whole lot of great digital photos that you could have taken as well as really getting to know and understand your digital camera so you can get the most from it. In short you have missed a lot of fun, learning, and experience. To me, that loss is significant. It is worth some dollars and some caring.

If price is an issue for you, consider the Fuji E-510. For $215 to $230 it will give you a usable wide angle lens which will really be an advantage in the office furniture business and you will get good digital photos. However, keep in mind that the E-510 does not have the feature set, the optical performance, and the quality of the Canon S-60/S-70.

It up to you, Jeff, to make the decision. Good Luck!

Sarah Joyce