Camera choice -- Continuation of previous thread

[MaxP]

I've been travelling, and in the meantime my previous thread has been bumped (last saw it on 14 April). Is there any way to restore it?

My conclusions so far: no DSLR -- in spite of the compromises, I will go for a compact. However, I haven't seen any compact models that have all the characteristics I'd like: wide-angle (</= 28mm) + 4x zoom, IS, optical ivewfinder, >/= 8 Mp, very good image quality. The optical viewfinder seems to be the sticky point...

Have I missed something?

Thanks again for all your help.

Max

[David Metsky]

Your previous thread is here - http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38179

You can reply to it if you want to keep that one going.

If you plug in wide angle, optical viewfinder, and 3x-5x zoom into the database search you get two models, the Nikon P50 and the Sony W170. If you want to go the ultrazoom route you get the Nikon P80, the Olympus 560/570, the Panasonic FZ18 and the Fuji S8100. If your requirements don't change, those are your choices.

[KCook]

The combination of wide-angle (</= 28mm) and very good image quality by itself is tough to meet. If you are really fussy about IQ, then you may need to loosen up on some other requirements.

BTW, most of the cameras listed by David have EVFs, not optical viewfinders. The EVF on my Canon S3 was a cool feature, but really not so nice as the optical viewfinder on an old style 35mm camera. My current camera has no viewfinder at all and I'm surviving just fine.

Kelly Cook

[David Metsky]

True, all ultrazooms have EVF, not OVF. If you want that much zoom it's the price you pay.

[MaxP]

In my previous thread, "stargooner" mentioned the Canon SD870IS. I've had another look at this model, and if I drop the optical VF requirement, this model might do it. Plus, the image quality is rated as "very good" in the review here (with some minuses). Anyone with some experience with the SD870IS out there?

[David Metsky]

The SD800 (which you should still be able to find) is essentially the same camera but with a 2.5" LCD and an optical view finder. I have one and it's served me well for the past 9 months. It's a bit soft at the edges, but it was worth the trade off for me for the wide angle.