Which Camera Based on Specs Given?

[mastershot]

Budget

* $200 - $500

Size

* Size doesnt matter

Features

At least 6MP

* Zoom = Optical 5x and UP

* Image Quality is important. Id say 8.5/10

Manual controls would definately be nice. Shutter priority, Aperature priority etc.

General Usage

* All purpose.

* No big prints really.

I'll be shooting indoor photos and also low light photos.

I'll be shooting sports and/or action photos.

Miscellaneous

No specific brand, whichever gets the job done well
No models in mind either...

Image Stabilization, would be nice.

[David Metsky]

I did a search on the Reviews & Info page, plugging in your requirements. You should qualify your "5x" requirement, since by itself it doesn't mean much. What 35mm equivalent zoom are you looking for?

Here are the cameras that meet your basic needs:
Panasonic LZ8/10 - 5x
Nikon P60 - 5x
Kodak Z1085 - 5x
Canon A650 - 6x
Canon A720 - 6x
Canon G9 - 6x

And pretty much all the ultrazooms will meet your needs as well.

[mastershot]

Thanks for that info David.
But what about manual features and picture quality ?
Quite a list u have there.. how about lessening it a bit ..?

[GoneTomorrow]

Thanks for that info David.
But what about manual features and picture quality ?
Quite a list u have there.. how about lessening it a bit ..?

I would recommend the Canon Powershot S3, S5 or the Nikon P80

[David Metsky]

Thanks for that info David.
But what about manual features and picture quality ?
Quite a list u have there.. how about lessening it a bit ..?

All of those have manual controls. Picture quality is something you'll have to evaluate for yourself by reading the reviews and looking at the images for yourself. Image quality will be best on the G9 and A650, but they are also more expensive and have some features you haven't asked for. Of the list, I like the Canon A720 best for price/performance.

Do you want an ultrazoom? It would be bigger, and a bit more complex. You really haven't given us a full indication of what you want. Please fill out the questionnaire at the top of the forum to round out your requirements.

[mastershot]

I was thinking of an ultrazoom... particularly the Panasonic FZ18, but im not so sure about it again.

You might wanna put a link to that questionnaire u speak of. Cuz i though that was what i did in my first post...

[David Metsky]

Sorry, I was answering multiple questions at the same time.

None of the ultrazooms are really good at low light no flash photography. You'll have to deal with noise at low light with any of them, but the FZ18 is a good choice. If you want to shoot sports you'll probably want an ultrazoom so you should concentrate looking there.

[mastershot]

Ok kool.

But low light shots are a priority for me still, least amount of noise the better, so i doubt ill go for an ultrazoom.

So you say you are feeling the canon A720 for all the above specs right ??

[mastershot]

What about one with rechargeable batteries included, with same or similar specs as the A720 IS.

[truflip]

I'll be shooting indoor photos and also low light photos.
I'll be shooting sports and/or action photos.


Those two points above would require a camera with either a bright lens or good high ISO performance. This website should have all the resources and reviews needed to figure this out. I would start with the Fuji camera's since they have one of the better High ISO performances.

[mastershot]

I'll be shooting indoor photos and also low light photos.
I'll be shooting sports and/or action photos.


Those two points above would require a camera with either a bright lens or good high ISO performance. This website should have all the resources and reviews needed to figure this out. I would start with the Fuji camera's since they have one of the better High ISO performances.
Any suggestion as to which fuji truflip ??

[David Metsky]

Any suggestion as to which fuji truflip ??
You'll be looking at the ones with the SuperCCD sensor. Those are the S6000, S9000, F50, F100fd, and S100fs. For your needs, the S100fs might be the best choice; it's also the most expensive.

[mastershot]

Ok thanks for the info guys...

So i think im gonna go with the Canon A720IS for now.

But im gonna have to get some rechargeable batteries for it, which should i get??
Need some that have long battery life and also can last me for a few years...

[truflip]

Fuji F50 (or F30 if you can find it) if you want small compact. Fuji S100fs if you don't mind the size and price. There isnt really anything in between. But definitely you want the ones with the SuperCCD sensors as David mentioned.

As for batteries, it depends. How long will you be shooting for? A few hours a day? the whole day? Randomly? If you're doing like 400-500 shots a day, definitely get a set of 2500mah or more. I personally do maybe 100-130 shots in an outing so the Eneloops (2000mAh) work great for me. I usually leave mine in the S3 for a few weeks at a time and they'll still shoot over 200 shots easily.

[mastershot]

Any specific brand trulip..??
Especially since im planning to take the canon a720?

[mastershot]

So Im planning to get the Canon A720 IS..

But ive heard some reviewers saying it does NOT do well in LOW lighting...
And few saying the image quality is POOR...
And that it EATS batteries...

Someone enlighten me on these issues please...

[AndyfromVA]

The image quality is definitely NOT poor.
It does as well in low lighting as most other compact cameras.
It eats AA alkaline batteries, as do most digital cameras. Simply put in NiMH rechargeables (or better yet Sanyo Eneloops) or nonrechageable Energizer E2 Lithiums.

[mastershot]

Ok thanks for that info andy...

So you think its a good buy based on my specs OR is there something better for a little more money??

[AndyfromVA]

I really like my A720. There are only two areas that I find a bit lacking. One is the fact that the flash recycling can be long - up to 7-10 seconds. But that's the problem with all cameras with 2 AA batteries. The other area is that, while the zoom is excellent for a small camera - up to 210mm - I'd like to have more optical zoom. For my next camera, I'm going to buy an ultrazoom with an optical zoom up to 450 or 500mm, but that camera will be larger and much more expensive than my A720.

For the price of the A720IS, I don't think you can buy a better camera.

[mastershot]

Alright.. thanks much for the info Andy..
The A720 it will be...

[mastershot]

Interms of batteries... which should i go for??

1. Sanyo eneloops 2000 Mah
2. Sany 2700 Mah:
3. Pearstone 2900 Mah:

I would like to kno which of the three would be the best buy in terms of longevity and durability.



tnx in adv

[AndyfromVA]

Sanyo Eneloops.