P&S for my kids

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Ok I drag my kids along when I'm photographing stuff. Yeah I know, bad dad!

They're really well behaved and interested in photography.

I can't see myself getting a cheap 2nd hand DSLR for both of them, heck they're 6 and 8 yo respectively.

So I thought I'd get them matching P&S's around $ 100-150 AUD tops, ie max around 80-90 USD or so.

I don't expect DSLR results from a compact so average IQ is understood.
I'd like manual controls if possible (or scene modes) as they learn.
I'd like relatively wide to around 3x zoom or so.
I definately want macro capabilities.
I prefer a reasonable number of shots from the batteries so either designed for AA 1.2V NiMh or a manufacturers battery.
Prefer a quicker shot to shot speed but realise it'd be slow with a P&S.
My kids are more carefull than most adults, the cam doesn't need to be robust.

Subjects likely to be landscapes, flowers, people, kids and macro. No sports or low light (I'm a realist I know they'd suck).

Any thoughts? Thank you for your time.

[tizeye]

I am going through the same thing - but the other end of the spectrum with a 79 y/o mother who wants to progress from her 110 film camera prior to her cruise in January - and advising my sister on a camera in the same price group. Unfortunately, I completed shopping, otherwise would pool with her to a higher price level - but I digress.

Looks like we are centering on the Kodak C913 ($89US) which replaces the C813 ($79US). Thought about bumping to the $99 pricepoint where more of a selection - Nikon L18 and Panny LS Series but didn't fell gaining anything. No reviews on any cameras in this price range - just user reports. The C813 generally well received by users who had moderate expectations. The C913, introduced in Sept had virtually no reports. DPreview.com did a group report on "budget" cameras which was just above your pricepoint with a Panny (LZ?) and Sony (DSC120) in the $120-30 range the overall selections. The only Kodak in the comparison was the C1013 which they panned as the absolute worst. Impressed with the features but output was terrible - attributable to cramming 10mp on the small sensor. The lower C813 and C913 have similar features but 8 and 9mp respectively.

Not really excited by the Casio, GE and Fuji - but may want to explore Samsung in that price range.

[speaklightly]

OfficeMax has the Kodak Z-1085 at $(US) 119.95 right now

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

You didn't say anything about size. Sooo .....

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_s700-review/

Kelly Cook

[speaklightly]

Take a look at the Olympus E-1.

Sarah Joyce

[Rooz]

E1 ? lol are you serious.

[K1W1]

Check the latest Officeworks catalague.

Panasonic DMC-LS80
$137.00

Comes in Black and Silver so there will be no arguments about which camera belongs to who and uses AA batteries and SD cards.

If you don't like that they have about 4 Kodaks at $150-$170 or a Sony at $170 or a Pentax at $142.

[SpecialK]

Based on my review elsewhere...

I have a DSLR and lenses, and a Canon S3 IS ultra-zoom. I wanted a small pocketable point-and-shoot for those occasions where I did not want to lug the other gear.

It was a toss-up primarily between this and a Panasonic LZ8, (and the Nikon S550 and Canon SD1100IS which are the next price level up). The Nikon did not have optical image stabilization, and the Panny was a bit bulgy due to the AA batteries. So, I decided on this camera after reading a few reviews.

I spent a couple lunch breaks just examining the features and how they interact (some features are limited or absent in certain modes), and went on one outing to have a real-world test.

I have mixed feelings about it.

*Pros:
Compact.
Substantial feel.
Can produce nice images.
Optical image stabilization, (and dual-mode stabilization which includes higher ISO.
Red-eye reduction seems to work well - at least I could not get any on self- portraits.
Looks like decent editing software.

*Cons:
Has difficulty focusing, particularly in low light, and when digitally zoomed. Digital zoom on any camera is crap so I'm not too worried about it here.
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Somewhat slow operation. The screen blanks out for 2 or 3 seconds (or an additional second or two if using flash) as the image is being written to the card. You can't change settings or do anything while this is happening.

Obvious barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom. I have a fisheye, so in a way I like it...
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*Quirks (May be good or bad according to your preferences):
Battery charges through the USB cable only, either from your PC's USB or a wall socket. This is convenient, yet it ties up your camera while charging. I got just under 200 shots in the real world, but over 450 at home when testing it. So, your mileage will vary greatly depending on how you are shooting.

Although there is a manual mode (M), you can only choose one of two apertures at whatever focal length you are at. These are normally the maximum and minimum available apertures. Though these choices really are sufficient, control freaks may be disappointed.

Continuous shooting is available in 2 modes, "continuous" and "shutter capture". "Continuous" is what most people think of but only about 1 shot per second (pretty slow). "Shutter capture" is a snappy 6 shots per second for a maximum of 5 seconds for a total of 30 shots. This is great performance - except the images are only 640 x 480 pixels, barely 4 x 6 inches at full size. The screen blanks out during all the shooting as I recall.

Exposure bracketing. This can be a great feature as it gives you three exposure choices. However, the difference is only 1/3 of a stop each way which is not very noticeable. It should be at least 1/2 stop (or more) either way to be useful, as editing software can adjust 1/3 stop easily. Also, the camera takes 3 shots in a row and the LCD will be blank during all of it, about 9 seconds.

The self-timer has some neat options such as taking 2 consecutive shots at a time (so you don't have to run back to the camera to "do" another one), or motion-detection that waits for everyone to settle down. However, once the shot is taken, the camera reverts to the normal mode. If you want to take a series of nights shots on a tripod with the self-timer to minimize blur, for example, you will have to set the self-timer each time.

Movie mode has a high-res option, yet at a reduced frame-rate (20 fps) so it may appear slightly choppy. You can zoom while filming, which is a plus. But, I can't get any sound when played on my desktop PC, though it is audible when played in the camera, and works on my laptop. Probably a crossed-up codec.

The user manual is a PDF file. However, there is a dedicated "mode" on the dial that is a help guide. There is a printed quick-start quide to get you going, and as most the options are pretty straight-forward, you should not have a big problem operating the camera.

The digital zoom is mostly worthless as I mentioned, but it is disabled when face-detection is used.

The macro mode is not super close, but you can make up for it by cropping the 10 MP image a little. This is about 4" away.
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For a basic camera, I think it is OK, with a few good features. For anything advanced, you might think it is missing a few features. If it had a viewfinder, I would probably give it another star because the blank screen would be less of an issue as you could still accurately frame moving subjects.

Here are some "decent" images (all improved slightly with Elements 6).
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A bit iffy when shooting into the sun.
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I think I got a good buy at $138 through Amazon, though Best Buy subsequently had it online for $112 and included a 2g card. Comes in black or red.

[tim11]

6 and 8 y.o.? Just get a Canon A with decent zoom. Just remember you will have to carry the camera for them when they get distracted with their own things in the playground.. :D. I'm talking from my own experience here.
The budget of Aud$100-150 might be stretching a little for all your requirement though...

[K1W1]

Hey DPR,

You can even go Nikon!

DCW have a Coolpix L18 for $155.

Link here. (http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2379.htm)

[tizeye]

Hey DPR,

You can even go Nikon!

DCW have a Coolpix L18 for $155.

Link here. (http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2379.htm)

Or Canon A590IS for $149AU at the same site if you want more controls than the Nikon. Both use AA

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Wow thanks for the suggestions and obvious effort folks. Now I've just got to evaluate it and buy them.

I thought people said nasty things about Nikon P&S'.

[KCook]

Some Nikons anyway. The L18 has not gotten happy reviews. For the low $$ you can buy them for the P60 and S210 are reasonable choices. But still do not measure up to the Nikon rep for DSLRs.

Kelly

[tim11]

I can't remember the time when Nikon digital PnS come even close to Canon ones.