Sheirja
05-11-2009, 12:25 AM
I'm looking for a camera that has fair to good low-light settings, sports shot capabilities, and zoom. I need it to be compact to ultra compact to easily slide into pockets or my purse. *Two most important things are low shutter lag/picture to picture lag, and decent video/picture quality.*
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Up to 300. I know its lower, but, I'm looking to get as much as I can within that price, even if I have to give some features up.
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
Compact to ultracompact
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Between 7-12
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
It doesn't have to be ultrazoom, standard is fine, but I do prefer the zoom quality to be faster. Some of my previous cameras moved VERY slowly when zooming. Also, I really would like a camera that zooms in video. However, it's not essential.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
I would say about 6 or 7. It's important, but it doesn't have to be incredible. As long as it's not too grainy.
General Usage* What will you generally use the camera for?
I take A LOT of pictures wherever I go. I need a camera that can take a fairly fast picture with little shutter lag. I always take one with me when I travel, and I want to be able to whip it out on a moments notice and take a picture. Probably a fair amount of "sports" pictures too since I like to photgraph moving objects. I also like stills and extreme close-ups such as flowers or such. Oh, and I almost forgot videos! I take an incredible amount of video footage. I have considered buying a recorder solely for that purpose but I just don't have the funds to do so, and I don't want to carry two separate devices. So, I do need decent video functions. Preferably it will zoom in video too.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Probably no more than 8x10 and more than likely, not even that.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Fair amount of indoor and low light photos, but mostly outdoor.
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Action yes. As in while traveling in a car or catching moving animals.
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I have heard hardly anything good about Kodaks, and am not crazy about the reviews.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I've been reading a lot of reviews but the ones I'm looking at currently are the Sony Cybershot W230, 290, and T900. Also the Canons like SD1000 and 1100.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image stabilization would be wonderful, and a serious consideration, but, not absolutely essential.
Overall, I need a camera that at least has most of these features and is somewhat inexpensive. I want a good, reliable camera that's not an SLR. I value fast shot-to-shot ability highly, decent picture quality, and preferably zoom in video. Also compact. So, what fits most of these?
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Up to 300. I know its lower, but, I'm looking to get as much as I can within that price, even if I have to give some features up.
Size
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
Compact to ultracompact
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Between 7-12
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
It doesn't have to be ultrazoom, standard is fine, but I do prefer the zoom quality to be faster. Some of my previous cameras moved VERY slowly when zooming. Also, I really would like a camera that zooms in video. However, it's not essential.
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
I would say about 6 or 7. It's important, but it doesn't have to be incredible. As long as it's not too grainy.
General Usage* What will you generally use the camera for?
I take A LOT of pictures wherever I go. I need a camera that can take a fairly fast picture with little shutter lag. I always take one with me when I travel, and I want to be able to whip it out on a moments notice and take a picture. Probably a fair amount of "sports" pictures too since I like to photgraph moving objects. I also like stills and extreme close-ups such as flowers or such. Oh, and I almost forgot videos! I take an incredible amount of video footage. I have considered buying a recorder solely for that purpose but I just don't have the funds to do so, and I don't want to carry two separate devices. So, I do need decent video functions. Preferably it will zoom in video too.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Probably no more than 8x10 and more than likely, not even that.
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Fair amount of indoor and low light photos, but mostly outdoor.
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Action yes. As in while traveling in a car or catching moving animals.
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I have heard hardly anything good about Kodaks, and am not crazy about the reviews.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I've been reading a lot of reviews but the ones I'm looking at currently are the Sony Cybershot W230, 290, and T900. Also the Canons like SD1000 and 1100.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image stabilization would be wonderful, and a serious consideration, but, not absolutely essential.
Overall, I need a camera that at least has most of these features and is somewhat inexpensive. I want a good, reliable camera that's not an SLR. I value fast shot-to-shot ability highly, decent picture quality, and preferably zoom in video. Also compact. So, what fits most of these?