Confused with camera choices. Need expert help.

[wanderintraveler]

Budget

From $250-$380.


Size

I would prefer an ultra compact camera.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?

The pictures I will be printing would most likely not be bigger than 8 inches. I heard that even my current 7MP should suffice. I see though that the newer compact cameras are usually going 10 to 14MP.


* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)

I currently have a Powershot A570 which has 4x optical zoom. I was hoping to have an upgrade to 5x optical zoom. I also find it interesting that there are compact cameras with 10 to 12x optical zoom. However, I also read that such cameras are not good with low light.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 10

Do you care for manual controls?

I'm a novice photographer. So an automated one that gives good image quality is best. So far I have only use a point and shoot camera and don't know much about manual control so it does not matter to me. But if it has one, I don't mind. I think it's a plus.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?

It will be a family camera. We have a baby so it would be good to capture her milestones and developements. It will also be used for travelling, so it will be an all around cameral. Most of the shoots will be taken indoors so I think the camera should be good with low light. I would also prefer one with HD recordings to capture some movie clips of our baby.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?

Not often. Maximum would be 8x12.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

More of indoor, but I would also like a camera that could shoot in low light. By 'low light' does it mean night shots?

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

Possible. But not necessarily very fast action photos. Most likely it's the action of our baby playing.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

So far I have only owned a Canon. I don't mind having another brand. Although I'm only considering Canon, Sony and Panasonic because they are the only brands more accessible here with service centers. Also I would prefer a camera that doesn't use AA batteries.

A wide LCD would be nice however I would like to have the kind that has some space on the sides wherein I don't have to be touching the screen all the time because it will create smudges.


Are there particular models you already have in mind?

I have a lot of models in consideration as I'm obviously confused.

For those with 4x optical zoom there are. Canon SD960 or SD940. I read some reviews are good but I'm not exactly sure what is the difference between the 2 other than the price. Does anyone know what's the difference I'm still curious. Sony T700 is also nice but it has no HD.

Since I mentioned about upgrading to a higher optical zoom I also find it interesting the models Canon SX200 and Panasonic ZS3. In general the ZS3 looks very interesting. But based on some reviews is it true that compact cams with high zooms are not good with low light?? If it is true then maybe I can give this up. After all if I would be using this indoor most of the time then why would I need a 10x for. It would be interesting for travelling though.

The next options are those with 5x optical zoom. My options are:
Canon SD970 IS. But I'm not sure if this has wide angled lenses
Canon SD980 IS. I have not seen any reviews yet but this is a touchscreen. I wonder if this will make the camera more sensitive and less durable.
Canon SD890 . It looks appealing but it's not HD and I think it uses an older processor.
Sony DSC W290. The review isn't so good on the image quality
Sony DSC WX1. I have not seen this review.

I need to narrow down my options. Basically I would like an to upgrade my current camera with new and updated features that newer once are offering. I would be mostly shooting indoors and activities of my baby so I prefer an HD with wide angled lenses. I know that with all the options I listed I have to give up on something. I was hoping you experts can help me. It's very confusing because I'm also not so familiar with the photography terminologies.



(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD

Yes, I would like Wide Angled lenses and Image Stabilization feature. Weatherproof would be good but not necessarily a must. I don't know what is a hotshoe. Rotating LCD would also be nice but not a necessity as I know it limits the models that have them.

Thanks in advance.

[davidsmiths]

Hi
I want to buy new camera for gift to someone. I wan good picture quality. Which camera i should buy? an anyone suggest me?
I am waiting for reply.

[speaklightly]

Thanks for filling out the questionaire.

With a requirement for wide angle, HD video, and high indoor abilities, that limits your options considerably. Certainly the Sony H-20 hits the mark on most of your needs, but does not have a wide angle. The Fuji F-70 does the same thing, missing the HD video.

The ultra compact requirement also restricts the choices even a bit further. The Kodak Z-950 might be a possible choice, but then it too lacks a wide angle. Panasonic cameras perform well out of doors, but they tend to have poor indoor flash performance.

If it were me I would be looking in more detail at the Sony H-20 camera. Yes, it has one compromise, the wide angle, but in as much as the preponderance of your photos will be with flash indoors, it flash is top of the shop.

[wanderintraveler]

I saw the Sony H20 online. It looks a bit big and heavy. I'm still going to consider it though aside from those below.
Among these cameras: Canon SD980, SD940, Panasonic ZS3, Sony WX1, which would you pick? The one that would have the best image quality & features that is expected on a compact?

[David Metsky]

If you want really ultracompact that rules out the ZS3. It's small, but it's not nearly as small or thin as the others on your list. Of the remaining ones the WX1 probably has the advantage over the Canons in image quality, but it will be a bit more expensive and requires you to buy MemorySticks as well.

I think any of these would be a good choice, you're unlikely to go wrong. If I was forced to choose one to replace my SD800 I'd probably choose the SD980 for the extra wide angle and slightly larger LCD. But I won't by a camera without an optical viewfinder so they'll all be out for me. :)

[wanderintraveler]

Hi. Thanks for responding.
Memory stick is the storage unit isn't it? But doesn't all camera need a storage unit? For instance I have a canon powershot 570, and I have to buy a storage unit for that as well. I presume than Panasonic will have it's own kind of storage unit as well.

[David Metsky]

All of the other cameras on the list use SD and SDHC memory cards. They are the industry standard. It's the same as your A570 so you won't need to buy new memory unless you want more storage space.

Sony uses it's own type of memory card that won't work for other cameras, and is more expensive. In the grand scheme of things it shouldn't stop you from buying a Sony, but some people hate the idea of proprietary memory cards. It's an extra expense.

[wanderintraveler]

Between the Panasonic ZS3 and the Canon SD980 which is better with low light?
Also do you happen to know the difference between SD960 and SD940? The features seems so similar. And between the SD980 and SD940/960 is the difference only the touchscreen? If so, I don't mind not having the touchscreen.