Two Cameras or One?

[tyagi]

My trusty 2.1MP Canon IXUS (Powershot S110) is finally looking like it needs replacing. Its colour balance, especially in bright daylight, seems to have become worse recently. Also, its exposure seems to be all over the place, making it difficult to get a good shot.

Anyway. I've decided to upgrade and have had discussions with a few people, including some who have got dSLRs (bad move talking to those guys, I know).

Initially, I was looking at something like the Canon S70 or A95 that had a higher resolution CCD as well as a number of manual features for me to tweak. I have historically preferred a film SLR over film compacts, but would not call myself a skilled photographer yet. The idea of some manual controls on a reasonably compact, yet high resolution, digital is really appealing.

Thinking and talking about it some more, someone mentioned getting a direct replacement for the "point and shoot" IXUS but later on also getting a "serious" camera like a dSLR. This way, I'd have the point-and-shoot ability for when I'm out and about (I do a lot of outdoor pursuits) but would also be able to get serious when I had the time to stop and set up shots etc.

Therefore, I started looking at the IXUS 500 and other ultra-compacts.

However, something that came to mind was how convenient the AA battery format of an A-series camera would be. I'm therefore back to looking at the Powershot A-series - the A95 in particular.

Unfortunately, it looks like Canon is about to refresh these cameras with the A510, A520 and possibly the A530 (not seen anything about this, but I'm guessing here)?

So.. what would people recommend? Go for a single solution such as the Canon S70? Go for two cameras - an A-series now and a dSLR later when the money is available?

Also, recommendations other than Canon are welcome, I'm just looking at Canon because that's what I know and have liked in the past.

[speaklightly]

Dear Tyaqui-

In as much as you are willing to consider other than Canon digital cameras, perhaps the current promotion being done by Nikon on the Coolpix 5400 could be a consideration. Nikon is offering a $(US) 200 rebate on the sales of the 5400 through 03/31/2005.

If you would like to see some samples from the Nikon Coolpix 5400, please go to:

www.digicamlady.smugmug.com/gallery/400941

Perhaps this might offer an economical alternative.

Speaklightly

[tyagi]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will read some reviews and see if I can talk with some users of the 5400. However, given Nikon's announcement for new cameras in this range (5900 and 7900?), the rebate offer doesn't really appeal. Also, I'm currently located in New Zealand, not the US, although I guess price drops will be seen internationally.

I have just noticed the Fuji E510 and 550, however, which look like great cameras. Can anyone pass opinion on them?

[Rex914]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will read some reviews and see if I can talk with some users of the 5400. However, given Nikon's announcement for new cameras in this range (5900 and 7900?), the rebate offer doesn't really appeal. Also, I'm currently located in New Zealand, not the US, although I guess price drops will be seen internationally.

I have just noticed the Fuji E510 and 550, however, which look like great cameras. Can anyone pass opinion on them?

You seem to be looking for a compact, point and shoot that will eventually be a a backup/bring along camera when you get your DSLR. The 5400 is probably too bulky for this purpose. I'd recommend getting an A95 or something along those lines since compactness is the key. It still has all the manual features you want, and it easily fits in your pocket.

By the way, the 5900/7900 have nothing to do with the 5400 which is a different class of camera.

[tyagi]

You seem to be looking for a compact, point and shoot that will eventually be a a backup/bring along camera when you get your DSLR. The 5400 is probably too bulky for this purpose. I'd recommend getting an A95 or something along those lines since compactness is the key. It still has all the manual features you want, and it easily fits in your pocket.

By the way, the 5900/7900 have nothing to do with the 5400 which is a different class of camera.

Thanks for pointing that out. I've not got round to reading the reviews of it yet ;) The 5900 and 7900 do look nice though!

I agree that the A95 or something similar seems to be the sensible choice for the moment. The AA battery thing is good because when on multi-day hikes in the bush, there are few power points around!

So really, I guess it boils down to whether the A95 is about to be replaced. If not, the A95 is an option, but I may be better with the newer silicon/software/physical build of the A520?

[Rex914]

Thanks for pointing that out. I've not got round to reading the reviews of it yet ;) The 5900 and 7900 do look nice though!

I agree that the A95 or something similar seems to be the sensible choice for the moment. The AA battery thing is good because when on multi-day hikes in the bush, there are few power points around!

So really, I guess it boils down to whether the A95 is about to be replaced. If not, the A95 is an option, but I may be better with the newer silicon/software/physical build of the A520?

I would wait to see reviews on the A5XX's before jumping for them (they seem to have shutter lag issues). The A95 is already a fine camera as is IMO unless you really want the 4x zoom.

[debtman7]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will read some reviews and see if I can talk with some users of the 5400. However, given Nikon's announcement for new cameras in this range (5900 and 7900?), the rebate offer doesn't really appeal. Also, I'm currently located in New Zealand, not the US, although I guess price drops will be seen internationally.

I have just noticed the Fuji E510 and 550, however, which look like great cameras. Can anyone pass opinion on them?

The Fuji's seem well liked. The big advantage over the Canon A series is the wide angle lens. So it may come down to whether you perfer wider angle or more tele power. Both can do conversion wide angle and tele lenses.

The thing that has kept me away from the Fuji's is the maximum 2 second shutter speed. While that's not a big deal for a point and shoot, if you ever want to set up a night shot that will never be enough. The canon's at least give you 15 seconds. I have no idea why Fuji crippled these otherwise great cameras like that...

[PeteD]

Perhaps the Fujis suffer from excessive noise with long exposures?

I can't understand why the fact that the A95 might be replaced by another model is a bad thing. Surely that could be a good thing?

If the A95 does exactly what you want, the fact that it is soon to be replaced should lower the price, and I have always liked lower prices.

[gary_hendricks]

My trusty 2.1MP Canon IXUS (Powershot S110) is finally looking like it needs replacing. Its colour balance, especially in bright daylight, seems to have become worse recently. Also, its exposure seems to be all over the place, making it difficult to get a good shot.

Anyway. I've decided to upgrade and have had discussions with a few people, including some who have got dSLRs (bad move talking to those guys, I know).

Initially, I was looking at something like the Canon S70 or A95 that had a higher resolution CCD as well as a number of manual features for me to tweak. I have historically preferred a film SLR over film compacts, but would not call myself a skilled photographer yet. The idea of some manual controls on a reasonably compact, yet high resolution, digital is really appealing.

Thinking and talking about it some more, someone mentioned getting a direct replacement for the "point and shoot" IXUS but later on also getting a "serious" camera like a dSLR. This way, I'd have the point-and-shoot ability for when I'm out and about (I do a lot of outdoor pursuits) but would also be able to get serious when I had the time to stop and set up shots etc.

Therefore, I started looking at the IXUS 500 and other ultra-compacts.

However, something that came to mind was how convenient the AA battery format of an A-series camera would be. I'm therefore back to looking at the Powershot A-series - the A95 in particular.

Unfortunately, it looks like Canon is about to refresh these cameras with the A510, A520 and possibly the A530 (not seen anything about this, but I'm guessing here)?

So.. what would people recommend? Go for a single solution such as the Canon S70? Go for two cameras - an A-series now and a dSLR later when the money is available?

Also, recommendations other than Canon are welcome, I'm just looking at Canon because that's what I know and have liked in the past.


The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is a great camera - 5 MP with 12 X optical zoom. Enough manual options and if you set it to Program mode, you can use it like a point and shoot. Size is a little bigger than an ultracompact though.

[tyagi]

After a great deal of reading and pondering, I've decided to go for the A95 and have made the purchase. Got a good price too.

Deciding factors for me were:
AA batteries - using it for outdoor activities where I'm away from a power source for a few days
Compact Flash - nice, cheap, readily available in large capacities
Manual controls - can get creative if I want to, but have point-and-shoot there for normal use
Compact design - not the smallest camera in the world, but a reasonable size to take in a pack or on your belt in a case
Reasonably rugged - compared with others, the controls and casing are quite rugged
Consistently good reviews