The 3 brands I'm looking into are Nikon, Sony & Canon. To help you all help me a little better, I'm looking for P&S, I'm the casual photographer. I'm the type to take my camera with me on regular days and special oocasions. Compact, ultracompact would be even better, something to fit into my purse. Er....oh my price range is 200-350. I also currently own an Olympus Stylus 750 which I need to get rid of. All advice is welcome!

buy a canon...and they make some excellent campact cameras... so many to choose from, do you want to buy from an online vendor or a B&M?

buy a canon...and they make some excellent campact cameras... so many to choose from, do you want to buy from an online vendor or a B&M?

You keep a canon in your purse at all times don't you matt? :D

You keep a canon in your purse at all times don't you matt? :D

wife does...

buy a canon...and they make some excellent campact cameras... so many to choose from, do you want to buy from an online vendor or a B&M?

Either would be fine actually. Do you know a specific model from Canon that you can recommend?

Take a look at the very compact Canon PowerShot SD Digital Elph line. The new SD880 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=17626) or the older SD850 IS are good examples.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/07022202canonsd750sd1000.asp

SD1000

Take a look at the very compact Canon PowerShot SD Digital Elph line. The new SD880 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=17626) or the older SD850 IS are good examples.

The SD880 IS looks like a good contender....I'll add it to my list...any other suggestions from anyone?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/07022202canonsd750sd1000.asp

SD1000

This one is also a contender for having a viewfinder, thanks!

The discontinued PowerShot SD1000 lacks optical image stabilization, so I'd rule it out on that basis.

The SD880 IS has a wider angle lens than most of the other compact models (the field of view is equivalent to 28 to 112mm on a 35mm film camera).

You can see the whole lineup of Digital Elph cameras here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113

If a viewfinder is a feature that you want, consider the SD890 IS.

The discontinued PowerShot SD1000 lacks optical image stabilization, so I'd rule it out on that basis.

The SD880 IS has a wider angle lens than most of the other compact models (the field of view is equivalent to 28 to 112mm on a 35mm film camera).

You can see the whole lineup of Digital Elph cameras here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113

If a viewfinder is a feature that you want, consider the SD890 IS.

with a 3x optical zoom I.S. is not necessary...and you never want to use your digital zoom...

Image stabilization is not necessary, but it can help tremendously in those marginal situations where you don't want to set up a tripod. It's also a feature that Canon offers on almost their entire lineup. I agree that you never want to use digital zoom.

I don't know much about cameras so why wouldn't I want to use the digital zoom?

So-called "digital zoom" just takes the center pixels and multiplies them by 2 or 3 in each direction to fill the frame. You end up with a very blocky photo that has no more resolution than you had at the limit of your optical zoom. You could accomplish the same thing by cropping the center out of an image shot at your maximum optical zoom, then blowing it up in software. It's pointless to have this feature in the camera.

Oh ok so do all digital cameras have this feature and is there a way to turn it off?

Oh ok so do all digital cameras have this feature and is there a way to turn it off?

yeah on all cameras you can turn it off. i believe that canon automatically has that feature off. Digital Zoom is all marketing hype to get beginners to get excited about numbers...just leave it off...

Matt is the expert on cameras and picture whoring for sure :whee:

I saw the SD1000 once on clearance for about $100. No more than $130. I wish now I had bought it. The newer SD1100 isn't rated as good. Of course you have to decide based on ALL of the pros and cons; between models. I'm a huge fan of IS but the SD1000 does OK without it. It may be the best pock-able camera so far. Till something else bests it, that is.

Ok so far I'm getting the impression that Canon is the way to go, right? I think I'll do a side by side comparison of the SD1000 and the SD 880 IS

Ok so far I'm getting the impression that Canon is the way to go, right? I think I'll do a side by side comparison of the SD1000 and the SD 880 IS

play with each and go with the one you like better..they are both excellent cameras...and go with canon :P

Those two aren't exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. The SD1000 is a discontinued entry-level camera, while the SD880 IS is a brand-new model with a different feature set.

play with each and go with the one you like better..they are both excellent cameras...and go with canon :P

OT, I just noticed your avi and location, lol funny stuff

OT, I just noticed your avi and location, lol funny stuff

thats my impersonation of :cold: fun times in the lounge..you should check it out :whee:

I also have a canon one with 13 megapixels quality. this company digi cameras give very good picture quality.

It also has this zoom facility in auto and manual mode and so it can turned off whenever not required and jazzetee09 why would you like to turn it off??

tracy16
Keyword research (http://www.keywordspy.com)

I also have a canon one with 13 megapixels quality. this company digi cameras give very good picture quality.

It also has this zoom facility in auto and manual mode and so it can turned off whenever not required and jazzetee09 why would you like to turn it off??

tracy16
Keyword research (http://www.keywordspy.com)

I was just going by what the other's were saying, how it's unnecessary. If I don't find it to be useful, I would like the ability to turn it off.

I was just going by what the other's were saying, how it's unnecessary. If I don't find it to be useful, I would like the ability to turn it off.

always have digital zoom turned off....how crappy would it be realizing your trip to "hawaii" and all your pics are downgraded in quality because you accidently went past the optical zoom line.
Really you don't need 13 mega pixels unless you either print large photos often, or you do digital editing with cropping and tools that are used in photoshop.
If you are going to take 4x6s and not editing, you won't even see a difference in quality between 8mp to 13mp.
Its better to take your memory card to a photo store and have them print out the pictures rather than a targer/walmart/costco. They have better equipment and prints out in great quality. Usually you end up paying 5-10 cents more a print, but its well worth the money.

always have digital zoom turned off....how crappy would it be realizing your trip to "hawaii" and all your pics are downgraded in quality because you accidently went past the optical zoom line.
Really you don't need 13 mega pixels unless you either print large photos often, or you do digital editing with cropping and tools that are used in photoshop.
If you are going to take 4x6s and not editing, you won't even see a difference in quality between 8mp to 13mp.
Its better to take your memory card to a photo store and have them print out the pictures rather than a targer/walmart/costco. They have better equipment and prints out in great quality. Usually you end up paying 5-10 cents more a print, but its well worth the money.

All this advice is truly helping, you all are great. I really appreciate it;)

just gotta keep posting... help others, and it will eventually came back to help you...:nod: people i have helped in the past are now trying to help me...:yahoo:

The Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH is Consumer Reports' 2008 top subcompact point-and-shoot. $158.60 at Amazon, free shipping.

not to thread crap...consumer reports is usually a poor source of electronic recommendations... though i would say that any canon is a solid choice...

im down to five cameras to pick: help me pick one please gus

Cannon A590 IS
Casio EXILIM EX-Z9
Fugifilm Finepix z20fd
Nikon Coolpix s550
Samsung i85

thanks

I have the CoolPix and really do not recommend it. Indoor pictures without the flash are impossible... actually, the only time the quality is really good is outside in bright light, with stationary subjects. I won't get another Nikon.

I have the CoolPix and really do not recommend it. Indoor pictures without the flash are impossible... actually, the only time the quality is really good is outside in bright light, with stationary subjects. I won't get another Nikon.

That's the first time I've heard someone badmouth a Nikon lol but thanks for your input. Things like this are good to know. Just wondering, which model from the Nikon Coolpix line did you have?

nikons aren't bad at all.... i would rate them over sony in a heart beat. panasonic is coming up in the market with some nicer cameras. Still doesn't compare to canon.

That's the first time I've heard someone badmouth a Nikon lol but thanks for your input. Things like this are good to know. Just wondering, which model from the Nikon Coolpix line did you have?

The Nikon Coolpix 5600 (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-5600-Digital-Optical/dp/B0007KQWDW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1226721567&sr=8-1)

Customer Reviews
66 Reviews
5 star: 36% (24)
4 star: 18% (12)
3 star: 7% (5)
2 star: 21% (14)
1 star: 16% (11)

if you ever want more in depth camera info check out http://www.dpreview.com/

get a canon a series
if you want to use chdk, it is useful. - raw really extends the capabilities

I have a Cannon A2000 IS and love it. And the lower down model A1000IS was recently pretty highly rated in Consumer Reports and PC Magazine.

I've had good luck with the Canon SD1000. Try going to consumersearch.com , wize.com or epinions.com for your research.

thanks for this post, im also looking for a camera, and was thinking of getting a nikon or sony

Ok I was doing some snooping on CNET.com and I've narrowed down my choices to these cameras.

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd1100-is/4505-6501_7-32826175.html?tag=mncol;lst)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-33196845.html)

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd870-is/4505-6501_7-32471275.html?tag=rnav)

Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd880-is/4505-6501_7-33310695.html)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-32329621.html?tag=mncol;txt)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W130 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-32775788.html)

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/fujifilm-finepix-f60fd/4505-6501_7-33246526.html)

Any input is appreciated :)

I bought a Canon 720IS last year, love it--was a good Amazon deal. Did much research prior to buying, this is what I came up with. Love the IS feature and I was surprised by how nice the videos turn out (never thought I'd even use that setting--now I use it a lot). I bought both this and a comparable Sony CyberShot intending to return one. The Sony went back (but I really wanted to keep that one, it was smaller, pink and way cuter) because all the pics looked "yellowy" compared to the Canon's truer looking colors. BTW this was how i learned the hard way about Bestbuys Restocking fee on electronic returns. SONY memory sticks are very annoying--unless you are used to buying them for other Sony products.

Lots of features and settings I haven't played with yet, but I did turn off the red-eye reduction on the camera, PC photo editing software did a much better job. I ditched face detection too for most uses. FWIW A friend just bought a comparable model Nikon. Appears to be the identical to my Canon. They're probably all the same in comp models accross the major brands. Good luck. I remember agonizing over this decision as well.

Thanks for your input Jennydotz, it really helped. I, too, agree that the Cybershot is so cute and my favorite color is pink lol

http://hottestwalls.com/img5.jpgwell, i'm still deciding on whether to go for SLR or not. But all these cameras still look good. I'm not able to hide my fascination for SLRs.

Ok I was doing some snooping on CNET.com and I've narrowed down my choices to these cameras.

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd1100-is/4505-6501_7-32826175.html?tag=mncol;lst)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-33196845.html)

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd870-is/4505-6501_7-32471275.html?tag=rnav)

Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd880-is/4505-6501_7-33310695.html)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-32329621.html?tag=mncol;txt)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W130 (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-6501_7-32775788.html)

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/fujifilm-finepix-f60fd/4505-6501_7-33246526.html)

Any input is appreciated :)

Ahem....anyone?

go buy a canon sd ... there cheap and really affective. worth the price. i got me a canon sd 750. love the huge screen and clear shots.

Dpreview.com just did reviews of several classes of digital cameras including the one you are interested in. You might look up their analysis. If you don't want to fiddle around but want good pictures I like the Canon SD1100IS which you can get for around $150-160 at times through Amazon and other online sources. Otherwise the SD 800-900 series Canons are good. But there are also good Panasonic models in your price ranges.

Been a few months and I am sure new cameras are out. I am in the market for a point and shoot and my budget is around $400. What's the best I can snag? Thanks!

thanks for sharing