Digital Cameras... Any input?

[Rushski]

Looking for a new digital camera. As is obvious on this site, there are a lot of people using them and would be a great help in my decision. Still using my trusty old Canon S100 Elph and have never had a single problem with it, but would like to upgrade.
5 megapixel+, 3x Optical zoom (or more), decent sized LCD, portable, and obviously a quality image taken. Possibly panorama or panning mode (in camera) for landscape shots.
Skiing would be one of it's primary functions, so small is definitely a plus. Though small size is no sacrifice for poor picture quality.
But, would also use everywhere else for all other reasons. Trip to Flagstaff, AZ in the fall would be a good test for it before ski season. Would probably try it while doing a little hiking this summer, but surgery on my Achilles Tendon will unfortunately prevent that.
Any opinions and guidance, good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

 

[riverc0il]

i wouldn't worry about panoramic modes. you'll really want seperate software for doing this. there's a web site (panoguide.com or something like that) that gives really good reviews of various software. it's worth the extra $30-50 bucks to invest in a good panoramic program instead of relying on some clunky add on feature designed to make you buy a particular camera.

if you'll be using the camera for skiing photography, size of LCD really should be irrelevent. use the view finder for photos unless you looking to have a video mode. well, this is my preference. i don't see the benefit of LCD use for photo taking, the view finder is much more accurate and allows for less shaking in my experience.

size and durability are two big factors, imo. optical zoom would be the deal sealer for me, i'm am currently limited to 2x and it kills me. ditital zoom is of course a wasted feature on any camera -- a disable feature for digital zoom would be helpful as i have accidently zoomed into digital by accident and paid the price loosing some good shots to pixelation.

i'm a cheap skate so 4 megapixel would work fine for me, heh. but 5+ if you got the money is cool! i don't have any specific recommendations. joshuab is pretty up on digital photos, hopefully he can chim in on here.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I think this has been discussed on this forum a while back. You might want to do a search. Otherwise a great site for reviews is www.dpreview.com

 

[dmc]

Skiing would be one of it's primary functions, so small is definitely a plus. Though small size is no sacrifice for poor picture quality.

If you go too small it gets difficult to use when doing things like skiing and hiking.. It's good to have something substantial to hold on to...

 

[Greg]

I think this has been discussed on this forum a while back. You might want to do a search.

The problem is that with technology, even the threads a year ago will have somewhat obsolete information. I'm glad this topic came up. I just bought my wife a Canon digital SLR for the family, vacation pics, but I'll soon be looking to upgrade my Sony Cyber-shot (3.2 MP) with a new point and shoot for skiing and hiking trips. My citeria

• Good optical zoom, 3X+
• Lightweight, durable, water-resistency might be nice
• Good battery life. I really like that my Cyber-shot takes two rechargeable AA batteries, but as long as the battery life is good, I'm not married to AA's
• Obviously, good image quality
• 5+ MP
• Decent video mode

Anything in the Canon line that meets these requirements? The image quality of the Canon cameras I've seen is hard to beat...

 

[Rushski]

Thanks Greg, that was my point of my post. As in any electronics nowadays, they change models faster than most can keep up with - making older posts not as useful. My idea was to get impressions on who has used what and which brands/models may do better specifically under skiing conditions.

We are also on the same page as to what we are looking for. And, some people don't care for the sub-compact digitals, but I am used to that size and any larger makes it more of a hassle carrying it around - especially skiing.

As for Canon, I do love my S100 Digital Elph which was there first foray into sub-compacts. Believe it was first sub-compact from ANY brand. It is tough as nails, never freezes up, takes a clean pic and can be thrown in any pocket. But, it is time to get beyond 2MP, 2x Optical and add movie mode. As for what they have now, I have looked at the SD400 (5MP) and SD500 (7MP). Both have gotten really good reviews, but are a little pricey vs. competitors and I want to see what everybody has...

 

[snowsprite]

I want to give a shout out for the Casio Exilim. I have the 3 megapixel one and it's been nothing but wonderful. It's extremely tiny and low profile. Also, I do nothing but abuse this camera mercilessly. I hang it from a carbeener attached to my backpack and it swings around, smacks into things, gets snowy and wet, and I have fallen on it too. Not surprisingly, it rebelled a little after being drenched in a monsoon last summer in Puerto Rico, and it refused to work anymore. I sent it off to Casio. 3 weeks later...fixed camera back in action and ready for another ski season! 8)

Customer service from Casio for me has been very quick and good. After having the camera serviced I've been a little more gentle. Now I tuck the camera into my coat so it doesn't swing around and get wet as much.

The quality of the photos is great too...I have no complaints. You can view photos taken w/ the Exilim here:

http://community.webshots.com/user/snowspritect

The menu options are easy to learn and use, but people with larger hands could get frustrated w/ the little buttons (my husband has complained about this).

The main complaint I have about this camera is a delay in turning on and as with most digital cameras there is a delay as the photo is being taken...so sometimes you miss your shot. Overall though, I'm able to get a lot of the shots I want.

It also has a 30 second MPEG movie feature...longer MPEGS than most cameras take by the way.

Hope this is helpful to you!

Sprite

 

[hammer]

The main complaint I have about this camera is a delay in turning on and as with most digital cameras there is a delay as the photo is being taken...so sometimes you miss your shot.

This actually brings up a question...are there any brands of digital cameras out there that are quicker in processing an image?

Right now I have a Nikon Coolpix 2 megapixel which seems a bit slow...

 

[Greg]

The main complaint I have about this camera is a delay in turning on and as with most digital cameras there is a delay as the photo is being taken...so sometimes you miss your shot.

This actually brings up a question...are there any brands of digital cameras out there that are quicker in processing an image?

This problem only occurs on my Cyber-shot when I have the flash on as it takes some time to charge it and won't take a shot until it does. With the flash off, I can click off a shot every 2 seconds or so.

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm saving my pennies for the Cannon Digital Rebel to compliment my EOS 300 (Film) Rebel and lenses. That will be ONE SICK set up for other shots... :drool:

 

[Rushski]

Figured this would be a good post.

I'm confused, snowspritect said she loves her Canon Exilim??? Thought Casio made the Exilim, not Canon. Canon may make the lens though.

Not trying to be a picky pain in the --- or anything, but have looked at the Casio and they seem intriguing...

 

[snowsprite]

Rushski... you are correct. I meant Casio exilim. I'll edit that post. I think I had Cannon on my mind b/c I was reading about the other cameras.
Tanks for pointing that out!
:wink:
Sprite

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Check this link for all the choices and user reviews.
Personally I would go with the Nikon Coolpix.

http://www.epinions.com/Digital_Cameras--reviews--5_0___5_9_megapixels/sec_~product_list/pp_~1#list

 

[Rushski]

Still looking, but narrowed it down (with much research) to:

Canon SD400 or SD500
Pentax Optio S5z (Frontrunner, need to see reviews)
Nikon Coolpix S1
Casio Exilim S500

All nice and small, 5mp, 3x optical, and quality lenses...

 

[dmc]

Still looking, but narrowed it down (with much research) to:

Canon SD400 or SD500
Pentax Optio S5z (Frontrunner, need to see reviews)
Nikon Coolpix S1
Casio Exilim S500

All nice and small, 5mp, 3x optical, and quality lenses...

Dont take too long... Before you know it - they'll be out of date...

 

[ctenidae]

Sounds like you know what you want already. Best advice I can give is go look. Make a round of Best Buy, Wlamart, Target, wherever. Handle some, find 2-3 you like, then web shop for price. There's not a huge difference in functionality within a class (ie: all 5 mp 2x opticals with video will be, basically, the same), so it comes down to what works in your hand.
One other thing to consider- optical zoom is expensive, but with a 5 mp camera, probably not at all necessary, if you have any confidence or ability in your photo editing skills. Take the huge picture, then crop it down to what you want and blow that up- even at 3.5 mp, you probably won't notice the lower quality.
There's not a huge difference in shutter lag, or battery life, or flash-recharge, or anything else that I've noticed, within a price range.
My choice (two years ago) wen tsomething like this: Price, then optical zoom (3 mp was the top of the price range), then size/handling- had to be big enough for cold fingers, small enough for a pocket. Pretty happy with the choice, though I couldn't for the life of me tell you what brand/model it is.

 

[loafer89]

I have the Kodax Easy Share DX7630 with 6.1MP. I wanted to support an American company, so I bought a Kodax, even though the camera is designed in Japan and made in China :blink:

I like the camera and the software is easy to use/understand. My father has the Sony cybershot camera and the software gives me a headache.

On a side note, I bought a Sony DVD camera at the same time that I bought the Kodax. The camera works well, but the color quality of the pictures is okay. At least it is easy to view/share video.

 

[ctenidae]

You could also try out the disposable digitals- CVS is carrying the ones made by Pure Digital, who also just came out with a video camera, on sale today.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1118158996.html

(If anyone gets one of these, either video or still, I'm sure we'd all like to know how it works. I have a very oblique interest in Pure Digital making a go of it, as well, so I'm particularly interested)

 

[loafer89]

The processing fee is a bit expensive, and could pay for a camera over time. I also heard about disposable
cell phones that you will be able to buy from a vending machine.

 

[ctenidae]

The guys making the disposable cameras are also working on a program you can put on your cell phone that will transfer your pics to the in-store processor so you can have prints or DVDs made.

Pretty snappy, really.