Digital P&S for $200

aad said:
$250 gets a new Canon A640-seems outstanding.
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I would agree here ... my A620 which is the model previous, is a fantastic little camera. Someone may have stock of these still at under $200.00 if you look around. :)
 
An exceptional little camera is the Panasonic FZ1. It's an SLR lookalike but it uses a fairly decent EVF (electronic viewfinder). It's main raison d'etre is the superb Leica-branded lens. It's f2.8 across the board, all the way out to its 420mm equivalent reach. Likely there are no new ones left as it was dropped from their lineup several years back. But the FZ3 is a successor to it, as is the FZ5. However, the last time I noticed, KEH had a used FZ1 at a very good price. You surely can't go wrong with an FZ1 if you can find a good one.

dc3
 
Several In Stock

Several In Stock

Just checked and I see KEH is listing several FZ1's in stock, all at less than $100! Granted, it's only a 2 megapixel sensor but I've regularly made 8x10 prints from images from my FZ1 and 5x7's are routine.

dc3
 
I would agree with Brian about this; I was in my local Kmart today and they had several "open box"/demo digi-P&S cameras in the $150-170 range. A couple of Fujis and a Polaroid and one or two others. Seemed like they were all 5-6 mp sensor sizes. Might be worth checking out your local dept. stores?
Rob
edit:I haven't bought a digital camera from NewEgg but I have done some repeat business with them. Excellent experience! Their standard shipping is pretty quick, too.
 
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Thanks for all the great tips! I will check them out. Since I already have a Fuji with 2.5MP, I want something with more MP.

Raid
 
Hi Raid, I'd highly recommend the Fuji F30. I just rolled over 5K images on mine, and 80% of them are at 800-3200 ISO, something that Fuji does really well. Get the "H" xD cards as they are faster than "M" cards. Not sure about the f20, f31fd, and f40, but I think one or more of those only goes to 1600, 3200 in b&w mode in-camera is pretty stunning.

There is a high-iso article on dpreview, and some commentary on Mike J.'s TOP blog as well.

Let us know what you end up with and how you like it.
 
Another vote for the Canon A series - A620 or 640. Manual control, usable optical viewfinder and 1500 shots from one set of AA batteries if you use the optical VF.
 
Take a look at "The online photographer" they've been debating point and shoots lately. Seems like noise wise only the Fuji models pass the reality check. I have used the Panasonic LX-1 at times, and up to 8x10 in good light it gives you fantastic pics.
 
I am eyeying a Panasonic with the Leica lens. Your combined input is very sueful. Thanks.

Raid
 
I agree

I agree

These are hidden gems as well. I have the fZ3 and have some outstanding sports and wildlife photos from the long zoom and IS. the 2.8 all the way to ~35 equiv 420 is impressive, and I don't think matched by many P&S's made today, but the lens is quite large for a P&S these days. The ISO only goes to 400 and is quite noisy relatively. I try to use it at 100 or 200 max.

DeeCee3 said:
An exceptional little camera is the Panasonic FZ1. It's an SLR lookalike but it uses a fairly decent EVF (electronic viewfinder). It's main raison d'etre is the superb Leica-branded lens. It's f2.8 across the board, all the way out to its 420mm equivalent reach. Likely there are no new ones left as it was dropped from their lineup several years back. But the FZ3 is a successor to it, as is the FZ5. However, the last time I noticed, KEH had a used FZ1 at a very good price. You surely can't go wrong with an FZ1 if you can find a good one.

dc3
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Raid

It really depends on what you want from the camera, there are always compromises, big zoom compacts usually have a lot of distortion and purple fringing, so go for one only if you really need the extra reach.

If you like high ISO then the Fuji F30- f31 is the only game in town, and with that you'll get probably the best image quality in a compact, but not very wide lens, and no long zoom either.

For Landscape you may look at the Panny range, usually with a very sharp Leica lens that starts at 28mm, but really not good above ISO 200.

So you first need to ask yourself what do you intend to do with the camera before choosing a specific brand/model
 
These are all good point to think about; before coming to RFF I only used ASA 50-ASA100 slide film for many years. I am used to low ASA film.
 
I bought a demo/refurbished Panasonic FZ5 for about $170 shipped with a one month warranty. Thanks for all the input. It helped a lot in seeing your tips.

Raid
 
I have a panasonic fx01 and it has been working well for me. Nice to have a 28mm lens and it seems to be built pretty well. I have been tossing it around and just carrying it in my pocket and backpack and its still going strong. Not much manual control but it's a fine camera. Wish the sensor was bigger :-(.
 
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