back alley
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there are so many models from every camera maker out there!!
how on earth does anyone ever figure it all out?
how on earth does anyone ever figure it all out?
back alley
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more than i want to spend though...
Exactly!!!! Just pick out a manufacture, Canon, Fuji, Panasonic... whoever. Find one with the features you want and pull the trigger. If you want to be concerned about something, find one with a larger sensor and not as many pixels. 10mp will do, if you even need that many. So, if Canon has two similarly spec'd cameras with similar size sensors, and one is 10mp and the other 18mp, get the one with 10. On that size sensor more isn't merrier.
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
Easy - pick the manufacturer and body type you like then find whichever current model has an optical viewfinder (cr*p though they are, and getting harder to find) and the lowest pixel count. Find the earlier model which that one superceded. Then ring around and find a store that has new old stock of the earlier model and will offer you a deal to get it out of their inventory.
...Mike
Steve M.
Veteran
I use an older camera, a Fuji E550.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E550/E55A.HTM
I bought it because it has an optical finder, essentially no shutter lag, and excellent IQ. Some of them have a known zoom error, but I would think any that are around now are beyond that. It's caused by getting grime on the lens barrel, or by accidentally having your finger over the lens when it pops out. Mine has been reliable for 6 or 7 years now, and I love the fact that it takes AA batteries. There's a little switch on the back, and if you slide it down the lens doesn't come out when you turn it on. Once it's on, slide the switch up, and out it pops. Takes care of the finger issue
They run about $60 these days.
Way back when I had a Nikon D50. One day I went out w/ both and did a little lens test. Except for the fact that the Nikon had a much faster lens and better bokeh, I had trouble picking out the Fuji shots from the Nikon when both were stopped down.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E550/E55A.HTM
I bought it because it has an optical finder, essentially no shutter lag, and excellent IQ. Some of them have a known zoom error, but I would think any that are around now are beyond that. It's caused by getting grime on the lens barrel, or by accidentally having your finger over the lens when it pops out. Mine has been reliable for 6 or 7 years now, and I love the fact that it takes AA batteries. There's a little switch on the back, and if you slide it down the lens doesn't come out when you turn it on. Once it's on, slide the switch up, and out it pops. Takes care of the finger issue
They run about $60 these days.Way back when I had a Nikon D50. One day I went out w/ both and did a little lens test. Except for the fact that the Nikon had a much faster lens and better bokeh, I had trouble picking out the Fuji shots from the Nikon when both were stopped down.
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cliffpov
Established
Back Alley, I don't know if you have ever considered a Sigma DP. (1 or 2) You could get one used in your price criteria. But the Sigma DP's have what I would consider a significant feature, and that is they have a built in intervalometer. Maybe you don't have any use for this feature but I wish all the camera manufacturers would include them on camera's. With the DP you also get a significantly larger sensor than other pocket sized camera's.
Seems with the Sigma camera's you either love them or hate them. Not sure if you consider the Sigma DP pocketable once turned on and the lens is extended.
Seems with the Sigma camera's you either love them or hate them. Not sure if you consider the Sigma DP pocketable once turned on and the lens is extended.
back alley
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i was hoping to buy new, thought it would be safer that way as i know very little about p&s cameras.
as of right now my brain is on 'fried'...just too much reading and not seeing all that much difference in models.
thinking of sticking with a panasonic or perhaps canon, would be happy with 8 to 12 mp...hard to find optical viewfinders...
as of right now my brain is on 'fried'...just too much reading and not seeing all that much difference in models.
thinking of sticking with a panasonic or perhaps canon, would be happy with 8 to 12 mp...hard to find optical viewfinders...
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
Joe,
I just did some quick research on the Canon Digital Elph models. It looks like the last of these that had an optical viewfinder was the SD1200 IS (aka IXUS 95 IS in the rest of the world). That and the earlier similar models with optical finder (such as the one I have: the SD1100 IS aka IXUS 80 IS) appear to be discontinued or, at least, not available new through places like Adorama or B&H. The closest current-in-stock model appears to be the SD1300 IS which doesn't have an optical viewfinder but otherwise seems a pretty good little camera for not a huge number of dollars.
If you search the auction site for SD1100 and SD1200 you'll find at least some new old stock of these available in North America but they, at first glance, seem to be priced a little high.
Make of that what you will. Given how pokey (and how inaccurate) they are on these things, you might even live without an optical finder (which might make that SD1300 a good deal). I'd sure prefer not to - but that option appears to have gone the way of the Dodo in this class of camera.
...Mike
I just did some quick research on the Canon Digital Elph models. It looks like the last of these that had an optical viewfinder was the SD1200 IS (aka IXUS 95 IS in the rest of the world). That and the earlier similar models with optical finder (such as the one I have: the SD1100 IS aka IXUS 80 IS) appear to be discontinued or, at least, not available new through places like Adorama or B&H. The closest current-in-stock model appears to be the SD1300 IS which doesn't have an optical viewfinder but otherwise seems a pretty good little camera for not a huge number of dollars.
If you search the auction site for SD1100 and SD1200 you'll find at least some new old stock of these available in North America but they, at first glance, seem to be priced a little high.
Make of that what you will. Given how pokey (and how inaccurate) they are on these things, you might even live without an optical finder (which might make that SD1300 a good deal). I'd sure prefer not to - but that option appears to have gone the way of the Dodo in this class of camera.
...Mike
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dfatty
Well-known
I have a refurb s90 that I love. Shoots raw and has quite decent low light capability with its f2 lens and IS. Has a front ring and rear dial that you can use to easily change aperture/shutter speed. I got it for $239 on sale at the Canon USA store, and iirc it's regularly $279 at the store. Not sure whether they sell to Canada but it's worth a shot.
A few caveats:
1 - No optical viewfinder. I recently was surprised to find reviews of the SD1200IS that suggest it performs similarly to the s90 (not quite as sharp and no raw) and as mfunnell indicates is does have an optical vf. I might take a look at the SD if that's important. I'm not sure the SD has full manual mode, though.
2 - Imho it absolutely needs the accessory ring sold by lensmate that keeps you from accidentally turning the rear dial. The loose rear dial is a major complaint about the camera, but I find the cheap ring works great to resolve the problem.
3 - Perhaps the biggest caveat is that if you have difficulty holding your cell phone cam steady, you might have the same issue with the S90 (or similar P&S without an optical vf) because it's pretty small and light. The grip sold by Lensmate works great, but isn't cheap and still might not be enough for someone used to optical VF stability.
Now that I think about it, the rear ring and grip will push it over budget, assuming you could get Canon USA to ship to Canada. But at least now you can cross it off the list)
edit: oops, i believe it's the sd1400 i was thinking of that folks say has similar performance to the s90, not the sd1200, which is much older. you're right, there are way too many options, i can't find the reviews now that said that( anyway, the stuff i said about the s90 still applies...
edit 2: okay, turns out it was the sd4000is i was thinking of that is similar to the s90. it doesn't have an optical VF but new is much less than the s90.
A few caveats:
1 - No optical viewfinder. I recently was surprised to find reviews of the SD1200IS that suggest it performs similarly to the s90 (not quite as sharp and no raw) and as mfunnell indicates is does have an optical vf. I might take a look at the SD if that's important. I'm not sure the SD has full manual mode, though.
2 - Imho it absolutely needs the accessory ring sold by lensmate that keeps you from accidentally turning the rear dial. The loose rear dial is a major complaint about the camera, but I find the cheap ring works great to resolve the problem.
3 - Perhaps the biggest caveat is that if you have difficulty holding your cell phone cam steady, you might have the same issue with the S90 (or similar P&S without an optical vf) because it's pretty small and light. The grip sold by Lensmate works great, but isn't cheap and still might not be enough for someone used to optical VF stability.
Now that I think about it, the rear ring and grip will push it over budget, assuming you could get Canon USA to ship to Canada. But at least now you can cross it off the list
)edit: oops, i believe it's the sd1400 i was thinking of that folks say has similar performance to the s90, not the sd1200, which is much older. you're right, there are way too many options, i can't find the reviews now that said that
( anyway, the stuff i said about the s90 still applies...edit 2: okay, turns out it was the sd4000is i was thinking of that is similar to the s90. it doesn't have an optical VF but new is much less than the s90.
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lynnb
Veteran
Never had a problem with the Canon Elph - I went for a model (IXUS 860IS) that had a 28mm equivalent for my daughter, so she had enough coverage to shoot social groups indoors. Excellent JPEGs but no RAW.
For shooting gear you might want to check macro ability. Most digicams are good at that with inherent deep DOF. Maybe a superseded S90, which was highly reviewed and shoots RAW, might be in your budget. Also see if there's any superseded LX3s around. Great little f2 Leica-design-lens digicam with full manual control and both exposure and flash compensation - great for product shots, and fill flash natural light portraits. Best digicam I ever owned.
For shooting gear you might want to check macro ability. Most digicams are good at that with inherent deep DOF. Maybe a superseded S90, which was highly reviewed and shoots RAW, might be in your budget. Also see if there's any superseded LX3s around. Great little f2 Leica-design-lens digicam with full manual control and both exposure and flash compensation - great for product shots, and fill flash natural light portraits. Best digicam I ever owned.
Bill58
Native Texan
Try the Fuji F30. I got one about 2 yrs. ago and I luv it. You might be able to pick up a refurbed one.
back alley
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any info on the Panasonic Lumix DMCFX48K ...i can get one locally (new) for 249,
NickTrop
Veteran
Fuji Finepix F20 for digital. Best budget low-light shooter, same IQ as the Finepix 30, 31. XA line (plentiful), Minota AF-C (rare, overpriced), Pentax PC35 AF (rare), would be pocketabe film suggetions. Yashica T3 with scope is my favorite point-n-shoot but it's not pocketable.
kuzano
Veteran
Second the Fuji E550... Also consider the low light fuji
Second the Fuji E550... Also consider the low light fuji
I shoot a lot of car shows. Over the years, I have used a number of P&S, including the Fuji E550. In fact, mine had the lens zoom problem and Fuji fixed it out of warranty for free. For the last few years, I have used DSLR (Olympus 4/3 and Canon Rebel T2i) and still find that my Fuji E550 meets or exceeds most. In fact it was better than the Fuji E900, which I only kept for a short while.
However it's a bit more than shirt pocket.. not much, but...
Then there is the low light master (cult camera) in the Fuji F30/F31fd. Both of these cameras led the pack for low light and a 2.8 aperture around 2006/2007. In fact, cult here indicates that people are still paying fairly high prices ($100 to 200) for them because of the low light capability. It is well known.
If I needed a pocket point and shoot, I'd watch for an f30. The f31fd offered face detection and a couple of tweaks. The f30 would sell for less and do the same job essentially as the f31fd.
There are usually 3-6 of each of these on eBay on any given day.
Lars
Second the Fuji E550... Also consider the low light fuji
I use an older camera, a Fuji E550.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E550/E55A.HTM
I bought it because it has an optical finder, essentially no shutter lag, and excellent IQ. Some of them have a known zoom error, but I would think any that are around now are beyond that. It's caused by getting grime on the lens barrel, or by accidentally having your finger over the lens when it pops out. Mine has been reliable for 6 or 7 years now, and I love the fact that it takes AA batteries. There's a little switch on the back, and if you slide it down the lens doesn't come out when you turn it on. Once it's on, slide the switch up, and out it pops. Takes care of the finger issue
Way back when I had a Nikon D50. One day I went out w/ both and did a little lens test. Except for the fact that the Nikon had a much faster lens and better bokeh, I had trouble picking out the Fuji shots from the Nikon when both were stopped down.
I shoot a lot of car shows. Over the years, I have used a number of P&S, including the Fuji E550. In fact, mine had the lens zoom problem and Fuji fixed it out of warranty for free. For the last few years, I have used DSLR (Olympus 4/3 and Canon Rebel T2i) and still find that my Fuji E550 meets or exceeds most. In fact it was better than the Fuji E900, which I only kept for a short while.
However it's a bit more than shirt pocket.. not much, but...
Then there is the low light master (cult camera) in the Fuji F30/F31fd. Both of these cameras led the pack for low light and a 2.8 aperture around 2006/2007. In fact, cult here indicates that people are still paying fairly high prices ($100 to 200) for them because of the low light capability. It is well known.
If I needed a pocket point and shoot, I'd watch for an f30. The f31fd offered face detection and a couple of tweaks. The f30 would sell for less and do the same job essentially as the f31fd.
There are usually 3-6 of each of these on eBay on any given day.
Lars
back alley
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i would much prefer to find something new...doing ebay for a used p&s makes me nervous.
KEH
Well-known
Sony TX5
Very pocketable, weatherproof, very good 'auto everything' mode. I carry it with me everywhere. And it is on special on Amazon US at $265.
Kirk
Very pocketable, weatherproof, very good 'auto everything' mode. I carry it with me everywhere. And it is on special on Amazon US at $265.
Kirk
nightfly
Well-known
back alley
IMAGES
i like the looks of that sony...
schaki
Established
TX10 is their latest waterproof camera I think.
Samsung have their AQ100 / WP10. Which is rather inexpensive and at the same time certainly better than these waterproof cameras from Olympus and Fujifilm. Also Pentax have taken a dip down in image quality since the rather good W60.
The weak point with the Samsung AQ100/Wp10 is the zoom which begin only at 35mm and that the focus is slow. I would guess that the models from Sony is a little better.
Personally I use a Ricoh Caplio 500SE or 400G wide when I want to dip a camera down into the water. Yet I haven't felt any need to upgrade to a waterfproo Samsung, Sony or Panasonic.
The lenses are slower on the wide side, no snapfocus and not all of them have 1cm macro. The downside is that these two Ricohs is just a little bit deep but I can carry one in my jackpocket.
I tried the newer Ricoh G600 when I found a used ex on Ebay at an ok price but I didn't like it enough to keep it.
Still the lens begin at 28mm which I'm fine with. But now instead of f2.5 for the 500SE it is darned f3.5!
Most of its buttons clicks loudly, something that drove me nuts on occasions when silent operation might be needed. Also the dynamic range is not very good. The newer Ricoh G700 seems to be an improvement over the G600 regarding the sensor. But also the noise reduction seems to have been tweaked.
Sparrow
Veteran
... take a look at "Camera Genius" by Codegoo, it adds image stabilisation and even I can work it ...
http://www.codegoo.com/