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Digital Camera advice

post #1 of 13
12/29/07 at 9:19pm
Thread Starter 
I need a point-and-shoot digital camera. This is not a primary camera or a replacement -- I have two DSLRs already and just want a p&s to take when I don't feel like lugging the heavier, accessory-laden DSLR(s). I have no idea what cameras are good these days in the p&s/consumer range. I took a look at a Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens and it took pretty good pictures, but it has no optical viewfinder and terrible zoom. I think the features I am looking for most are these, in descending order of importance:

- Image quality . This does *not* mean resolution. I think anything more than 5 is overkill. I realize in today's MP obsessed market, I'm probably looking at 7-10, but I'll gladly sacrifice MP for overall quality. So something with a really good image sensor and optics (why I was looking at the Panasonics, for the Leica lenses, and Sony, for the Zeiss lenses). DPReview has good reviews of their cameras, but since I can't sort by image quality, they're basically useless to me. If it was DPReview rating it, I think minimum 8.5/10 on image quality, preferably 9, 9.5, or 10 out of 10. I like a high contrast, vivid colors/great color rendition, and minimal or no fringing.

- Image stabilization. Has to be optical, not digital. Also has to work at zoom.

- 5X or more optical zoom. I could care less if the camera has digital zoom. Actually, I'd prefer it doesn't.

- Aperture and shutter speed priority
- White balance control
- Compact size. Small enough to put in a pocket. Not one of those tiny cameras though. SLR-like shape is ok, but prefer semi-retractable lens.
- Rechargeable battery, preferably proprietary/lithium ion.
- Good battery life.
- Memory compatibility
- Navigable menus
- Well built and designed
- Optical viewfinder (but I will sacrifice this if the other qualities are present and the LCD is viewable in bright daylight).

I think that's it for now. My local pro camera shop closed, so I can't get advice and I'm at wit's end. I've been to Best Buy, Circuit City and a couple of other electronics stores, but the salespeople there are even less knowledgeable than I am. As mentioned DPReview is helpful, but only if I already have some makes/model names to look into. Because their reviews are not sortable by image quality and other factors, wading through them is a waste of time unless I get lucky.

Suggestions?
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post #2 of 13
12/29/07 at 9:27pm
I like my Sony DSC-H7. It also comes as an H9 with more features, such as a larger LCD, but it's essentially the same base. It has 15x optical zoom.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/07022705sonyh9h7.asp

So far I have been very happy with the image quality (so far I've been taking photos primarily in low light, with and without the flash). The downsides of the camera is the Sony proprietary memory stick, JPEG-only compression, and it's not a compact point-and-shoot. But it is smaller, and definitely much lighter, than your DSLR's.
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post #3 of 13
12/29/07 at 11:08pm
I like anything Cannon or Nikon.
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post #4 of 13
12/30/07 at 12:27am
If there was a P&S like that, I would own it. I went through 5 or 6 P&Ss before I finally settled on a Cannon Powershot S50 (this was a LONG time ago). It has served me well and has excellent image quality outside and in good light--and it fits in a pocket.

One thing that's really important is a quick autofocus. I simply hate all the missed shots that come w/ a P&S. Now, I am mostly hunting for moments to capture that involve my kids, so I use my DSLR 90% of the time and 100% of the time indoors. P&Ss are almost useless when you need to use the flash or indoors.

I'm sure you know all this stuff. I'll be paying attention to this thread, but IMO, what you're looking for doesn't exist. Then again, I've been out of the camera scene (other than glass) for a couple years now, so maybe there've been some changes.

Good luck.
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post #5 of 13
12/30/07 at 5:00am
Try the Canon SD870 maybe?
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post #6 of 13
12/30/07 at 5:12am
i am a nikon fan so toss me in with one of their products... good quality and durable as hell. my coolpix point and shoot (their smallest model) has been exposed to most every abuse known to cameras and then some. carrying it in my pockets and all over has been a massive torture test and it still works wonderfully and it has earned my brand loyalty.
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post #7 of 13
12/30/07 at 7:24pm
nikon is built more towards professional photography hence their high prices and amazing quality.
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post #8 of 13
1/1/08 at 1:45pm
Gonna have a hard timne finding all that in a pocketable design (depending onthe size of your pockets). There are plenty of cameras out there that meet most of those criteria, but none that I know of that will meet them all and fit into a pocket.

Since you want manual controls and a retractable lens, from Canon you're talking about the A or G series and from Nikon the P series. I'm not too familiar with Canon's current offerings (other than the G9), but will suggest you take a look at Nikons Coolpix P5100. I have a P5000 and it's a really nice camera. The full set of manual controls and expandible via the hotshoe for additional strobes or lens adapter ring for wide angle or telephoto lenses. Image quality is very nice. It's no dSLR, but no little digicam is. There have been lots of complaits about slow focussing speeds on this camera, but I haven't had any problems. The magnesium case makes the camera rock solid!

It would meet all of your criteria, except that it only has 3.5x (35-123mm in 35mm eq) zoom and battery life isn't stellar. But there are add on 2x and 3x adpater lenses available for it to bring the zoom up to 70-246 and 105-369. The battery life is rated to 260 shots (IIRC), while there are others that do get more, it hasn't been an issue for me.

Canon's G9 would also meet most of your criteria, except that it's pretty bulky (but it has the 6x zoom and add on lenses cam make it even more). The powershot A720 would also meet most of them, I don't recall if it has the optical viewfinder, it does use AA batteries and, IMO, feels plasticy.

I just remembered there's also the Powershot SX100. I haven't seen much on it. I don't remember where but I remember reading that the IQ was pretty noisy at low ISO's. It should be worth a look.
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post #9 of 13
1/8/08 at 11:02pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice all. I looked at a lot of the cameras recommended and most look very good except for the image quality ratings. Most are around 7.5... I'm looking for 8.5 plus.

Has anyone heard anything about the 6MP Fujifilm FinePix F31fd?
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post #10 of 13
1/8/08 at 11:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilCacciatore View Post
Has anyone heard anything about the 6MP Fujifilm FinePix F31fd?
Excellent camera, but it's been discontinued.
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post #11 of 13
1/9/08 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyako View Post
Excellent camera, but it's been discontinued.
Yeah, I know. I'm thinking of picking one up on Ebay if I can get it for less than $400. DPReview was obsessed with it in their review. Gave it a 9.0 in IQ rating. It's only 3x optical zoom, but I've read it has optical image stabilization and is built really well.
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post #12 of 13
1/9/08 at 1:39am
My photography buddy told me to get it when it was still in production. There were websites selling it for under $200, so I'm cringing at the prices now...
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post #13 of 13
1/15/08 at 7:16pm
From what I've heard about the F31 the IQ is pretty average at lower iso's (below 400). The reason for DPReview's obsession with it is its fantastic IQ at higher ISO's (400 and above) in comparison to other digicams.

keep in mind that it also lacks most manual controls. I don't remember if it has A & S modes or not.

When reading the DPR's reviews, read the whole review. Their IQ rating system pretty much uses the out of camera images at default settings. There's a lot of other info in the reviews that doesn't seem to get factored into the little number they assign to a camera.
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