Which POINT and SHOOT as of November 2007?

[MattinSTL]

As many of you know I have a D70s and a couple lenses and I'm happy with the results... but a lot of times just getting a picture is the most important thing. Better to have a picture of lower quality then no picture at all.

Because of the bulk of my DSLR I'm missing some important shots. Recently I was shooting a gig with the DVX and I wanted some stills, but there was never a time that I could put down my DVX and go grab the Nikon... I decided that will be the last time I have this problem. If I'd had one of those ultra-compact P&S cams in my pocket I'd have been set.

So what do you think is the best P&S option right now? I searched the archives and there's very little about P&S cams... plus these aren't like microphones. The P&S "buy" list changes every 6 months or so.

I suggested a Panasonic to a buddy of mine and I think it's a pretty solid choice, but I'm wanting to prioritize size and quality... although I'll sacrifice a little quality if the cam is significantly small. When quality really counts I'll use the DSLR.

As of today I'm considering the Olympus FE-300... it's 12mp and it's got scads of goofy features that should raise my odds of getting a decent P&S shot... and I can also get those filters that Mino posted ;-)

I'm not putting THAT much weight on those filters though... if I get a bunch of responses against the Olympus then I'll skip on it. The Olympus P&S cams are usually on a "buy" list... but Canon and Sony are generally at the top of that list and the Olympus cams are mid-pack at best. Of course with the Olympus you get a small cam and a small price.

If you have any opinion on this please respond... there really isn't much in the archives about P&S cams... but also... don't forget it HAS to be SMALL. I had a Canon G6... nope... SMALLER... easy in a shirt pocket!

[Jeremy Ordan]

What dollar range do you want to be BELOW?

[crs127]

Yes, what is your budget?
I have a Canon Powershot SD800IS, for a p/s this thing is awesome.
I carry it everywhere, takes awesome pics and great video as well.
I use it when I am scouting locations for jobs and its very handy.
All the Canon Powershots are great.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=canon+sd800&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

[MattinSTL]

Well... I hate to add this topic to this thread, but it's reported that OfficeMax will have a black friday deal on that Olympus... the FE-300... for like $199 + some freebies.

I'd really like to stay around $200... and I hate when people say this, but the cheaper the better unless the quality really justifies the price.

The post like you have there is the sort of input I'm looking for crs127... you already answered what I'd like to hear from you. I had a Fuji back in the day... my first digi-cam... and it was pretty impressive at the time. My Canon G6 wasn't bad, but to tell you the truth it never blew me away. I've seen some amazing stuff posted online from Olympus cams, but they are usually pics from the bigger cams.

The priority is size and quality, with price coming in third... but if I'm going to be pushing $300 for something like this then it's got to be significantly better then other cams in the $200 range... that sounds hazy, but basically I'd want to see some eye-popping shots from you if I'm going to spend that kind of money for a pocket camera.

As I was saying... if the shot REALLY matters I'll be using a DSLR... all this is about is making sure that I can get A shot even if I can't get THE BEST shot.

I'm looking for a cam that would be considered excellent bang for the buck... and in this case the bang is image quality in a small cam.

[Jeremy Ordan]

Alright, I'm going to jump in with an opinion with my own criteria.

Priorities:
Small Size
Cheap
10x (at least) optical zoom (so you don't miss a shot)
6MP+

That sort of lends itself to just a couple of models:
Fuji Fine Pix S700 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/492490-REG/Fujifilm_15747988_FinePix_S700_Digital_Camera.html
Panasonic Lumix FZ8 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/483661-REG/Panasonic_DMC_FZ8K_Lumix_DMC_FZ8_Digital_Camera.ht ml
Panasonic TMZ3 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/483658-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TZ3A_Lumix_DMC_TZ3_Digital_Camera.ht ml


I think in order to meet the size requirement that last Panasonic becomes ideal.

That being said, the Olympus has only a 3x zoom which is just too small (digital zoom doesn't count because you can just crop in Photoshop then).

Personally, I rank zoom as most important, so I would go with the Panasonic, plus I like the OIS they have.

Just to be clear, that isn't he point and shoot I bought my girlfriend... I wish I had though because the 6x zoom we have on that camera just isn't enough reach, especially when we go to sporting events.

[Rick Meyer]

Yes, what is your budget?
I have a Canon Powershot SD800IS, for a p/s this thing is awesome.
I carry it everywhere, takes awesome pics and great video as well.
I use it when I am scouting locations for jobs and its very handy.
All the Canon Powershots are great.

Matt-

crs is absolutely right. The Canon Powershot SD series are excellent cameras. They may lack a lot of the manual features that many other P&S cams have, but for their image quality, price point (many well under $200 bucks) and size, they are tough to beat. Its seems like everyone I know has one and they are loved by all. Myself, my gf, my 2 brothers, my sister in law, my good friend etc. etc. Mine is old only a couple of megapixels but it still takes great images. I posted these pics in another thread...but they are pretty crisp and I pointed and shot...let the cam do all the work...

http://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/rlm7189/49213/rzjgaqyqld.jpg

http://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/rlm7189/49213/knpmlumgku.jpghttp://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/rlm7189/49213/oiouifjwgl.jpg

[Leo Versola]

I too, have used a Canon SD800IS as my primary P&S until it was stolen recently during a vacation. It takes pretty darn good pictures and movies under most circumstances, but it seems to be prone to lens flaring when using the built-in flash. I've used a lot of the other Canon P&S cameras over the years and their performance/value is hard to beat.

I replaced my SD800IS with a Canon G9 which IMHO is the best P&S you can buy and retails for a little under $450. I know you said you weren't real thrilled with the G6, but the G9 is a different animal... 12MP, fully manual controls, and shoots RAW format too.

Cheers,


RLM7199, nice pictures...

[MattinSTL]

Yes nice pics... right now the sd850is at $245 shipped from profeel is looking like the best contender.

I've been told that 10x optical zoom is worth prioritizing... and I may just put that at the top of my list because even with my DSLR I often times wish I had more mm at the tele end... so I'll take lower mp if it gets me more zoom, but STILL... no matter what... it's got to be SMALL... Jeremy that Panny is the only one that I'd even consider... but that MAY get the nod. By the time I put storage in it I'm definitely pushing $300 though...

If you can't put it in your front pocket then it's too big. I'm not necessarily looking for the BEST camera... or even the best camera VALUE. I want the smallest camera that takes the best pictures... so the G series is out. Yes the G cams are decent, but I've got my dslr when the picture really matters. This is about being able to go from videotaping to quickly getting a couple high-res stills, and back to videotaping... all within UNDER one minute... grab, snap, pocket... that fast.

[Leo Versola]

Gotcha... Well then I'd say either the SD800IS or SD850IS is perfect for what you need. Anything with a larger optical zoom won't fit very well in your front pocket...

[MattinSTL]

The Panny that Jeremy linked COULD fit the bill... I'm also considering the new Sony cams. I've had several friends that have a Sony and they seem to get some really good pics with 'em.

When I was on that doc shoot in Haiti I had the DVX and the G6 for stills... I got some nice pics, but one of my very favorite shots is one that this other guy took with a tiny Sony that he kept in his pocket... it's by FAR the most "national geographic" shot from the whole trip... the picture isn't perfect, but the elements of it are... and it proves my point on this EXACTLY... that having a cam HANDY is the single most important factor.

What has me swaying towards the Sony is the tiny tiny size for such high res... I like the Canon for overall reputation and my own past experience... and the Panny for the 10x optical zoom.

I'm sure this isn't the best referrence, but Steve's Digicams has reviews of these cameras... and then sample photos... it's easy to see my dilemma... all of these cams take excellent photos... the Canon IS seems to be very good... but the Panny IS is right there... if you go to Steve's and look up the Panny tz3 you'll see how amazing 10x zoom really is. Check it:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/panasonic_tz3_samples.html

Third row down... that's from full wide to 10x... can you see the potential? But if you ALSO look at the other cams I'm interested in you'll see that the Canon seems to have the edge in overall picture quality and color... with the Sony a very close second... and aside from zoom and sharpness (but not color) the Panny seems to be a somewhat distant third.

I'm surprised that more members wouldn't have something to say about this?

Hey Jeremy... part of the reason that I'm not putting all my eggs in the zoom basket is that I have to have the camera ON ME during these shoots... not dangling in the way someplace but ON ME while I'm shooting ENG style with a videocamera... so if that Panny fits easily in my pocket then it may get the nod... we'll see what Black Friday brings.

rlm7189... I keep looking at your pics and yes they are very nice... if I didn't convey this point enough thank you for posting! If I get a Canon you guys will be the reason why.

[Aaron Little]

My wife bought me a SD850IS before my last teaching trip to Canada. I love it. I carry it in my pocket every day.

[LazerLordz]

I'm still using my ancient Fuji S5000Z now and then. :grin:

[Rick Meyer]

Yes nice pics... right now the sd850is at $245 shipped from profeel is looking like the best contender.

Wow. that is a great price.

I think for what you need the most important features are image quality/speed. Everybody wants to make a suggestion that wins out because it validates their own early buying decision. I can't deny that when someone says they LOVE a Canon powershot SD cam...I will think, "damn straight I did my research!"....however, in the end, I would like to see you get the camera you are happiest with for what you need.

Having said that, I can honestly say that my Canon P&S can be slower than I would like it to be. To the point of really pissing me off sometimes. I should be able to turn it on and *click* and its either what I am or am not doing correctly or that it is just slower than I think it should be to get ready to actually "CLICK" the dang photo. And this isnt an ALWAYS issue. Its a very occasional sometimes. But when it does happen, I get ticked off.

My P&S and even my girlfriends canons are both slower than I would like on those rare occasions. But, our models are 2+ years old..So, maybe someone can comment on this feature for matt if you have a newer version. I'd hate to see him buy a cam based on the glowing reviews only to have him unsatisfied.

Heck, I'd like to know for myself. I'd like to eventually upgrade my point and shoot as well...so how bout it recent Canon P&Shoot buyers? How fast does she start up and click?

[MattinSTL]

Funny you mentioned that... being a dslr shooter I decided to prioritize the same issue. Back when I had a G6 the shutter lag drove me nuts... so for this cam I've been looking at instant on and shutter lag as a pretty high priority.

[mcgeedigital]

Just bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K for 244.99 on shop dot com.

You guys are costing me money!

[MattinSTL]

Once it arrives PLEASE post some pictures! Start a thread about it or else post them here... I'd like to see some practical examples from a regular guy (so to speak)... Please some shots standing in one spot... from full wide to full zoom with no cropping... just resize for posting.

That 10x optical zoom is pretty darn enticing... I'm curious just how cool of a feature that will be for you. I expect it will be a major attribute. It's not just that it goes so long, but it also goes so wide... it gains at both end of the lens.

[puredrifting]

Hi Matt:

I'll vote for the Canon SD-850 or 870is (whichever is the most current one?). I bought my wife the old SD-700is and we liked it so much, I bought the SD-800is for myself. The thing that nobody has touched on in this thread is that for me, a wide angle is much more useful than 10x zooms. I shoot a lot of travel stuff with the SD-800is and I hardly ever wish I had a longer zoom, but I often wish I had wider. Juat make sure you get the 'is' model, the image stabilization really helps.

The SD-800is has the equivalent of 28mm-105mm in 35mm terms. Most P&S have the equivalent of a 35mm focal length on the wide side, which to me makes the camera useless in many circumstances, especially on video/film shoots. I am often boxed in behind the crew and can just shoot from behind the cameras.

The SD-870is has the same focal length lens. The 850 has the 35mm-140mm equivalent lens. B&H still has a few 800is and they have the 870is in stock. Personally, I covet the wide-angle much more than some super long telephoto. If I need long, I will use my D-80 and the 18-200mm or I am thinking of the 300mm F4.

How wide is the 10x lens?

Good luck,

Dan

[mcgeedigital]

I'll definitely post some photos...but it might be a week or so as I leave for a gig in Panama on Monday for a week.

[MattinSTL]

Dan... that's the allure in that Panasonic... the 10x zoom is 28mm to 280mm.

Pretty amazing huh? The other reason for the Panny is it has fantastic edge to edge sharpness, but in all fairness... the colors sometimes need PS tweaking.

I'm pretty sure you can't have it ALL in a P&S cam... so you have to choose priorities... and the wide 10x zoom is a pretty significant feature.

At this point Jeremy talked me back to earth a bit... I'm going to wait a bit on this issue and just see what's posted and what I see from friends. I actually already have an older powershot, so this isn't a desperate need for me, but this thread will influence what P&S I buy next... just ask Jeremy, even with a closet full of high-end glass there are times you just don't want to break the big rig out... but still, I always like to be prepared.

[puredrifting]

Wow Matt! That does sound like an awesome camera. That's a heck of a lens range, yes, I would be tempted by that if it were tiny and could fit into a shirt pocket.

Enjoy!

Dan

[crs127]

Hey Matt
check out dealnews.com they seem to have some good deals on the pana and canon p/s cameras.
I have bought stuff off this site before with no problems.
-C

[J Michael]

Here is a side-by-side image comparison site you might find useful. I thought the house shots were interesting. http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

[Rick Meyer]

Here is a side-by-side image comparison site you might find useful. I thought the house shots were interesting. http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Wow. Thanks for posting this. This is a very cool site. I've tried to find sites like this but have never found one. Thank you. Now if I can only determine what it actually IS I like from one photo over another...:laugh: