Looking for a compact point and shoot camera

[ubercaffeinated]

I'm in the market for a new camera. Something small but able to take high quality shots. Main application of the camera will be for social events, both indoor and outdoor. Nothing serious, just casual picture taking, but I am a stickler for the quality. I do imagine I'll be drunk a lot of the times I'm taking said pictures

I've narrowed down my choices to the Canon SD850IS, SD800IS, and the SD1000. I've seen and felt the cameras and the 850 and 800's have a bit of heft to them, but I don't mind the weight.

How important is IS? Will it make a difference to warrant the extra cost?

The 800IS has a widescreen mode, the 850IS doesn't, again what's the difference, and is it worth the loss of a megapixel to be able to take widescreen shots.

How will the SD1000 stand up to the 850 and the 800?

How do other cameras such as the Lumix and Exlim stand up to the Canon cameras as they offer image stabilization at a lower pricing tier.

I appreciate all help on the matter.

 

[davestar]

IS allows you to use longer shutter speeds without blur appearing in your pics due to camera movement. the rule of thumb is that an IS camera's longest blur-free shutter speed is 2-3 times longer than a non-IS camera's.

the two big selling points of the 800IS over Canon's other offerings are IS and a wide-angle (28mm) lens. those two things are large enough motivating factors that i would definitely choose the 800IS over the other two.

however, if you being other brands into the picture, i'd definitely choose (and have chosen) the Panasonic DMC-TZ3. it has the IS and wide angle lens of the 800IS, but a much better optical zoom range (28mm-280mm vs 28mm-105mm) and better quality glass.

 

[Canai]

I have a TZ3 and I love it. I've taken some simply AMAZING pictures with it. I'll post some when I get around to looking through the 2000+ pics I took in Australia

I think the TZ3 is the best compact camera out there.

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: Canai
the TZ3 is the best compact camera out there.

Nope, f31fd is. I've seen the comparisons.

 

[Steven T]

Regarding SD1000 IS and SD800 IS, the SD800 takes better quality shots. SD1000 are decent. SD800 IS are good, but SD700 IS (even though it's a slighly older model) is proven to have the highest quality shots of the compact canons. Fuji F31FD blows that SD700 IS away when you compare pictures taken with the two though. Check out DPreview, they put lots of comparisons up. f31fd images are amazing. Check these out: http://forums.dpreview.com/for...m=1012&thread=24242736 those would lack the detail and be grainy and saturated if taken with the canon + the night shots would be impossible to get.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: Canai
the TZ3 is the best compact camera out there.

Nope, f31fd is. I've seen the comparisons.

It has a super weak zoom though. 3x vs. the TZ3/s 10x

And the TZ3 shoots in wide angle.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

I've read through some of the dpreview stuff on the SD700, and supposedly the SD850 is supposed to be the successor to the SD700 in terms of quality (as in more like the SD700 and less like the SD800). I have yet to see any direct comparisons with the SD850 yet but I am interested in this claim. The Panasonic TZ3 and the Fuji F31FD are cameras I have not considered, but thanks to you guys I am looking at them now. Thanks for the input and if anyone wants to chime in I would be more than happy to hear opinions

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: Canai

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: Canai
the TZ3 is the best compact camera out there.

Nope, f31fd is. I've seen the comparisons.

It has a super weak zoom though. 3x vs. the TZ3/s 10x

And the TZ3 shoots in wide angle.

I dunno bout you but I'd rather have nicer looking images than zoom and wide angle. TZ3 is sort of large too.

I would consider tz3 right up there in the top 5 alongside SD700 IS. They all have their pluses and minuses. For me, the most important thing is IQ, features come next.

 

[Steven T]

BTW, don't let megapixels fool you. In these compacts more equals worse. When cramming tons of MP into these tiny little sensors it actually degrades image quality. yet all the companys are entering what photographers call "the pixel race". The fuji is a very fine balance of MP and uses a very large sensor (as far as compacts go), plus it's amplified with their own creative technology. It's not a gimmick, not even something their marketing/ads are geared toward. Anyway, that's the reason for f31fd having such great IQ. The newer fuji models don't even match it (not that f31fd is an "old model" by any means). Okay, done pushing the f31fd! Good luck with your decision. You'll have to let us know what you ended up with and how you like it. Maybe do some more research in DPreview forums.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Will do! Will purchase within 2 weeks and report. Thank you all again for the support. It's been tremendous.

 

[Steven T]

Oh yah, and be extremely careful where you buy from if you're buying online. Check out resellerratings.com first. A lot of these places that seem to offer good deals are actually pushing Chinese knock offs or models that appear to be the same but are inferior and they're getting away with it! A lot of people get caught into this trap.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: Steven T
Oh yah, and be extremely careful where you buy from if you're buying online. Check out resellerratings.com first. A lot of these places that seem to offer good deals are actually pushing Chinese knock offs or models that appear to be the same but are inferior and they're getting away with it! A lot of people get caught into this trap.

I have some Amazon points/cash/gc I need to spend, so even if it won't be cheapest, I think I'll be going through Amazon.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: Canai
the TZ3 is the best compact camera out there.

Nope, f31fd is. I've seen the comparisons.

at ISO100, the TZ3 and f31fd are very comparable. the f31fd's sensor/image procressing is superior, so high ISO shots turn out better than the TZ3's, but it's a relatively simple matter to learn how to take low ISO shots on the TZ3 in all (including night) situations. sure, it's not as convenient to do a 2 second exposure vs just bumping up the ISO and snapping away at low sutter speeds, but i'll take the inconvenience if it comes with a 28mm-280mm lens.

that being said, the f31fd is definitely worth considering if you don't need the range of the TZ3.

 

[Steven T]

Yah but NOBODY shoots at only 100 ISO. TZ3 starts getting grainy beyond that. I was trying to find this one thread I was recently reading on TZ3. I'll have to dig it up later. but for now...

TZ3
http://a.img-dpreview.com/revi...paredto/TZ3_ISO800.JPG

f31fd
http://a.img-dpreview.com/revi.../Fuji_F31fd_ISO800.JPG

Settings: TZ3 - ISO 800, 1/500 sec, F4.4, F31fd - ISO 800, 1/498 sec, F4.9

'Nuff said.

 

[TheDrake]

With the Sony deal going on that I saw in 'Hot Deals' I am curious to even know if the Sony DSC-W90 would be worth getting for $150 plus tax after the $150 credit to the card.... I know Sony certainly isnt the best and they are overpriced but at that price, I cant imagine there is much (if anything) better for that price range. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
With the Sony deal going on that I saw in 'Hot Deals' I am curious to even know if the Sony DSC-W90 would be worth getting for $150 plus tax after the $150 credit to the card.... I know Sony certainly isnt the best and they are overpriced but at that price, I cant imagine there is much (if anything) better for that price range. Correct me if I am wrong.

"Bought a W90 while in the US last week. I'm HUGELY disappointed and it's already on EBAY. Should have trusted to experience and ordered another Fuji (which i now have!)

W90 (could be a faulty sensor i suppose) exhibits awful noise in almost any combination of settings for most shots. Indoor is far worse than outdoor, nonetheless.....i've owned several digital's and whilst i'm no photographic expert.....this camera produces consistently the worst shots i've had from any of them. I fell for the camera's good looks and an attractive dollar pound exchange rate. Feel awfully cheated by Sony if this is the standard of their product. Don't go near it is my advice.....although if you're a Sony fan, you may consider the possibility that i bought a faulty unit.
"

There's not a lot of info on this cam but it appears the people who have experience don't seem to happy.

 

[TheDrake]

well I wouldnt just trust anyones review on it. Alot of why people have bad pictures is usually their own fault from my experience. I have seen more good reviews on it than bad. And the pictures people have taken arent bad, it obviously isnt that great at low light, but thats why I was curious on it. At $300 its prolly a rip off, but at $150 would it be decent?

 

[Steven T]

I don't think so.

I haven't seen any really good pictures taken with it. If you find any show me + it's 12 megapixels and has a TINY sensor. That's enough to know to stay away right there. Like I said in an earlier post. When it comes to compacts with small sensors, more megapixels ='s worse images. They get grainy, noisy, and lose detail. Megapixels are just a marketing scheme to take advantage of misinformed consumers. I've seen 2 megapixel cameras destroy 12 megapixl cameras (compacts). Realistically, 12 megapixels only comes in handy when you're shooting high quality DSLR cameras and doing LARGE print work. On a compact it's just stupid with current sensor technology.

Anyway, in my opinion, spending $150 on a camera that gives you only "decent" pictures is kind of dumb when you can spend 209 on one that will take fantastic ones.

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
well I wouldnt just trust anyones review on it. Alot of why people have bad pictures is usually their own fault from my experience.

BTW, it wasn't 1 person. The reviews of MANY were similar. I do trust photographers on DPreview. Many people there are highly skilled professionals with years of experience.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: TheDrake
well I wouldnt just trust anyones review on it. Alot of why people have bad pictures is usually their own fault from my experience.

BTW, it wasn't 1 person. The reviews of MANY were similar. I do trust photographers on DPreview. Many people there are highly skilled professionals with years of experience.

I'm not sure where you decided it was 12mp, and this review doesn't seem too unhappy

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4449.html

Neither does this:

http://www.steves-digicams.com...7_reviews/W90_pg5.html

Given that you didn't even know how many mp it was, i think we can safely dismiss you as someone with a keen dislike for Sony, and no real information to offer regarding this particular camera

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: TheDrake
well I wouldnt just trust anyones review on it. Alot of why people have bad pictures is usually their own fault from my experience.

BTW, it wasn't 1 person. The reviews of MANY were similar. I do trust photographers on DPreview. Many people there are highly skilled professionals with years of experience.

I'm not sure where you decided it was 12mp, and this review doesn't seem too unhappy

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4449.html

Neither does this:

http://www.steves-digicams.com...7_reviews/W90_pg5.html

Given that you didn't even know how many mp it was, i think we can safely dismiss you as someone with a keen dislike for Sony, and no real information to offer regarding this particular camera

Whatever dude. that camera sucks. I don't know why you're defending it. I doubt you have any experience. I couldn't find a single decent shot taken with it. BTW, neither of the sites you mentioned are well recognized for accurate reviews. Especially the first one, and look at the first user comment! Someone complaining about lack of image quality!

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Steven T

Originally posted by: TheDrake
well I wouldnt just trust anyones review on it. Alot of why people have bad pictures is usually their own fault from my experience.

BTW, it wasn't 1 person. The reviews of MANY were similar. I do trust photographers on DPreview. Many people there are highly skilled professionals with years of experience.

I'm not sure where you decided it was 12mp, and this review doesn't seem too unhappy

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review4449.html

Neither does this:

http://www.steves-digicams.com...7_reviews/W90_pg5.html

Given that you didn't even know how many mp it was, i think we can safely dismiss you as someone with a keen dislike for Sony, and no real information to offer regarding this particular camera

Whatever dude. that camera sucks.. and those reviews you listed are bogus.

Well, it's good to see you've revealed your true colours, do you have the slightest shred of evidence to back up your 'bogus' claim?

It's one thing to bash Sony generally, and another to rubbish their products when you quite plainly don't have the slightest idea of what you're talking about :roll:

 

[Steven T]

Forum people like you are funny

I'm not basing sony at all! I would say the same thing about certain fuji models and probably the f50fd when the final production model is released. Does that mean I'm a fuji basher? (no, Fuji's f31fd is my favorite compact camera). I don't like that sony camera because I can't find ANY pictures that look good that come from it! Is there something wrong with that? + most user reviews disliked it anyway. I don't care what steves digicams or that other one says. I care what REAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS SAY. Go to DPreview or fred miranda or something and see for yourself but please only take into account reviews from people who appear to have an abundance of knowledge. General consumers/non-experienced photographers thoughts, magazines, and websites that get special incentives for praising certain products should only be taken with a grain of salt.

Anyway, here's a cool video. It gives you some things to consider when choosing between compacts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qFiEna9p4U

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The sample shots from the W90 seem to be on par with samples from every other P&S camera that I've ever seen barring Fuji's Super CCD cameras. That is to say they are extremely unremarkable. I really wish Fuji would just make a 12X IS camera with a wide-ish 28mm lens and the sensor that's in their F30 / F31. Combine this with great video like the Canon S3 has, and that's a P&S that I wouldn't mind owning and taking pictures with (versus only taking video with, which is what I only use my Panasonic TZ1 for).

 

[Steven T]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
I really wish Fuji would just make a 12X IS camera with a wide-ish 28mm lens and the sensor that's in their F30 / F31. Combine this with great video like the Canon S3 has, and that's a P&S that I wouldn't mind owning and taking pictures with (versus only taking video with, which is what I only use my Panasonic TZ1 for).

I agree, seeing a revamped f31 with 12x and wide lens would dominate. You know what's weird though, it seems like all the new cameras coming out are getting worse and worse. They keep adding features and stuff but the image quality is totally going downhill.

Actually, not sure if you know or not but Fuji is on it's way out with f50 in the next couple months. It will be 12mp. There have been some reviews on it already and they ended up letting down alot of peoples expectations, but the final model hasn't come out. The majority of experienced photographers seems to believe the final production wont be much better than the current "prototype" if you will. I don't think they're going to use a sensor as good as the current and I'm not sure the current sensor for f31fd would be able to handle 12mp as well anyway. I think that the 6.3 is about the best balance.

Anyway, yah, I don't know what the deal is but the f40 was a big let down too. I suppose it all has to do with business and marketing schemes. Whatever can trick consumers/whatever makes money.

BTW, when you say "barring Fuji's Super CCD cameras", you mean "excluding", right? I wasn't sure what context you meant to put that in. But if you meant it how I think you did, I couldn't agree more.