Point & Shoot camera recommedation [Archive]

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Average Joe

12-13-2009, 04:35 PM

Z272

12-13-2009, 04:46 PM

As a general, all around small point and shoot, I would recommend the Panasonic DMC-ZS3. It is a great little camera that also shoots HD video.

Regarding minimum megapixel, don't worry about it. Megapixel count in point in shoots is strictly for marketing.

Regarding digital zoom, just say no.

Regarding optical zoom, the Panasonic has a huge range especially for a very small body. It goes from relatively wide to fairly long.

bustag

12-13-2009, 04:59 PM

You've heard my story before but my camera sat on the bottom of LOTO in 14 ft of water for 5 days. Diver got it and I set it on a rock to dry out for a day. Never into a shop. That was 5 yrs ago and these pics were taken last summer.

I think they turned out ok. :mrgreen:

Sony Cyber Shot.

I'm sold.

bajaholic

12-13-2009, 05:34 PM

I'm thinking a few more examples are needed to get a clear understanding of the quality! [smilie=crazy]

ASH

12-13-2009, 06:00 PM

I use the ELPH it is user friendly......Never dropped it in the lake, so I dont know about the longevity.

bustag

12-13-2009, 06:32 PM

I'm thinking a few more examples are needed to get a clear understanding of the quality! [smilie=crazy]

How bout a guy with a fresh haircut. :mrgreen: I'll buy another Sony.

Bajapit

12-13-2009, 07:50 PM

kodak 913.. nancy has it, My dad has it and Michelle has it... Great little Camera all pix that we posted in the Christmas were taken with it. it is 9 MP. we shot in 2 and reduced to post.

Wilks

12-13-2009, 10:06 PM

I got this one a year ago. Easy to use, takes great pics and has a good optical zoom for those long shots.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ5S-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0011Z44UA/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260759846&sr=8-19

Z272

12-13-2009, 10:19 PM

Playa_G at 4-Play Games

12-13-2009, 11:24 PM

avg joe - I use -- FujiFilm finepix Z33 WP - -10 MP - Water proof and dustproof, camera to at least ten feet -
I have two of them So I always have an extra charged battery - Takes great pictures and video -
compact and 3x optical zoom with like 20x digital zoom - no protruding or mechanized external lens -
those break easily on others I've had - this has good shock proof from dropping -which I do all the time -
and I put a floaty on it so if I drop in water I just grab it out and start shooting - also uses regular cheap SD cards.
Battery lasts long but I usually have an 8G card it and take tons of video and pics each day.

It takes great pics, and you can put in your bathing suit pocket, swim to other boats and take pics there.

Even dropped it in a beer once or twice. No Problem - Best camera I ever had!

About $150 at best buy.

LOTOC Mike

12-14-2009, 01:26 AM

What do you recommend & why?
Minimum mega pixels?
Minimum optical & digital zoom?
Are the ones that can shoot video do a decent job on the video?

Needs to be compact & reliable and not cost a fortune.

I'll expand on what Z272 said:
Don't worry about megapixels. You could have a million megapixels, but if the lens quality isn't up to par, then it doesn't mean anything. I'd set a minimum at around 8. I have an older DSLR that is 8.3MP, and I do professional shoots all the time, but I have lenses that cost 3x what my camera did.
Digital zoom means NOTHING- it is the same as cropping a photo afterward. The more OPTICAL zoom the better- but if you want a slim camera, you will sacrifice some optical zoom.
With any point and shoot camera, you aren't going to shoot great movies. It is fun to capture mini movies, but you won't be shooting anything action or in low light. They weren't built for shooting movies- it is just an added bonus to sell more cameras.

Here are the two I am recommending at the moment: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd780is%2Ccanon_sd1200is&show=all
SD1200IS is $150
SD780IS is $200
The only real difference is the 780 shoots decent video.

mnfastboat

12-14-2009, 02:10 PM

Best damn pocket camera I have ever had!
Bought before Hawaii and love it!
Cannot wait to use it more while on the boat :)
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/9228/9228374_sb.jpg
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Olympus+-+Stylus+Tough+12-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Blue/9228374.p?id=1218062713923&skuId=9228374

momike

03-08-2010, 10:23 AM

I purchased the new Panasonic Lumix FZ35 and have been pleased with the results.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/panasonic-lumix-fz35.jpg
I used the website http://www.cameralabs.com/ to research cameras and they have a plethora of information.
Here are some random pictures I took around the yard...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/6800x600.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/1600x450.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/3600x337.jpg
The focal length is 27mm..
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/4600x450.jpg
To 486 mm..
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/mtsanders/FZ%2035/5600x450.jpg
It can take Hi Def video in Motion JPEG or AVCHD (Lite). I used this camera to video Speed Racer's test run (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSGGSItMXTU) in January. Keep in mind the quality was much better before it was compressed for You Tube.
It is just the camera for my needs and I have not regretted getting it.

osageid

03-08-2010, 10:58 AM

I use the ELPH it is user friendly......Never dropped it in the lake, so I dont know about the longevity.

Heather has a nice Canon Elph, it is now less than 200 or so. Has many scene selection modes as well as manual controls. We bought an underwater case for it from canon as well..... pics turned out amazing as it even has a mode to shoot underwater!!! But as Busta, Eddie they use the cybershots. Cannon is all inclusive ie the battery and charger is included. Sony sometimes makes u purchase that separately. They are all good as well! I agree keep to the 8-10 megapixel range. The lens may not make a difference but when you take a pic that you want to crop out something and then be able to blow it up you will need more megapixels

osageid

03-08-2010, 11:05 AM

Here is a link to a few places selling plus it contains reviews

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4DMUS_enUS303US312&q=canon+sd+790&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9309705070514167366&ei=sR-VS7mpA4SVtgf4mKjVCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCIQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

Average Joe

03-08-2010, 11:06 AM

I bought a Nikon pocket camera & took a bunch of Xmas pics with it and they sucked! I think inside low light conditions were it's weak point...so it went straight back to the store.

Ended up getting a Sony DSC-H20 & we love it. I was wanting a smaller camera, but not at the cost of such crappy pics. The Sony has been awesome & has a lot of "smart" features, plus video.