quote:

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Originally posted by Robotron2084:
Hal mentioned the G10 and it's a close to an SLR a compact has ever come.

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I agree and I´ve noticed on the long run you will save more money buying an excellent (but more expensive) D-SLR - or a semi-SLR like the G10 - than a cheaper compact camera.
My experience with compacts was that they were usually outdated after 2-3 years, had at least one screw-up after a few months and the picture quality just sucked compared to SLRs (+ some more disadvantages).
In the last six years I´ve bought three cheaper compacts and I was never really satisfied with any of them....whereas my old Canon 350D SLR is still great, works perfectly, shoots amazing photos and cost less than my three other camera combined.

I´m sure that investing in the G10 is an intelligent move that people won`t regret on the long run. Apart from the fact that the camera is quite costly I didn`t see a single disadvantage (hmmm...do I sound like some Canon salesman? )

-Hal-
 

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Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
 
You've got plenty of great choices for $200.00 and for that money, get some outstanding results. You've done VERY well with your EasyShare up until now. One of the things I find most rewarding about modern times (and modern photography), is how much you can get ... out of how little. Here are a few of my highest recommendations for your price range (all of which I have hands-on, personal experience):

1. Sony Cybershot DSC-H20. It's a little over $200 ... it's on sale at Best Buy for $251, it's normal price is $279. Fifty dollars over your stated price range but VERY WELL worth every dime. Here are a few highlights, and why it's my top recommendation;

- 10.1 megapixel. As much as you need (or might ever need?), able to yield physical prints of 8 X 10 with integrity, and far more than you'd ever need for web use.

- Ten-Power Zoom. This gives you the ability to create a lot of depth-of-field, without having any technical knowledge; stand farther back, zoom closer up (in auto setting). You'll be amazed; so it's not just having more power, but having more flexibility (and abilities).

- Outstanding Optics. This camera has Carl Zeiss optics. Aspheric glass with ten elements, nine groups. This is VERY good.

- Video Clips. This is a bonus, and even if you have no use for them, you might find some when you own this camera. It is capable of capturing High Definition Video at 1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second. I've recorded live concerts, plays and foot videos with this and the results are fantastic.

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2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15K. You can get this for $199 and for that money it is amazing. Here are some highlights;

- 12.1 megapixel. Again, more than you need and plenty for large, poster-sized prints.

- Five-Power Zoom. Unusual in a pocketable point-and-shoot, where most are 3x.

- Wide Angle lens. At 29mm, this is very wide for a digital camera, rare, and can make a huge difference when trying to shoot in small rooms, automobiles, or when shooting groups.

- Leica Optics. SHARP, DC Vario-Elmar optics on this, very very good.

- Movies. This little camera does have excellent video capabilities, suitable for foot videos, Youtube and even your home television.

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3. Canon Powershot A1100IS. Right at $199, sometimes you can find this on sale for $179 and at Fred Meyers out here in the Pacific Northwest I've even seen it for $149. You'll find this similarly priced at Targets and Walmarts;

- 12.1 megapixel

- Four-Power zoom lens, the equivalent of 35-140 mm, great for foot photography, and long enough for nice portrait work as well.

- DIGIC4 Image Processor. Every company has their own version / type of image processor, and most of them are good. This is possibly the best of the bunch, and Canon undersells the great benefit of this.

Overall, the look, shape, feel of this camera is excellent, possibly the best of the three I've mentioned here.

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4. Fuji Finepix Model S1500. This is probably your best "bang-for-the-buck". You can get this at Best Buy for $194. It normally retails for $249 but you can find it on sale just about anywhere, at any given time. Here are a few highlights;

- 10 megapixel

- Twelve-Power Zoom, and much wider than average at 33-396 mm

- Superior autofocus system. Fuji's 256-zone, TTL autofocus system is outstanding. It may be the best of this bunch, though all are very good.

- Rugged (relative to others in this category), firm grip, easy to operate and more substantial feel to it.

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5. Canon Powershot A1000IS. This is the little brother to the Canon A11000IS, mentioned above. At just $149, this is the least expensive of this bunch while sacrificing very little in comparison. Here are some highlights;

- 10.0 megapixel

- Four-Power Optical Zoom, same as on the next model up.

- DIGIC III Image Processor. One generation behind it's big brother version, still ahead of most of it's competition and VERY good.

It has the exact same body, look and feel as the Powershot A1100IS. It pretty much is the same camera ... but with 10 megapixel (versus 12mp), and with a DIGIC III Image Processor (versus DIGIC4).

Of these five cameras, I believe the Sony is the best, regardless of price. The Canon Powershot A1000IS is by far, the least expensive, and absolutely capable of giving you great results.

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Summary: These are but five recommendations (there are hundreds of others). I base these on the fact that I've used each of them (and many others by other manufacturers) - and know that each is capable of giving you Sterling results.

When you ask people for advice on cameras, you're going to get a lot of advice, most of which is based on simple (personal) opinion - and most of which is based on what camera (or brand) the person who's recommending it owns. Very little of this advice will be objective, most of it will be delivered with passion.

The truth to the matter is, you can't really buy a bad camera for $200. No matter what the model or who manufactured it, a $200 camera is going to have some great features and produce nice results for you.

The five models I'm recommending here represent a broad range of capabilities, technologies and manufacturer philosophies.

My recommendations are also based in part, on the (excellent) results I've seen from your Easy Share ... proving that you are already capable of getting the most out of your camera and pulling excellent results from it. Buy any one of these and you'll have a great camera that you will love ... and you'll be posting photos equal-to or greater-than at least 70% of the photographers you see posting.

Good luck in your quest, and rest easy in knowing the make, model or brand will matter much less than what you're willing to put into it.
 

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Posted by luvtheladyfeet (Member # 33464) on :
 
WOW!! Ask and ye shall receive.
 

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Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
 
Hi Ben,

Great post. I wanted to send you a PM but your inbox is full.

Cheers,
-Hal-
 

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Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Hal:
Hi Ben,

Great post. I wanted to send you a PM but your inbox is full.

Cheers,
-Hal-

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quote:

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Originally posted by Hal:

quote:

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Originally posted by Robotron2084:
Hal mentioned the G10 and it's a close to an SLR a compact has ever come.

---

I agree and I´ve noticed on the long run you will save more money buying an excellent (but more expensive) D-SLR - or a semi-SLR like the G10 - than a cheaper compact camera.
My experience with compacts was that they were usually outdated after 2-3 years, had at least one screw-up after a few months and the picture quality just sucked compared to SLRs (+ some more disadvantages).
In the last six years I´ve bought three cheaper compacts and I was never really satisfied with any of them....whereas my old Canon 350D SLR is still great, works perfectly, shoots amazing photos and cost less than my three other camera combined.

I´m sure that investing in the G10 is an intelligent move that people won`t regret on the long run. Apart from the fact that the camera is quite costly I didn`t see a single disadvantage (hmmm...do I sound like some Canon salesman? )

-Hal-

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I totally agree with you Hal, but my gut told me to spend a little more and get a dSLR as opposed to an advanced digicam.
 

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Posted by Ophillia (Member # 29787) on :
 
WOW!!! thanks guys for all your information! i really appreciate you taking the time to share your thougths and expierences with me. i have spent the last two days camera shopping there is A LOT out there! I printed out this thread and took it with me as reference.

In the end i settled on a Nikon Coolpix L20. There was a super nice Cannon there i wanted but since this is mostly a family camera i couldn't justify spending the 350 it cost. :-(

I have been reading up on it and playing with it a bit this evening and the few test pics i took WOW major difference! just...WOW!

thank you again for all the information. i am looking foward to hopefully taking a few pics this weekend to post and show off my new toy!



Ophillia
 

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Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
 

quote:

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i am looking foward to hopefully taking a few pics this weekend to post and show off my new toy!

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-Hal-
 

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Posted by Robotron2084 (Member # 33263) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ophillia:
WOW!!! thanks guys for all your information! i really appreciate you taking the time to share your thougths and expierences with me. i have spent the last two days camera shopping there is A LOT out there! I printed out this thread and took it with me as reference.

In the end i settled on a Nikon Coolpix L20. There was a super nice Cannon there i wanted but since this is mostly a family camera i couldn't justify spending the 350 it cost. :-(

I have been reading up on it and playing with it a bit this evening and the few test pics i took WOW major difference! just...WOW!

thank you again for all the information. i am looking foward to hopefully taking a few pics this weekend to post and show off my new toy!



Ophillia

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Cool and have fun!
 

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Posted by footjoyboy (Member # 26478) on :
 
"i am looking foward to hopefully taking a few pics this weekend to post"...
Ophillia


 

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Posted by RPM (Member # 2895) on :
 
i just got a Kodak easy share.. i was hard pressed for cash.. i like it. not that i'm pushing for it.. i think Ben did a far better job.. (i got my wife a fuji years back.. it still stand up to the task today.. welll.. sorta)

i got mines for two reason, i was piss broke and needed a better point and shoot than the one i have. 5x optical zoom.. and near 150 buck mark.

why? temp hold (still wanna shoot pics of wifee.. though she's not as big on me posting these days).... until i can get a new dSLR... to replace the one that died.

happy choosing and happy shooting.. i'm still holding my breath on your next round of pix. hosed pics that is.. but i'll wait for winter for that

RPM
 

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