All
My old point and shoot camera died.
I use it for job site photos, on the 1st visit or to document hidden damages. Pic are very handy when dealing with absentee owners or communicating with e-mail.
I also like to take family photos, blog here at BT and take pictures on trips.
At Walmart I found these 2 cameras.
Any advice or insights would be apprieciated.
Kodak EasyShare Z915 Black 10MP Digital Camera, 10x Optical Zoom, & 2.5″ LCD, Innovative Smart Capture
$179.88
|
Canon PowerShot SX120-IS Black 10MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
$249.98
|
$249.98
I also ran across this Fuji camera
Fujifilm FinePix S1500FD 10MP Digital Camera, 12x Optical Zoom, 3.0″ LCD
$199.88
| Fujifilm FinePix S1500FD 10MP Digital Camera, 12x Optical Zoom, 3.0″ LCD Model#: FINEPIX S1500FD |
$199.88
Thanks
Rich
Replies
I have a Kodak 743, I think. Had it several years and no problems, even after dropping it more than once..
Catfish
In the store i was impressed with the Koday for ease of use.
The Canon had a better screen, but the Kodak seem to stablize the zoomed image faster and better.
Rich
And its Kodak.
catfish
I'm speilling challanged. :)
I meant Kodak.
Or Kodiak. :)
Rich
I use verizon wireless and recently noticed they have a Casio exlim ??? phone that apparently is more like a casio camera with a phone built in. The reviews indicate it is a very good camera and it is water, shock and dust resistant. I even saw images of it functioning in a glass of water.
The only reason I haven't given it a try is the cheapest price they offer (with rebates and two year contract) is a little under $300.
I could only find two or three actual user impressions and they did have a few complaints.
I like the idea of always having a camera with me but I am not about to carry something in addition to my phone on a constant basis.
Karl
karl
I have the Casio waterproof phone, from verizon and I like it.
I still want a good camera.
the 10x zoom is sweet.
Rich
Rich,
Is there much shutter lag on the Casio camera phone. A slow shutter release is a deal killer for me on most camera's. I only have experience with an ancient sony mavica and then a canon rebel digital slr and they both have really fast shutter releases.I have tried a few other cameras and returned them in frustration after experiencing slow shutter release times.Karl
karl
My casio is just a cell phone with camera. I have trouble taking pics with it because I move too much when taking the picture and I get blurry pictures.
I really can't tell you if it has a fast or slow shuuter.
Rich
I can't advise on which one to choose, but they sure have dropped in price since I bought my 6 Mp with 3x optical and 2-1/2" screen. I think maybe it's time for me to upgrade. =)
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
See my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Ted
they sure have dropped in price
You've got that right.
Rich
There are some guys at this place that hopefully whill chime in, but until then...
I just went through this with the DD. She is taking a digital photography class in college.
Here is what I learned.
Many of the SLR have a digital view finder and the shutter delay is quite large. The quality of the lens make the biggest difference.
Most of the sales peoplle told her that anything over 6mp with a good lens is better than a 10mp and cheaper lense.
Many new cameras don't have removable lenses and don't have a manual mode. Is that a problem?
Prices for reasonable cameras start around $400 that have RAW. Basically, a non manipulated picture unlike JPEG. Better for editing, if that really matters. For me no, for the DD, yes
She chose last year's Sony(they bought out minolta) model A200. 18-70mm Zeis lens. This years model was cheapened up and the price went up. Her professor said it was a great camera and probably the best quality for money. $400-10% on sale
She bought it at Ritz Camera. Also national company also known as Kitz and few other names. They also have a free saturday classes for beginners. I'm going to take that certificate for myself.
try ritzcamera.com or try here. good info http://www.dcresource.com
And...she has informed me that it is HER camera, and I can't borrow it
migraine
Thanks for the ink
she has informed me that it is HER camera, and I can't borrow it
I bought 2 "work " cameras" that my daughter took over as her own. LOL
About 18 months ago I bought my my point and shoot Sanyo that went into my work van.
Thanks for the insights.
Rich
I had that 12 power fuji film camera. I picked it up at Costco a year or so ago. I liked it but it was a bit bulky.
I just lost it a week ago. Have you seen it anywhere?
jim
I liked it but it was a bit bulky.
I have not put my hands on the Fuji.
That was my concern about the camera from the internet pic.
I will carry the camera next to my hammer at times. Usually in the van, but once and a while I put it on my belt as we work.
Thanks for the insight.
Have you seen it anywhere? I have a van and when I loose stuff it is usually betrween the seats. :)
I lost a Panasonic flashlight for about a year that way. It was behind the seat. LOL
Rich
We have a couple Canon Powershots at the office that get heavily used on construction sites. They're durable, easy to use, take good pictures and are small enough to put in a coat pocket. I'd recommend them. I have a Canon Elph myself, it's pretty similar to the Powershots but is smaller - about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so you can slip it in your shirt pocket.
Stuart
Thanks for the insight
Rugged is good.
Rich
I have a Kodak Z-something. Nice camera, takes good pictures. The big difference over the little skinny cameras is the much bigger zoom, and the flash is reasonably powerful. I shoot most of my jobsite pics at something around 2 MP. One problem is that it is considerably larger than the flat cameras, which fit in a pocket or briefcase better. The Z is a little bulky.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Eddie
something around 2 MP.
Mega Pixels?
Can you change that setting?
Remember I have been a point and shoot guy.
The Z is a little bulky.
I'm going to have to live with that if I want better pics.
Thanks
Rich
Yes you can change the megapixels to one of about 6 settings, up to 10 mp I think, but I keep it low because I don't need high resolution pictures, and anyway I have to dumb them down for posting or emailing anyway."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
We have the Kodak Z1285 and you can adjust the MP from 2-12, it always starts up on 12.
There also is a large manual settings menu to play with & learn, so far we really like it alot makes for nice pictures No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
Paul
Thanks for the input.
Canon seems to be the favorite here on BT.
Get that camera out and start taking and posting pics of that casing. :)
Rich
I have several of the Olympus Stylus 770 pocket cameras. they're water proof to 33 feet, (wash them in cold runnig water at the end of the day) crush proof to 300 lbs, impact resistant to 4' drop on concrete, (though not while running) and freeze proof. so far I've only destroyed one of them which fell out of my pocket while running across a brick courtyard and ground off the entire corner of the lense protector. It still took photos after tht but the lense cover wouldn't open and close properly and when stuck half way sometimes wore down the battery. I dropped on in the surf at the beach and had to hold it under running water in the sink for a few minutes to flush all the sand out of the lense cover but it's still running just fine.
Things I've learned are: don't swap chips in and out of the camera, use the down-load wire to dump the photos in the computer. it confuses the camera to have different used memory chips stuck in it. don't let the kids use the onboard software to make greeting cards and store piles of favorite pictures in the RAM. If they do this and clog the RAM you can clear it by pulling the memory chip out of the camera and then turning the camera on with no chip in it and doing a format to clear the internal RAM. These little things shoot awsome video with sound suitable for web video such as you tube or Vimeo.
I see that they've changed the model numbers. The "Olympus Stylus Tough 8000" is equivalent to the model I have only its up to 12 megapixels now where mine is 7.1 and the price at Tiger Direct is $350. The "Stylus Tough 6000" is $260 at TigerDirect.com and shoots 10 megapixels but is only good to ten feet underwater. which doesn't seem like such a big deal.
I use 1 gig XD chips in the jobsite cameras and have an 8 gig chip for my good camera with the wide angle lense (Olympus 590UZ) that I use for pre-insulation walkthrough's and website photography fo finished projects. the little pocket cameras don't do wide angle all that well.
I've found that you can document what a member of the opposite sex looks like through beer goggles by immersing the camera in a glass of beer and shooting a photo of the subject. Rinse the camera off in her water glass before sharing the photo. This does not impress girls as much as one might expect for some reason.
------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
Was a photog for 20 years...Here's the lowdown, imoFirst off, get over the notion of Kodak = quality. They make decent cameras, but are focused on the amateur/housewife crowd. Wouldn't be anyone's first choice.IN a nutshell, larger camera = better quality. those small thin cameras are great, but the ccd sensors in them are smaller than what's in a larger, but still compact camera.You have to figure out what's important to YOU. Do you need it to fit in your shirt pocket? do you need a huge zoom? Do you need to shoot pictures of rooms, ie, need wide angle?
Do you take pictures in crappy light conditions? Need it to take pics of the kids, ie, need fast af and shutter reaction speed? etc. Are you a zoo/nature/vacation buff that likes to take far away pictures? ie, need super 20x zoom?If image quality is all important and wide angle capability and you're not looking to carry it in your pocket - you'd do good with ANY of the current budget Digital SLR's. You can find them from any manufacturer for $400 these days with a 18-55 or 18-85 lens.That 18mm is equivalent to about a 28mm wide lens in a 35mm film camera back in the day. Look at DPreview.com for the industry standard, no BS reviews of just about every digital camera made or introduced. Also look at Stevesdigicams.com for another source of excellant reviews as well. DPreview also has some great information relating to learning about image sensors, asa, histograms, etc.If you don't want the size and weight of a digital slr (though you might look at the newer Pentax models - they are some of the smaller ones...) than you'll be looking at a fixed lens compact camera. Every model out there, from the $129 models upto the $500 models will take EXCELLENT, beautiful pics on a sunny day outside. The difference between chape cameras and good ones is how they take pictures in lower light levels. Just about every camera you'll find at Costco, Walmart, Target etc. will take craptastic pics at ASA 400 and above. Grainy, fuzzy, pixelated. won't matter if you only email or print 4x6's, but you'll notice and be unhappy with the results at a print size of 8x10 and above.The better compacts have much adanced sensors that allow them to take better pics at higher asa (= lower light levels) - to the point where you could get pics without having to use the flash (flash use = less natural looking pics) and still get great results, upto about asa 800.Better cameras will look as good at asa 800 then a cheaper camera will at asa 200.Cameras that have "optical stabilization" (as opposed to "digital stabilization") will make up for that a bit as they allow you to shoot at lower shutter speeds without blurry shaky results. That won't help you for moving subjects like kids though.Pay NO attention to any mention of "digital zoom" it's the like Horse power BS of the tool world. Digital zoom levels or numbers are BS. That means they crop in camera to make the image bigger and thusly you loose whatever quality you had. If you currently have a camera, go into the settings and turn off digital zoom.Do not buy ANY camera that takes XD cards or Sony memory sticks. Doesn't matter how good they tell you the camera is - those are outdated memory card formats. Only buy a camera that takes SD cards or Compact Flash cards.Canon is always a good bet. if you want to spend some money to get a smallish camera (read = not subcompact) and have one of the very best ones available right now - $440 would be money well-spent on the current model G11. It has a 24mm starting wide zoom, has decent telephoto, shoots raw (for ultimate results if tweaking pics in Photoshop) and can be bought with very few comprimises.You don't need to spend $440 though. It would be money well spent, but unless you are a buff or want really good control and quality for doing semi-pro level after pics, then any of the $200 and below cameras will do.But they'll all have comprimises.Look at Fuji, Canon, and Nikon or Olympus. Stay away from Sony, kodak, polaroid, GE, Samsung or any of the other tiny cameras. Panasonic makes great cameras, but unless you are at the $400 and up level, they're known for their high noise (= grainy) shots at higher asa's.Do not buy a camera at Target, Walmart, Costco or Sams Bestbuy or Sears or Office Depot if you truly want a higher quality camera. This has nothing to do with the myth that Home Depot sells the same tools cheaper made, same model #)It has to do with the fact that they generally only stock amateur grade cameras, and the few gems out there will probably not be found at these stores. There are exceptions, like the fact that you'll be able to find the aforementioned Canon G11 at Bestbuy.Another point - the Olympus SLR ( = removable lenses) models out there are also good bets and are slightly smaller than conventional DSLRS. they are based on the standard known as 4/3rd's sensors - their sensor chip is slightly smaller than the other Dslrs yet offer quality as good at a smaller size.You need super zoom? You'll not get a camera that takes good low-light pics. You need excellent image quality? you'll not get a camera that slips into your shirt pocket. Look for fast lenses, ie, F2.0, 2.8, 3.5 etc, and if you are a builder, DO NOT get a compact camera that has less than a 28mm equivalent. Most of the cameras at Walmart have a zoom lens that start out at 35mm or 38mm at the wide end. You'll never be able to take a pic of a room and get a wide enough view to get decent pics. Better still, get one that starts at 24mm - you'll be glad you did.Longer ends of zoom range seem like they'd be nice, but the lenses at longer zooms are very slow (= need more light to take a picture without blurring) and the longer zoom you have, the less chance it'll be wide enough at the wide end.Here's some of my pics:
http://www.juliantracy.com/RBD%20Remodel%20Jobs/For reference, just about EVERY one of these pics was taken with a 10mm-22mm zoom on my Canon 20D. That 10mm zoom wide number equates to about a 16mm focal length. so even though I'm suggesting a starting 28mm or 24mm zoom, you'll still not be be able to get great room after pics like these without an even wider lens. Just that 10-22 zoom lens cost about $700, so the ability to take great pics doesn't come cheap.Find something you like the feel of and read it's reviews at the two sites mentioned above. Keep comparing. Never DELETE your pictures off the card after you've transferred them to your computer - always use the format function in camera to delete the entire card and also to format a new card. doing so will sort of reset the card's "mini OS" and give you more dependable results. Use name brand memory, like Kingston, Lexar or Sandisk.Good luck,JT
Great info and great work in those basments Julian!
Good word on the Canon cameras, I have a Power Shot 95 with the swivel screen on the back i can take shots over head and close to the floor level with the swivel screen that otherwise could not with the fixed one. It takes beautiful pix. and it has been a good investment. I have sold many jobs by showing problem areas that need repairs. I don't know if they still make them with the swivel screen, my camera is four years old.
Julian,
Thanks for the tutorial. Time to replace my old 3mp Canon.Todd
Julian
Thank you for the long response.
Great pics, I really liked the Newel posts andstair way job. Nice work.
I have no idea what you are talking about with the lens numbers. greek to me.
I am looking to go just one step beyond point and shoot. I just started shooting pics on the job about 18 months ago.
has to do with the fact that they generally only stock amateur grade cameras
That's what I am looking for. Sorry to be just a duffer, but I just want to press click and let the camera figure out how to take the best pic.
won't matter if you only email or print 4x6's, but you'll notice and be unhappy with the results at a print size of 8x10 and above
Most of my pics never leave the computer, web album or e-mail.
Obviously I have some reading to do. so thanks for the links.
Here are a couple of the pics I shot last week just before my Sanyo died.
View Image
View Image
Here is an average job site photo
View Image
Rich
Shelter
They sound like tough cameras.
I will have to give them a look see.
don't swap chips in and out of the camera, use the down-load wire to dump the photos in the computer
Thanks for the tip.
Rich
When our old 3.2mp Canon died suddenly, we bought the Fuji S1500 while on vacation in June.
I was very impressed with the quality of the pics and the bigger lens really helped bring the kids in close at sporting events. The 4 AA batteries are easier to replace/recharge than the specialty ones.
The camera is a bit bulky but you can't compare the lens to a pocket camera. I picked up another point and shoot mini Fuji for DW's purse. That camera was less than $100. I remember dropping $400+ for my first 2mp digital in 99?
How did your old Canon die? Did the viewing screen suddenly get all blurry with rainbow streaks across it? If so, there's a factory recall from Canon - the ccd chip inside the thing gets disconnected; if that's the problem they will repair or replace it for free.Go to the Canon website, find the customer support section, enter the model of your camera and then look for product advisories.
Wow, Stuart, thanks for posting that. My PowerShot A70 dies a few years ago with exactly those symptoms. I figured it was too much hassle to send it for repairs in the hopes that it might be a defect, and have them tell me it wasn't. But now that I already have a replacement A570IS and we don't use that one any more (in fact, I have to see if I can find it), it might be worth sending it in. The old one was faster on serial shots and the new one keeps on underexposing low-light condition images.Rebeccah
Yeah, my camera quit and I just figured that was it. I was looking online for its replacement and stumbled across the recall notice. They cover shipping and everything, it took about ten days to get it back.
Hated that camera, it got dropped. My first Canon was excellent. The Canon A 510 that broke open took great pics, but had a ridiculous lag time between photos. It was an accident. I thought about smashing the thing numerous times.
Gordsco
Thanks. That is one of the cameras that I was considering.
Rich
Here is a great camera site.
Covers all brands, not all models.
The reviews are excellent.
http://www.dcresource.com/
I'm no Ansel Adams but I'd give one of Canon's Digital ELPH's a look. We have an older one that has done yeoman's service. Metal body (don't know about the newest ones), rugged - it has survived a few drops. Compact- it will easily fit in a pocket (or a nail apron). It's small enough to have misplaced it a time or two. Simple to use. The thing I like about it most is the size, it's handier ............ if you're carrying "stuff" just put it in your pocket. Great jobsite camera imho.
"There can be no doubt that Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the abject worship of the state…Socialism is in its essence an attack not only on British enterprise, but upon the right of ordinary men and women to breathe freely without having a harsh, clammy, clumsy tyrannical hand clasped across their mouth and nostrils" -Winston Churchill
Edited 10/23/2009 3:05 pm by jc21
jc21
Canon seems to be favorable recieved around here.
Thanks for the info.
Rich
If you simply want a camera to take snaps and a few jobsite ref pics - then just get any of the $129 cameras out there within the brands suggested above.Check out Target frequently - when they put their cameras on clearance - they do so at significant savings. Add to that the fact that they will further discount the clearance price another 30% when they sell the display, and you can get some killer deals.They do that chain-wide camera clearance once per year, and I'm not sure what season it ends up being - probably fall. (maybe right now...)But check every Target you drive by if you are in the market and ask about the quan on hand as I've gotten digital cameras as low as $50 even in years past when they averaged $200-300 as opposed to now when they probably average a lot lower.JT
I have a similar Cacamera - an SLR just never made it's way into the budget.
If you've been using a point & shoot, you will be astonished at the improvement in your pictures. Let me give an example to illustrate the differences:
I have cats, many of them white. It's been quite hard to get decent pics, as the white fur tends to be over-exposed. In this one - the best I have from my point & shoot - you can see there's still some red in her essentially colorless eyes as well:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r138/renosteinke/avatar.jpg
Fast forward to the Canon. Here's an UNCROPPED picture I was able to take:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r138/renosteinke/MotzieEyes.jpg
Note the hair-sharp focus, the shading in the white of the fur, and the exceptional eyes! Such a picture was simply not possible with the point & shoot.
Which brings up the ability of this camera to zoom in - simply amazing.
Downside? The camera simply gobbles batteries .... be sure to get some rechargables. With rechargables, the 'low battery' warning comes on real early, but you can still take plenty of pictures. With alkalines, the battery dies soon after the warning comes up. Ultimately, if the battery is too week, the camera will not be able to hold focus.
renosteinke
Which Canon do you have?
I see what you mean on the cat pics. Big difference.
My old sanyo had a rechargable lithium battery that was quite good.
I rarely ran out of battery.
I am not real happy about going to a camera with AA batteries, but that seems to be the norm today.
What is a SLR? I keep seeing that being thrown around but I don't know what the term means. Does this make me a photo rookie? :)
Rich
Mine is the Canon PowerShot SX110is
I'm not sure how much difference there is between models.
It has many features, most of which I have not yet learned to use.
"SLR" Means 'Single Lens Reflex." These cameras have a viewfinder that actually looks through the lens. When you change a lens - they have interchangeable lenses- what you see in the viewfinder changes. That's where the 'reflex' comes from; when you take a picture, the mirror for the viewfinder flips out of the way.
SLR's also have fancier metering, so you can tell exactly what the meter is basing it's reading on. This can be useful in high contrast or strong shadow situations.
In price, digital SLR's start about $500.
Thank You
Rich
I'm a Nikon guy myself (D700) but for the money this is a really good camera:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571144-REG/Canon_2762B003_EOS_Rebel_XS_a_k_a_.html#
View Image
It's more than you said you wanted to spend - but it will deliver MUCH more than the Canon you picked out.
Jeff
Edited 10/24/2009 12:09 am ET by Jeff_Clarke
Thank you Jeff
The number of choices and the options available is mind boggling.
Alot of it is greek to me :)
Again Thanks
Rich
I will second Jeff Clarke's nomination of the Canon Rebel.
My wife has had a previous generation of it for about four years and it has continuously exceeded our expectations.She paid 900 for it and it was absolutely worth it considering how much enjoyment she has gotten from it.I haven't looked lately but last time I checked an online forum for digital photography the canon rebel had far more posts than any other camera forum ie. the most user support available.My only complaint with it and all other digital slr's is that they are relatively big and bulky.Karl
karl
relatively big and bulky.
I don't need that next my hammer. :)
I don't like heavy tool bags to begin with.
Thanks
Rich
don't you love all the advice you've gotten? sure it's narrowed things down for you. :) have a 12mp point and shoot canon, about 1 1/2 yo. also have a sony slr 10-12??? mp. the slr takes better pics. but you have to carry the big frickin thing around. the canon takes good pics, but not as quick, and not as good in most situations.
Have heard the canon G10 is the sweet trade off between the two. now that the G11 has been announced the g10 should be availablefor $400 or below shortly. anyway, thats the on my wifes getting for christmas.
I also just went out and bought one (G10)for an attorney I know, why? because he got me out of two tickets. He's really happy, I'm really happy. cost me about $500 for camera, 4mg card, and a card reader. Actually he's so happy with it he told me to feel free to get another ticket, free of charge. :)
Good luck, just decide if you want compact and convienence, or super quality pics that you can take really fast. then balance the budget to fit between those.
As the owner of a 'big frickin' one' I'd have to agree on carefully comparing the pros and cons of size/portability/quality. And go handle the camera first, especially if you're going to spend $500 or more.
Jeff
What I want is a fairly good, small camera that I can afford to lose or break.
I will be taking it on roof tops, around sheetrock dust, in dirty places, in the boat, in the field hunting. (maybe I should look closely at the Shelter Nerd's Olympus)
I don't want to leave it behind because it might get beat up or dropped in the lake, or off the roof.
I want something small enough to carry next to my work pouches and in the $200-$250 range.
I have an old fishing boat. 1981 Lund with 40 hp. It already has some dings and scratches so I don't have to baby it to keep it pretty. Henceforth we go places a nicer boat would refrain from. Same thing with a camera.
One thing I have learned from hunting and fishing trips. Expect the unexpected and bad things happen to me when I go to South Dakota. Traffic tickets and fishing hook in my palm. That kind of stuff. Dead batteries. Locked the keys in the van. LOL
Rich
Then:
View Image
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=19211
Edited 10/24/2009 5:56 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
Jeff
That was one of my choices in post #1.
Canon is viewed favorable here on BT.
Good to know. That's why I posted for advice.
Rich
Jeff and All
I bought the Canon SX120.
It is simple enough for me to understand. (I need sinple) It's a little bigger than I need for jobsite photos. But it will be better for bad light conditions and off the jobsite use.
I was in the middle of the Rot, No Vapor Barrier? thread using DD's camera when I decided I just needed to get the camera from Walmart and quite comparing things I have limited knowledge of.
So far the camera works great. It has alot of stuffe I haven't figured out yet. Work and life are busy right now.
Thanks to everyone who offered advice. It was a good discussion/education.
Rich
Enjoy!
Rich, Thanks for posting the shutter lag comparison on the g10 vs sx120.I am curious what your assessment is of the actual shutter lag in use. For example can you take action shots of kids or dogs and actually get the image you want (before they have moved or changed their expression)?Thanks, Karl
Karl
I don't know.
So far it has been rotten OSB and tractors. LOL
I have one picture of hunting, and the camera focused on the weeds up close and not the people in the back. But then I am still learning how to use it and I was carrying a gun on rough terrain.
There is a kids and pets setting. I suppose for action shots??
No sports setting.
I think I can manually set the shutter but I have not gotten that far.
I believe I can also take a burst of 5 photos, but again not that far into it.
Rich
Rich,Biggest advantages to the SLR's are:1) no shutter lag. I hate pushing the button when the time is right, then the picture doesn't get shot for a second or so more.2) interchangeable lenses. If you want really wide or really telephoto, there is a lens for that. Though the point and shoots have come a long way with wide-range zooms.3) long battery life. You generally use the viewfinder (the one you look through when you hold the camera up to your eye, not the lcd screen) to compose, so the lcd screen is not in use very often. I've gone days and days and hundreds of pictures without recharging the batteries.4) control. extensive exposure and metering controls.Biggest disadvantages:1) cost.2) size. I won't say weight. Though they are bulky, they are not heavy.3) complexity. They are most useful if you invest a little time in learning some technical photography basics. But you can just set them to automatic and go too.4) fragility. you need to protect them from dust and dirt a little more fastidiously.Steve
I find the canon controls pretty intuitive, but I've used canon cameras for years, so it may just be that I'm familiar with them. Panasonic makes some nice point and shoot models too. The nice thing a bout the Panasonics is that the lenses tend to have a little more range on the wide-angle end, which is helpful shooting interior stuff. I also find their controls pretty clear-cut.Steve
The heavy ones aren't fragile ;o)
Jeff
Stevie,
Good breakdown of slr advantages and disadvantages.The most meaningful to me is the shutter lag."Biggest advantages to the SLR's are:1) no shutter lag. I hate pushing the button when the time is right, then the picture doesn't get shot for a second or so more."Why would slr have minimal lag yet other digital cameras have lag?I am hoping to find a pocket sized camera with no lag, does it exist?Karl
I think the shutter lag comes mostly from the (lack of) speed of the processors and the autofocus mechanisms, both of which are much more robust on the more expensive SLR's.Check the review sites. I believe there are one or two pocket cameras that are better about shutter lag, but I don't recall which ones. If memory serves me, the ones that are better are substantially more expensive.SteveEdit to add: found this table online. Not sure how recent the models on it are.http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfmEdit again: found this article from 2007 explaining the reasons for shutter lag.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/technology/10basics.html?_r=1
Edited 10/24/2009 11:26 pm by mmoogie
IMO it depends soley on what you need/intend it for.
For job site pics any newer P&S will be absolutely fine. I have a few P&S cameras around. I keep a decent one in my work van for job site photos and nothing else.
I also take some awesome shots with a Sony DSC-H5. This is a big lens P&S so it takes beautiful pictures. Most compacts will fare fine also.
It is where you want better quality, larger blow ups and creativity that you need a DSLR.Forget megapixels. Any newer camera will have more than enough to blow up an image rather large. It's the lens that matters. The tiny lens in an ultra compact can only let so much light and detail in.
As has been stated several times here, the lens choices are phenominal for newer DSLRs.
I just got a Canon T1i/500D and I LOVE it. It is the BEST Canon DSLR outside the $2500 5D, for 1/3 the price. Granted, I am into it for well over $2000 already and I do not even have a "real" good lens yet.
This is my play/hobby camera. I'd love to do more with it though. I hope to try and show some shots in the future.
petey
I hope to try and show some shots in the future.
Heck, I share photos all the time and my point and shoot only cost $140 2 years ago. My DD bought the same camera later for under $100. Maybe they look like it too. :)
Show us some pics
Rich
I've got the Canon xSi. They came out with the Ti shortly thereafter. Would have liked the Ti for the video, but c'est la vie.I had 3 point and shoots before the DSLR. They were OK, but I was always extremely annoyed by the shutter lag, and frustrated by the non-wideness of the lenses. I was a professional photographer for about 15 years and have lenses from 20mm to 300mm for my film cameras, but they are old non-auto-focus, non AI lenses that are useless on current cameras. Can't live without the DSLR now. Lovin' it.Steve
My next lens HAS to be a 70-200L. I wish I could afford the 2.8 IS right now but I have spent quite a bit lately and that REALLY needs to wait a while. LOL
My next lens will be something very wide. The barrel distortion at the wide end of the stock 18-55 bugs me, plus it's not wide enough for good interior pix. But not for a while as well.
Edited 10/25/2009 11:06 pm by mmoogie
I use PTLens link to fix distortion on my 17-40mm f4L lens. Best $25 bucks I've spent. It's both a stand alone and a photoshop plugin.
Canon makes a 10-22mm wide angle but it's an EF-S (specificly made for the 1.6 crop sensors.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Woodshed Tavern BackroomThe Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern
Elephants are grey, but not all grey things are elephants.
http://www.drawingwithlight.smugmug.com
Downloading the PTLens software as I type. EF-S works for my camera. I don't think I'll be going to a full-size sensor anytime soon.Thanks.Steve
I have a Tamron 10-24 super wide angle zoom. VERY cool lens. You can get pretty creative with it.
I did cheap out; $500 as opposed to $800 for the Canon lense, but it is still a nice piece.
Yep the 70-200mm f4 L is a nice lens even without the IS (image stablization) I shot this image with my 70-200, it's ten images stiched together.
View Image
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Woodshed Tavern BackroomThe Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern
Elephants are grey, but not all grey things are elephants.
http://www.drawingwithlight.smugmug.com
Yup, I think the F4 a good compromise to the expensive 2.8.
The IS for me is a good idea since I will hand hold quite a bit, plus that gives me some cushion in lower light.
Edited 10/26/2009 4:12 pm ET by SpeedyPetey
deskguy
don't you love all the advice you've gotten?
BT is the best place to ask for advice. A lot of real world experiences.
Rich
I use a Canon SD870 that is small, 3" screen, wide angle which is great for larger cabinet or furniture shots....it is 8 mp so pics are great...Check out pics at MytrkutPicasa
Canon G10 or the newer G11
wood
I'll have to look that up later tonight.
It has been mentioned several times here.
Rich
If you get serious here's the place to go:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html
See ... that's where I disagree - since you can get a DSLR for the same price.
It all comes down to what the buyer wishes to carry around. If your using it for construction photos what's the point of using a SLR camera when a smaller lighter point and shoot will more then handle the job at hand. He's able to put the G10 in the glove box of the truck when doing the same with a SLR might not fit at all? Second, the G10 will handle just about 95 % of all photos the average person would ever desire to shoot...they're run of the mill photos that won't ever see the pages of Digital Photography Review.
the g11 is out for $499.
Guess what, you canget a kick #### camera for 239-479, the g10.
http://www.priceclicks.com/product/view/57?ctt_id=2799165&ctt_adnw=Yahoo&ctt_kw=canon%20g%2010&ctt_ch=ps&ctt_entity=tc&ctt_adid=1456948023&ctt_nwtype=standard&ctt_cli=2^9859^44482^717873
look around. sure you can find a dealer with a great price on an incredible camera, that you don't have to also bu supplemental lenses for. Have a dslr, and carrying it around just becomes a pain. My sister has a Canon dslr with an incredible lens that take incredible pics, it was an additional $600. On sale.
DSLR's aint for everyone. Hope when we get the g10, we don't have to drag the big dumb thing along anymore. will let you know.
eta: anyone have this camera, the g10? have read alot of reviews, and talked to 2 people who love it, but if anyone has a differing viewpoint, I'd love to balance my knowledge. TIA
Edited 10/26/2009 4:36 am ET by deskguy
deskguy
That is certainly a good price on the G10, probably because it is being replace with the G11.
Help me to understand what the difference is between the Canon SX120 and the G10.
I can't dechiper all the gargon.
The SX120 has 10x zoom to the g10 has a 5x zoom.
The g10 has more MP
The g10 as a wide angle lens.
After that I am clueless.
From the shutter lag comparison site
http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm
Shutter lag in seconds 1 pic 5 pics
Canon Powershot SX120 IS
price $229 Mid Zoom Digital Cameras
0.43
12.67
Canon Powershot G10
Price $239- $500 Advanced Digital Cameras
0.41
10.07
Rich
Edited 10/26/2009 9:02 am ET by cargin
Edited 10/26/2009 9:03 am ET by cargin
After going through all the thoughtful responses, and re-reading what you plan to do with the camera, I think a look at the small, pack-a-cigs size cameras are in order.
I've had a Canon Elph SD 600 for a few years that is almost always with me. I take a lot of job site quality photos, and family snapshots, etc. with it. It is fine for what you want. The newer ones are even better. And, other quality manufacturers like Nikon, Olympus and Lumex have similar offerings.
BTW, I just got an Olympus E-620 SLR and have been taking photos since before I bought my Olympus OM-1, way back as a 10th grader.
Bart
Just because I know you guys can't get enough of this brand... I give you:
The Ryobi Digital Camera!
http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/tek4/documentation/RP4200
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.