|   Digital Camera question | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 9:40 AM | | For those of you who use digital cameras,
I wanted to get your input on what you believe is the best all around digital camera for $4-500. I could have asked on photographyreview.com, however I know next to nothing about the camera lingo etc etc, and I figured being a mountainbiker I could relate more to opinions on this site.
What I am looking for doesn't need to be overly fancy. Hopefully something with 4.0 megapixels or more would be nice. Size and durability are also a factor, because it will be stored in my Camelbak alot during rides. Also, ability to film short footage would be nice too if I ever decide to go into that aspect of the camera.
I say 400-500 dollars because ideally Id like to spend around 400, than extra money for a memory card (to hold more pics)
Ok any thoughts or suggestions?
Ive heard of Canon Powershot, Nikon Coolpix and Olympus Stylus are worth looking into. Any word on these, or others in mind?
Thanks for the responses. |
| Canon S30/S40/S45 | celly
Oct 19, 2003 9:58 AM | | I've used a lot of cameras in the past few years, and Canon offers the best mix of features, usability, durability and most importantly, image quality.
I use an S30, but they've been discontinued. See if you can find a S45 and you'll be eternally happy with it. Whatever you do, don't consider an S50. It's a 5MP version of the S45 and I've heard 5MP cameras in general don't have the bugs out of them and it's overkill anyhow.
What I like most about the "S" series is the size and ergonomics. The Elph series are too small and feel boxy. The Elph series also lack features (the S30/S40/S45 are essentially scaled back and sized down versions of the famed "G" series of Canon digital point and shoots). My S30 has a small thumb indent on the rear which makes one-handed photos (very handy when you're trying to shoot quickly while standing with the bike). The metal body is pretty strong as well. I dropped mine on the sidewalk in London, England last May, and have a small dent on the camera as a souvenir, but camera still works great.
For biking, it's the perfect camera. If you get something that's too large, you won't use it. If it's real small, it's probably lacking features. The Elph series are pretty bomb proof, but most of the other manufacturers cameras feel cheap and use more plastic. Image quality my S30 is top notch. Attached is one of my fave shots taken with the S30. I keep mine in a small Lowe Pro case, attached to the chest strap for my Camelbak. It's very accessible, and because of the ergo features I mention, I can quickly pull it out of the bad (with gloves on!) and snap a shot or two, and quickly get it back in the case and keep riding. I'm not really big on stopping and starting a lot to take photos.
Do search on the Passion forum using "Canon" or "S30" "S40" or "S45" as a search term and you'll find lots of previous discussions on these cameras. Another thing I like about them is that they use "Compactflash" storage. Still very easy to track down these cards (I've found them available at gas stations beside the camera film), and cheap too.
You will not go wrong with Canon. If the S45 is out of your price range, consider the A70 from Canon. I've heard nothing but great reviews on this model. I honestly feel that Canon make the best digicams overall. This is coming from someone who was a Nikon fanatic (SLR, underwater, one digicam) for a lot of years.
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| p.s. my current wallpaper, taken with S30 | celly
Oct 19, 2003 10:19 AM | | Bear's Hump, Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) |
| p.s. my current wallpaper, taken with S30 | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 10:52 AM | | Great review and pics Celly, I have no idea what the price range is on those cameras..but Ill definately look them up. Is the Canon Powershot any good? Or do you not have experience with that model? |
| p.s. my current wallpaper, taken with S30 | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 10:56 AM | | woops...I just looked at the BestBuy website..I guess those cameras you listed ARE part of the Powershot series (see Im totally new at this). The A80 model looks to be in my price range |
| They're all Powershots...... | celly
Oct 19, 2003 11:03 AM | | That's what Canon calls most of their Digicams. I own a Powershot S30. |
| POLL!! Canada: The ugliest State? | Stick
Oct 20, 2003 12:35 PM | | |
| second the S30 vote | islander
Oct 19, 2003 6:03 PM | | On the advice of celly and others, I looked at the S30 and found it to be just what I wanted. Lots of manual mode options yet still small in size. I didn't want more than 3MP anyways, but then I heard the S30 was discontinued. I think went on a passive search for the camera and a month later I found on on closeout for $499CDN. We've printed several of our photos and framed them on the wall - its that good. |
| just got an A70... | airwreck
Oct 19, 2003 10:53 AM | | very impressed with the video, but then again I don't know anything.
The S.O. did the research and is very well informed. Quite a bit to learn still about learning to use it, so many options. You can actually shoot some fairly long vids.
She was also eyeing the new Minolta, not sure the model though.
Have you been to this site?
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
Good luck and Julie can answer your questions more specifically if needed.
The sample image is a sub 600k chunk cropped out of a 2000 x 1500 original straight from the camera, no editing, shot using the max optical zoom.
Eric |
| just got an A70... | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 10:57 AM | | Right on. So thats 2 votes for Canon. Anyone else have different preferences? |
| Seriously, try the "search" link..... | celly
Oct 19, 2003 11:07 AM | | It's on the top of the Passion page. Use "digital" or "camera" as a search term. This question gets asked all the time and you'll get a lot more information. Sunday is a slow period for posting. |
| Seriously, try the "search" link..... | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 11:24 AM | | Doing that now, Thanks Celly |
| Wow | moneyshot
Oct 19, 2003 11:47 AM | | Overwhelming positive reviews from Canon I see.....hmmmmmm could make my choice that much easier. |
| Another vote 4 Canon | Hollis
Oct 19, 2003 11:21 AM | | I'm currently seeking a replacement for my Olypmus D520
(never was happy with it)
I'm currently leaning towards the G2 or S45
($399 & $344 @ buydig.com) |
| hows the A70 video quality? any links/samples? | Destroy
Oct 19, 2003 7:15 PM | | Definitely interested in this post. Was looking into a new dig cam.
Sort of narrowed it down to a Cannon A70 and Nikon 3100 but can't decide between the two. |
| Video quality in general....... | celly
Oct 19, 2003 7:48 PM | | sucks with the point and shoots I've seen. More of a novelty feature, IMHO. If you're looking for digital video, I'd buy a digital video camera. I did a few vids with my S30 when I first got it, but that's about it. |
| if... | airwreck
Oct 19, 2003 10:03 PM | | you can handle a 10meg email or can give me somewhere to ftp it I'll send you a avi. that's all I got now, but I don't have any room to put anywhere for an easy link.
The quality is better than I expected, our big thing was the available water housing, it is much more realistic, and less expensive than any other option for water/surf video. We'll see though. It's all for fun, so we don't get hung up on trying to acheive pro quality.
Eric |
| Sure shoot me some sample vids if you can | Destroy
Oct 20, 2003 8:02 PM | | send todstruye@wi.rr.com
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| For some good deals... | GirchyGirchy
Oct 19, 2003 1:00 PM | | Check out www.beachcamera.com and www.bhphoto.com, they seem to have the best prices I've found. I haven't tried Beach yet, but have used B&H many times with nothing but excellent results. Good luck! |
| B&H | celly
Oct 19, 2003 1:05 PM | | I've used them as well. Good e-tailer. S45 for $399.95 as per their website. |
| A60 users...huge shutter lag? | GirchyGirchy
Oct 19, 2003 2:08 PM | | I was reading a review on the A60, and it talked about some huge shutter lag...from 1.5-2.3 seconds in auto mode, depending on telephoto/wide lens settings. This is about twice as slow as most cameras in that range. It mentioned the A70's lag was much lower. Has anyone experienced this? |
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