Digital Camera

[SOB]

Greetings fellow computer geeks, I'm looking for digital camera suggestions!

Requirements:

• Compact size
• 2" LCD or bigger
• 3x Optical zoom or zoomier
  
• 3.2 Mexapixel or megapixelier
• Manual white balance & shutter speed
• Ability to take detailed shots of matted gerbil fur

Wouldn't mind having:

• A bunch of manual controls that I'll never use
• Video recording w/Audio
• Ability to attach filters
• Metal body
• Ability to use AA or AAA batteries
• A template feature that draws Groucho mustaches and fake boobs on the subject of your photos

I currently have the Nikon CoolPix 995 and I'm getting rid of it simply because it's too big.  It's got a bunch of manual controls and takes nice pictures and stuff, but it's just a pain in the bellybutton to lug around with you at a party/family gathering.  Plus, I don't care enough to use most of the manual controls.

My current choice for a replacement is the Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH.  It's pretty cheap at $240, has the only two manual controls I've ever used on my Nikon (white balance & shutter speed), and most importantly: it's small.  I thought about the SD300 (4 MP version) also, but it's $100 more, and I rarely ever do anything bigger than a 4X6...just the occasional 8x10.

Any other suggestions before I plunk down the cash for the Canon...or any thoughts on the Canon?  Thanks!

[Trell]

I got a hp m305  that seems to match everything in your requirements.  but none of your would like to have options.
Does seem to take good pics but have not tried all the opentiosn yet.


it has video,  no clue if it comes with audio.  it uses AA bateries.
it wont let you attach any filters that i know of.  anduses a plastic body.

[Rude]

Originally posted by SOB
Greetings fellow computer geeks, I'm looking for digital camera suggestions!

Requirements:

• Compact size
• 2" LCD or bigger
• 3x Optical zoom or zoomier
  
• 3.2 Mexapixel or megapixelier
• Manual white balance & shutter speed
• Ability to take detailed shots of matted gerbil fur

Wouldn't mind having:

• A bunch of manual controls that I'll never use
• Video recording w/Audio
• Ability to attach filters
• Metal body
• Ability to use AA or AAA batteries
• A template feature that draws Groucho mustaches and fake boobs on the subject of your photos

I currently have the Nikon CoolPix 995 and I'm getting rid of it simply because it's too big.  It's got a bunch of manual controls and takes nice pictures and stuff, but it's just a pain in the bellybutton to lug around with you at a party/family gathering.  Plus, I don't care enough to use most of the manual controls.

My current choice for a replacement is the Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH.  It's pretty cheap at $240, has the only two manual controls I've ever used on my Nikon (white balance & shutter speed), and most importantly: it's small.  I thought about the SD300 (4 MP version) also, but it's $100 more, and I rarely ever do anything bigger than a 4X6...just the occasional 8x10.

Any other suggestions before I plunk down the cash for the Canon...or any thoughts on the Canon?  Thanks! [/B]

I can't believe your going to get rid of the Nikon....I have that camera and also one of the smaller ones your looking to buy....Nikon outperforms all the smaller cams.

Suit yourself:)

[SOB]

Yeah, I don't doubt it does Rude, but all I really use my camera for is snapshots.  So as long as the picture quality is decent, size is really the only determining factor.  The greatest camera in the world isn't gonna do me any good if I don't use it...like my Nikon that sat in its case for New Years while I took pictures with the crappy 1MP camera on my mobile phone.

Thanks Trell, I'll check that one out.

[Halo]

SOB, we share camera tastes:  995 and SD200.  Love 'em both.  Keep the 995 -- it's the best slide copier you'll ever find.  Buy the SD200 -- best pocket digital ever.

[eskimo2]

SOB,

I was looking for many of the same requirements.  I did a heck of a lot of research because what I was going to spend on a camera was comparable to what I typically spend on a car (I’m poor).  I ended up with the Canon s400.  Right now you can get the s500 (5 megapixle version) for $400.  You will probably want an extra battery ($50), and a 512 or 1gig card (on sale for $35 - $75) and maybe a reader ($10).  The Canon Elph starts up quickly, has reasonable shutter lag, great zoom, takes very clear pictures, good batter life, good color/balance, takes sound movies, handles low light pretty well, etc.  A lot of review ranked all of its features very high.  Most importantly, you can put it in your pocket comfortably; you won’t really know its there because it’s so small.  Because it is small, you won’t hesitate to take it everywhere, which means that you’ll be able to take more pictures.  I have a degree in photography, and after owning one for a year have not explored all that it can do.  The s400 is still available for about $350 and a 3.2 meg version is even cheaper yet.  Since I bought mine, I’ve talked 2 family members into getting one as well as my priest.  They all love them and take them everywhere.

eskimo

[SunTracker]

Just got a Canon A95.  Love it.

[eskimo2]

Typical s400 snapshot:

[/IMG]

eskimo

[Torque]

Nothing will macro like your Noisekon 995.

That said the A-Series ( A75, A85 etc...) from Canon are the best cameras on the market fer their price and size and have a wide variety of auto and manual functions. They take incredible good videos even in low light.

The S500 is a sweet 2nd generation Canon camera, with more advanced internal mechanics and firmware over the A-series, but for a man with big hands it's so ultra small and lacks a ergonomic design, it can literally slip between your fingers and can be an awkward camera to navigate and function.

[Chairboy]

I have an S400 too, amazing compact camera.  The 400 is 4 megapixel, and you can find them for at least $100 cheaper then the excellent S500 if you don't need the extra rez.

I second the digital elph.  Perfect for your listed reqs.

[VWE]

Sony DSC - P71  run u about $180.00

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by VWE
Sony DSC - P71  run u about $180.00

That thing is huge, 50% wider and 75% thicker than the Canon.  The memory is way overpriced, you will pay 1.5 to 2x than a CompactFlash of the same size.  Sonys are typically way overpriced if you compare features to other brands.  

eskimo

[Manedew]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=30-119-028&depa=7

Just got this camera ... it's nice... has about 10 min's of mpeg recording too...

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Manedew
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=30-119-028&depa=7

Just got this camera ... it's nice... has about 10 min's of mpeg recording too...

That looks like a very decent camera and a very good price.  It's almost exactly the same size as the Canon.  How's the picture quality and button/shutter lag?

eskimo

[JB73]

SOB just curious, getting rid of the camera, how and for what price?