Anyone gotten a good CAMERA lately?

[decodelighted]

Deco, my Canon Elph Powershot 850 IS is STILL going strong. Cameras have gotten so crappy when it comes to quality in the last few years. The 850 I believe I have had for at least 6 years now, possibly even longer.

WOW. That's great it's been such a workhorse for ya! Part of me feels silly for wanting another camera -- considering we both have them on our phones .... but the amazing photos we used to get with that old elph, before the newer poopy one ... grrrrrrr. If I strike out this time w/a camera I am going to take up sketching!

 

[decodelighted]

I had the Canon G11 and loved it, but it's pretty big for a P&S. I actually just sold that and got the Canon S95. Haven't done any bling pics but I know friends who also have the S95 and love it for almost everything. The S100 looks REALLY sweet but out of my price range - it has a greater zoom and the ability to take RAW pics, among other fun features. I'd look into the S95 or S100!

Thanks B.E.G -- good to hear from you. I'll check those out. RAW might be overkill -- as I hardly ever mess w/stuff too much. (Lazy! Unskilled w/ Photoshop! Constantly forget to ever actually make prints!) But I seriously WOULD love to learn how to better capture the beauty I see IN PERSON. So my pictures match the memories --- instead of watering them down!

 

[decodelighted]

Hi! I saw this thread and wanted to add my .02.

I do some semi-pro photo work from time to time. There are many good P&S cameras. Have you looked at KEH camera? THey are an online dealer who deals used equipment for GREAT prices, based out of Atlanta. They have a great return policy and tons of selection. I got a 95% new camera (their rating system) for over $200 less than the retail price of a new one. It was hardly used at all.

The camera I chose was a used CAnon S90. They have the S100 out now, and there is also an S95. Any of those should be great. You can shoot files in RAW which is a big plus, and the lens is very fast for a p&S, f 2.0. It doesn't have the greatest zoom but it works for most things, and it also has macro mode. It also has a control ring on the front of the camera much like a traditional "film" camera. It's TINY, fits in my purse. Love it.

I take it everywhere, it's awesome, and photo quality is very good. Keep in mind you dont need more than about 10 or 12 MP for most prints, so anything more than that is a marketing gimmic (and will actually add noise to your photos, depending on the size of the sensor i inside) so more pixels as advertised in some of the newer cameras is not always actually a good thing at all.

Nice to meet you, Kitten 35. Thanks for the recs & advice! Will check these models out today & look into KEH camera. Haven't purchased lightly used equipment before but am intrigued by the concept. Especially if I end up yearning for a model over budget.

 

[stargurl78]

I was given a Panasonic Lumix for christmass, the big chinky one around $450. I used it for a week...hated it. Gave it away to the cook at my local coffeeshop who might actually use it. My six year old canon powershoot sd950 digital elf is wonderful, has real optical, macro, colorbalance settings and metering choices. It is a great point and shoot.

Good to know! We did have one really good Powershoot Elph that i loved ... DH thinks it lasted several years. But I hated this last one with a passion from the get. Seemed so much SLOWER. Clunky response. Thanks for weighing in!

You know, my first Canon Elph was awesome (but then I dropped it on the beach and it got sand all inside the crevices and stopped working) But I am just not impressed with the Canon I have now. So I'm glad to see this thread because I'm also debating getting a new camera.

Does anyone have the Panasonic Lumix FH25? Or any other Panasonic Lumix point and shoot cameras? If yes, what do you think of them? I'm trying to decide between one of those or giving Canon one more try...

 

[decodelighted]

Funny, I have the same camera as Haven and HATE it. I should have returned it before the return period ended.

It just shows how random it seems to be, right? Maybe you had a lemon!

 

[decodelighted]

I LOVE my camera! It's a Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS. It's very small, I carry it around with me in my purse every day. I used my Canon PowerShot SD 630 from October 2005 to June 2011.

So I went back to try to figure out the Elph history over here & here's what I found. DH bought a Canon Elph Powershot S400 back in 2003 and it lasted through the end of 2008. This camera was the bomb. For one thing, I got it for free when I got him! HA! And it was an upgrade over whatever nonsense I was using at the time. AND the pictures from this were so great we both still use shots from it as Desktop Images on our laptops. (Yes, they are pix from our honeymoon but still -- they are just better PHOTOGRAPHS than anything we've taken with ....

2008-2011: Canon Powershot Elph SD790 IS -- oh how I hate you, Canon SD790. I guess we had you longer than I thought before you started crashing unstoppably during every outing on which we'd rely on you. Buying you new memory cards like grocery checkout impulse candy. I would run you over with my car if I wasn't afraid it would harm a tire! As I mentioned, from the first shot I ever took with this supposed faboo super better glammy what not, I was all "this is sooooo much slower than the old camera"! DH was so bedazzled by the giant display & sexy DP reviews etc, he didn't mind as much. Until it started failing all the time, I guess last year sometime. He swears we too some good pictures w/that too but ... c'mon ... if we had wouldn't EITHER of us have selected new Desktop Images in the last three+ years? I rest my case!

 

[yssie]

I had the Canon G11 and loved it, but it's pretty big for a P&S. I actually just sold that and got the Canon S95. Haven't done any bling pics but I know friends who also have the S95 and love it for almost everything. The S100 looks REALLY sweet but out of my price range - it has a greater zoom and the ability to take RAW pics, among other fun features. I'd look into the S95 or S100!

Thanks B.E.G -- good to hear from you. I'll check those out. RAW might be overkill -- as I hardly ever mess w/stuff too much. (Lazy! Unskilled w/ Photoshop! Constantly forget to ever actually make prints!) But I seriously WOULD love to learn how to better capture the beauty I see IN PERSON. So my pictures match the memories --- instead of watering them down!

I use the S95 too - I love it! It takes awesome bling shots

I was looking at the S100 too, but I decided it wasn't worth the upgrade. I don't need most of the new features - the better video, closer zoom - I hardly ever take videos so I don't care if they're not HD and I use filters for zooming anyway. The only one I really want is the faster continuous-shooting (like 8x faster!) since that's how I take all my pics... I was a bit peeved w/ the sensor downgrade, too.

Deco - ditto BEG, definitely look into the S95 - they're really well-priced used now and they're SO versatile once you get past the first few WTFdoesthisthingdo days!

Disclaimer: I don't have a DSLR so "versatile" is a strictly P&S comparison


ETA: I upgraded from a 790IS too, and I gotta say don't miss it one tiny bit...

 

[decodelighted]

I use the S95 too - I love it! It takes awesome bling shots I was looking at the S100 too, but I decided it wasn't worth the upgrade. I don't need most of the new features - the better video, closer zoom - I hardly ever take videos so I don't care if they're not HD and I use filters for zooming anyway. The only one I really want is the faster continuous-shooting (like 8x faster!) since that's how I take all my pics... I was a bit peeved w/ the sensor downgrade, too. Deco - ditto BEG, definitely look into the S95 - they're really well-priced used now and they're SO versatile once you get past the first few WTFdoesthisthingdo days!

Oh man. You guys have dun created a monster. My gadget loving DH is now eyeing that S100 like a cartoon dog/big juicy steak & thusly wanting to double my sensible budget! If I *knew* it would a) be awesome and b) def last 5 years -- I'd come onboard the train

ETA: I upgraded from a 790IS too, and I gotta say don't miss it one tiny bit...

Oh no! Not you too! Glad to hear that you've come out on the other side AOK! Thanks for weighing in, Yssie!

 

[distracts]

All I want from a camera is one that doesn't take so long to take a picture that it blurs the picture from the movement of my hand pressing down on the button. I never had this problem with film cameras! Okay I also want one where I don't have to wait like ten seconds between each picture and can just go snap-snap-snap. What if there is something fast-moving that I want to take pictures of!?!?!

Anyway I hate cameras. HATE. With a passion. Yet I love taking pictures. Go figure.

eta: My mother has a Canon something. I don't know what one, maybe one of the more expensive Powershot models? It's pretty good. The dinky little cameras my fiance buys inspire my wrath. He has a big fancy DSLR but it's too heavy for me to hold with one hand, so it's useless for taking pictures while on vacation or of my pets or bling.

 

[Haven]

I do think my current Canon is a bit slow resetting between pictures, so that's a negative. It's never been so slow that it's bothered me, though, but *I'M* a slow-moving person, so that's probably why.

I wish they had samples of photos taken with each camera when you go to the store to buy one. That would be mighty helpful.

ETA: DECO! I love your new avatar photo. What a face! Is that Tallulah? What a cutie pie.

 

[decodelighted]

DECO! I love your new avatar photo. What a face! Is that Tallulah? What a cutie pie.

It *is*! Thanks! This is an iPhone4 pix along the Hudson River but I can't take credit for the shot --- I'm on "leash" duty just outta sight.

 

[TravelingGal]

DECO! I love your new avatar photo. What a face! Is that Tallulah? What a cutie pie.

It *is*! Thanks! This is an iPhone4 pix along the Hudson River but I can't take credit for the shot --- I'm on "leash" duty just outta sight.

 

[yssie]

Awwwww that is a seriously cute puppy



S95 - 5cm min macro distance isn't great (I believe S100 is 3cm?) and the in-camera filters and "modes" and stuff suck, and I don't think they changed anything for the S100. They've been pretty awful on pretty much every camera I've owned recently though, and I've pretty much only owned Canons... I remember my old Olympus having better Auto function, selective memory maybe? In any case - if I take the thirty seconds to set my own white balance and choose my own shutter settings I'm *much* happier come edit time! I love this camera because it lets you choose that stuff but it's small enough to stick in a pocket, but they charge you for it - if you know that you're gonna just let it auto-choose everything I definitely think there are cheaper cameras (brands?) that will do a better job! I've heard good things about the Nikon coolpix series...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Anyway, when I get the iphone 4, I'll post about the camera and let you know!

Exciting about your new phone! We ended up taking a few pix this weekend with DH's iphone 4 & I tried out the digital zoom for the first time (now that I know it exists on there! HA!)

How do you like the zoom? I love your new avatar.

I'll post whenever I get the phone. My dh was having a few problems with his and I was using those problems as an excuse not to get the iphone, but he figured out how to fix them so I don't have much left to keep from getting one...I did say that I would only get one if we could get it in pink, but he ignored me. I still am thinking of hiding our camera so I can keep my macro mode! lol

ETA - your dog is REALLY cute!

 

[Haven]

OHMIPUPPPPPPPPY! That face! That face!

She is seriously adorable. She almost looks like a fake little toy puppy, she is so ridiculously cute.

Thank you for the big photo, Deco!

 

[lulu66]

i purchased DH a new P&S for christmas. his main requirements were pocket-size, great to good zoom (over 10x optical), and great photos. i wanted to stay around $200-$250 & seriously considered the cannon elph but ended up with this one b/c it had more zoom power (??? is that how you would say that?):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J3YCGM/ref=oh_o05_s00_i00_details

it takes fantastic photos; lots of options (i don't understand 1/2 of them). the only negative for me is that the flash pops up & it is where your finger naturally wants to rest on the camera; that takes a bit of getting used to but imo is not a deal-breaker on this camera.

my sister's BF actually purchased her the same camera for christmas & she has enjoyed hers as much as we have enjoyed this one!

have you decided on one yet??

 

[bagelboy]

Deco, that's one cute little dog! I'm sure you know that lots of camera magazines review different models of cameras. It makes it a little easier to find out the features you really like and need and those you don't. I liked the ELPH, but it was just too small for my hands. I bought a Canon Powershot 150, easy to use, takes great photos but not super slim and looks like it will last awhile. This particular camera uses AA batteries, which you can find the regular alkaline batteries everywhere,Ni-cad which are rechargeable, and also lithium batteries spendy but have shorter lag times. I believe part of the problem of cameras not shooting photos in rapid succession is the batteries not having enough power to take photos in quick succession. Takes video clips too, my wife likes it. I would suggest looking thru a few camera magazine reveiews and then find that model in a store to see how it feels in your hands. From my point of view there are alot of cheap cameras with no optical zoom that just too small to hold on to, like those hotel soap bars. Good luck in your quest.

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

I LOVE my camera! It's a Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS. It's very small, I carry it around with me in my purse every day.

I had another Canon before this one, and I thought that was a camera, but this one really blows me away. I have pretty lame photography skills, yet we end up with awesome photos because of this camera.

PS washes everything out once I upload pictures, but here are some recent ones that I've taken. Let's see if PS can handle 'em.


And since this is PS, here's a recent shot of my stone. I took it of my entire hand, and zoomed in super close-up on my computer. Still crisp:


ETA:
Fine. When I make the file sizes smaller to share on PS it just takes away so much from the photos. Trust me, the originals look awesome.

ETA2: I just had a bunch of pictures from this camera printed out at size 16 x 20, and they look awesome. I love this camera, and I'm pretty sure it cost less than $200. I want to say it was in the $150 range.

I ditto Haven! She was the one who suggested this camera to me last year and I love it! I got is as apart of a bundle from Best Buy (camera, case, memory card, extra battery) for around $230.00.

Another vote for this camera! I bought one before i went on a vaca and it is a great little camera that was reasonably priced! Actually i just looked at my camera it is a 310 HS. Maybe a newer model? Irregardless, it takes amazing pics & HD video.

 

[EricaR]

I take a TON of photos. I frequently carry my iPhone 4 (not 4s), my point and shoot, and a DSLR.

My iPhone takes good photos. As long as there is enough light. And I don't need to zoom that far. And there isn't a lot of movement. And I don't need to do a lot of editing.

In my mind, it isn't a good replacement for a "real" camera. It is great for silly photos of my cats, for little snapshots here and there that I won't do anything with. If I want to turn a photo into a print, if I want to be able to do some editing, if I need to be able to crop/zoom/etc I reach for an actual camera.

I had a FAB Canon Digital Elph from like 2004 and it died two years ago. After that I purchased another Canon and it was total crap. I was about to give up on Canons when I wandered into Costco and picked up the Elph 310HS. So far I really love it. It doesn't feel flimsy, it takes great "quick" photos, the videos are fantastic and over all it feels really similar to my original Canon.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11680068&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC|90607&N=4047256%204294967258&Mo=4&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

MC - I don't know how much luck you'd have selling your current camera. They don't hold too much resale value.

 

[decodelighted]

Thanks PS pals! DH & I met up at Best Buy tonight to try to get a feel for our top three choices:

1)Canon Elph 310 HS
2)Canon S100 (or S95?)
3)Canon Powershot SX230 or SX260

Turns out they only had a bunch of old, broken display models & not a SINGLE one of our picks -- so we ended up at Target who had a surprisingly larger selection & more informative assistance.

We could only check out the 300 version of the Elph -- not the 310, so I can't speak for the differences --but although it was adorable & powerful, we decided it was too small & slippery for us. But we were able to check out both the Powershot SX230 (on incredible sale @ $179! But a display model. ) and the brand new model SX260. Nice feel, perfect size, amazing zoom & all the features we think we'll actually use. DH liked the SX260 better though because it has a rubber grip on the front, 20x optical zoom vs 14 on the 230. And it's just been released Feb 9th & he's kind geeks out over the latest stuff. After debating whether we should wait & see the S100 before deciding -- we decided we wouldn't really use the extra functions that offers. (Most notably: shooting in RAW & manual lens control ring.) Sooooooo

We bought the black SX260! There's a 45 day return window -- so I'm going to try it out over the next few days & see if it's everything I hope it is! If not, we can always try to track down an S100 (or S95) somewhere to see.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I will report back on my findings w/hopefully some good bling and/or pup shots. YAY!

 

[lulu66]

Thanks PS pals! DH & I met up at Best Buy tonight to try to get a feel for our top three choices:

1)Canon Elph 310 HS
2)Canon S100 (or S95?)
3)Canon Powershot SX230 or SX260

Turns out they only had a bunch of old, broken display models & not a SINGLE one of our picks -- so we ended up at Target who had a surprisingly larger selection & more informative assistance.

We could only check out the 300 version of the Elph -- not the 310, so I can't speak for the differences --but although it was adorable & powerful, we decided it was too small & slippery for us. But we were able to check out both the Powershot SX230 (on incredible sale @ $179! But a display model. ) and the brand new model SX260. Nice feel, perfect size, amazing zoom & all the features we think we'll actually use. DH liked the SX260 better though because it has a rubber grip on the front, 20x optical zoom vs 14 on the 230. And it's just been released Feb 9th & he's kind geeks out over the latest stuff. After debating whether we should wait & see the S100 before deciding -- we decided we wouldn't really use the extra functions that offers. (Most notably: shooting in RAW & manual lens control ring.) Sooooooo

We bought the black SX260! There's a 45 day return window -- so I'm going to try it out over the next few days & see if it's everything I hope it is! If not, we can always try to track down an S100 (or S95) somewhere to see.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I will report back on my findings w/hopefully some good bling and/or pup shots. YAY!

that's great! glad you found one that (hopefully!!) works for you all we have loved the sx230, like i said earlier. can't wait to see diamonds & puppies

 

[Haven]

Yay!

Does this mean we'll get more puppy pics?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I do think my current Canon is a bit slow resetting between pictures, so that's a negative. It's never been so slow that it's bothered me, though, but *I'M* a slow-moving person, so that's probably why.

I wish they had samples of photos taken with each camera when you go to the store to buy one. That would be mighty helpful.

ETA: DECO! I love your new avatar photo. What a face! Is that Tallulah? What a cutie pie.

I think it is frustrating when I am trying to take photos of my kid or other frequently moving creatures. The placement of the buttons don't bother you? There is a website that posts photos taken from each camera. Can't remember the name. It is a photography website.

 

[Haven]

I do think my current Canon is a bit slow resetting between pictures, so that's a negative. It's never been so slow that it's bothered me, though, but *I'M* a slow-moving person, so that's probably why.

I wish they had samples of photos taken with each camera when you go to the store to buy one. That would be mighty helpful.

ETA: DECO! I love your new avatar photo. What a face! Is that Tallulah? What a cutie pie.

I think it is frustrating when I am trying to take photos of my kid or other frequently moving creatures. The placement of the buttons don't bother you? There is a website that posts photos taken from each camera. Can't remember the name. It is a photography website.

No, the placement of the buttons really doesn't bother me. Which buttons bother you? The ones on top?
So interesting, how different our reactions are to this camera!

I take most of my pictures when we travel, and at home of our cats and dogs. I really haven't had any issues with this camera, but that doesn't mean it's a good choice for everyone. I carry it around in my purse and take photos of interesting things I see out and about, maybe three times a week. It's small enough and easy to use that I can usually grab it to catch a really great shot.

I will say that I think I must have a very steady hand. My mom took pictures of us this past weekend at a bat mitzvah, and it took her two tries to get one that wasn't blurry. The first shot was blurry, so she took it again and the second one was crisp. I rarely have that issue, no matter the light. Maybe that's part of it?

 

[MsP]

Thanks PS pals! DH & I met up at Best Buy tonight to try to get a feel for our top three choices:

1)Canon Elph 310 HS
2)Canon S100 (or S95?)
3)Canon Powershot SX230 or SX260

Turns out they only had a bunch of old, broken display models & not a SINGLE one of our picks -- so we ended up at Target who had a surprisingly larger selection & more informative assistance.

We could only check out the 300 version of the Elph -- not the 310, so I can't speak for the differences --but although it was adorable & powerful, we decided it was too small & slippery for us. But we were able to check out both the Powershot SX230 (on incredible sale @ $179! But a display model. ) and the brand new model SX260. Nice feel, perfect size, amazing zoom & all the features we think we'll actually use. DH liked the SX260 better though because it has a rubber grip on the front, 20x optical zoom vs 14 on the 230. And it's just been released Feb 9th & he's kind geeks out over the latest stuff. After debating whether we should wait & see the S100 before deciding -- we decided we wouldn't really use the extra functions that offers. (Most notably: shooting in RAW & manual lens control ring.) Sooooooo

We bought the black SX260! There's a 45 day return window -- so I'm going to try it out over the next few days & see if it's everything I hope it is! If not, we can always try to track down an S100 (or S95) somewhere to see.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I will report back on my findings w/hopefully some good bling and/or pup shots. YAY!

Sounds like you're happy with your purchase but if you have any inklings... the S100 gets the "best point and shoot pocketable camera" award from most anyone you'll talk to and most review sites if money isn't a factor.

My parents have the S95 and LOVE it.

 

[dani13]

BUMPING this thread for feedback from Deco: How do you like your new camera??? I'm in the market for a good P&S!!!!

 

[aviastar]

I have the Canon G10 and I LURVE it! It was about $500 when I bought it several years ago; it is bigger than a standard fit in your pocket p&s but it has fantastic zoom , fast shutter speed, fun settings and tools that aren't too hard to use and great quality. Three years and one major trip and lots of everyday use and it's still going strong. It has great macro, takes video with sound, and can go manual or automatic. I think most of Canon's line are pretty safe, I've always been happy with their quality.

I used to have a little Sony slip-in-your-pocket and it was pretty good, too. Never crapped out on me, I just upgraded to the Canon a few years later.

 

[dani13]

Thanks Aviastar for your feedback!!!! Hopefully Deco will chime in too!!!

 

[kenny]

I don't have a point and shoot, but I have a photographer friend who has professional camera gear and does superb work.
Over the years he has owned many point and shoots since his main cameras are too big to carry around in a pocket all the time.

He currently has and LOVES his Sony HX20V.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/846284-REG/Sony_DSCHX20V_B_Cyber_Shot_DSC_HX20V_Digital_Camera.html

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love camera threads! Back in 2006 or so, I bought the Canon SD600 and happily used it until it finally died this summer. I just ordered the camera that is one step lower than Haven's, the Canon Powershot Elph 100 HS, and the only difference is that it has 4x zoom instead of 5x. It has higher features than the SD600 did, so I am sure it will meet my needs for casual photography. I have to have a camera that fits in my purse! This one costs less than my last one, so it if dies in 2-3 years, I won't care so much. There's just no point in my buying a camera that has more features than I will actually use. The other reason I bought this camera is that it uses the same batteries and charger as my last phone, and I had recently purchased 2 new batteries!

(Haven, you may not see this, but where were you in NC for a month?)