Digital Camera Recomendations!

[tommy]

I am shopping for a new digital camera and would like the imput of my fellow forum friends who might have more insight then me....I do not have a unlimited budget..I currently have an entry level camera and I feel I would like something that has more options and more mp's....better qaulity....I have a canon A60 right now.....With my daughter graduating I am looking for something to take good indoor pic's as well as good outdoor pic's for mexico...I would like to be able to take multiple pic's in a short period of time...(her walking across the stage) as well I would like to take pic's of my son when he is jumping off a cliff in mexico this summer....I would also like to be able to buy a water proof case for it so I can take some pics while Im snorkeling in PLAYA....

other features are movie mode w/sound...and maybe the idea of being able to change lenses in the future...

what do yall have? what do you like/dislike about it? if you could go buy a new camera which one would it be and why?

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated and researched...

[cuffedlinks]

Tommy,

We like our Canon PowerShot SD100 Digital Elph...

[denisea]

Canon and Nikon are really the front runners in digital cameras. Though both Olympus and Sony make some good models as well. Canon cameras are considered to be more user friendly and require less image manipulation, especially for amateur photographers. By comparison, Nikon cameras require more tweaking of photos from a color perspective. Olympus cameras use proprietary image software that is somewhat cumbersome and the cameras look and feel cheap compared to both the Canon and Nikon cameras. I actually like some of the Sony products, however, they usually get knocked off the list simply because they use secure digital media (SD) as opposed to compact flash cards (CF).

I personally own a Canon Powershot G1 3.3 mp, which I purchased in January 2001 shortly after it was introduced. Of course, it has long since been discontinued now --- I believe the latest model in a G5. It is a great camera that more than suits our needs. If I were to upgrade now, I'd stick with a Canon.

Your current Canon Powershot A60 is a 2 mp camera. Underwater housings are available for 7 Canon digital cameras ranging from 3.2 to 5 mp. Below are the 7 cameras listed by megapixels including an approximate camera cost + approximate underwater housing cost. I've indicated in bold blue text the ones that IMHO are the best for each category.

3.2 mp Cameras:

Powershot S1 $499 USD + $160 USD = $659 USD

Click here for specs and user reviews on dpreview.com.
Click here for a review on dpreview.com.
Click here for a review on steves-digicams.com.

Powershot A75 $299 USD + $160 USD = $459 USD
Powershot SD110 $299 USD + $160 USD = $459 USD

4 mp Cameras:

Powershot A80 $346 USD + $160 USD = $506 USD

Click here for specs and user reviews on dpreview.com.
Click here for a review on steves-digicams.com.
Click here for a review on albert.achtung.com.

Powershot S410 $399 USD + $160 USD = $559 USD
Powershot SD10 $350 USD + $80 USD = $430 USD

5 mp Cameras:

Powershot S50 $380 USD + $160 USD = $540 USD

Click here for specs and user reviews on dpreview.com.
Click here for a review on dpreview.com.
Click here for a review on steves-digicams.com.

Both the SD110 and SD10 use SD media as opposed to CF so you will not be able to use your existing CF from your A60. A 3.2 mp is not much of an upgrade from a 2 mp. The A75 is almost identical to your current A60. And the S1 is expensive for a 3.2 mp camera. The S410 lacks a TV mode.

So now we're left with the 4 mp A80 or the 5 mp S50. The total price difference between the two is neglible ($34 when you included the underwater housing). The S50 is one of the recommended cameras in the 5-6 mp consumer category on dpreview.com (this list also includes the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G500, Sony Cybershot P10, Olympus C-5000 Zoom, Kodak DX4530, and Casio QV-R51). The S50 is one of the recommended cameras in the 4 mp consumer category on dpreview.com (this list also includes the Panasonic DMC-LC43, Casio QV-R40, Konica Minolta DiMAGE G400, Pentax Optio S4, and Olympus D-565 Zoom). The biggest differences between these two cameras other than the mp is as follows:

Powershot A80

Largest File Size (on card) 2 mb
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) 38 -114mm
Optical Zoom/Digital Zoom 3x/3.6x
Closest Focus Distance 2 inches
Image capacity (large/fine) 27
CF Card Type 1
Other exposure modes custom 1 and 2
Shutter Speed Range 15 - 1/2000 sec
Maximum Shooting Speed 2.2 fps (LCD off)
Special LCD Features 1.5 inch Vari-Angle TFT (113k pixels)
Direct Printing Without Computer Yes
Weight Body Only 8.8 oz
Standard Power Supply AA batteries (4)
Optional Power AC power, NIMH AA

Powershot S50

Largest File Size (on card) 2.5 mb
Focal length (35mm equivalent) 35-105mm
Optical Zoom/Digital Zoom 3x/4.1x
Closest Focus Distance 3.9 inches
Image Capacity (large/fine) 21
CF Card Type 1 & 2
Shutter Speed Range 15 - 1/1500 sec
Maximum Shooting Speed 2 fps hi-speed/1.5 fps standard speed
Special LCD Features 1.8 inch TFT (118k pixels)
Direct Printing Without Computer Yes + PictBridge
Weight Body Only 9.2 oz
Standard Power Supply Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Optional Power AC power, Car Adapter Power

If it was my purchase, I'd opt for the Powershot A80 with an upgrade to the NIMH battery.

[tommy]

as always you ROCK!! I thank you so much for your input....I have looked at this camera a couple of times...IMHO and yours it seems to be a great value camera for money....not to make you work any more but I dont want to upgrade for a while so if my budget were say $600.00 or less for camera alone would you recomend something different or would you stick with the A80??? thanks so much for your input denisea...

[denisea]

Originally Posted by sun seekers

as always you ROCK!! I thank you so much for your input....I have looked at this camera a couple of times...IMHO and yours it seems to be a great value camera for money....not to make you work any more but I dont want to upgrade for a while so if my budget were say $600.00 or less for camera alone would you recomend something different or would you stick with the A80??? thanks so much for your input denisea...

New product intros occur throughout the year. However, the majority occur from January - March and then again from July - September. So if you're not in a hurry, you could wait to see what is introduced later this summer. Of course, when new intros come out, the older models usually drop in price. Though I wouldn't hestitate to buy the A80 now. It's a great value for the money, offering the latest Canon technology, the ability to shoot in manual mode, and the flexibility to add lens and an underwater housing. The average amateur photographer will never need more than 4 mp --- unless you plan to output high quality photos larger than 11"x14". So to answer your question, if it was me, yes I would stick with the A80. I doubt you'll find a better value camera for the money. Use the money you save to purchase the NIMH batteries and charger, a couple of decent size CF cards (128 mb or more), an underwater housing, and additional lens.

[james]

Olympus C-5060 buy it
pretty fantastic, rugged and built to last.

Olympus C-8080 buy it
the link is to a review on dpreview.com. very well written site and excellent review quality. read the conclusion on the last page. tough call between this one and an digital SLR. it might be more than you need already.

Nikon D-70
this is the choice in digital SLRs.

I'm choosing between these models. Obviously I haven't decided on a budget yet. I'll probably get the 5060.

[tommy]

Originally Posted by james

Olympus C-5060 buy it
pretty fantastic, rugged and built to last.
I'm choosing between these models. Obviously I haven't decided on a budget yet. I'll probably get the 5060.

Thanks James...I am reading up on the C-5060 going to check it out Sunday..this is more like the camera I am looking for...

denisea..thanks for the input...the thing I dont like about the A-80 is it feel cheap...it doest have that rugged hold up to some misuse feel to it...My family and I are hard on cameras and I think something like the C-5060 will do better...the A-60 and A-80 have the same look and feel..kinda cheap memory card cover....other little things like that...

I also like the Nikon coolpix5400.....

[denisea]

Originally Posted by sun seekers

Thanks James...I am reading up on the C-5060 going to check it out Sunday..this is more like the camera I am looking for...

denisea..thanks for the input...the thing I dont like about the A-80 is it feel cheap...it doest have that rugged hold up to some misuse feel to it...My family and I are hard on cameras and I think something like the C-5060 will do better...the A-60 and A-80 have the same look and feel..kinda cheap memory card cover....other little things like that...

I also like the Nikon coolpix5400.....

That's cool. Of the two, based on the interests you expressed in your original post, it seems that the Olympus C-5060 would better suit your needs. It's a little more expensive than the Nikon Coolpix 5400, however, it has an underwater housing made specifically for it at a reasonable price (about $175) and the Nikon doesn't. There are underwater housings available for the Nikon, however, you're looking at spending almost as much on the housing as on the camera itself. I ran into that problem with my Canon G1. So if you really want to use it underwater keep that in mind. I also like the fact that the Olympus works with a variety of storage media which gives you added flexibility. The camera has some weight to it too --- a little over 1 lb!

[Jesus]

My vote goes to Olympus C-5060. Cheap Underwater housing, good megapixel count, small size and solid feeling (I tested some cameras a couple weeks ago, but as I'm on a budget, I will wait for prices to come down).

this cameras don't offer much of interchangeable lenses, but there are some add-on lenses to compensate. If you really want to be able to use different lenses with your camera, you are speaking of big leage Pro or semi-Pro cameras, Canon Digital Rebel seems like a good option here, but the housing is going to cost you more than the camera alone.

[tommy]

thanks guys...going tp go shopping later today....I will keep the Olympus at the top of the list....now I must go haggle! yes I do it here in the states as well..

[cuffedlinks]

hey Tommy,

I looked at your question from the standpoint of a great digital camera that packs well and is travel/vacation friendly...hence the sd100...

Having had a high end Olympus, and one of the d-490's when they came out - I can say I think Olympus makes a FINE product with which I've had no problems...

Happy Hunting!

[tommy]

thanks Cuffed..I am looking to not have to upgrade for a while....plus I would like to do some big prints to frame and put around the office and house!!!! poster size so I think I need at least 5mp or more....thanks for your input....

[tommy]

well..Started the day off with me and Donna out on a mission to shop for camera's...we went to all the usual places for this I had spent some time researching the different camera's that were recommended...I did not want to purchase off the net for this purchase do to time and Product type...We looked at several cameras..some of the ones we looked at were the canon A80 the sl1pro the rebel and several more...we looked at the Fuji sl7000 and the Nokon Coolpix5400 all of the cameras were somewhat large in size and Donna didnt feel comfy with them....My main goal was to get a better picture qaulity and to have a swivel screen for its protection...I wanted a minimum of 4 Megapixels and blaa blaa blaa....After several stops all around town I had almost shopped myself out of the market....I was confused...I really stressed myself out thinking I needed alot more than I realy did...I told Donna I needed to go have an Ice cold Beer and relax a minute and think about it...we did...several as a matter of fact...after that we went and picked Donna up some new snorkel gear for our trip next week...I had decided to take denisea's advice...I went and purchased the Canon A80...4megapixel..swivel screen and it has an underwater case for $160.00 the main reason I went with this camera is because Donna and myself are very familiar with the controls of this camera as we own an A60 as well...all the functions are easy for us to use and the size is comfy for all of us...I can see myself maybe in the future when the cam prices drop a little more and my travel dates get closer and closer to each other buying a 7-8 megapixel camera.. but the A80 was priced right and it is twice as good as the one I have which takes pretty darn good pic's...I used it last night playing around and took a picture of our cenote and I was amazed at the picture qaulity.....very nice even for a picture at night.I also purchased some more memory...they didnt have any of the rechargable batteries but I can get those later....so I think I am set for this next trip....An A60 an A80 a 16,32,and 2-128 flash cards...plenty for just me and Donna to snap away with...

so thank you denisea for all your help!!!!!!!!!! and thanks for the input from everyone else....Me and Donna thank you all.......

[denisea]

Glad you finally made a decision. But are you sure it wasn't Donna who needed an ice cold one? She's got to have the patience of a Saint. :p

[tommy]

Originally Posted by denisea

Glad you finally made a decision. But are you sure it wasn't Donna who needed an ice cold one? She's got to have the patience of a Saint. :p

yes you are right...at one point I almost bit her head for saying she didnt like the manual focus on the nikon....I was stressed....she set me straight...