Camera advice

[moeman]

My wife is looking to get a new camera. She doesn't want to spend a fortune, but it needs to have a wide-angle option. Smaller is better, and it doesn't have to have 10 or more megapixels, 5 is fine although I'm sure most have 6 minimum these days.

Any thoughts/advice appreciated.

Thanks.

[Cos]

canon g6/g7

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Budget?

[lint]

Originally posted by Cos
canon g6/g7

Neither of those are wide angle.

For canon, the sd960is, sd880is, sd870is, sd800is are all wide angle and small. The 870 and 800 are older models so may be more difficult to find. Not sure about other brands, I like my canon.

[moeman]

She was recommended the Canon SD 970is, the Nikon S710 or the Olympus Tough 6000 by some realtor friends. Any reasons one would be better than another? They're all in her price range.

[Cos]

Originally posted by lint


Neither of those are wide angle.

For canon, the sd960is, sd880is, sd870is, sd800is are all wide angle and small. The 870 and 800 are older models so may be more difficult to find. Not sure about other brands, I like my canon.

they take lenses do they not?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Fuji F100 ($250) or F200 EXR ($375) are about as good as it gets in the compact world for most users. Wide angle lenses, class leading ISO performance, and all the usual expected features including manual modes.

The Panasonic DMC-LX3 is another excellent option, but very pricey and only has a 2.5X optical zoom if that matters to you.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Cos


they take lenses do they not?

Those aren't SLR cameras if that's what you're getting at.

[Cos]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Those aren't SLR cameras if that's what you're getting at.

I was asking if the Canon G6/G7 I recommended takes lenses. I understood they did.

[moeman]

She would prefer something that doesn't require a special lens for wide angle shots.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Cos


I was asking if the Canon G6/G7 I recommended takes lenses. I understood they did.

You can buy a wide angle conversion lens and a tele converter lens for it as you can with many point & shoot cameras, but its not like an SLR camera where you actually change lenses.

[mboldt]

Canon SD880, $279.99
4X Zoom, Wide Angle, 10.0MP, 3" Screen

[soupey]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


You can buy a wide angle conversion lens and a tele converter lens for it as you can with many point & shoot cameras, but its not like an SLR camera where you actually change lenses.

ends up costing as much as a cheaper dSLR

[moeman]

Originally posted by mboldt
Canon SD880, $279.99
4X Zoom, Wide Angle, 10.0MP, 3" Screen

Where?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by moeman


Where?

The Fuji F100 is a better camera overall, has full manual controls if you want, and is $30 cheaper.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by soupey


ends up costing as much as a cheaper dSLR

Yup, your money is much better spent on a small SLR.

[lint]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/page12.asp


The SD880 IS was the nicest camera in the group to use, has a sensible range of features and - despite the fewest pixels - produces some of the best results here. It has more than a dash of style, is fast and responsive and small enough to carry with you anywhere you go. For many users it will actually be a better choice than the Fuji - which beats it by a whisker - simply because it's a camera you're more likely to actually want to use.


the F100fd isn't a camera you'll fall for immediately; it's not very pretty, the user interface is dated (though perfectly functional) and it lacks the tactile appeal of the more overtly designed cameras in the group. But where it matters - taking pictures - the F100fd shines, especially at higher ISO settings.

[ZeroGravity]

I recently picked up a Panasonic LX3 mainly for its manual controls and F2.0 24mm lens... using this smaller camera compared to my other cameras need some getting used to... takes longer time to adjust everything I wanted too...

If manual modes are not a priority, maybe you can take a look at the Panasonic ZS3 (aka TZ7 in Europe)...

If size doesn't matter... Canon G10 has some good reviews too... mike (mboldt) recommeded the G10 to me too. But ended up getting the LX3... wife said LX3's smaller size is better for travel... if size and weight (and getting unwanted attention from the big lens) wasn't an issue, i can take my other cameras on my trip...

but the cameras mentioned are already in price range of entry level DSLR which produces images of much better quality due to larger sensor size.

[AccentAE86]

I'm pretty happy with my Panasonic FX37. I bought it specifically because it gets really quite wide at 25mm equiv. But it is still quite small, significantly smaller than the LX3.

I wanted something that can fit into a pocket. The LX3 is far superior, but it just is not a 'fit into a pocket' camera.

[C4S]

DC ?

Again, for price and image quality ..

Fuji F100. (F200 is nice too, but more $$, and less quality finished on body somehow .. unless u really want the manual control)

I did try to take few ~ same pic with G10, LX3, and F100 .. I like the pic from F100 most. (if you like Reala Colour)

It is also super easy to use .. my wife loves it.

Of course, it doesn't hv much gadget function or killer LCD. (if u view from LCD, not super nice pic vs other DC, but if you view in monitor, or print actual pic, Fuji is awesome!)

For $250 .. no other camera can touch it's IQ. ( it has a large 1/1.6 sensor, vs most DC has 1/2.5)

;)

[C4S]

DC ?

Again, for price and image quality ..

Fuji F100. (F200 is nice too, but more $$, and less quality finished on body somehow .. unless u really want the manual control)

I did try to take few ~ same pic with G10, LX3, and F100 .. I like the pic from F100 most. (if you like Reala Colour)

It is also super easy to use .. my wife loves it.

Of course, it doesn't hv much gadget function or killer LCD. (if u view from LCD, not super nice pic vs other DC, but if you view in monitor, or print actual pic, Fuji is awesome!)

For $250 .. no other camera can touch it's IQ. ( it has a large 1/1.6 sensor, vs most DC has 1/2.5)

;)

[C4S]

DC ?

Again, for price and image quality ..

Fuji F100. (F200 is nice too, but more $$, and less quality finished on body somehow .. unless u really want the manual control)

I did try to take few ~ same pic with G10, LX3, and F100 .. I like the pic from F100 most. (if you like Reala Colour)

It is also super easy to use .. my wife loves it.

Of course, it doesn't hv much gadget function or killer LCD. (if u view from LCD, not super nice pic vs other DC, but if you view in monitor, or print actual pic, Fuji is awesome!)

For $250 .. no other camera can touch it's IQ. ( it has a large 1/1.6 sensor, vs most DC has 1/2.5)

;)