Canon IXUS 700 - Or Pentax Optio S5i - Or neither?

[golfman]

Confused, as there is so much choice….

What’s the best compact someone could recommend?

I was looking at either the Canon IXUS 700, which comes with a waterproof case from this mob:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7521734091&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Or the Pentax Optio S5i:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7520238830&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Anyone used either of these? Thanks.

[windandwave]

s5i is a lovely camera, and tiny (significantly smaller than the IXUS). But:

- it's very slow shot to shot - about one shot every 1.5 seconds. The IXUS is much faster, and can take continuous shots at about 1.2 shots/second almost indefinitely with a fast card. The s5i isn't much use for action shots - and even for other shots it can get a bit frustrating when you want to take multiple exposures.

- it's also weaker on video. 320x240 at 15fps as compared with 640x480 at 30fps for the IXUS.

I have an s5i myself, and I've had sterling service from it, but I'm tempted to replace it with a IXUS700 or comparable because of the shooting speed and video. If these aren't issues for you, then the s5i is a superb camera and is strongly recommended.

Incidentally, you should be able to get the s5i cheaper than the prices in those links. It's now been replaced by two (essentially identical) models - the s5n and the s5z. Have a look at US prices in particular. I paid less than £150 for mine even before the new models came out.

[simpo two]

Just be ready for import duty and VAT if importing from outside the EU. It doesn't always happen but it really spoils your day when the postie turns up demanding an extra £80.

[golfman]

Thanks for the great advice. The IXUS it is then!

If not eBay can you suggest an alternative supplier?

[bacchus180]

try warehouse express... IXUS are great little cameras.. also you can get the underwater housing for them... sooo much fun!


whoops didn't see you were already onto that!

>> Edited by bacchus180 on Tuesday 14th June 13:11

[Bee_Jay]

Also try www.7dayshop.com

[FlossyThePig]

Try camerasdirect

You can get an IXUS 700 including an extra 512 meg SD card for less than the E-Bay price.

My IXUS 50 was ordered Thursday night (02/06/05 23:30) delivered Monday morning (06/06/05).

Hugh

>> Edited by FlossyThePig on Tuesday 14th June 14:19

[Andy M]

I've just bought a Casio EX-Z750 which I found to be better than the Ixus 700 and my old Optio S4i (which is noticably smaller).

Although he's a bit of a plank, Ken Rockwell's review is pretty good: www.kenrockwell.com/casio/exz750.htm

I got Jessop's to price match: [url]www.buyacamera.co.uk/search.asp?RecId=CASCA420[/url]



>> Edited by Andy M on Tuesday 14th June 17:46

[golfman]

Andy M said:

I've just bought a Casio EX-Z750 which I found to be better than the Ixus 700 and my old Optio S4i (which is noticably smaller). Although he's a bit of a plank, Ken Rockwell's review is pretty good: <a href="www.kenrockwell.com/casio/exz750.htm">www.kenrockwell.com/casio/exz750.htm</a> I got Jessop's to price match: [url]www.buyacamera.co.uk/search.asp?RecId=CASCA420[/url] >> Edited by Andy M on Tuesday 14th June 17:46

a 3rd choice now... Can you get a waterproof case for the Casio?

[Andy M]

Pass.

I don't think so, but I may be wrong. Take a trip to Jessops and have a play with each of the camera's mentioned.

If you're going for small size the Pentax will be the one to go for.

If you're looking for it to be well built, the Canon.

If you're looking for a good all-rounder then the Casio.

[murph7355]

I'd probably go for the Ixus 40 or 50 instead.

They're handily smaller than the 700, and the reduced resolution isn't a major problem on compacts IMO.

I have a 40 to back up my SLRs and it's a great little camera. Should be a chunk cheaper than the 700 too.

[Andy M]

golfman said:

Can you get a waterproof case for the Casio?

www.exilim.co.uk/exilimaccessory/exilimzoom/

It appears you can...

[golfman]

Andy M said:

golfman said: Can you get a waterproof case for the Casio? www.exilim.co.uk/exilimaccessory/exilimzoom/ It appears you can...

couldnt find the EX-Z750 though...

[LongQ]

The latest S5 - S5z seems a bit of a cracker (for £208 at Dabs.com so possibly cheaper elsewhere.)



Matches the Ixus for Video and has a 2.5 inch viewing screen - must cover the back of the thing.

MPEG-4 - 624 x 480 - 30 fps - 644 sec - with 256MB card

I may need to upgrade ....

Edit: Looks like the viewing screen does cover the back of it - no vewfinder in the specifiaction.

Not sure if that it a bad thing or not.

>> Edited by LongQ on Friday 17th June 14:42

[Marki]

The ixus is a work of art for a small cam .. luv them

[golfman]

Just took delivery of the Casio EX-Z750. Now to suss out how the thing works...

[Andy M]

golfman said:

Just took delivery of the Casio EX-Z750. Now to suss out how the thing works...

Good choice!

[LongQ]

golfman said:

Just took delivery of the Casio EX-Z750. Now to suss out how the thing works...

My younger daughter has expressed an interest in a Casio EX-Z57. A friend has one and she reckons she likes the handling and controls.

I looks a bit light on options compared to the Z750 which is not much more expensive so I was wondering what you thought of the 750 now you have had a chance to use it?

I'm also a little puzzled that the Casio specs for both cameras seem to suggest much smaller file sizes for a given image size (2560x1920 for example) than I normally see on my Pentax S5i at the top quality setting. That suggest either there is some info missing from the spec (or I have not spotted it yet) or the jpeg compression applied is greater for Casio than Pentax at max quality. Whether that makes a difference in the real world I don't know.

Any observations would be very welcome.

>> Edited by LongQ on Wednesday 20th July 17:59