Another what digi camera thread!
Discussion
Hello folks!
These are getting about as common as "What car" threads in GG!
Anyway, I am looking for my second camera to replace an Olympus C220zoom.
Price range 3-400 quid including decent amount of memory.
I want something that can do everything automatically, but that I can really experiment with on manual settings when I have some time.
Size/weight it important - I don't want to be leaving the camera at home because it's too bulky, especially on holiday, etc., but equally I don't want something that is too light and looks like a toy!
I spent a while looking at Sonys as my dad had one a few years ago that was superb. Looked very closely at the P200 but decided that it a) wasn't "manual" enough, and b) I didn't like the thought of pricey Memory Stick.
I've just spent a bit of time looking at Canons, and picked out these 4 :
A95 - looks good, Mrs.NCoT has the A70 (I think) which seems good, but I can afford a bit more so maybe I could get something better?
Powershot S1 IS - again, looks very impressive, but perhaps a little bulky? Thoughts.
G6 - looks amazing, but maybe pushing the budget, and bulk is again a concern - seems less bulky than S1 though.
S70 - thought this looked perfect for a while - good size, good spec, right sort of price, but the movie aspect is very limited and it used proprietary rechargeables...
People have mentioned the Panasonic Lumix FX-20 but I am put off by the lack of viewfinder.
Haven't looked too closely at Nikon or Fuji yet.
As a general rule of thumb, how awkward to carry around are the sticky-out lens cameras like the Lumix and S1? They do look a nightmare to carry, but I think they're smaller in your hand than they look if that makes sense? Some of the ones I have seen look ridiculous (Sony F828 for example - looks about a foot long!)
Looking for any general advice people can give, this has been on my mind for 6 months now!
These are getting about as common as "What car" threads in GG!
Anyway, I am looking for my second camera to replace an Olympus C220zoom.
Price range 3-400 quid including decent amount of memory.
I want something that can do everything automatically, but that I can really experiment with on manual settings when I have some time.
Size/weight it important - I don't want to be leaving the camera at home because it's too bulky, especially on holiday, etc., but equally I don't want something that is too light and looks like a toy!
I spent a while looking at Sonys as my dad had one a few years ago that was superb. Looked very closely at the P200 but decided that it a) wasn't "manual" enough, and b) I didn't like the thought of pricey Memory Stick.
I've just spent a bit of time looking at Canons, and picked out these 4 :
A95 - looks good, Mrs.NCoT has the A70 (I think) which seems good, but I can afford a bit more so maybe I could get something better?
Powershot S1 IS - again, looks very impressive, but perhaps a little bulky? Thoughts.
G6 - looks amazing, but maybe pushing the budget, and bulk is again a concern - seems less bulky than S1 though.
S70 - thought this looked perfect for a while - good size, good spec, right sort of price, but the movie aspect is very limited and it used proprietary rechargeables...
People have mentioned the Panasonic Lumix FX-20 but I am put off by the lack of viewfinder.
Haven't looked too closely at Nikon or Fuji yet.
As a general rule of thumb, how awkward to carry around are the sticky-out lens cameras like the Lumix and S1? They do look a nightmare to carry, but I think they're smaller in your hand than they look if that makes sense? Some of the ones I have seen look ridiculous (Sony F828 for example - looks about a foot long!)
Looking for any general advice people can give, this has been on my mind for 6 months now!
what do you mean?NiceCupOfTea said:
Powershot S1 IS - again, looks very impressive, but perhaps a little bulky? Thoughts.
Looking for any general advice people can give, this has been on my mind for 6 months now!
This may be of interest.
www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-6466-7774
I don't have any knowledge of the current batch of upper end non dSLR cameras. I decided that my primary requirement was related to size and something very pocketable (based on a largely good experience with a little Sony DSC U30 last year.) So I only ooked at the smallest cameras around and picked the Pentax Option S - of which the S5i was the current model when I took the plunge last autumn.
If you want comprehensive manual control you needs to look elsewhere, though you can manipulate things a fair bit if you choose to to play with all the settings available. But on balance I was looking for something that could be available, in a pocket, at all times yet offer potential for high quality results and the Pentax does that for me. There are a few other very small units which offer much the same - the little Casios for example.
Making 'smallest' the prime decision factor and 'physical zoom' a secondary also helped to reduce the choices! It made for a much easier decision. However I suspect your selection criteria have a wider requirement base than mine.
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