Which small digital camera

[DustyC]

thanks all.
The S40 and the S50 is the ones I have been looking at.
Only bad things I've heard is noise in low light pics.

Harry, had a look at the Casios in a shop yesterday. They really are fantastic but unfortunately I really want the video out option (for viewing pics on a TV). Otherwise, a perfect choice.

[simpo two]

DustyC said:

Harry, had a look at the Casios in a shop yesterday. They really are fantastic but unfortunately I really want the video out option (for viewing pics on a TV). Otherwise, a perfect choice.

Heh - a gazillion high quality pixels and then he looks at it on an interlaced 720x576 telly....

Also, viewing on on TV can drain your batteries very fast, so be warned!

[DustyC]

From the first post

DustyC said:

Im after a small Digital cameras for gifts.

My parents are more likely to view on a TV and get me to print them for them.

[LongQ]

DustyC said:

thanks all. The S40 and the S50 is the ones I have been looking at. Only bad things I've heard is noise in low light pics.

179 notes at dabs.com or parkcameras.com for the S50.

Looks like the S40 is getting rare - not listed at either of the above. They still had stock a couple of weeks ago.

I think most cameras will suffer from noise in low light - even some you pay biggish money for.

Think of it as Art Effect rather than artefact!

[LongQ]

A couple of snaps taken quickly late this afternoon. Needed the ISO400 setting on the Pentax S5i to get these up to 1/60th of a second. It was pretty dull!

Nothing retouched other than the re-sizing and quality adjustment applied automatically by Fotango! (And a later erasure of the reg. plate!)






Happy to provide the full originals for anyone who would like to check them out in detail and has a mail system that will accept 3.3Mb attachments.



>> Edited by LongQ on Sunday 5th December 03:24

>> Edited by LongQ on Monday 6th December 00:32

[DustyC]

LongQ, try photobucket.com instead of Fotango. it doesn't ruin your pics.

Thanks for all the feed back too.
I just tried a Casio EX-Z40
Its perfect all apart from that damm missing video out! Also tried the Canon which is a good camera but only 3.2MP which is a shame.

Just how much difference does it really make though?
I mean for your standard 7" X 5.5" shot is there really any difference between 3MP and 5 MP?

[DustyC]

DustyC said:

LongQ, try photobucket.com instead of Fotango. it doesn't ruin your pics. Thanks for all the feed back too. I just tried a Casio EX-Z40 Its perfect all apart from that damm missing video out! Also tried the Canon IXUS30 which is a good camera but only 3.2MP which is a shame. Just how much difference does it really make though? I mean for your standard 7" X 5.5" shot is there really any difference between 3MP and 5 MP?

[LongQ]

DustyC said:

LongQ, try photobucket.com instead of Fotango. it doesn't ruin your pics. Just how much difference does it really make though? I mean for your standard 7" X 5.5" shot is there really any difference between 3MP and 5 MP?

Thanks for the suggestion DustyC. I have never bothered to share these things publically before so just went for a site that seemed to be commonly used by others. Had already decided that others should be tried so photobucket is next!

Re the question - nope, manufacturers can claim all sorts of Megapixel ratings for not very good implementations or may have something good and the mess it up with their lens spec or compression software. Hence the popularity of RAW files for the serious boys.

The benefit of a reasonable 5Mp compact is simply the small size (compared with a full SLR style system) and that for action shots filling the frame can be tricky so cropping will likely be required and if you want to get to a reasonable size print you will end up working with something similar to a well framed 2 or 3Mp camera shot anyway. However it is easier to get shots that allow you to achieve the results.

If you are taking general snaps or lots of flash stuff the assessment process needs to be different.

The need, or otherwise, for speed of focus and 'shutter' response may also me more significant than outright image quality.

In the end it is all a compromise, even with an extended budget available it seems!

[viper_larry]

My old Fuji has died, so looking for a good quality small digital camera to compliment my 300D when I need something to fit in the pocket - like when I go skiing next week

2 in the running:

Pentax Optio S5i

Canon IXUS 500

Which should I choose???

[Andy M]

I have an Optio S4i and it's tiny - highly suitable for just sticking in your pocket and forgetting about until you need to get a photo

Good camera, recommended

[LongQ]

Don't know the Canon but I have an S5i which performs pretty well even when pushing its limits and I haven't found all of the tricks yet.

Never had an opportunity to try the 'Snow' setting, though the other pre-programmed specials work OK if you don't have the time to make your own adjustments.

Performance for its size and cost keeps me happy.

Sample low light piccies, greatly compressed by fotango, a little higher up the thread.

Edit: Good price on your linked site btw.

>> Edited by LongQ on Tuesday 18th January 01:49

[viper_larry]

I think the fact that the Canon has Compact Flash wins it for me - have loads of those...

[_dobbo_]

viper_larry said:

I think the fact that the Canon has Compact Flash wins it for me - have loads of those...

The Canon is a great camera - i flogged mine last week to help finance my D70, but if I could have kept it I would have.

I still have an old ixus2 which fits in my pocket and will do for point and shoot stuff, so I couldn't justify keeping the ixus500 when there was money waiting for me!

[AJLintern]

I'm looking at the Canon IXUS 30 (3.2MP) or 40 (4MP). Both are pretty much the same camera but cost £175 or £225. Not sure if the extra 0.8MP is worth the another £50 though

[AJLintern]

Actually I've decided to get a Sony DSC-W12


5.1Mp
3x Optical zoom
2.5" LCD display
640x480 @30fps movies
TV out <------
USB 2.0
£216

Gets a good review at Steve's Digicams too