Which P & S digital camera?

[zoe08]

Since this is my first post, I will first introduce myself. I am Senior photo major, will be graduating in Dec. 2007. I usually shoot with a Nikon D70, and someday hope to have my own studio/photo business. However I am wanting a light, compact for snapshots of family, my dog and such when it is not convenient to carry around and use my DSLR. I found this site while looking for reviews on cameras, but so far haven't found enough information to decide. Like I said, my regular camera is a Nikon, so I was going to go with a Nikon Coolpix, but I'm not sure that would be right for me. I am also looking at a Canon powershot. My sister has an Olympus, but isn't the easiest thing to use. I want something easy to use, and quick to turn on and shoot.

I hope this is enough info to get some help, if you have any other questions that would help to find a camera for me, let me know and I will answer best I can!

Thanks!!

Edited to add I also would like to be able to take videos with the camera.

[drg]

Welcome to PR.

A few questions to help tie down suggestions:

Do you have an upper limit cost in mind?

Are you looking for any special features such as Image Stabilization?

Do you need or want a flash hot shoe?

Being a photo major, I imagine you want as much control via exposure, white balance, ISO selection, etc. That may help you to limit the choices.A LOT of the P/S have only partial control, though that isn't necessarily bad. For snapshots the level of 'full' control needed may be minimal.

How compact do you want, that also will alter your decisions? How many megapix are you wanting?

Look at the camera reviews for the at least 5 megapixel and above cameras.

http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-...oint_and_shoot

Also check the pro reviews at:
http://www.photographyreview.com/proreviewscrx.aspx

Remember the big trade show, PMA, is just around the corner and several new models have already been announced by various manufacturers.

There are several cameras either recently reviewed or under review that you also might want to consider. I am currently testing and reviewing a Fujifilm camera. It has given me a lot of food for thought as to what my next compact purchase might include in its features. Check out the various sizes and styles in person to see what fits your hand and style as well as budget!

Let us know what else we can offer/suggest/etc.

On another note: Post some photos if you'd like. We always are looking for something new!

[zoe08]

Well I am going to try to find one on ebay for as cheap as possible. Preferably for about $100 on ebay. I have been able to find some of the Nikons and Canons around there.

Like I said just for some decent snapshots of family, and my dogs, etc. No hot shoe necessary. I have my D70 for that. I don't need complete control over everything, though it would be nice to have a little bit of flexibilty.

I want the camera to be fairly small and thin, though I would like at least 3x optical zoom and at least 6mp.

Hope this helps some. And really if I could just get a list of the cameras that might fit, I will go and try to find reviews for them. I am just not very familiar with the P&S cameras cuz I am used to DSLRs, so I don't really know what options there are.

I will try to post some photos up sometimes soon when I get some time.

[drg]

In that price range, you might look for factory refurbs or demo models of slightly older models. I certainly wouldn't go any less than 5 megapixels with a few exceptions.

P/S are really a whole different ball game in digital cameras as compared to P/S in film cameras. Most contain "scene modes" that allow for an optimized exposure for example: portraits (shallow DOF, 2nd curtain flash, red-eye reduction etc), sport (highest shutter speed possible to 'freeze' action) and many more. These modes substitute for other types of exposure control. Then again, with out much rhyme or reason, there are compacts that have full manual controls available almost with regard to cost.

A lot of the P/S have one or more annoying features as to what menu something is in, or the controls may not make sense to you in their layout. Some of them don't make sense to anybody

To get an idea of what you can live with you might check out new cameras at a store like WalMart, Meijer, or electronic retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City. That way you would also have a feel for how small some of these are! Folded optics are coming back as well. That just makes the camera thinner and nothing protrudes!

Several of the early Nikon P1 and P2 Coolpix and the Canon A80 are probably going to be available in that price ranged used or refurbs, though I would not count on it. You mentioned Olympus, they have made cameras that have great controls and take so-so photos, and great image producers, that you almost have to carry the manual with you.

There are new cameras from most manufacturers now for less than about $150 that take fine snapshots. Check out samples in reviews to get an idea of what to expect. The feature levels though may be limited.

One more thing to be aware of, many P/S digital cameras do not have a viewfinder! They depend upon the display. That can be a shock at first until you get used to the 'technique'.

I'll see other model are currently available used/refurn and try to get back to you before too many days.

[zoe08]

I don't mind not having the viewfinder, since because they are not SLRs the viewfinder does not actually work well for composing anyways. Right now I usually use disposable cameras for snapshots, but I am certainly tired of my shots never coming out how I composed them, always way over to one side.

Thanks for all the info!

[zoe08]

Just wondering how good the Kodak or brands other than Nikon/Canon are?

Such as this one?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5368027

or an hp like this one?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4722918