Buying a Digital Camera... need help

[Bill]

Okay, I need a digital camera that has a good zoom and can take good night shots. So far, I've found this: http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s1is/intro.html

Anyone tried that camera? Anyone have any better ideas?

What am I actually looking for in a camera for good night shots?

Best brand?

If you can help, thank you. I'll reward you with my excellent pictures of WDW at night.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Bill - Cost / Budget is the only thing which you don't specify. I have no experience of the Canon camera (in fact I'm new to digital photography) but Canon 35mm cameras are very good.
Something to bear in mind - pixels. The more you have, the more sensitive the camera and the larger the images can be enlarged to without blur.
For example - I have a Nikon Coolpix 5700 with 5 million pixels. The camera came well recommended from the local dealer, and with a little negotiation the price was lowered to match internet on line prices.

 

[pisco]

You may want to take a look at the Minolta Dimage A2 . It has a sensor that moves to combat camera shake in low-light/night shots.

Also, check out DPReview.com for the most in-depth reviews available of all the major cameras on the market.

Good luck. This can be a pretty overwhelming descion to make.

 

[SirNim]

Originally posted by pisco
This can be a pretty overwhelming descion to make.

YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN! :lol:

 

[Bill]

Whoops, sorry about that. I would say I'm not going higher then $500. And that budget used to be $300 if you can imagine. lol. That Canon has a 10X Zoom, the pictures that come off of it are amazing, and it has an anti shake feature. Plus I've never heard anything bad about Canon. And I found it for $400. (Gotta love Froogle)

I looked at the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2, but for the price ($800) it doesn't seem to have enough features to outweigh the Canon. Though the 800 ISO is a nice feature, I don't really want that many megapixels (3.2 is just fine... I'd maybe go to 4, but not higher then that) and the Canon also has the IS. Plus the Canon has a 10x zoom compared to the 7x. I've always wanted a good zoom. I guess, I'm asking has anyone here seen a better camera for a better deal then the Canon S1 IS? Let me know.

 

[pisco]

I would completely discount ISO 800 on a consumer camera as a usable feature. The amount of noise will render it useless.

10x zoom is nice for places where you just can't get as close as you want (like Kilimanjaro Safaris). But be aware that it will probably suffer from some pretty wicked pincushion/barrel distortion and chromatic abberation. Most "hyperzoom" lenses like that do, especially the ones in consumer digicams. My old Fuji 6900z (6x zoom) has a depressing amount of distortion. If you can live with less zoom you will get better image quality. Just read the reviews and look at samples to be sure that the quality is acceptable to you.

 

[Bill]

Looks like the canon is so new, there's no gallery with pics at night or pics with the zoom all the way...:hammer:

 

[mickhyperion]

Success with night pictures will largely come from having manual shutter speed and exposure options. Just make sure whatever camera you get has those features and night shots will be easy with a little practice.

 

[Bill]

Well, something I noticed is that the Canon has no AF lamp... that puts a damper on my hopes right there.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Im trying to remember what Donickco has... It gived great night shots and has a decent ISO range.

 

[mkt]

Dave, he has a Sony Cybershot DSC-V1... the first Sony Digital with a Hotshoe, and one of their best products in digital imaging.