Camera help please!

[WDW2010]

Hey guys, I'm going on my second trip to Disney World in the beginning of March and I'm in need of a new camera

Last year I used a simple Nikon coolpix compact camera and needless to say in the beginning it was quite the camera, and now, its terrible. Pixels on the LCD screen itself are going and the photo quality has gone down dramatically.

I've been researching this last week and I've come to the conclusion I'd like to purchase this time a Canon camera. Also, I purchased a Canon camera for my girlfriend last Christmas and it takes amazing photos with ease.

I enjoyed taking photos at Disney World of the landscapes, the rides, especially the firework shows. Fantasmic was one show I wish my Nikon could handle. It was too dark, and the zoom was so bad with no image stabilization. The Canon camera did quite the job and I want something a step ahead of hers. (Canon PowerShot SD1300 I believe)


I was looking into the following:

Canon S95 - $399.99
Canon PowerShot SX30IS - $399.99
Canon SX210 IS - $278.99

There might be a few more I was looking into but I've looked into so many and its becoming so aggravating, I just want a camera that has a nice zoom, great quality, and the biggest thing is little to none shutter lag with out going to a really expensive/bulky DSLR camera. Can someone please give me some help, I'm not looking to be a professional photographer I just want to enjoy looking at my photos of Disney World and not missing the action like I did with Lights, motors, action at DHS. Please help! thank you!:sohappy:


*EDIT* I'm leaning towards this camera from Best Buy-
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-...25-5-57773-59808-25-1071-876-25-1071-4079-0-3

Or this one also from Best Buy-
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-...lack/1218341.p?id=1218237709263&skuId=1218341

 

[flavious27]

I guess you are looking for a Canon under $500? BB has three cameras that fit, but there is no clear winner.

The CanonPowerShot SX30IS 14.0-Megapixel Digital Camera has a higher pixel count, but...

The CanonEOS Digital Rebel XS 10.1-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera has a larger shutter range, but ...

The CanonPowerShot G12 10.0-Megapixel Digital Camera has a larger ISO range.

Now 1 and 3 have a larger aperture range, with three winning slightly, but 2 and 3 will let you take pictures using RAW.

You want a large shutter range to get great night shots along with that you want a large ISO range so that you can get the properly amount of light for each shot.

 

[WDW2010]

Thanks a lot, hopefully I will make a decision very soon, I'm new to all this so I'm not sure what or how ISO is used etc, etc. Also, yes a camera under 400 would be preferable for now, maybe in the future I will upgrade if I decide to take photography a little more seriously.

 

[NowInc]

And this is where I get all geeky...

canon point and shoots are great for one reason..

CHDK

hacked firmware (dont be scared of that word..its a temporary per-use hack..so no voiding of warranties and no bricking the camera)

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

with that ALL of the point and shoots (that are supported) can shoot raw.

PERSONALLY Id get the SX30IS as its most likely going to take the best photos "out of the box". If you care about RAW..im sure there will be a CHDK for it soon enough.

 

[WDW2010]

I'd like to get a camera that will do great right out of the box but hey, theres always room for sacrifice. Again, I thought about it and I'm not feeling too comfortable spending $500 on a camera at the moment maybe something under $400 would be better for me, for now.


*Edit

After searching and roaming around the forums for a bit, I've came to the conclusion I'd rather have a compact camera and not a big bulky one. This will be only my second trip to WDW so, I'd like to experience all the attractions that I didn't last time in their full glory. But, there still is some key points that I'm looking for.

- ISO (Dark rides, Night shots like Flavious previously said)
- Low shutter lag for certain attractions like Fantasmic, and Lights, Motor, Action, Indiana Jones etc.
- Overall great pictures, and still sticking with Canon

I've looked around and Canon seems to have A LOT of compact cameras lol, Looks like I'll need advice with this one. After reviewing some reviews, looks like I might need to purchase a spare battery also.

 

[WDW2010]

Now I know what I'm looking for but my next problem is this, I'm reading on the forums to get a camera with optical zoom, because it creates less noise which is simple enough. But, the issue is, I'm finding Canons with optical zoom with 4x digital and I read on here thats not good, does it really make a difference?

 

[stuart]

Being a big fan of Panasonic and their TZ range - the TZ10 is a cracking camera! Wide Angle, Decent Zoom, HD Video and manual settings to boot.

 

[flavious27]

I'd like to get a camera that will do great right out of the box but hey, theres always room for sacrifice. Again, I thought about it and I'm not feeling too comfortable spending $500 on a camera at the moment maybe something under $400 would be better for me, for now.


*Edit

After searching and roaming around the forums for a bit, I've came to the conclusion I'd rather have a compact camera and not a big bulky one. This will be only my second trip to WDW so, I'd like to experience all the attractions that I didn't last time in their full glory. But, there still is some key points that I'm looking for.

- ISO (Dark rides, Night shots like Flavious previously said)
- Low shutter lag for certain attractions like Fantasmic, and Lights, Motor, Action, Indiana Jones etc.
- Overall great pictures, and still sticking with Canon

I've looked around and Canon seems to have A LOT of compact cameras lol, Looks like I'll need advice with this one. After reviewing some reviews, looks like I might need to purchase a spare battery also.

While a small compact is nice to take quick snapshots during the day, the slightly larger cameras will have better lenses. You want a camera with a large ISO range, especially for nighshots, the same is said for the aperture.

 

[WDW2010]

Canon Powershot SD4000 IS and the PowerShot SX210 IS is two cameras I've been researching both found here. the SD4000 IS has an aperture setting and up to 3200 ISO.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sx210_is

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sd4000_is

Other cameras I'm interested are here, ( http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras ) just looking through the settings not knowing which are better for my needs is difficult when not knowing the differences=\

 

[flavious27]

Canon Powershot SD4000 IS and the PowerShot SX210 IS is two cameras I've been researching both found here. the SD4000 IS has an aperture setting and up to 3200 ISO.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sx210_is

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sd4000_is

Other cameras I'm interested are here, ( http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras ) just looking through the settings not knowing which are better for my needs is difficult when not knowing the differences=\

Try it out and see how you like it.

 

[WDW2010]

Thanks for the help, I'm going to try the both of those out at the local Best Buy or whatever store I can find those two cameras. Thanks for helping.

 

[CP_alum08]

The issue you have is that you want DSLR versatility in a point and shoot body. Those two things don't exist yet, at least with your $500 budget. Sticking with Canon, i think the closest thing you will get is the G12. The G11 is a very nice camera as well and get be found used pretty easily. The size on both is very nice too. Slightly bigger than a P&S but still significantly smaller than a DSLR.

Second choice is the SD4000. The features and quality won't quite match either of the G's, but it's a phenomenal little P&S.

Considering this is only your 2nd time to WDW, I would say get something that you are comfortable with. Don't get something with loads features you don't know how to use but hope to learn before you go. You want something that you can whip out and know you will get a great shot at a moments notice. Spending that amount of money just to end up leaving the camera in auto mode almost defeats the purpose I think.

 

[flavious27]

The issue you have is that you want DSLR versatility in a point and shoot body. Those two things don't exist yet, at least with your $500 budget. Sticking with Canon, i think the closest thing you will get is the G12. The G11 is a very nice camera as well and get be found used pretty easily. The size on both is very nice too. Slightly bigger than a P&S but still significantly smaller than a DSLR.

Second choice is the SD4000. The features and quality won't quite match either of the G's, but it's a phenomenal little P&S.

Considering this is only your 2nd time to WDW, I would say get something that you are comfortable with. Don't get something with loads features you don't know how to use but hope to learn before you go. You want something that you can whip out and know you will get a great shot at a moments notice. Spending that amount of money just to end up leaving the camera in auto mode almost defeats the purpose I think.

Yes you shouldn't get a camera that has features you won't use and will only add to the price, but at the same time you have the ability to do more and learn how to shoot better and better pictures. I know that the G12 also has HDR ability and can take 720p videos.

Each camera has its pluses and minuses. Best thing to do is get a handle for the camera, take as many pictures as you can. If you have a chance to shoot in low light, do it to try out each camera to see how they do. You will take alot of pictures at night at disney, you want a camera that can handle it.

 

[Monorail Lime]

The S95 has image quality comparable to the G12 but in a body small enough to fit in practically any pocket. Naturally some physical trade offs come with the smaller body size, such as shorter zoom range, no optical viewfinder, and no hot-shoe for external flash. I personally carry a S90 (the previous model) everywhere that my DSLR can't go.

 

[CP_alum08]

Yes you shouldn't get a camera that has features you won't use and will only add to the price, but at the same time you have the ability to do more and learn how to shoot better and better pictures. I know that the G12 also has HDR ability and can take 720p videos.

Each camera has its pluses and minuses. Best thing to do is get a handle for the camera, take as many pictures as you can. If you have a chance to shoot in low light, do it to try out each camera to see how they do. You will take alot of pictures at night at disney, you want a camera that can handle it.

In 6 weeks before his trip? Even if he is a seasoned photographer it's going to take time to learn the new menu, button layout, etc. I doubt he wants to spend half of his trip staring at the screen scrolling through menu options.

 

[flavious27]

In 6 weeks before his trip? Even if he is a seasoned photographer it's going to take time to learn the new menu, button layout, etc. I doubt he wants to spend half of his trip staring at the screen scrolling through menu options.

Oh I don't mean before the trip, but over the time that he is going to own it.

 

[mchhp]

I am in the same boat. I have a eh canon elph (OLDER model), that is unreliable. I also have a canon 50D. I don't want to take the " baby" (my 50d) because im going with my two small kids and need to have hands available at all times (anyone want to loan me their hands too?)

I have been researching a lot. I think im going with the Canon G12. The megapixel isn't the highest, but i like the ISO and 2.8 apeture capability. And i like the fact that it does the HD video. plus you can get a waterproof body for this camera if you ever need it.

I held the SX210, not a fan. held the s95, but the batteries were dead in the store, go figure.

happy shopping.

 

[WDW2010]

In 6 weeks before his trip? Even if he is a seasoned photographer it's going to take time to learn the new menu, button layout, etc. I doubt he wants to spend half of his trip staring at the screen scrolling through menu options.

You are completely right, I'm not going to spend half of my trip staring at the screen. Figures the cameras I want the stores didn't have them or they were dead SD4500, SD4000, G12 and the SX210 I'm looking to play around with. I've tried the SD4500 IS and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality (need to look for information about low light quality) Overall, I will play with the camera I purchase hours on end until I figure out most of the settings and such.

Also, watching reviews on cnet, SD4500 seems to have its own little issues that I'm not pleased about, and that camera most likely is out of my options. Though the SD4000 still catches my eye. Just to find the SD4000, and a working SX210 at the store would be amazing lol


Also,the SD4000IS seems like a camera I would like to purchase maybe tomorrow, to get it in next week to play around with it, what is your feelings about the 3.8x optical zoom..

SD4000is Specs for zoom:

Type
Compact digital still camera w/built-in flash, 3.8x Optical zoom & 4.0x Digital & 15x Combined Zoom


Type
10.0 Megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS

Total Pixels
Approx. 10.6 Megapixels

Effective Pixels
Approx. 10.0 Megapixels


Focal Length
4.9 (W) - 18.6 (T) mm (35 mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 105 (T) mm)

Digital Zoom
Approx. 4.0x (Up to approx. 15x in combination with the optical zoom)

Still images: not available when the recording pixel setting is W.
Movies: optical zoom not available while shooting.
Focusing Range
Normal AF: 1.2 in. (3 cm) - infinity (W), 12 in. (30 cm) - infinity (T);
Macro AF: Macro: 1.2 in. - 1.6 ft. (3 - 50 cm) (W), 12 in. - 1.6 ft. (30 - 50 cm) (T)

Autofocus System
TTL Autofocus

SX210IS Specs for zoom:
Type
Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 14x Optical/4x Digital/56x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer System


Type
14.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3-inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)

Total Pixels
Approx. 14.5 Megapixels

Effective Pixels
Approx. 14.1 Megapixels


Focal Length
5.0 (W) - 70.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 - 392mm)

Digital Zoom
4x

Focusing Range
2.0 in (5cm) - infinity (W), 3.3 ft (1m) - infinity (T)

Macro: 2.0 in - 1.6 ft (5 - 50cm) (W)

Autofocus System
TTL Autofocus, Manual focus

 

[WDW2010]

I guess the real question would be is the 3.8x optical/4x digital zoom on the SD4000is good enough for my needs? The low light is excellent on this camera, with low shutter lag just like I looked for. Again I'm looking for great pictures to take during long wait lines, pictures of the fantasmic show if I do end up far away, and another reason that I forgot to mention before was the Kilimanjaro safari. With my Nikon Coolpix camera last year it seemed impossible, very disappointing after spending around 200 dollars

 

[SewIn2Disney]

So what did you decide on? I'm currently looking at the Canon Powershot SX210 as well and was wondering if you got to try it and what your thoughts were if you did.