Help choosing new digital camera

[PigletIsMyCat]

After taking almost 60 pictures during Wishes, and having about 13 come out clearly, with my Sony Cybershot 3.2 megapixel with the lame 3x 'SmartZoom', I've decided to upgrade my camera. After doing some research on what I need, I've narrowed it down to four and would like some input. The main problems I have with my old Cybershot are trouble with nighttime pictures (despite the nighttime settings) and blurry edges - thank gods they came out with that image stability stuff.

Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 (6mp, 12x optical zoom)
Panasonic Lumix DMC T2IS (5mp, 10x optical zoom)
Olympus SP-510 (7.1mp, 10x optical zoom)
Canon Powershot S2IS (5mp, 12x optical zoom)

I already have Sony Memory sticks, so that would be nice and easy and I wouldn't have to buy new memory media. I trust Sony and Olympus more, but I've only ever had a 35mm Olympus. My friend swears by her Canon Powershot A95, and I've heard that Panasonic's have a lot of noise. I'm not tech savvy enough to know if they mean the actual camera makes noise, or if there's visual noise in the pictures

I've also noticed that I can get the Canon Powershot S3IS for a good price, like $25 more than the S2IS. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Check this link out for camera reviews.

 

[haveyoumetmark]

I'm extremely partial to Canon. They have the greatest cameras IMO. The main reason I would not get a Sony is because they have to have the "PRO stick" memory cards, but you mentioned that you already have them.

I can't offer you much advice because of my obvious bias to Canon. So get a Canon.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

After taking almost 60 pictures during Wishes, and having about 13 come out clearly, with my Sony Cybershot 3.2 megapixel with the lame 3x 'SmartZoom', I've decided to upgrade my camera. After doing some research on what I need, I've narrowed it down to four and would like some input. The main problems I have with my old Cybershot are trouble with nighttime pictures (despite the nighttime settings) and blurry edges - thank gods they came out with that image stability stuff.

Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 (6mp, 12x optical zoom)
Panasonic Lumix DMC T2IS (5mp, 10x optical zoom)
Olympus SP-510 (7.1mp, 10x optical zoom)
Canon Powershot S2IS (5mp, 12x optical zoom)

I already have Sony Memory sticks, so that would be nice and easy and I wouldn't have to buy new memory media. I trust Sony and Olympus more, but I've only ever had a 35mm Olympus. My friend swears by her Canon Powershot A95, and I've heard that Panasonic's have a lot of noise. I'm not tech savvy enough to know if they mean the actual camera makes noise, or if there's visual noise in the pictures

I've also noticed that I can get the Canon Powershot S3IS for a good price, like $25 more than the S2IS. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I would start by knocking off the Olympus, it gets noisy at the higher ISOs, it uses xD memory so you'll be getting fenced into yet another non-standard memory chip, and the IS is digital so it will lose detail and last but not least the highest ISO setting reduce the pixels from 7 down to 3 so what's the point?

As for the Panasonic... They do pretty good but I'm not familiar with the model you mention. If its like the DMC-TZ1 then its only fault is it gets a lot of lens flare when you use the zoom... So before you buy it get the store to let you take it into the sun and take a couple of zoomed images to make sure this model doesn't have the same issue. I'm also not sure if that model has a optical viewfinder or just a LCD screen. LCD screens are great but a optical viewfinder is sometimes better when your in bright sunlight.

That leaves the Sony and Canon... both are good. I prefer the colors of the Canon especially when taking pictures of people. The Canon will also be a little faster when taking multiple pictures... The problem is you've already got memory for the Sony and colors can be corrected in photoshop.... So if you've got a lot of memory you might just be happy sticking with the Sony... If not I would probably lean toward the Canon.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

Thanks for the advice. I was feeling partial to the Sony and Canon, anyway. My looking into the Olympus was based on an awesome history with an Olympus 35mm camera, and the Panasonic that is comparable to the other three cameras (which were between $250 - $275) was under $180, which made me wonder. I mean 'comparable' in megapixels, zoom capabilities, and features. Also, my 'memory' is a 128mb Memory Stick, which holds tons of pics off my tiny Cybershot, but from what I understand, would hold less pictures at 6mp, so I might be forced to invest in more memory no matter what.

I think I'm going to keep researching the Sony and the Canon. Deadmanwalking pointed out that the Canon would take pictures faster; do you mean in the burst setting, shutter lag time, or down time before taking single shots?

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Thanks for the advice. I was feeling partial to the Sony and Canon, anyway. My looking into the Olympus was based on an awesome history with an Olympus 35mm camera, and the Panasonic that is comparable to the other three cameras (which were between $250 - $275) was under $180, which made me wonder. I mean 'comparable' in megapixels, zoom capabilities, and features. Also, my 'memory' is a 128mb Memory Stick, which holds tons of pics off my tiny Cybershot, but from what I understand, would hold less pictures at 6mp, so I might be forced to invest in more memory no matter what.

I think I'm going to keep researching the Sony and the Canon. Deadmanwalking pointed out that the Canon would take pictures faster; do you mean in the burst setting, shutter lag time, or down time before taking single shots?

Power on to first shot... aprx 3 seconds for sony 2 for canon.
time to shut down over 2 for sony under 2 for canon.
prefocused shutter lag the sony wins with .012 seconds ver canon .088 seconds.

continuous shots sony is 1.3 frames per second ver. canon's 2.3

Take that with one caveat... the Canon was the S3 not the S2... I don't have any numbers for the S2... So you might want to verify the S2 is as fast if not spend the extra $25 for it... Note those speeds are valid for photos taken in bright light with no flash, the cycle time for the flash can slow things down considerable... If you expect lots of flash work test the camera in the store with the flash on.

And your right 128mb isn't enough memory to even worry about with larger sensors... I would go with the Canon and not worry about the lost sony memory.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

I figured that the 128mb stick wouldn't be enough, and it turns out that the newer Sony's use the Memory Stick Duo or Pro or whatever it is that I DON'T have! So, I've decided on the Canon Powershot S3, thanks for all the ideas/input everyone! Now I'm just shopping for the right price...

 

[PhotoDave219]

continuous shots sony is 1.3 frames per second ver. canon's 2.3

Continuious shooting on a P&S???? Didnt know that was possible.....

I'll stick with the D2's 8 fps or Canon MkIII's 10 fps ......

 

[JROK]

Continuious shooting on a P&S???? Didnt know that was possible.....

I'll stick with the D2's 8 fps or Canon MkIII's 10 fps ......

Well technically, some of the P&S have "movie modes" that do 30fps at 640x480 And they don't cost $4500 like the MkIII... But the movie mode would require you to screen grab each image... :lookaroun

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Continuious shooting on a P&S???? Didnt know that was possible.....

I'll stick with the D2's 8 fps or Canon MkIII's 10 fps ......

Some do, but if I every thought I needed more than 2 fps I think I'd just use my camcorder... I think I've used the continuious mode on my dSLR once when I first got it but since I'm not trying to shoot sporting event I don't see any point for it... just a marketing gimick.

 

[JROK]

Some do, but if I every thought I needed more than 2 fps I think I'd just use my camcorder... I think I've used the continuious mode on my dSLR once when I first got it but since I'm not trying to shoot sporting event I don't see any point for it... just a marketing gimick.

Not a gimmick. It's for sports shooting or making sequences. A lot of DSLR owners are parents who have children in sports. It's great to be able to throw on a 75-300mm lens and snap off a 5fps sequence of your child swinging the bat at his game. Or how about your son doing a new move with his skateboard? Or your daughter playing with your new puppy? It's not a gimmick. Lots of people use it, and often.

 

[Maria]

I figured that the 128mb stick wouldn't be enough, and it turns out that the newer Sony's use the Memory Stick Duo or Pro or whatever it is that I DON'T have! So, I've decided on the Canon Powershot S3, thanks for all the ideas/input everyone! Now I'm just shopping for the right price...

I hope I can still help!

I own a SONY Cybershot - 6.0 megapixels, the W30 - and I am extremely happy with it. It fits everywhere and it´s so friendly to use! Specially if you are already used to Sony like me.

The explanation of each setting is on the screen to help you use it. Everyone is surprised when I say what each icon is for, not realizing that I am reading it!

I also had a sony and had to buy the small memory card but I didn´t care - this was much better and the battery life is good too. It is very light as it doesn´t use the AA batteries - it has a squared one that recharges very fast (charger included).

To take those night shots, I just bought a tripod and the pictures are awesome. My hands were too shaky...

There is a very similar one, the W50 that basically does the same, but has a bigger screen.

I have a 1GB memory card, and I think the total amount I paid including the camera case, was around 280-300usd exactly a year ago. I know that this camera costs a lot less now. I highly recommend it.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Not a gimmick. It's for sports shooting or making sequences. A lot of DSLR owners are parents who have children in sports. It's great to be able to throw on a 75-300mm lens and snap off a 5fps sequence of your child swinging the bat at his game. Or how about your son doing a new move with his skateboard? Or your daughter playing with your new puppy? It's not a gimmick. Lots of people use it, and often.

Apparently you didn't read my response closely, "...since I'm not trying to shoot sporting event I don't see any point for it..."

You also mention that it makes sense for sports shooting which is the only thing it makes sense for. I don't think most parent could justify $4,000 for a nikon D2x just to capture someone swinging a bat or falling off a skateboard. Those cameras are intended for a limited group of sports shooters not the average soccer mom or dad.

For most people I'll stand by my statement... And if I want to catch Jr. swinging a bat or riding a skateboard I'll stick with the camcorder.

 

[KevGuy]

LOL...i think I had the same old 3mp cybershot camera you have. Unfortunately or Fortunately mine fell out of my hand and broke at EPCOT after as I like to blame it on those glasses of saki I had lol. But I salvaged out my 800+ pics on the 2gig mem card I had in it. I got a new Cybershot
DSC-W80 7mp after I got back and it is fabulous! Does everything my old one did including the mp3 movies, has a great ISO lowlight feature, the battery usage from the flash is way better than the old one too. I ended up getting another mem bard this time a 4 gig that was on save for $99 at Circuit City where I got the camera for $229 (reg $249) after having them apply a web discount they had on the web site but not the store. had to ask the manager to do it but he did gladly rather than see me leave and go to Best Buy with my money. I now use the 2 gig card for about an hour or 2 of mp3 videos on vacation and the new 4 gig card gets me the 1200 pics I used to get on the old camera at 3mp but now with over 7mp. I am very happy with it and over the years at least for me Sony has been super reliable and I never had an issue other than me dropping it lol. Good luck!:wave: