Buying a p&s camera

goatjc

Senior member
Oct 25, 2006
274
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0
So, I'm looking to buy a camera for the g/f and just wanted some input. Price cap is around $250, so if you have any other suggestions, just say so.

These are the three I'm currently looking at:

Canon SD600
Casio EX-Z70
Finepix F20

It's just to have handy to take quick pics, so, it doesnt have to have the beef that a DSLR has.



 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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Only reason I would not buy the Fuji - XD media

I would take the Canon out of the bunch.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,921
14
81
I have a canon SD550 and am very happy w/ it. Voted for the 600.
 

Asharus

Senior member
Oct 6, 2001
987
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0
I was faced with a similar decision a few weeks ago when my girl broke my Canon S400. After hours of research, I ended up with the SD630. It's the same as the SD600, but with the newer case and larger LCD, however you lose the viewfinder...
 

Minjin

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2003
2,208
1
81
I just went through this same ordeal with nearly the same choices (W50, SD600, F30). I ended up going with the Sony W50.

Reasons:
-lighter than all comparable options, even SD600
-better battery life than most though not as good as the Fuji
-better macro range than all others, 2cm for W50 vs 3cm for SD600
-optical viewfinder, though I'm finding it to be not too useful and SD600 has one as well
-already had pro duo cards for my phone
-cheaper than the rest (180 shipped)

If I could have handled something a little bigger and a little more expensive, I would have went with the Fuji F30 though the lack of optical viewfinder really did it in for me.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
11,953
0
71
If I remember right, I think my wife said the Cannon's have issues w/ the lense motor getting stuck (she works at a camera repair place). All I do know is that she says the Fuji's have a low rate of repair. That's the brand she has and has also gotten for me (I'm not a photog, so I don't know the models).
 

erub

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2000
5,481
0
0
I had a Canon S400, until it randomly started giving me memory card error (well documented online). Sold it, got a new Canon 7MP takes SecureDigital, a little more than a year ago..about the same size. I forget the model number. Good products all around.
 

Jawo

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2005
4,125
0
0
Look at dpreview.com before buying anything...they have awesome reviews and comparisons. Comparison of Cameras I wouldn't get the Fuji because of they only use xD media (Expensive!) I'm on my 3rd canon p&s in 5 years and have loved all of them! The 700IS is awesome, but at $320 its well above your price range.
 

yosuke188

Platinum Member
Apr 19, 2005
2,726
2
0
I have the SD600. It's pretty good in terms of picture quality, videos are good quality too. If it wasn't for the limited zoom, I wouldn't need another camera, but that's the price you pay for portability.
 

regnez

Golden Member
Aug 11, 2006
1,156
0
76
The Canon SD600 is a wonderful camera. Tons of tuning options for a compact, the best flash coverage I have ever seen, and very good low-light performance are just a few of it's strenghts. :thumbsup:
 

Asharus

Senior member
Oct 6, 2001
987
0
0
Originally posted by: Minjin
I just went through this same ordeal with nearly the same choices (W50, SD600, F30). I ended up going with the Sony W50.

Reasons:
-lighter than all comparable options, even SD600
-better battery life than most though not as good as the Fuji
-better macro range than all others, 2cm for W50 vs 3cm for SD600
-optical viewfinder, though I'm finding it to be not too useful and SD600 has one as well
-already had pro duo cards for my phone
-cheaper than the rest (180 shipped)

If I could have handled something a little bigger and a little more expensive, I would have went with the Fuji F30 though the lack of optical viewfinder really did it in for me.

I almost got the Sony because it was on sale, and even included an SD card. I placed the order, however after researching it afterwards, many users had issues with the display cracking for no reason (not even dropped). So I called and canceled and placed my order for the SD630.
 

SZLiao214

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,273
2
81
Originally posted by: Minjin
I just went through this same ordeal with nearly the same choices (W50, SD600, F30). I ended up going with the Sony W50.

Reasons:
-lighter than all comparable options, even SD600
-better battery life than most though not as good as the Fuji
-better macro range than all others, 2cm for W50 vs 3cm for SD600
-optical viewfinder, though I'm finding it to be not too useful and SD600 has one as well
-already had pro duo cards for my phone
-cheaper than the rest (180 shipped)

If I could have handled something a little bigger and a little more expensive, I would have went with the Fuji F30 though the lack of optical viewfinder really did it in for me.

You may want to look into the camera the poster above me posted if it is still cheaper then the rest. I find most girls who have digital cameras really don't care about photography, just random pictures. In that frame of thought you might as well get something cheap.

I do really like the elph series for a simple point and shoot. Most girls seem to like what it looks like though you can say the same about the exilim. One female friend bought a 450 dollar sony one because it was red....