Compact Digital Camera thread, which one to buy?

[Yoshiniro]

Ok, I am looking to purchase a compact digital camera. The main quality besides being small is the picture resoloution has to be outstanding. I have a budget of around 325-350, would like to stay around 300 dollars. Here is what I have so far.

Nikon coolpix 2500 3 optical zoom, 2 mp
Nikon coolpix 3500 3 optical zoom 3mp
Canon powershot s200 2 mp and 2 optical zoom

I would like to hear from someone who has had these cameras to tell me how the picture quality is, however I am open to suggestions for other small cameras in this price range as well.

 

[iamme]

Have you checked out that super small Sony 2.1MP digicam? I held the 1MP version, and it is TINY. Not sure about pic quality, though. 2.1MP should give you good 4x6's.

 

[Bignate603]

I LOVE my s200. It feels substantial in your hands. I guess if you have fairly large hands it wouldn't be so great, some of the buttons are small, but I think the controls are fine. The pictures are good quality. It's small enough and sturdy enough you just stick it in your pocket and go.

 

[Dragnov]

I bought the S200. I am very pleased with it, but I would personally go for the Canon S230. 3mp w/ 3x zoom. I just didn't have the funds.

The Canon S200 is about $230 during deals, while the S230 is about $300 during deals.

 

[Yoshiniro]

is that the one with no optical zoom? dsc-u20?

 

[Yoshiniro]

i can get the s200 for 250 shipped, the coolpix 3500 for 325 shipped and the coolpix 2500 for 245 shipped.

 

[Parrotheader]

One of the guys I work with who is a MAJOR digital photography freak (his main camera is some high end Nikon with several thousand dollars worth of lenses) said he was looking at possibly getting the S230 for a small camera to always have on him since his other camera is too cumbersome to be carrying all the time. Given his vote of confidence and the other reviews I've seen on it I'm personally leaning toward that one. I was originally going to get the A40, but I'd like something a little smaller that can be easily carried in my pocket. The A40 is small, but not THAT tiny.

 

[DaWhim]

i want this

 

[LSUfan]

Cannon s30

Great Camera for the price

 

[waggy]

oh thats easy. i just bought a A40 and i love it.

i got it for $249 with a free 64meg 12x cf card.

but i hear they are cheaper now. its well worht the money.

 

[crabbyman]

I have been thinking about a digi cam recently since most of my photography work goes from analog to digital. I figured I would save some money and space by getting a digi. I have searched for the "best bang for the buck". Digi cams for the price aren't worth the money as compared to a regular 35mm analog camera. I have yet to see a price that offers the same/better features of an analog cam that are competitive. Most have some sort of digital zoom or no optical zoom. For me that is terrible. That means the camera is doing some math to zoom. That, in what I have seen, causes terrible pics. The only digi cam that really appeals to me...well..below $1000.. ... is the Sony one that has analog zoom on the lens. That camera is awesome. Being used to SLRs I have come to like that feature. I really hate the little point and shoot feel of the zoom on all other digi cameras I have seen. Its too slow for my purposes. Like I said..I want a digi camera...but I'm not about to spend $1000 on one...that's worth as much as my car!

 

[RossMAN]

Canon S200 all the way.

I'd also consider Pentax forgot the model number, anyone know it?

 

[gopunk]

look into minolta f100

 

[mrCide]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Canon S200 all the way.

I'd also consider Pentax forgot the model number, anyone know it?

optio S

and the s230 is about $325-350 with deals going on, not 300, i just sold my s200 for $250 on ebay to buy the 230 for $325+tax

and the only difference is the focusing system and the 3mp, the rest is the same including 2x zoom (afaik)..

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Yoshiniro
Ok, I am looking to purchase a compact digital camera. The main quality besides being small is the picture resoloution has to be outstanding. I have a budget of around 325-350, would like to stay around 300 dollars. Here is what I have so far.

Nikon coolpix 2500 3 optical zoom, 2 mp
Nikon coolpix 3500 3 optical zoom 3mp
Canon powershot s200 2 mp and 2 optical zoom

I would like to hear from someone who has had these cameras to tell me how the picture quality is, however I am open to suggestions for other small cameras in this price range as well.

pssst, nikon has a new camera that's due to come out soon.

also, i recommend going to dpreview.com

 

[LS20]

2500 doesnt stand a chacne

my friend has a 3500, i had a s330, many friends have s200

i can say the s200 is definately better in size/features/usability

 

[0roo0roo]

powershot!

i think u can get a 230 for your budget ...look in hotdeals

stay far away from sony and their costly cr@ppy low capacity proprietary memory formats that bleed your wallet dry.

 

[crabbyman]

Yeah..I agree though that Sony's memory thing is crap..but I would use a memory stick for that $1000..its awesome.

I was thinking about the Minolta F100 or whatever it is..but CNET.com had some flaws about it that I didn't like.

 

[crabbyman]

Oh..and another question...why is there no middle ground digital camera? I don't conside many of the 4+ MP cameras that good. I wish they would come out..*Is Canon listening?*...with a SLR camera that was below $700... none of this $4000 bs... /end rant


Seriously I wonder why they don't make a 5MP SLR..

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: iamme
Have you checked out that super small Sony 2.1MP digicam? I held the 1MP version, and it is TINY. Not sure about pic quality, though. 2.1MP should give you good 4x6's.

only good thing about that sony camera, its small, pics will look like crap, no zoom, the lenz is something you would find on a webcam.

 

[blues008]

The Pentax Optio S is available at Amazon - ships on April 21st.

Haven't seen sample photos yet. Looks great though:

Link!

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: iamme
Have you checked out that super small Sony 2.1MP digicam? I held the 1MP version, and it is TINY. Not sure about pic quality, though. 2.1MP should give you good 4x6's.

only good thing about that sony camera, its small, pics will look like crap, no zoom, the lenz is something you would find on a webcam.

yup, might as well get the little logitech credit card cam if your going to go with webcam style stuff.

 

[crabbyman]

My 2 cents..I was looking around...the Minolta F100 is on sale at walmart's website. If you can figure out the website its yours..*not like it wouldnt be www.____.com* ;-) Its on sale for $350 with an extra memory card.

 

[manly]

Surprised nobody mentioned the (pricey) Minolta Dimage Xi.