I need suggestions for a compact point-and-shoot

[MercenaryForHire]

I need to pick up something a little more compact for pocket and candid shots. Nothing really fancy required other than the form factor - I'm shooting for that elusive "deck of cards" size. Whether that's a compact or ultra-compact, I haven't the foggiest.

Specs don't need to be hardcore either, as this would be a secondary unit. Even an older model with a 3 or 4MP resolution would be nice. For those odd times when I want to zoom in on something, a 3x/4x optical zoom would be perfect.

Don't have any particular love or hatred for any brands - so shoot me some ideas!

- M4H

 

[WombRaider]

I really like the form factor of the Canon SD1000.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: WombRaider
I really like the form factor of the Canon SD1000.

/googles

I like it. 7.1MP is definitely overkill for me, but if I can swing the extra coin that'd be sweet. Even has a viewfinder, which I'm finding is getting deleted on the compact cameras of late. :frown:

- M4H

 

[Aharami]

Ive said this many times already, and I will say it again. Go with the Fuji F31fd. This camera never ceases to amaze me. No noise whatsoever (as long as you keep it out of auto mode...its manual mode is basically auto but you get to set the ISO) and image quality is superb. In low light, it blows my S3IS out of the water. Took it and my S3 to a friend's wedding this weekend. I was shooting with the S3 and my gf with the F31fd. My daytime pics came out amazing with the S3. Everyone was oooh-and-aaah-ing about how nice my pics looked. But I wasnt too pleased with my nighttime pics. I definitely like her nighttime pics better. And with Fuji's factory rebate on this camera, it's even sweeter.

edit: i see you want a viewfinder. hmm. the f31 doesnt have one, but i havent really missed it. how often do you use a vf on a ultra compact p&s?

 

[troytime]

i REALLY love my sony t10

no viewfinder though (although even on bright sunny days, the LCD is plenty bright enough)

 

[dug777]

My missus just bought a sony 3x opt (DSC-W35), and it's great.

Reviews online were very solid too...and a viewfinder

 

[msarp]

I love my Sony DSC-W80! It is awesome !

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive said this many times already, and I will say it again. Go with the Fuji F31fd. This camera never ceases to amaze me. No noise whatsoever (as long as you keep it out of auto mode...its manual mode is basically auto but you get to set the ISO) and image quality is superb. In low light, it blows my S3IS out of the water. Took it and my S3 to a friend's wedding this weekend. I was shooting with the S3 and my gf with the F31fd. My daytime pics came out amazing with the S3. Everyone was oooh-and-aaah-ing about how nice my pics looked. But I wasnt too pleased with my nighttime pics. I definitely like her nighttime pics better. And with Fuji's factory rebate on this camera, it's even sweeter.

edit: i see you want a viewfinder. hmm. the f31 doesnt have one, but i havent really missed it. how often do you use a vf on a ultra compact p&s?

if you only require a 3x optical zoom and 3+ MP (no IS, wide angle lense, etc), DEFINITELY follow this advice. the fuji sensor trounces every other sensor in small form-factor cameras.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive said this many times already, and I will say it again. Go with the Fuji F31fd. This camera never ceases to amaze me. No noise whatsoever (as long as you keep it out of auto mode...its manual mode is basically auto but you get to set the ISO) and image quality is superb. In low light, it blows my S3IS out of the water. Took it and my S3 to a friend's wedding this weekend. I was shooting with the S3 and my gf with the F31fd. My daytime pics came out amazing with the S3. Everyone was oooh-and-aaah-ing about how nice my pics looked. But I wasnt too pleased with my nighttime pics. I definitely like her nighttime pics better. And with Fuji's factory rebate on this camera, it's even sweeter.

edit: i see you want a viewfinder. hmm. the f31 doesnt have one, but i havent really missed it. how often do you use a vf on a ultra compact p&s?

This one's going to be used for a lot of outdoor shots, and unless the F31fd has a really nice LCD, it'll wash out in the sunlight. Since you have one, you could probably tell me.

Froogle tells me that it's around US$225 ... is that in any way accurate? I also have to factor in that the rebate probably won't be valid in Canada either.

Ugh. And I forgot about this, since Fuji wised up and put SD slots on their larger models - but xD memory makes me want to punch babies. Overly expensive, slow write speeds, and the one format that memory card readers love to exclude. I'd rather sport a Sony and deal with MemoryStick Pro DUO Ultra Platinum Type-R with MagicGate. Seriously.

Other than that, it doesn't look too bad ... if I can get one cheap, and a decently sized xD card (also cheap) then it could be a winnAr.

- M4H

 

[Aharami]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive said this many times already, and I will say it again. Go with the Fuji F31fd. This camera never ceases to amaze me. No noise whatsoever (as long as you keep it out of auto mode...its manual mode is basically auto but you get to set the ISO) and image quality is superb. In low light, it blows my S3IS out of the water. Took it and my S3 to a friend's wedding this weekend. I was shooting with the S3 and my gf with the F31fd. My daytime pics came out amazing with the S3. Everyone was oooh-and-aaah-ing about how nice my pics looked. But I wasnt too pleased with my nighttime pics. I definitely like her nighttime pics better. And with Fuji's factory rebate on this camera, it's even sweeter.

edit: i see you want a viewfinder. hmm. the f31 doesnt have one, but i havent really missed it. how often do you use a vf on a ultra compact p&s?</end quote></div>

This one's going to be used for a lot of outdoor shots, and unless the F31fd has a really nice LCD, it'll wash out in the sunlight. Since you have one, you could probably tell me.

Froogle tells me that it's around US$225 ... is that in any way accurate? I also have to factor in that the rebate probably won't be valid in Canada either.

Ugh. And I forgot about this, since Fuji wised up and put xD slots on their larger models - but xD memory makes me want to punch babies. Overly expensive, slow write speeds, and the one format that memory card readers love to exclude. I'd rather sport a Sony and deal with MemoryStick Pro DUO Ultra Platinum Type-R with MagicGate. Seriously.

Other than that, it doesn't look too bad ... if I can get one cheap, and a decently sized xD card (also cheap) then it could be a winnAr.

- M4H</end quote></div>

225 seems accurate. I got mine for 239 from amazon. I probably could have save 10 more bucks by shopping elsewhere but I needed this fast as it was a bday present for my gf and from my experience, amazon shipping is extremely fast.

i got a 1 gig type-h SD card from amazon for 25 shipped. I dont really find it noticeably slower than my SD cards. But then again, my SDs arent the super fast kind either. Basically xD hasnt been a con for this camera yet.

you're right. the rebate doesnt apply to Canadian residents
http://www.fujifilmrebates.com...tem.aspx?productID=136

Ive taken some outdoor shots with this camera in the bright sunlight. Didnt notice the LCD washing out.

 

[Aharami]

DAMMIT! when will the forums be fixed?!? On top of the quotes being all jacked up, AT is slow as hell to boot!

 

[RandomFool]

From what I've been reading the SD800 IS is a better choice than the SD-1000.

*edit*
I just bought a Canon A710 which is pretty small, not exactly deck of cards small but it uses AA batteries and has a 6x zoom which imo is worth the extra size.

 

[zephyrprime]

Originally posted by: RandomFool
From what I've been reading the SD800 IS is a better choice than the SD-1000.

Yeah but it's also more expensive. Canon's naming scheme doesn't really make sense. The SD800 is higher end than the sd1000 despite their name.

In my opinion, the dsc-t100 is tops. The SD800is is also very good at a slightly lower price. I really prefer cameras with antishake features so I also like some models of the Panasonic Lumix line.

As far as the op's concern about excessive megapixels, forget about the low megapixel stuff. They just don't make really good cameras with such low resolution anymore.