Looking to replace my 2MP digital camera. Any suggestions?

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I have a Canon S100 but I'm looking to upgrade to something more in the range of 4MP. I also want it to use Compactflash since I have a few modules already.

Anyone familiar with the new Canon S40/30? What I am interested in particularly next to image quality is the cycle time of the camera.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
I'm kind of curious as to what you are doing that two megapixels isn't enough?

Well, anyways, the Minolta Dimage is definitely worth a look, 5 megapxiels and there is a thread in the HD forums on possibly getting it for 700.
 

Draco

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,899
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<< I have a Canon S100 but I'm looking to upgrade to something more in the range of 4MP. I also want it to use Compactflash since I have a few modules already.

Anyone familiar with the new Canon S40/30? What I am interested in particularly next to image quality is the cycle time of the camera.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
>>




I just picked up the S30. Sweet camera. I felt the 4mp model wasn't really necessary for me. I never would need to print pictures with that high a resolution. The S30 suites me very well. IT's a great camera.

Feature wise the S30 and S40 are indentical. The S40 just sports the 4mp CCD and a differet color casing.

 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I have an S100 and though I find it convenient to use, I cannot stand the delay when I press the shutter for the picture to be taken. I have missed countless shots because of that delay. I love the Olympus 4040Z but I don't want to get a camera that uses Smartmedia. The Olympus had the best shutter to picture time I've tested.

I've had the S100 for about 1 1/2 years now. I got it when I had my first kid. Now that I had my second kid just 2 weeks ago, I don't want to go through the frustration of missing shots again. Since my camera is already 2.1MP, and since there seem to be lots of 4MP cameras out these days, I'm interested to see which ones are good.

Draco, how fast is the S30 when it comes to taking a picture when you press the shutter? Is there a one or two second pause? Is it noticeable? How much bigger than the S100 is it and how much did you pay for it? Thanks.
 

Telemonius

Senior member
Jul 5, 2001
318
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if you've got a grand to spare, check out the Sony DSC-F707. i haven't used it but's highly reviewed by many.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I want to stay away from Sony because they use overpriced Magic sticks. Plus, I tested a few of them and though I like the fact that they use Carl Zeiss lenses, the shutter time is horrible. Even the Sony representative I talked to about it admitted that was still a problem.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Wow, I love this. Wasted near $400.00 on a camera that doesn't suit you. Now tied in to a specific type of memory media and currently considering coughing up another $650.00! Whew!!! Sure wish I had that kind of money to throw around! :Q

I'll stay the course and hold out for the Sony DSC-S75, proprietary memory and all. $475.00 ought to do it with a $40.00 off $200.00 coupon.

Edit: The S40 is "occasionally slow AF at telephoto", so that may be no better. Might as well go all out for the G2!
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
What is the largest size Magic Stick available? 128MB? At 4MP that'll only hold like 40 pictures. I already have a 256MB CF module so why spend more money on something smaller when I've already got one?

The G2 seems nice also. I haven't kept up with digital cameras in a while so I'll look into that and the Minolta. Thanks for that site Ornery.

Edit: I actually didn't try the DSC-S75, I checked out the DSC-P5 which had the real slow shutter. I'll keep an open mind and check out the S75 and S85 when I get a chance.
 

Draco

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,899
0
76


<<
Draco, how fast is the S30 when it comes to taking a picture when you press the shutter? Is there a one or two second pause? Is it noticeable? How much bigger than the S100 is it and how much did you pay for it? Thanks.
>>



It's pretty quick, it definitely feels faster then my old Olympus 3030Z. Check out this great review. on the S40.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Wow!

Look at this one!

I have a regular 35MM Contax RTS2 at home and that is a sweet camera but man look at this digital Contax!

Too bad that'll cost you a down payment on a house to buy.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Nothing like a Zeiss lens. I have the Contax 137MD Quartz sitting in a drawer. Thing hasn't been used in well over a decade! Glad I didn't invest in any more lenses for the damn thing. My wife prefers her Minolta point and shoot and I'd rather just use my Sony camcorder. The S75 would just be one more toy that gets used infrequently. Oh well, it'll be good for the economy if nothing else :eek:
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Hmm.. This might be good. I see people on ebay buying used S100s for over $200. I can probably sell my old one and buy an S40. I see Dell has it for about $690 after coupons. Ebay seems to have it for $600+ too. I'll check it out on Friday.

Damn, I have the itch to spend some money which is not good.