Need an image stabilized digital camera

[Connoisseur]

Hey guys. Sorry to post this here but It's late and i'm too lazy to search through digital camera forums. I need a good digital camera and right now i'm pretty set on the Sony DSC-W1, especially since i'm getting 55 dollars in BB rewardzone. However, I must admit that my hands are a bit shaky when taking photos and I was wondering whether anybody could many any suggestions as far as a good digital camera with image stabilization. My other requirements are it has to be at least 4.0MP, must be compact (i.e. put in my pocket small), and under $400. Does such a camera exist? If so, where can I find it? If not, what's the closest alternative? And finally, regardless of image stabilization, can someone suggest to me a camera that (in their opinion) is better than the DSC-W1 (as far as image quality, price, compactness, and sturdiness)? Thanks for your patience guys.

 

[biostud]

tripod?

 

[Connoisseur]

heh good idea probably but 1) I'm trying to save cost on extras as much as possible and 2) I don't feel like carrying a tripod around to every little excursion I go to.

 

[GoSharks]

you wont find a IS camera that will fit in your pants pocket....

 

[Christobevii3]

The new konico minolta ones I believe have it. Like the z3?

 

[oldfart]

Compact with IS as in pocket size doesn't exist. You can look at the Minolta Z3, and Canon S1 IS which are fairly small. I have a Minolta A1 which has what Minolta calls Anti-Shake. It works very well.

 

[Connoisseur]

thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll have to learn to be steadier . No biggie, just seeing what else was in the market. Like I said, I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the Sony DSC-W1. Is there another camera someone can recommend in the same class that they believe is "better" (be as subjective as you'd like)?

 

[ttown]

I have a lot of confidence in Panasonic.
They have a a 4mp camera: DMC-FZ10 which is highly respected -- but pushes your budget a bit.
You might try finding their FZ3 or FZ15, which are newly released and should be around your budget.

I bought their DMC-FZ1 2.1mp 12X optical zoom, image stabilized camera for $250 on clearance -- and it is awesome. I cannot imagine having a big-zoom camera without image-stabilizer. Go to any camera store and just _try_ to zoom out 10-12x without a stabilizer -- and you'll see that it's impossible to capture your target when you're holding it by hand.

I'm not sure how you have 4.0mp as one of your requirements, but I can tell you that there is a lot of hype about megapixel count. My FZ1 takes a great pic at up-to 8"x10". Beyond that and I'd agree that 2.1mp is not enough. 4.0mp would allow for a decent amount of "after-the-shot" cropping which mine does not, so that could be handy.
But don't believe that a 4mp pic at 8x10 will always be superior to a 2.1mp pic at 8x10... because quality depends on a lot more than mp (like sensor technology and lens).

I did a lot of research before buying my fz1, and I never saw a "compact" image-stabilized camera. My fz1 is not huge by any means, but it sure isn't going to fit in my pants pocket.

Whatever camera you're considering, I'd recommend going to the forums at dpreview.com. They have a lot of chat going about pretty much every decent camera. No sign-up needed to read stuff.

 

[Connoisseur]

Thx for the info. As far as the MP count, I totally agree with you. I believe that a good lens, a steady hand and and good photography sense are all that are needed to make superior photos. However, since I currently lack all three, I was considering at least a 4mp camera since I was hoping that the high pixel count would help "overshadow" my inabilities . Also, I go on a decent number of trips and since I already have enough to carry, I wanted a camera that was compact and easy to whip out at a moments notice and I read that the W1 has an extremely fast startup and shutter time. Also, it has some manual adjustment settings for that time in the distant future when I feel up to fiddling with such things. I was debating between this and the Canon S500, but a combination of the larger screen, adjustment options and expansion capability won me over. I was just wondering whether I should be considering any other cameras in the same class (size, features, price) before I commit myself.

 

[Navid]

Why don't you increase the shutter speed?
You will have to open the diafragm to make up for it. You will lose some depth of field. But, nothing terrible.

Even if you have a tripod, you will still have subjects that would look fuzzy in a picture because they move (a moving car, a swimmer diving into the water, ....). You can take good pictures of these subjects by increasing the shutter speed.

 

[heartsurgeon]

check out www.dpreview.com

 

[FishTankX]

Sony makes an extremley tiny compact, the DSC-T11, that does something like image stabilization. It's 5 megapixels, and exceedingly small. You could check it out. it's avaliable at www.dynamism.com

 

[mauiblue]

I've got the Sony DSC-T1 (which similer to the DSC-T11) which is very small and would fit in your shirt pocket. It is 5.1 megapixels and has some feature that would be equal to image stabilization and it could be had for less than $400 if you google search. I wouldn't put any digital camera in my pants pocket, though. Those LCD screens are very fragile.

 

[Bugler]

Whenever possible, you want to shoot from a tripod anyway. There are many lightweight travel ones that are not a pain to keep around. If you do get an IS camera and place it on a tripod, you want to turn the IS off.

 

[Connoisseur]

anyone have an opinion on the HP707 (preferrably someone who uses/owns it)? I was just reading reviews on dpreviews and steves-digicams and they seem to be giving this little camera glowing reviews. However, there are a few people who are complaining about terrible photo quality. DSC-W1 versus HP707? I'm just really concerned about the durability/longevity/quality of this camera.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
you wont find a IS camera that will fit in your pants pocket....

NOT TRUE.

 

[dr150]

There are many indications that the Panasonic FX7 with the Venus 2 engine and other refinements will be a better product than the already exceptional Sony W1. It has a legendary Leica lens. It's older brother, the FX-5, recently beat 12 P&S 5-6MP camera shoot-out in the August edition of the UK magazine "Digital CAmera SHopper" (currently available at B&N Or Borders bookstores).

This Nikon 4600 also looks promising. Here's another review.. The camera is garnering good reviews but isn't really pocketable.

The Fuji E550 is also another compelling product. It has a wider 32.5 mm lens and 4x telezoom vs. the W1, and is fully manual. Only issue is that it takes the super expensive XD memory cards.


Here's sample pictures os the Fuji e550 and Panasonic FX7 cameras. Look at the grass picture of the FX7 in the lower right hand corner. Look how much sharper it is vs. the other camera like the E550 or Sony 150 cameras...remember, those cameras also have 1-2MP more in resolution, yet look muddier/softer.....

 

[GoSharks]

well the panasonic isnt even out in the US yet...

and this guy said that the IS didnt do anything... http://www.iremo.com/fx7_vs_z55/

 

[Connoisseur]

LOL, you read my mind. I was actually gonna ask about the FX7 too. Since I won't be buying my new cam for at least another 2 or 3 weeks, I think i'll wait for reviews of this camera to come out before I make my decision. The anti-shake function is the big selling point for me since I don't have the steadiest hands in the world. It could be the W1 or the FX7 based on how the Panasonic fares. Anyone know when this thing will come out for retail (BB, CC etc.)?

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Connoisseur
LOL, you read my mind. I was actually gonna ask about the FX7 too. Since I won't be buying my new cam for at least another 2 or 3 weeks, I think i'll wait for reviews of this camera to come out before I make my decision. The anti-shake function is the big selling point for me since I don't have the steadiest hands in the world. It could be the W1 or the FX7 based on how the Panasonic fares. Anyone know when this thing will come out for retail (BB, CC etc.)?

It supposed come out in October.

Good idea to wait for the reviews of any camera, but just so you know, I've seen reviews of very good cameras praised or canned by different photo mags and internet sites. To form a uniform consistent opinion from "pro" reviews is difficult to say the least.

The amateur review that Gosharks posted above is from a noob. I've seen reviews from that poster going back and forth in his opinions on many cameras. He hasn't even tested OIS #1! OIS has 2 modes: #1 for shutter shake, #2 for higher OIS level..........His pics are fuzzy which leads me to believe he doesn't know how to shoot pics. IMHO, I think he has a bone to pick since he says the battery only lasted 20 minutes. Ya right........BTW, I've seen other user FX-7 user reviews of indoor and night pics where the pics came out crystal......I am holding my breath though on the battery life. Hopefully it can handle a days' worth of shots (ie. ~50 shots?)--I'm pretty condient it can. We'll see,

 

[ttown]

If the "mega O.I.S." is the same on that FX-7 as it is on my FZ1v2, I'll tell you you'll have no problems shooting a steady shot at full zoom.

That FX-7 looks awfully good, btw.

 

[Connoisseur]

Amazon says the camera is being released on Sept. 21st which is incidentally tomorrow. I'll wait a couple weeks after to see if a review from a "professional" site pops up. Aww crud, doesn't look like BB is stocking the Panasonics... I have $55 in reward zone certificates to spend and if the panasonic does end up topping the DSC-W1 as far as quality, I might be stuck with the W1 anyway (which isn't that bad actually). It's not just the rewardzone either. Since I have the BB credit card I can pay off the camera over the span of 12 months rather than having to pay it all off in one shot