Need some camera buying advice

[Exterous]

Hi guys,

I have a 4 year old Canon Powershot camera that has served us well for a while. (We never did anything all that exciting that we really would want an awesome camera for)

Now we are the point in our lives where we will be taking more trips overseas so I am looking to upgrade in time for our trip to Ireland in April

It seems I know even less about camera that I had even thought possible so I am hoping some of the experts here could help my education

Two of the cameras I have been looking at are the S95 and the SX30.

They seem to be the same price. The S95 is smaller and can take RAW pictures (Does that matter in terms of quality?) But I am pretty sure the SX30 has a better sensor (1/2.3 vs 1/1.7)* and better zoom so I would think the SX30 would take better pictures. Is that right or am I missing something?

I have considered DSLRs and I think I would really enjoy them. I am hesitant to buy one for this trip though because of these impressions:
-My budget is really only around $400 (and unless something changes thats pushing it) and I get the impression I would need a couple of different lenses for our planned outdoor and indoor pictures (Please correct me if thats wrong!)
-No LCD is a no go for my wife so the older (and therefore cheaper) ones are out. Her ability to also use the camera is important to us - especially if the budget were to increase
-I would be concerned about buying one used from a lot of different places because I wouldn't know how to evaluate it before purchase

Should I just stick with the Point and Shoot cameras for now? If so, would the SX30 be better than the S95?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

*Edit: Wait - do I have this backwards? Can someone help me understand the image sensor sizing labeling?

 

[Exterous]

Ok - I found a site that gave me the actual dimensions so the SX30 has a sensor size of 6.16x4.62mm where as the S95 has 7.60x5.70mm so the S95 has a larger sensor. So the S95 now sounds like the better camera - it's just missing the zoom ability.

Still don't know how the fractions work though

 

[sixone]

I have the SX30, and I love it. Had RAW on my SX10 with CHDK, but don't really miss it. RAW takes longer to save to the memory card, and I have to say it's nice to have a faster burst mode without it. But that may not be a priority for you, if you're taking pictures of tourist sites and such like.

That said, I think you and your wife will be happier with the S95. Unless you need a superzoom for subjects you can't get very close to, which likely won't be the case where you're headed.

The smaller form factor will be a bonus, too. I end up carrying my SX30 in my hands, because it's just too big to fit into my shoulder bag, with all the other necessities I have in there. It can be inconvenient at times, with juggling tickets, drinks, etc.

 

[speedy2]

I just got an S95 about a week ago. Simply amazing and it fits in your pocket. Got check one out. I don't think you'll be disappointed. And I'm coming from owning a 40D DSLR.

 

[extra]

The two aren't necessarily comparable. The s95 will have better picture quality and has more dynamic range, and shooting RAW is nice (I always use raw, I have an s90 for pocket camera usage). The SX30 is a very nice camera. It won't do nearly as well in low light as the s95, it won't have as much dynamic range, etc--but outside in daylight in good light it'll do great and the zoom range is *huge*. It depends on what you are looking for in a camera. The s90/95 are basically "try to get as good of picture quality in as tiny package as possible". The SX30 is basically "let's make a camera that can do everything and has an amazing zoom range". Which one is for you? Well, what are you looking for exactly? Pocket-able? Zoom range?

 

[Munky]

IMO, the S95 has a good enough zoom range, and I would definitely take it over anything with a smaller sensor. It's always better to get closer to your subject instead of zooming in to ridiculous amounts, and I find the wide angle much more useful than the telephoto range.

 

[Exterous]

Thanks for all the great insight guys! I really appreciate it!

Which one is for you? Well, what are you looking for exactly? Pocket-able? Zoom range?

I think image quality is the most important. I would like extra zoom but that would be second.

 

[MRGOOCH]

You look like a candidate for the Canon S95.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Might want to find a S90 or S95 to handle in a local store. I wanted an S90 until I fondled one and you really can't grip it securely, unless not using it. :Þ It's just a flat rectangle which is nice and pocketable but precarious for large hands especially. Of course you can get a 3rd party grip for it which may render it grippable.

 

[hofan41]

Might want to find a S90 or S95 to handle in a local store. I wanted an S90 until I fondled one and you really can't grip it securely, unless not using it. :Þ It's just a flat rectangle which is nice and pocketable but precarious for large hands especially. Of course you can get a 3rd party grip for it which may render it grippable.

The S95 is coated with a sandpaper/teflon-like material so it is much better grip-wise than the S90. Just thought I'd throw that in here. I love my S95 btw, it takes amazing pictures.

 

[Exterous]

You look like a candidate for the Canon S95.

That's what it's looking like

The S95 is coated with a sandpaper/teflon-like material so it is much better grip-wise than the S90. Just thought I'd throw that in here. I love my S95 btw, it takes amazing pictures.

Thanks for the headsup!