Hi there,
I'm searching for the best compact digital camera money can buy, mainly for party, gf and perhaps some car shots too. I'm looking for one with a big optical zoom, timely flash, minimal delay, large lcd, good lens with large mp (if not the best) and with any other useful features.
Can anyone recommend any trusted models that i should look into that looks half decent too?
ATM i am a complete noob at digital cameras so any tips on buying or pittfalls to watch for would also be much appreciated.

 

The entire Canon SD series is great for what you're looking for. The SD550 would be great for you IMO (2.5" LCD, 7.1mp, extremely compact, reputable brand, etc etc)

Check out http://www.dpreview.com and be sure to look around for deals. Places like http://www.zipzoomfly.com or http://www.buydig.com often have prices significantly cheaper than say, Best Buy or Circuit City.

 

I just bought he SD550, I'll let you know

 

What do u guys think of the panasonic lumix fx8?


Modified by civicdacbiet at 5:45 AM 12/19/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicdacbiet &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What do u guys think of the panasonic linux fx8?</TD></TR></TABLE>

For one, it looks like there is an updated version of that (the FX9). But more importantly, I can't think of any decent pictures I've seen come out of a Panasonic compact camera (and I'm on several photography forums). Bottom line.. pay a little extra, stick with a company like Canon, Nikon, or Sony.. all of which make nice compact cameras. Being a Canon user myself, I just really like the features and functionality of the SD4xx and 5xx cameras.

Go to Best Buy and try a few out and see what you feel comfortable with using. And also try http://www.accessphoto.com for a better source of 'photography gurus'.

 

what photo forums are you on? (just curious)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda 3300 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what photo forums are you on? (just curious)</TD></TR></TABLE>

http://www.accessphoto.com (where most h-t members seem to go)
http://www.fredmiranda.com (the equivalent of honda-tech for photography)
http://www.jtuned.com/forums/
http://www.clubrsx.com (photography section)

 

I've been doing a lot of reading from various places and will probably settle on either the fx9 or ixus 750. What do u guys think about the sony range and are their any sony models in particular i should be considering?

 

Sony Cybershots are pretty decent. i have the dsc-w1 and it has a manual option and its pretty good for an all around camera. lots of options pretty compact and 5.1 mp. cant say boo to that.

 

im getting sd550

next year im getting a Rebel

 

I'm not so sure abt sony anymore, was considering the dsc-n1 but am getting mixed opinions...

 

i had a sony cyber shot dsc-w1 and it kept ****** up on me. sony "fixed" it 3 times and it still didnt work right. so they sent me the dsc-w5 and i havent had any problems......yet, only had it 4 a week

booo to sony

 

At this stage i'm probably not going to get the ixus 750 purely because of it's looks and it's a little bulkier than the rest. I know it produces the best pics in the lifestyle compact range, but I hope i can get a more compact & stylish one that can produce similar results.

I have narrowed my choice down to 2 cameras, the panasonic fx9 and pentax optio s6. Both have received good and bad ambiguous reviews, especially the s6 which has been heavily criticised. IMO the s6 sample pics are outstanding, even better than the fx9 in many shots, so why does it receive so much criticism whilst the fx9 is worshipped but often produces 2d looking images due to blurry soft edging?

pentax optio s6 sample;
http://www.steves-digicams.com...6.jpg

panasonic fx9 sample;
http://www.steves-digicams.com...3.jpg

Help...

 

Anything Canon SD or A-series.. even G if you feel like spending a bit more. Canon has great quality compacts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicdacbiet &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What do u guys think of the panasonic lumix fx8?


Modified by civicdacbiet at 5:45 AM 12/19/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Canon A series or any similar priced Nikon. I like the canon more but the built in lens of the Nikons have FD glass

 

powershot s2

 

A95

 

http://www.dpreview.com/

 

I was going to get the canon powershot a620 but i hate lugging around 4 aa batteries.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicdacbiet &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was going to get the canon powershot a620 but i hate lugging around 4 aa batteries. </TD></TR></TABLE>
500 photo's with 4 aa's is not bad at all

 

canon a95, a610, a620

 

If big zoom is important you may want to check out Nikon's S4. Its a swivel but that gets you 10x optical zoomness with a 6mp cam, big lcd, etc.

 

Canon SD400, SD450, SD500, SD550. Small body, large screen, plenty of MP for large prints, easy to use.