Need new camera. Help!

My less than fertile grey matter | Published? | me

[Phantom Lord]

Hey fellow FReepers. My camera, the Canon Powershot A540 has decided to bite the dust after 13 months. I strongly suspect abuse by spouse and possibly being used as a hand grenade by a 1 year old.

So, I need a new camera. $200 top budget.

Will be used to take pics of kids. Lots of indoor shots. Lots of outdoor shots. Maybe even some action shots.

What I want. 7MP. 3x zoom, but prefer 4x or better.

Here is where my language will say what I mean, but not in proper "camera" world terms.

I want the flash to reset quickly. I want the shutter to be fast. Meaning I want to be able to just snap, snap, snap several pictures off. Some digitals I have used have a good 10 second delay for a flash to reset and then some have had a really bad 6 second delay from when I push the button to the picture actually being taken.

So there you have it. Suggestions?

I have looked at the Canon PowerShot A720IS but think the shutter speed may be an issue for me.

Thats about it so far. Just started to look. But will buy ASAP. Thanks!

[ThomasThomas]

A double exposer can’t be done on any digital camera.

[VOA]

An addition to my post 20:
IIRC, one nice feature of the Consumer Reports review on digital camers
was that it listed NUMBERS for some factors that can really separate
great cameras from good ones...
such as “shutter lag” (time from pressing the button tophoto-taken,
time to power up from a cold start, and also the “cycling time”
(VOA’s term) between successive shots.

[DeLaine]

camera help ping

[Amelia]

If the 1-yr-old is still likely to throw it around, you might look for a shock-resistant model.

[Jeff Chandler]

When choosing among several cameras, you can find good reviews here: www.dcresearch.com.

[DeLaine]

camera help ping

[antivenom]

Olympus SP-550 is running 299.00 and has a wide angle 28mm to ~550mm telephoto.

Has many bells and whistles for a SLR like camera. 7.1 Megapixels 18X zoom.

NOW my preference is the Canon S80 smaller camera that I can out in a small housing and scuba dive with.

[Dutch Boy]

I have this camera and love it. It takes great pics for a small camera.

[Freeper]

OK, let me be the first to correct MYSELF (Post #7). I should have referred to the T30 as a PENTAX. Optio T30 to be exact. Sorry abouyt that. I am really satisfied with the one I have for several main reasons. First of all when (if) you get one - - - - attach the strap FIRST. It is so small that I really was afraid of dropping it. Second, spend a second and look at all the things you can do with the touch screen like zoom-in and out; if you zoom in you can slide the picture around - - -reminds me of the I-Phone. You can write on the picture with a stylus or add stored frames or capture “things” and stamp them (a miniature version of PhotoShop) etc., etc. Changing options like shutter speed, flash, 12 different focus options are really easy with the touch screen. It also does video (30 fps) and records until you run out of memory (SD cards). Also the instructions are in English AND ON THE TOUCH SCREEN. Have fun.

[mozarky2]

Ditto-Pentax rocks-lotsa camera for the money-the advantages are too numerous to mention-just spent 3k+ for a Pentax K10D & tons of accessories-LOVE IT!

Also just bought wifey 7mp Pentax-she loves hers...

[Blood of Tyrants]

Consumer reports recommends the Canon PowerShot A720 IS for about $200 as a best buy.

[Phantom Lord]

Thanks. Keep the suggestions coming. Appreciate it greatly.

One other wrinkle, but at the end of the day this will have zero bearing on the decision made, just a nice added feature.

I SCUBA dive, and I know some cameras out there have a waterproof case available that you can throw the camera in and use it down to 130 feet. That would be a nice option to have. But again, will have zero bearing on the purchase decision. Thanks!

[Phantom Lord]

I was looking at the A720 IS. Is that the same as the A720, or is it a seperate model without the image stabalization?

What has knocked that one out of contention so far is the time lag between photos and from hitting the button to the picture actually taking. I heard it is pretty slow.

[Phantom Lord]

OK, now I am just a moron. I didn't see the "IS" in your post.

Damn you beer!

[MaxMax]

Have you been hanging around PRICEWATCH again?
10x optical zoom is very nice.

[Mockingbird For Short]

Yeah, I’m having fun with the “color accent” mode. (Sometimes I wish we could attach photos on these posts...)

[Bobalu]

Yup, 10x is awfully appealing.
Optical stabilization is a must with that much magnification...digital stabilization works also, just not as well.
But then digital stabilization does mean less moving parts in the camera since optical is actually rapidly shifting the optics.

[Bobalu]

Sometimes I wish we could attach photos on these posts

You can.. just post it quickly on www.tinypic.com and then put the link here and the image will appear in the thread :-)

[VA Voter]

Ping for later

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Forget about monster megapixels. 7MP or less, down to 5MP will likely give you better quality images, than a larger camera. There isn’t much difference in the physical size of the sensors on consumer and prosumer cameras, and most of the high MP rigs suffer from a “noise” problem, which they then filter out with a built in program. The result is often pictures that look like melted wax. I reckon to get flamed on this, LOL, but I still take a lot of good shots with an 8 year old, 2MP camera. I’ve won competitions with it, against the big dogs.
Consider last years model, big savings, nothing wrong with refurbs, either. A stabilized lens is wonderful, they really work.
I’ll shop around and check some deals for you.