Another one seeking opinions for buying digital cameras?

Question

I'm looking at spending $300 +. I want something fairly simple to use, that takes quality photos, is at least 6 megapixels and is small/slim.

I'm not sure whether I'm all over the place with my picks, but the one's I've been researching are:
Canon SD 600 or 800
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50
Casio Exilim EX-Z1000
Pentax A20

Which one's suit my amateurishness & are closer to $300 than higher?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Here's a review that compares 2 cameras from your list along with a Canon SD900 and two more 10 MP compact cameras.

If this list is your bottom line, I'd choose the Pentax A20.

Go to the review and click on the highlighted name of each camera and read the detailed review.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3471/high-5-10mp-compacts.html Click on the name of each camera to read a detailed review.

I'm sure you've already found the dpreview on your list, as we refer to it all the time around here, but in case you have not...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd600%2Ccanon_sd700is%2Ccanon_sd800is%2Ccasio_exz1000%2Cpanasonic_dmcfx50%2Cpentax_optioa20&show=all

Check out this comparison page. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.

While the Panasonic seems to "spec out" a bit better, I still think I'd choose the Pentax. I see it at B&H with a 1 GB Sandisk card for $300, too.

You will notice that I added the Canon SD700-IS to the mix, just in case you overlooked it. If you are leaning towards Canon at all, I think it is worth considering over the SD800-IS. The widest part of the SD800-IS lens is not that great, so you end up with no real advantage for more money. The SD700 goes to 140 mm, which is quite a bit more that the SD800's 105 mm. The only thing is, with a card, it is pushing $400 in the price.

With a $300 budget, I think the Pentax is your best choice and so does Popular Photography.

Answer 2

The panasonic is very very very noisy.

The pentax has video issues, I have a buddy with one and he fights it all the time, hard to convert, won't play on other people's computers...it also focuses poorly.

The casio is OK, but a slower and not as feature packed as the Canon.

The canon SD800 BLOWS everyone away. I've said it before and I'll say it again; there are so many practical and creative advantages to the extra field of view offered by a 28mm over even a 35mm wideangle that it's hard to move back to the 'tunnel vision' of a 'normal' 3x zoom. From landscapes to interiors to group shots the added versatility and creative possibilities of the wider lens cannot be overstated.

The movie mode is of such high quality that I hardly evry use my didgial video camera!

Here is possible the best review in the world of the SD800IS
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd800is/page11.asp

Here is a great place to buy it for only $298 (!)
http://www.prestigecamera.com/product.asp?id=cnpssd800is&l=yahooshopping

Don't get conned like the rest of the masses into thinking more "zoom" is better - what you want is W-I-D-E to capture whole scenes. I am a pro photographer and the longest lens I have is 135mm, I rarely use it!

Enjoy!

Answer 3

Canon makes a very solid digital camera. take a inspect the Powershot A530. Its a 5.0mp digital camera. It has respectable zoom. The a million.8 in lcd is sufficiently small to no longer drain the battery rapid like larger lcd's. It has 4x optical zoom which interior reason solid for a compact digital camera. you should discover it no longer undemanding to discover a 2.0mp digital camera at the instant on account that cameras are pushing all the way as much as 16mp now. 5.0mp provides you with ideas-blowing photos going all the way as much as a 8x10 undemanding. wish this helps :)

Answer 4

Canon SD 600 is the best! This camera is so lightweight and can takes very good pictures. Got LCD screen big and clear. The video quality with the zoom function is good. I'd definitely recommend this camera for you for something compact, easy to use and don't want to spend alot of money.

Answer 5

i would say canon.
th casio doesnt really tak good pictures