Does a slim digital camera like this exist?

Question

I am looking for a slim pocket digital camera but I would love for it to have the following features:

1. viewfinder (this is a must as I cannot always see well through LCD screens).

2. decent Optical Zoom capabilities (digital zoom is fine too but would like some optical zoom as it's superior).

3. capabilities to take video/sound recording.

4. capabilities to shoot photo after photo without a lot of delay.

I've been researching cameras with my husband for an upcoming holiday and each time we see one we like, we end up finding something we don't like about it or negative reviews. We just want a decent compact, stylish camera if this is possible. The viewfinder problem is especially annoying to us as viewfinders conserve batteries much better than LCD screen and they are easier to see through.

I hope someone will have some good suggestions for us :-)

Thanks,
Sissy

Answer 1

Here are two cameras to consider from Canon. THe Powershot SD700-IS and SD900 both sound like they fit your specifications. I admit that this answer is a composte of 3 different "stock" answers, so there might be some duplcaite references. You might want the SD700-IS, because it has a greater zoom range, but I like the way the SD900 is a 10 MP camera and it has the larger sensor to take advatage of the pixel count.

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.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd700is%2Ccanon_sd900&show=all

After answering questions here for about 8 months, I finally decided to get a Canon Powershot SD900. I was going to go for the SD700-IS, but they were out of stock everywhere and it gave me time to re-think my purchase. This is going to be a pocket camera to use when I don't want to carry one of my SLR's with me, but I still want really great image quality from the camera. Anyhow, after months and months of reading reviews, the SD900 was my top choice. I found a review in Popular Photography the day after I ordered my Canon that suggests that maybe the Pentax Optio A20 would have been a better choice, but, I don't believe it. The Pentax does have shake reduction, but I doubt this will be necessary in a camera that only zooms to an equivalent of 114 mm and I just can not believe that 10 MP on a smaller 1/2.5" sensor (Pentax) will be better than 10 MP on a 1/1.8" sensor (Canon) that is nearly twice as large.

Anyhow, go here to see the comparison article on 5 compact camera and see what you think. If you really don't want to read reviews, I am still happy that I am got the Canon SD900 and this would be my recommendation for anyone at this point, since it is what I chose for myself. I ordered from B&H Photo where the price is $343 (today) for the SD900. They have been playing with the price point for this camera since Christmas and that's why I say "today." Every time I check back, it's got a different price.

After about one month of using the SD900, I am so happy with it that I bought one to give to my niece as an engagement present. I am that confident in the camera.

I also bought a 5-year Mack warranty for $50. If you are even a little paranoid or clutzy, I feel that it is money well-spent. These are somewhat delicate compared to SLR's.

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

Here is a comparison page with all five cameras. 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.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd900%2Ccasio_exz1000%2Coly_stylus1000%2Cpentax_optioa20%2Csamsung_nv10&show=all

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/sd900.html

Here is one photo I put on-line that I took with the SD900. Click on "All Sizes" and view this as large as possible and check out the birds. This was taken right after sunset and there were no enhancements in afterprocessing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/409551806/

If you want to shoot movies and also in the continuous mode (minimum shutter lag), you will want a high speed, high capacity memory card. I'd suggest the Sandisk 2 GB Ultra II -which sells for $65 now. Add this to the cost of the camera that you choose.

Answer 2

Hi. This site is well known for camera reviews and advice. http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Answer 3

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