i want near dslr quality from a point and shoot cam, any suggestion which one i should get?

Question

I'm looking to buy a new digital camera, i don't want to lug around a DSLR, can anyone suggest a point and shoot that will give me near DSLR quality photos? I was looking at the Canon powershot G7, but have been put off a bit by the mixed reviews, particulary about the high levels of noise at higher ISOs.

Answer 1

why not wait for the sony dsc-h7 or h9, its suppost to be slr like. its a 8 megapixel 15 x optical zoom and 2.5 inch lcd screen, they say its suppost to be as fast as a slr. the price ranges from $377 to $450.

Answer 2

The G7 is a good camera. To criticize it for poor high-ISO is like calling a retard for double dribbling: the only point & shoot cameras that have decent high ISO performance are a couple of Fuji models - like the F30 and the newer F31. These models have weaknesses of their own, by the way.
As for image quality, under the right circumstances it's hard to tell the difference. Sure, dSLR cameras with $300 lenses do provide better image quality but you'll hardly notice it on a 4x6 inch print. You already mentioned high ISO. Other reasons to get a dSLR are their responsiveness - say bye bye to shutter lag, and the ability to always use the perfect lens for the job.
It's this whole package of benefits that make dSLR cameras better.

Answer 3

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 as I think it is a great camera and a few members own it and recommend it highly, 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 $345 (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

http://www.cameras.co.uk/camera-reviews/canon-ixus-900-ti.cfm

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/

Here's another photo with no post-processing at all. It was taken at the full 111 mm (equiv) zoom. It was taken in the fully automatic mode with no help from me at all. The horizon is crooked because the camera was resting on the top of my car. I did not want to alter anything, because this is part of a 3-image series comparing optical zoom with cropping to digital zoom. You can look at the other pictures while you are there and see why optical zoom is all that matters.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/459603923/