Please help me choose a camera, I'm so confused!?

Question

I just purchased a Canon S3 IS. I'm planning on exchanging it for something else. It's a great camera, the reviews are great, and it's supposed to take beautiful pictures, but it's not working with me. It has too many features, the more I try the more confused I get.

I want to exchange it for a good camera that takes sharp pictures - preferably Canon.

I'd like to know, has anyone had experience with a good 6 to 10 megapixel Canon camera? I prefer Canon, they're known to be the best.

I want a camera with a good zoom, not a compact one - I hate small cameras. I actually liked the look of the S3 IS, but I guess the simpler they are, the simpler they look.

I'm just sick and tired of looking for the right camera, please, please only answer if you know what to answer.

Thanks. I appreciate your help.

Answer 1

sony cyber shots are great and easy to use i have 2:)

Answer 2

I have a Canon S2 IS and I also had problems, at first, figuring out how to use all the features. While it was overwhelming at the time I kept reading the instructions and researching on the internet. While I won't say I mastered it, I would say I have a good amount of knowledge of the different modes. I would highly encourage you to try to work through it because once you figure out how to use it, you won't want to go back. Right now I get frustrated with the lack of features on more compact cameras.

If you still insist on getting another camera though, I would point you in the direction of the Canon PowerShot A710 IS. While it may be a more compact form factor, it has 6x optical zoom and image stabilization.

Answer 3

I've had excellent results with the Canon Powershot SD series. Try the SD500. All the features you could want, with very little confusion. It's simple to use, has a killer optical zoom, and takes excellent pro quality images. I used the SD300 for years and most of my portfolio was taken with that camera. Most people can't tell that I took the images with a point-and-shoot rather than a SLR.

Other than that, I would go with the Rebel XT or XTi. I personally have the XT. You can easily stay out of the creative modes (manual, aperature priority, shutter priority, program mode), using only the automatic modes (portrait, night, landscape, macro, action) and take excellent pictures. It would also give you a chance to learn the manual modes if you chose to do so, at your own pace. Plus with the Rebel, you can exchange your lenses, so you can customize just how much "zoom" you want.

Answer 4

Yeah, just leave the S3 on "Auto" and forget about the rest. In time, whenyou are not able to get exactly the exposure that you want, you might want to explore the other features of your camera.

If you are stuck on Canon and want to get rid of the S3 without going to a compact camera, I think you need to consider the Rebel XTi, which KoKo has and loves, even though he mentioned the G7 (an excellent camera).

Answer 5

Seriously - go look at the Casio Exlim camera's. I got one of those for each of my daughters because they are so easy to use. They have a mode called "best shot" that sets the camera by the situation your in, i.e. portrait, party, sports, landscape etc.. that have example pictures of the environment might look like to pick from vs cryptic words.

I have a Canon EOS because I want all the knobs to turn and ability to change lens.

For simple/quick point and shoot pictures the Casio takes fantastic pictures.

The Casio comes in different colors and is very slim, can't say enough good things about it.

Answer 6

Take an extra memory card to the store with you and try out on a couple different cameras in the store. Take the card home with you and look at the results on your computer. That is what I did before I finally decided.

Answer 7

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but why not just leave the S3 on "Auto"? That will let you use it as a good point and shoot, and you can learn how to use the other features at your leasure.

Answer 8

Try the G7 if you dont want to go into the SLR area.