I need camera advice, considering Canon S100, but bad reviews!

[incucrash]

I have a Nikon Coolpix L15, it is 8MP, and takes outstanding pictures, I just took some amazing ones at Mount Rainier in Washington state.

My buddy has a Canon T3i, and I was really impressed with it, but I hate the idea of lugging it around looking like a tourist, while it would be great for me, I feel like it is too much on size, and money right now..

My budget: I would prefer to stay under $350

What I want it for: I really want to play with shutter speeds, different settings to capture some neat pictures, with that being said, I imagine it could be old as dirt and I could just upgrade to an automatic point and shoot, but I would love it all in one camera.

I'm not opposed to Nikon, but I have not done much research in the newer stuff

I have looked at the mirror less type of cameras, but when the lens is added, it doesn't fit in a pocket anymore, however I do usually wear a bookbag, so I guess this could be an option, but I really just want a point and shoot.

My demands:

I need it to fit in my pocket....
I need it to have manual controls, for shutter, aperture, etc...
I would love 1080 video recording
I would prefer more then or right at 5x zoom

With this being said, I was looking at the Canon S100, but it has 30 reviews @ 1 star!! That is horrible, the pictures on amazon from S100 users are amazing, but the S95 has much better reviews, and just as good pictures, but it lacks zoom+1080 record

On a side note, my Samsung Galaxy S phone takes amazing pictures for a camera phone, but there actual point and shoot cameras don't seem like they are reviewed highly...

Any other suggestions?


Links for your convenience:


S95 - http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...d=1339788791&sr=1-1&keywords=s95+canon+camera

Look at the review ratio in comparison to the S100

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...d=1339788791&sr=1-2&keywords=s95+canon+camera

 

[Miles]

Can't speak for the S100, but I've a Canon S95 and think it's great! I made the decision to go with the S95 due to the reportedly superior low-light capabilities. Have been shooting with it on complete manual mode and I understand that most of the buttons/dials correspond to larger Canon DSLR's, so I think of it as a highly portable DSLR trainer. In fact, I just recently went through a photography as art course for extra units at my university and did very well on all the assignments with just the S95 and my tripod. As for video recording, I never record videos so I can't say anything for or against. Overall I think the S95 is a damn fine, pocketable, undaunting camera and would recommend it to anyone (just like right now, to you).
Of course at the end of the day, reviews shmeviews and all that, one should really try to get their hands on a few cameras to see what feels right. Good luck!

 

[incucrash]

Thank you Miles, I am doing some research now, for the price range, I have a good number of P+S options, The sony line is looking pretty impressive, Nikon seems to be lacking, maybe their DSLR cameras are good, but they seem to care too much about some tiny camera fitting in skinny jeans pockets, LOL

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-compact-cameras/

this is a good guide for me

I think in the end, I will probably got with the S95, but there are some options with more zoom, like the SX260

 

[cdrross]

I shoot a Nikon D90 (will upgrade soon) with good glass; but if I wanted a small package, I would go to the Canon G13 and spend a few extra bucks over the $350.
It shoots RAW and you have full control, plus it has (although not great) a view finder for when the sun is behind your back and you can't see crap on the LCD (although there is a tilt screen). I believe it has a decent zoom as well.

 

[Legion]

What about this?

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/sony-rx100/sony-rx100A.HTM

 

[scottish steve]

What seems to be the issue with the S100? I dithered between the S100 an S95 for a full week and the only issue with the S100 seemed to be slightly less natural JPG procesing.

 

[incucrash]

cdrross, Ill check it out, thanks man

Legion, very nice, seems out of my budget, but I will research on it

Scottish steve, It had 30, 1 star reviews regarding lens error, general problems. The s95 seems to be a better choice based on amazon feedback.

 

[scottish steve]

Oh. I did know there was a problem with some models, the early batch, but gathered this had been fixed. Might be wrong in that. How many 5 star reviews? I'm not being funny, but bringing along a test-card isn't out of the question of you're going to buy an expensive compact camera with q.c. issues. Though I must admit to feeling a bit better about my choice now.
Legion, that Sony looks pretty damn good! I do wish they'd stuck with the large sensor and ony 12MP. THAT would have been a very smart move.

 

[Legion]

Yeah, sony have been playing in the pixel race with all their models. We know it is dumb, but it does sell cameras to the rubes. Like shrinking the sensor to get more zoom. Great.

That model does look promising, though. Haven't tried one yet.

 

[scottish steve]

I am SO annoyed at the q.c. concerns on the D7000. I really think I'd have bought it in August if it hadn't been for that. I know it's not a huge leap in pure I.Q. from the D5100 but the other features make it very desirable.
OP, how about a G12? I very very nearly bought one but thought the S95 was the considered choice. But the one thing I miss on the S95 is the Focus system of the G12 (present in the S100 I think?), as well as that loverly interface of course. (sigh)

 

[Miles]

I like this site for camera reviews and comparisons:

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_PowerShot_G12-vs-Canon_PowerShot_S95

 

[scottish steve]

I have used that site a few times and it is useful, to a point, though some things are a bit silly. "More popular" as a hugly weighted criterion is a joke. As is "8% Lighter" when comparing two semi-pro bodies, part of the point of which is the weight.

 

[Miles]

Of course there's no substitute for using one's brain meats

OP: Did you find something that'll work?

 

[deafficianado]

I would go with one of the newer compact DSLR cameras from Sony, Nikon, or Olympus. I'm not sure if Canon makes one, but I would go with Canon if possible. These new compact DSLRs fits the larger professional lens. But if you want a lot of zoom, the Bridge cameras are the way to go being smaller that DSLRs. The Nikon P500's 36x zoom is equivalent to over 800mm! And its just over your price range with full HD recording.

 

[deafficianado]

Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 42x Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and GPS Record Location, WOW!!! 42X

 

[incucrash]

I went with a Canon SX260

Awesome camera for a pocket able P&S, I've had some shots come out grainy but that was due to digital zoom or lighting...

 

[BigDon]

I have been using a Panasonic ZS3 (TZ7) and a Panasonic LX5 for a few years and I am totally sold on these little cameras. I take a lot of pics (and video) and I don't think you can beat them for the price. They don't make the zs3 any more, but you can pick them up on eBay for about $100.00 or you can get the newest model (zs19 or zs20) for a little more. Personally I like the image quality a little better with the older ZS3 myself. If you haven't looked into these it is worth checking out.

Here are some samples I took with these cameras >>> http://texasbestmarketing.com/

 

[Doraemon]

I don't know if you have found your camera yet, but if you haven't, or if anyone else is looking for a good shooting compact camera, I heartily recommend the Panasonic Lumix LX5.

I am primarily a film shooter, and I spend most of my time working with Leica M 35mm cameras, as well as shooting larger formats. I picked up a Lumix LX5 here in Tokyo on the recommendation of a camera store owner, and I have to say that it has been outstanding. My reasons for preferring this camera are many. I like how quickly it powers up, turn it on, and it is ready to shoot as soon as the lens opens. The focus speed is quicker than in other compact cameras I have tried, and the image stabilization works wonderfully well. But in the end, it is all about the images. I shot my LX5 alongside my Fuji X-Pro, and Leica MP/Summilux combo, and after seeing the results I got from the little Lumix, I wonder why I spent the money on the X-Pro.

I like the Canon cameras too, but a quirk I have is that I don't like to buy things made in China, and most Canon gear is now Chinese made. The Lumix cameras are still made in Japan, and as I live in Japan at the moment, I like to support the local economy.

The new LX7 is being introduced now, so the LX5 can be found for a song at many shops for much less than it went for only recently. If the LX7 is as good as advertised, I may step up to it.

 

[incucrash]

I got sx260, im satisfied, and its made in japan