Need info on how to choose a P&S camera (details inside)

Status
Not open for further replies.
raksrules

raksrules

Oracle
I will be buying a new camera by this year end. I am no camera pro and have little to no details about how to choose a camera. I do not want a DSLR since my camera skills are not really good. The last camera i bough was because everyone on TE was buying one.
My main requirements (from little details i know) are...

1. Decent Mpx (i know high Mpx does not mean good camera). Current cam has max 8 Mpx but i use 5 Mpx.
2. Better zoom (current camera has 5X optical zoom), new one has to have far more. This is important
3. Good pics in low light / night conditions
4. Image stabilization (for shaky hands).
5. I dont know if face detection is of any use, but if it is then it is needed.
5. Settings which i can understand to take better pics (rather than using the standard Intelligent auto which i always use)

Any other features that you may suggest i should consider which i dont know.

My current camera is something many people on TE must be owning, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 which many people here had bought using the ebay deal couple of years back (or more i guess).

I am in USA and will be buying from here so suggest accordingly. Also direct some good places to buy. Gathering info now so i don't get confused when a deal comes in this festive season.
Budget i have not fixed but max may be 400-500 USD. Just a random figure i have given , i dont know much :ashamed:
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

^^You know what, i was randomly checking amazon and found the very exact camera before i posted this thread and though that the deal was indeed very good. Specs are really good. But i was thinking of waiting till black friday / thanks giving etc for a good deal.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Hi,

You have a decent budget for P&S camera. for a 300$ budget i would pick the Panasonic FZ -40. It's an amazing camera with 24x optical zoom. Canon Sx30 no doubt is a good camera but it's slow to shoot and the picture quality at the zoom end is nothing to boast off . I use a canon myself and have handled Canon Sx30is. I'm a firm believer that 30X + zoom is nothing but marketing gimmick. I would rather buy a cam with 12x Zoom and amazing picture quality rather than a 35x zoom with mediocre image quality. Other decent model in your budget is Fujifim Hs20. But none of the above said models would be good for night shots. If night shots are your priority do look into the entry level DSLRs too. Point &Shoot cameras with tiny sensors cannot take decent night shots.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

^^Entry level DSLR cost how much ? Please name a few.

I wrote P&S because i though DSLR come very expensive. Night shots cannot be told as a priority but it is good to have something which can take good pics at night. It kills to realize that my modest camera is not really able to take proper night shots. Had been yesterday to an event which was at night and the camera just didn't help. Most of the pics are useless.

Tried different settings too but nothing helps.

Anyways cannot expect much from a 4.5K INR camera.

PS; I dont even know what is the difference between a DSLR and a P&S camera :ashamed: Can anyone explain in noob language.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Why not try the Sony HX9V...its supposed to be an excellent camera and is compact too..
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Just wanted to clarify that full HD video is an absolute non necessity as i may never ever take a FHD video. I am more than satisfied with my current VGA video too, as it is i take videos rarely.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

You have decided on the budget. Next decide on the portability. While DSLRs give you clarity (esp useful if you need to crop the picture to highlight only that aspect) they are bulky!

If you are in the US have a look at the various demo/open box offers. They offer amazing deals. Just because there is no instruction manual or the outer box is slightly torn, you end up getting fantastic offers. This will take time to pore thru' different sites, but - that is the part of the fun!

HD video is almost de-facto in most of the reasonable priced P&S models. Image stabilization is also mostly a given.

Fuji has the better reputation for low light shooting. The Sony HX9V recommended above by @unreal_ishan is in the editors list at cnet.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Not sure if the battery type used is supposed to be part of my requirements, but i think i personally prefer the ones using the standard AA batteries which means that even if i have less battery power i can always replace them immediately.

Not the case with Lithium Ion battery or whatrver it is.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

For that budget if you want a P&S type camera with good zoom get the new launched panasonic FZ-150 if thats not available within the time of your stay in US ,get the Sony HX100V.If you want a even more compact camera HX9V is good.

But if you want image quality you can get a Sony NEX 3 within your budget its however replaced with a newer improved NEX-C3 has a APS-C size sensor so basically sticks to theme of NEX cameras "Roam like a tourist shoot like a pro".
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Only AA cells used to be philosophy till my last buy. The restriction on the type of battery severely restricts your choice (au contraire, one may say it makes deciding easier!). Most of the cameras come with their 'own' Li-battery. At most what one can do is to get a spare battery if one if off to a remote place/full day outing where you expect to drain one cell, the spare can be slipped in.

Definitely look for a wide angle (24/25 mm is common) at the lower end of the zoom - not just for landscapes, it makes a world of difference when you are squeezing the family members in the frame in a small room!

Once again, look at the shooting scenarios and decide. If it is mostly shots during holidays/indoor family shots there is no point in going for an expensive camera.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

I would recommend Canon S95 at this budget. Or if you can afford, Canon Powershot G12. Both of these have amazing picture quality for a compact P&S.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Also add in your list Panasonic TZ20 (costs 16k) if you want to buy a compact P&S camera...

Review : Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 Review | PhotographyBLOG

And if you are not going to use the camera for video recording then save money and buy Panasonic TZ10 ~ 10.7k which is a great P&S camera has 12x optical zoom, 12.1MP camera, and 720p video recording capability... best VFM camera i would say...

Review : Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 Review | PhotographyBLOG
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

Megapixels is something i am not even considering because i know what i do not require a very high Mpx pics. Zoom is something i am considering but also am confused whether all these claims of 24x / 30x optical zooms are really true or not. As i said i have fixed budget is totally random and not as per any criteria. I think DSLR is not my forte as i am no pro and camera will be for casual use only.
I mentioned low light / night pics because at least a few years back it was a de facto that digi cams are incapable of good night shots and i myself have a camera that proves it. But i know that was before.
I will check everything mentioned here. Thanks for the suggestions :)
But yes you can pour in more, wharever information / suggestions / recommendations you have :)
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

well, If night shots are not your priority or if you can live with the mediocre picture quality by all means go for a P&S camera. Someone above mentioned S95 and G12. These are the P&S cameras which takes really good pictures( Almost Dslr quality) due to bigger sensors but the downside is that you won't get more than 5X optical zoom on any of those cameras. I would suggest you to prioritize your needs first. In my Opinion 18x Zoom is more than enough for most of the needs provided that you are not into Bird photography which requires 30X and above zooms.

here are some of the options:

1) Panasonic Fz40. It's a slightly outdated camera( 2 yrs) but has very good picture quality for a P&S cam and it comes with a decent 24x Zoom. Should cost you 300$ or so in US.

2) S95 or G12: Both these cameras takes excellent images( Almost Dslr like) downside being the zoom( 4x).

3) Canon 550d with kit lens & 50-250mm lens..This would be my choice for your budget. I won't agree with the views that Dslr is only meant for pro. These are very handy cameras that can be used by amateur. All the DSLR cameras comes with Auto mode and you don't need to be a pro to use Auto mode. you can point and shoot at the objects like you do with your normal P&S cam. and you can switch to Munual controls once you get the hang of the cam.

The Kit lens( 18-55mm) with canon 550d is capable of macro, Landscape and people photography while the 50-250mm will give you the range for Wildlife photography. The above kit should set you back by 700$ but its worth the money.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

You see i am a noob when it comes to photography so things like aperture, iso etc are alien to me. From an amateur's perspective i want something which is VFM and also does everything. So again i will try to enlist my needs

1. Can click good pics in daylight, no intention of blowing them up on big poster size prints etc so high megapixels is not necessary

2. Can ALSO take good night pics, especially illuminations, fireworks etc.

3. Decent video quality, 720p will be good, no need of 1080p. Current cam has VGA resolution and i like that too.

4. Decent zoom, current cam has 5X, definitely want more than that.

5. Preferably using AA batteries but can do with its OWN battery too.

Nothing more i can think of for now.
 
Re: Need info on how to chooise a P&S camera (details inside)

for all your above needs Panasonic TZ10 is best. Have you checked the review of it? It is capable of taking good quality pics even at night... :)
 
Are there any more suggestions which i can check for my camera needs ?

My budget i have fixed to max 350-400 USD now (cheaper VFM preferred) , all inclusive. I may buy something during the black friday period, not now.

So if i have some info beforehand it will help me in making an informed decision then.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

I see that the Canon SX30IS is available on letsbuy and they have mentioned it as "SEMI-SLR".

On what basis is it termed as semi slr ???

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Can anyone suggest me which would be better out of the following??

1. Canon PowerShot SX230HS

2. Canon SX30 IS

3. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40

4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V

All these fall under the 400 USD and hence it interests me.

If there is any other option then you may suggest that too.

One really stupid thing that i feel and want to admit is that i have a perception that any camera which looks like the SX30IS (the body style i mean) is supposed to be better than other cameras which are easily pocketable (like the SX 230HS) :ashamed:

I know this may be completely wrong perception.

I intend to buy a camera before december mid as i have a plan to go for a holiday in december end and need something which can click pics of landscape as well as illuminated building / streets etc etc.

I don't know much about Fujifilm and hence have not mentioned it above but i am very much open to that option as well.
 
Well if it doesn't have interchangeable lens there is no way you call it semi SLR.

SX30IS,HX100v,FZ150 etc are ultra zoom camera or prosumer cameras.Of these three i would go with the panasonic FZ150 which has the best IQ,if you shoot videos more and want faster AF that other features i would go with the HX100V.

Fuji cameras are good to like the HS20EXR ,they will soon launch the XS-1 high end ultra zoom camera basically has a fixed lens with high zoom and has a large sensor bigger then all P&S,prosumer camera sensor but smaller then 4/3 sensor which is in turn smaller then APS-C size sensors,it will cost more then your budget.

But if you shoot lots of night shots i would go with a large sensor cameras such as NEX-C3 or NEX-5N they match or surpass most APS-C size DSLR in image quality and they have very good high ISO capability,if you don't want to set the settings for that ,you can choose Handheld twilight mode the camera does the things for you for night shots.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom