Shooters come In : Need Cam within 15k !

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rajshah

rajshah

Forerunner
Actually need a decent cam ~12k.
Rest goes for Mem card / Batteries (If needed) / Carry case.

Priorities -

1. Awesome P&S snaps. (For pure non pros :P )
2. Good video capabilities. (Until I buy a handycam by year end)
3. Good opti zoom with IS.
4. Easy to carry (Doesn't need to be stylish - Just Non-bulky)

Queries -

1. How good / important are features like :
a. Face Detection
b. Multi Auto Focus
c. Steady shot / Anti blur
(Hint: New Sony ad with the 9 point focus on all the faces in the group snap)
Do they really work or are they just a marketing gimmick ?

I have read through almost all recent cam threads.. has confused me only more !

Lotta people seem to opt for the Canon A720IS.. ain't it outdated considering it was launched around Jan 2007 ?

Your views people....
 
Ok Here goes -

1. How good / important are features like :
a. Face Detection
b. Multi Auto Focus
c. Steady shot / Anti blur ]
(Hint: New Sony ad with the 9 point focus on all the faces in the group snap)
Do they really work or are they just a marketing gimmick ?

All 3 are useful though 2 & 3 are necessary, 1 is OK. Also beware Anti-Blur and Optical Image stabilization are different ! Anti-Blur may just increase the ISO to compensate for the lower shutter speed resulting in some major noise.

Optical Image Stabilization however is mechanical and not a software gimmick.

The Sony is good, but 3x zoom is very limited IMHO.
 
Here's my take.

1. & 3. Good P&S shots with a camera with IS is like describing a TON of cameras out in the market right now. :) All Sony W and H and some T series have IS, so do most of Canon's upper-end IXUS and A-series, and all of Panasonic's cameras. (Am not including Kodak, Olympus, Nikon in this list because their mid-range P&S (around 12k) is not so sweet right now).

2. The best video options in a P&S camera currently goes to the entire Casio range for their DivX-enabled cameras BUT IQ is quite sad (mostly). :) So you're left with the crop of SuperZoom cameras which at least allow you to zoom in while recording movie clips.

3. Non-bulky? Very tough fight since all the superzoom cameras are quite bulky. :D

SO, what is left? Actually only one camera is left which meets all those requirements satisfactorily:

The Panasonic TZ4/TZ5. Sleek, stylish, 10x IS zoom, HD Vid capability and zoom while recording clips. Wide-angle is a bonus. :D

Your other options which don't fit all requirements are: Canon SX100IS (bulkier), Sony H10 (bulkier) and that's it. The rest are all standard zoom cameras (3-4x), and are nothing greatly differentiated.

Payne
 
well yes Panasonic TZ5 is a good allrounder in ur budget,with good still photo and video,but if u want slightly better still photos then u can try the fuji F100fd and F50fd they have the edge in terms of detail ,despite the panasonic with a leica.
but the fuji cameras at the best has an average video capability.also the zoom capabilty is not as much as the panasonic.
 
Are you willing to get a camera from abroad without warranty ? (Warranty in India).

If you are fine with that, then the TX24 is an excellent P&S cam.

If you don't mind a low 3x zoom but get a bigger sensor (so better pics with less noise), then go for the Fuji F100d.
 
Thanks for your replies guys :)

@Payne

1. Would the TZ4 / 5 fit my budget ?

2. No DivX is fine.. But your superzoom cams would allow me atleast 640*480@30 fps right ?

3. In case you have seen the new Sony ad I was talking about, you think that particular model is worth it @ around 15k ?
 
well most of the cameras can shoot videos at 640x480 @30fps,do note that the panasonic TZ4/5 and other panasonic cameras will shoot videos in quicktime format.
well most of todays cameras can do face detection including the panasonic TZ4/5 ,fuji,sony,canon etc.
 
Ank1t said:
Not officially.. Yet.
Click to expand...

Then would the TZ3 be a good buy ?

How about the Nikon series ? - Coolpix L18 / Coolpix S51

@adder: Quicktime eh ? What about the Canons and Sony's ?

Edit: Also.. how about the Nikon P50 ~ 13k. Worth it ?
 
But you have not mentioned if you are willing to get a cam from abroad. If you are then go for the Panny as Payne suggested.

And Payne had mentioned that none of the Nikons, Kodaks etc have anything sweet in your price range, so they are out.

I would suggest you get the Panny via Katmandude from the Dealers Paradise section who can help you with warranty.
 
well the canon records in avi format,the sony in mpeg1.

the prices in US and grey market are nowdays negligible especially for point & shoot cameras,but there still a considerable difference in the prices of DSLR.

the nikon p50 doesnt have image stabilization.so fars nikon have been good only in DSLRs.
 
^^ But the Panasonic cam is very hard to find the grey market. So his best bet would be to source it from abroad.
 
adder said:
but i am quite sure u will find the tz5 in the grey,some grey dealers in bangalore will get after u order them.
Click to expand...

Yup that should be possible. The TZ3 is a great cam too. IMO get a quote from KMD for the S5 IS/FZ18 or FZ8. The FZ8 should work out pretty reasonable as its priced at $230 there. Plus you wouldn't have to buy extra batteries+charger so more cash saved (on the pannys). You can source the TZ5 also. You can get the blue one for $260. Stock keeps disappearing from US sites even though it says its in stock. So you gotta decide fast if ordering from US :)
 
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