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Question

Help picking a new camera

Jun 30, 2011 8:54AM PDT

I am looking to replace my Canon SD1100 IS. I'm not sure if I want another point and shoot or try DSLR. I would like to be able to use at indoor school functions which usually have low lighting and fast movement. My Canon was never able to capture photos quick enough or be bright enough. I would also like a camera with really good zoom capabilities. I read up on a few that are good in low light situations and seem to have decent zoom; however, many of the reviews complained the photos were "soft". I'm assuming that means not crisp. I like crisp photos. I am a camera novice and am just starting to enjoy photography. But I'm not sure I want to get into a big, bulky DSLR because we travel often with two small children (less luggage=better), nor the complicated steps involved in taking pictures. I think I may be getting too particular with my wish list, but if any one has any suggestions I'd REALLY appreciate it.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
re: Help picking a new camera
Jun 30, 2011 11:23AM PDT

What's your budget? And what do you mean by "really good zoom capabilities"?

Without knowing either of those, my first recommendation is the Panasonic G3. It's relatively small for an interchangeable lens camera, and it has relatively good low light performance (on par with entry level crop sensor DSLRs). It's also capable of using Pany's 100-300mm zoom lens, although this will increase the overall size significantly, and the lens is too slow to use in low lighting conditions. (To be fair, any 300mm lens that can do well in low light is going to be both very large and very expensive.)

Mark

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Answer
Some options
Jul 1, 2011 11:03AM PDT

Unfortunately the point and shoot cameras that have the best optical zoom do not also have the best low light shooting ability. Two great cameras with excellent optical zoom are the Canon SX30 IS and the Nikon P500. However they do not have the best low light performance and the Canon S95 and Panasonic LX5 are two good options for cameras that will give you the ability to take pictures in lesser light even without a flash as the have a fast f2.0 lens. Another good one that has a good zoom and overall performance is the Nikon S9100. Here is a price/feature comparison:

Canon S95 vs Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX30 vs Nikon P500

Most of these cameras are over 300$ and hopefully they are in your budget. They are still cheaper than DSLRs and can perform very well compared to cheaper compacts without the size and higher prices of DSLRs.