need new point & shoot camera/DSLR

Please remind me what is the diff between optical and digital zoom? Neither of my cameras now have much zoom, but wouldn't mind having more available. I do landscapes, but also architectural, garden, people, nature (I am a lover of composition) shots. I am a lazy photog and have had great success with using the automatic setting, but do like the opportunity to go manual.

I also like to avoid overly complicated mechanics. Between the computer, video camera, and 2 still cameras, I am on overload with 'directions'!

I do some post work in photoshop (elements) and hope to learn to do more there (more directions!) but don't think I really need the RAW capability (how would it make a big difference?).

thanks!!

It does nothing for quality and I can zoom digitally later on the Mac or PC. It helps to do that later as I can frame the image exactly as I want it on the computer versus trying to get the shot just so.

Hope this helps.
Bob

Bob, I vaguely remember when researching the last camera one of the zoom options was pretty much ineffective. I know I tried one of the 'zoom' features on my Nikon 5700 when in Italy and it was completely burred, so I never used it again.

How would you disable (is that in the manual)?
thanks

So I defer to finding it on the camera or in the manual.

What focus range?
What size? ultra-compact, compact, etc.

I would like it to be light and small--not tiny necessarily, but light. The Canon PowerShot A530 that I use now is a good size for throwing in my handbag. I would imagine that in order to have a decent sized image sensor the camera shouldn't be to miniscule..... As to focus range, I am ignorant as to what that is precisely.

thanks,

Sensor size is a factor, but the quality of the sensor and output is more important. If you want to stay with the same size you have now, the A720IS would increase your focal range(how far you can zoom from wide to telephoto) to 6x compared to your 3x, plus it has image stabilization.

If you wanted higher production from a point and shoot then go with the Canon G9.

If you want a superzoom, but somewhat compact camera then I would say to look at the Nikon P80, Sony DSC-H10, and the Panasonic TZ5.

what is the diff between:

Canon S5IS
A720IS
A790

then there are the Nikon D80 and Coolpix 5100?

Isn't the G9 a SLR? I think it is a bit more than I want to spend...is it tht much better and/or worth the size and $$?

I will check out the three others you recommended.

thanks,

S5IS- 10x zoom, hot shoe for external flash, swivel/rotating LCD

A720IS- 6x zoom and is very pocketable

Canon does not make an A790

G9 is not a DSLR, its a decently compact high quality point and shoot.

You might mean the P80(the D80 is the DSLR)
-18x zoom
-starts out with a nice wide angle
-shooting speed is a little slower compared to others
-good image quality

Nikon 5100- 3 year old camera, there are much better out there now.

The E-410 doesn't have image stabilization in the camera or lens, which was a requirement with the OP.

I have been reading reviews, and with the input from this forum and have narrowed down my choices. If I have this right both are 'compact' cameras-that is good!
both have real viewfinders, good also
both have 12MP
G9 has a better zoom
Nikon is lighter
the RAW isn't that important
Nikon cheaper

which might have the better image sensor? I should take that into account. also the learning curve factor! I am leaving for Istanbul this weekend, so I need to get it and practice. Any more input towards my decision?

I really appreciate the great info!!

These are the two reviews of the G9 and the P5100. They were done about a week apart and talk about each other.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonp5100/page16.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page20.asp

Look at the positives and negatives and decide which one you'd like to have. They're both very good cameras.

It seems that the RAW mode is the big deal with the G(...which I don't use (or haven't used yet as the 'fine' shots come out great). And it is heavier and the 12 MP are not all that necessary. the review says the sensor is the same as the A720 which is lighter and less expensive....

The Nikon review didn't really wow me either.........

purchases are so subjective, I guess that is why there are so many models out there!

The G9 and A720IS might have same resolution, but they don't share the same sensor.

A720IS:1/2.5 " Type CCD
G9:1/1.7" Type CCD

The G9's sensor is larger, and the lens on the G9 is also better.

bigger sensor and better lens..........sounds great!

thanks so much!

I know that you need to go to the 510 to get image stabilization, but that puts it way out of his budget. If he is really looking to move up from the point and shoot class, that is about the only DSLR that comes close to his target price. I never had image stabilization in my 35mm SLRs and I had no problem with camera shake down to about 1/15th in any moderate length lens. In longer lenses, you should use a tripod anyhow. In my digital SLR, the antishake indicator seldom appears and if it does, I can keep the shake low very easily. There are some (expensive) lenses for this mount system that have anti shake built in, but that really breaks the bank. If he were to increase his budget a little, there are several entry level DSLRs that would suit his requirements.

He would lose the focal range that he wanted to increase. An entry level DSLR will give him the 3x zoom that he wants to increase upon. If he was able wait and buy the XS with the 55-250mm that would give him 18-250mm image stabilized for probably $900. The increase in focal range that he wants, IS, and budget are the prohibiting factors for the DSLR of any brand.

You probably good shooting technique in being able to hand hold 1/15th without loss of sharpness.

Having shot SLRs for many many years(we are talking about Pentax screw mount days), when the digital SLRs hit the market, I wanted one. Having a considerable investment in Minolta, and not wanting to get into (yet) another system of lenses, I waited for them to come out with a digital body. They finally did, but at $1500 for the D7 body. At that point, my digital point and shoot was looking pretty good and I had a negative scanner to go digital with film. When Sony bought the Minolta SLR like and rebadged it, I was thrilled since the prices came down. The Sony Alpha line may not have been my first choice for a DSLR, but for me and my budget, it is a pretty fine product.

There are a lot of fine non-SLRs out there for everyone's needs. Having upwards of 2 pounds of camera hanging around your neck can get pretty old after a long day and I still carry my point and shoot for snapshooting. I can get great 5x7 prints from it. What I like about an SLR is the feeling of control, of setting the exposure, focusing, framing etc right through the lens and knowing that what you see is what you get. The almost non existance of shutter lag, being able to shoot several frames per second or to shoot as fast as you can push the shutter. Plays and stage shows shot at 1600 or 3200 are relatively noise free and more than good enough to print at 5x7 or larger. It is true that the price of the camera is just a start, but it is a system you can build on rather than replace.

I am not ready to buy a new DSLR (can't afford to upgrade both of my cameras a the same time), and I need a compact for my travel......hence the request for info on the G9 and Nikon P5100

thanks

or can I use the cards from my (scan disk) other cameras?

thanks!

The G9 can accept any SD(secure digital...Sandisk is a brand name) card.

If you use a SD memory card from another camera, be sure to format the card with the new camera before taking any photos.

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camera...
help!
thanks

All digital cameras have the ability to format a card.

The Format command is usually found in one of the menus.

You have to read your camera User Manual, to find out which menu and how to use the format command.

A format will delete all pictures and will write a "file information block" on the card.
Then the card is ready for use on that camera.

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I see that the least expensive prices are on some 'discount' photo house (86th St., Cam addict, etc.). They are sometimes several hundred dollar difference.......what should I be wary of i.e. what do I ask? I don't want to get the wrong camera, just to save $$..

Do I have to have US or is overseas model the same??

thnks for the help

Do not buy from those guys. If you're buying online stay with companies like Amazon, buydig, b&h, and adorama. Check a company out first by looking at resellerratings.com.

If you use Google to search for a low price on digital cameras, you will see several places that have prices that seem too good to be true.

Well.....they are too good to be true.
They are advertisements from dishonest merchants.
Bait and Switch merchants.

Beware of:
shopcartusa.com
lowpricedigital.com
everyprice.com
They are shill sites that direct you to dishonest merchants.

USA or overseas models are usually the same.
However if you are in the USA and buy an overseas model,
any necessary warranty service will have to be done overseas.

Know who you are buying from.
If their website does not tell you where they are located
(City, State, Street Address), be very careful.

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