Buying a new digital compact camera. IXUS? Powershot? Nikon? Sony?

[paintbox]

If you want to go for a compact "in your pocket" camera, with not to many functions, then go Ixus.

If you want to have some manual control over your results, and overall better quality pictures, go for the new Powershots. It doesn't fit in your pocket, but it isn't big either.

Don't know enough about the different IXUS models to make a meaningful comment on those. Good luck!

[erilaz]

I've found the Ixus to be the most convenient, if you don't mind sacrificing some manual controls. The 950IS model I have turns on in less than a second, which means it's great for quick reference grabbing. The res is high enough too. It also literally fits in your pocket; i've never had to leave it behind.

There is a widescreen model (one of the 800 series?), but it doesn't have the same focal distance.

If you want to do anything more professional, I wouldn't settle for anything less than an SLR.

[jeremybirn]

Both sound great for that. If you're looking at the 80IS (with Image Stabilization) then that's worth something. Just moving between 7MP and 8MP isn't a big difference otherwise. Digital IXUS is the name in Europe, but Canon calls them Digital ELPH in the US, so you might find more reviews if you also search the US name. Check out dpreview.com for reviews of cameras.

-jeremy

[biliousfrog]

you should check out the thread in the general section on soft-modding Canon compacts, I would definitely get one that works with that for the RAW ability alone.

[D-e-W]

Thanx for all the great replies. Really found something usefull in all of them :)

Well it is a "in pocket" camera that I want for more "in the moment" type o photos.
So it doesnt have to be proffesional but still good contrast and a bit of focus.

More and more looking towards the IXUS since I have read that even though you do get manual controll with the PowerShot it really isnt that satisfying and if you do want that you might as well get older version of EOS for the same price ex. 350D.

I shall deifinatley consider the softmod thing.
Looks amazing.


So now the question is what IXUS is worth most?


Thanx

[aglick]

I bought a Panasonic Lumix for my trip to Argentina last month and am very pleased with the performance.

It remarkably compact and light, 8MP, has an 18X optical zoom with image stabilization and takes pretty good 30fps video at 848 X 480.

It's a little sketchy in low light situations, and anything over iso800 looks like shit...

But for a $300 camera, it's an incredible value.

http://panasonic.net/pavc/lumix/fz18/index.html

[Lunatique]

Many pro photographers use the Fujifilm F series when they don't want to lug their pro bodies around. It is hands down the best high ISO performer on the market, and nothing else comes close. I love mine.

[D-e-W]

Hey and thanx!

Got a tip from my friend acctually to look at the F series and an Panasonic FX 500 so both your statments are backed up.

I shall continue my hunt!

Thanx again!

[enian82]

Hey Folks
I am buying a nikon s210
this for a regular home use and not for any professional use
and i might pick this cam sometime for some textures which i might use in 3D
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012902nikons210.asp
Some of your comments would be valuble
The price for the cam is 179$ CAD

Thanks
yeshwnath

[biliousfrog]

I'm not sure whether any of the Sony compacts have the same technology but my dad was showing me some photo's from his Sony digi-SLR with steadyshot. He had taken some photos of seals on the beach from a dinghy on an overcast day with a 200mm lens and they were crystal clear. I would have expected them to have been taken with a tripod. If Sony has any compacts with the same tech I would recommend checking them out, I'm certainly considering the SLR to replace my Canon 300d.

[D-e-W]

Hello again!

Well ive been looking at some cameras and now it aventualy comes down to either an IXUS 70 with the soft mod to make it ALOT better. For a price of about 170$.

Or

I will buy the Fuji F series that many other professional photografer aparently use in the everyday life. The Fujifilm Finepix F40FD will cost me about 160$.

So what do you say?
Does anyone have experience of both?
By the way "Lunatique" what camera from the F series is it that you have?


Thanx!

(http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=73958)

[Srek]

I use a Ixus 55 myself and bought my parents a 70 for christmas.
The main advatage of the 70 is that it is simply faster.
I found both cameras to be simply reliable, handy and of very good quality.
The two only drawbacks are the somewhat sensitive display surface and the not so overwhelming battery lifetime.

Cheers
Björn

[D-e-W]

Alright Björn!
Thänx :)

Not quite sure still. Keeping an ongoing discussion both here and another forum.

I guess it is up to me mostly. Been looking at the dpreviewpages but its hard to judge since they havent used the soft modifications with the IXUS 70 and I cant find the review for the F40. Did they ever do one?


Thanx guys!

More sugestions are truly welcome! :)

[imashination]

I keep my ixus 800 IS on me all the time, its a great use.

[IanBlackford]

hi all

i too am interested in buying a new digital compact camera. my old sony w15 (i think it was!) has died and have been looking at the Canon IXUS 860 IS, again the soft mod thing is swinging it a little in its favour and also the Panasonic LUMIX FX-35, i believe is work a look OP. i'm not going to be using it for professional reasons, i can use works one for that :p but want something to use as everyday reference and for festivals/gigs etc etc etc just 'general' stuff really.

so if anyone has any experience with a lumix camera and/or the canon then i'd love to hear you views. size is an issue to a certain degree as i definately found my previous camera just that bit too big to carry around with me all the time and feel that the size of those two listed at roughly around as large as i would like to go, although am more than happy to hear of others...

again info/opinions would be greatly appreciated :)

[Lunatique]

D-e-W - I Have used the F10 and F30, and my sister has the F20, and my brother-in-law has the F40. Just get whatever the latest version is--it should be the best one in the series since they keep improving it with each new model.

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