Foo - Good digital cameras?

So I wan't a good compact or sub-compact digital camera.(I already have an slr film and access to slr digital)
Mostly I've narrowed it to fuji "F10" family or Cannon "A620" and "SD550/700" families.
I like most stuff about the cannon and they have good lenses and processers but Fuji seems to have the better photo sensor(the super ccd) and thus untouched low light performance(at asa 400 and up) however the fuji gets a good bit more purple fringing and the highlights and shadows are more clipped(solid, no detail).

I like the hand feel of the A620 more than the sub-compacts, but it's on the edge of pocketable and that's with fairly big pockets

What do you all think, anyone like photography here?

What would you be using it for? It seems like you're shopping for a smaller camera to carry around and take simple snapshots with
In that case
Any camera will do a good enough job. Leave the more serious photography for the DSLR or film and stop expecting better cameras to give you better snapshots? -just saying. A snapshot is a snapshot. I won't be impressed by great optics if your photo itself is boring, you know
If you're a serious photographer with a need for great image quality in "snapshot" type cameras
You wouldn't need our advice cause you would be on top of it all.

I like Fuji digital.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

More specifically, to compare those exact cameras (if he's reviewed them):
http://www.imaging-resource.com/CAMDB/compare_cameras.php
For actual cameras:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/CAMDB/compare_cameras.php

Comparing actual images:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

http://dpreview.comhas been pretty good if you're wanting links with user reviews and such.

http://dpreview.comhas been pretty good if you're wanting links with user reviews and such.

+1 on dpreview.com I am not familiar with Fuji but a lot of my friends have Canons and they are happy with them, myself included.

DP Review is great for genera reviews, they are top notch.


But the www.imaging-resource.com is better IMO...the guy who runs the website not only has reviews, but he takes sample pics with every camera (the same sample pics) so you can truly compare apples to apples. You can match any two cameras up side by side and see the same sample pics next to each other to compare.

And, as always when purchasing a digital cam on the web, remember to check the reseller rating (http://www.resellerratings.com/). There are a boatload of scam shops out there that look legit (most based in Brooklyn) that will advertize a great price but then try to sell you accessories that already come with your camera. If you refuse to buy them, some of these places will actually open the box and take stuff out.

B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/) and Calumet (http://www.calumetphoto.com/) are my two favorite online camera dealers. B&H has everything under the sun, including a Manhattan patience. Calumet is slightly more expensive but their customer service is unmatched.
I lean towards Cannon's products over Fuji's. I agree the Fuji sensor is the better of the two, but the overall fit and polish of Cannon's products tend to be more thought out than Fuji's.

--A

B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/) and Calumet (http://www.calumetphoto.com/) are my two favorite online camera dealers. B&H has everything under the sun, including a Manhattan patience. Calumet is slightly more expensive but their customer service is unmatched.
I lean towards Cannon's products over Fuji's. I agree the Fuji sensor is the better of the two, but the overall fit and polish of Cannon's products tend to be more thought out than Fuji's.

--A
Agreed!

Take a look at Casio Exilim cameras. They are very compact and easy to use. I love mine.

All my son's pictures (see below) were taken with a Canon A520 or A620 camera. He carries it around with him all the time (usually in a pocket).

My ex (still a really good friend) recently got a Canon A540. I'm very impressed with it. I use an older Canon Elph which model number currently escapes my mind. I'm just all around impressed with Canon's line up and functionality, as I've seen more good results come out of that company than I've seen with others.

DP Review is great for genera reviews, they are top notch.


But the www.imaging-resource.com is better IMO...the guy who runs the website not only has reviews, but he takes sample pics with every camera (the same sample pics) so you can truly compare apples to apples. You can match any two cameras up side by side and see the same sample pics next to each other to compare.I've bought a couple of digital camera after reviewing their photos on the IR site. Having standardized test-photos really helped me compare the final-results of different cameras. One thing that I noticed once you get into the 5mp+ range is the difference between SLRs and point&shoot cameras. The SLRs have better lenses and use much, much less JPEG compression in storing their pictures (or with minimal compression RAW images). The quality of a 5mp image from an SLR is lightyears better than from a P&P.

I ended up going with a Sony CyberShot DSC-T5 (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T5/T5A.HTM) a couple years ago. My main buying-points were high-resolution and compact size. At the time, it had the most megapixels and smallest (still smallest) size of any digi camera out there. I posted some sample pictures (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3186907&highlight=dannoxyz#post3186907) from a party a couple weeks ago.

I think I'm going to pick up the next model, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10 (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T10/T10A.HTM) for it's slightly higher 7.2mp resolution. But primarily for it's ISO-1000 ability for indoor & nighttime shots and its image-stabilization; handy when zooming in or tracking moving objects. :)

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T10/images/t10-closed.jpghttp://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T10/images/t10-open.jpg

So I wan't a good compact or sub-compact digital camera.(I already have an slr film and access to slr digital)
Mostly I've narrowed it to fuji "F10" family or Cannon "A620" and "SD550/700" families.
I like most stuff about the cannon and they have good lenses and processers but Fuji seems to have the better photo sensor(the super ccd) and thus untouched low light performance(at asa 400 and up) however the fuji gets a good bit more purple fringing and the highlights and shadows are more clipped(solid, no detail).

I like the hand feel of the A620 more than the sub-compacts, but it's on the edge of pocketable and that's with fairly big pockets

What do you all think, anyone like photography here?

Cannon is good and so is fuji, i prefer cannon though. I'd go by price, quality of the product and if there is a good warranty on it.

Interesting how Canon has overtaken Nikon as the premiere professional's camera huh? The Canon digital SLRs offer better features at a lower price. :)

Interesting how Canon has overtaken Nikon as the premiere professional's camera huh? The Canon digital SLRs offer better features at a lower price. :)
They go back and forth. Nikon is more conservative than Cannon, and take longer to bring new tech to market, but usually completely bug free.

--A

Yeah, the bug that really erks me on the Canon cameras is it lets you remove the memory-card while it's still writing the last image... Some of them at least beep, but they should have that on all the cameras.

I'm pretty happy with my Nikon Coolpix L3, if what you want is just an everyday portable camera. Cheap enough that I won't be too pissed if I lose it, and it takes decent pictures. Oh, and it accepts 2GB SD cards, and uses regular AA batteries (I hate battery packs).

im a canon zealot. go for the elph line over the A line if you can. im not sold on other people's CCDs as canons generally produce very good images... so for consumer, P&S applications its more than great. (point: if youre looking for awesome pictures go with prosumer cams).

biggest selling point for canon are their LIGHTNING quick operations and mega-intuitive controls. sure, having x, y, and z features are great on paper, but on practice, i got the most VALUE out of my camera by actually using it for tons of shots thanks to fast power-on and shoot-time (low lag).

as far as high-iso operation is concerned, if you know you'll be out in the evening, take a 5$ mini tripod with you. theyre tiny, and they work great. i put the camera on 2-second timer so i wont disturb the exposure by pressing the shutter button.

also have to note that i, out of carelessness and stupidity, damaged 2 different canons - purely user fault - and had canon warranty repair free of charge. these were really heavy accidents, too. otherwise, canon elphs are very, very durable. i cant recommend them enough!

Frankly, Canon really seems to understand the amatuer market, although I don't think they did everything right with some of the newer models, I still think they've got a leg up on the others for point and shoot cameras.

I have a Canon A60. It's every so slightly smaller than the A620, and while it's not exactly comfortable to carry around in my pocket, it's not a major drag either (I like to keep my pockets empty). I really like the features, especially the multitude of common shooting modes on the thumbwheel. The SD series, while being a lot more pocketable, loses some of the modes, and modes they do have are mostly stuck in the software menues (although the menues are pretty intuitive), so if you like to just whip out your camera, flip to the best setting for the situation (as opposed to leaving it in auto mode), and shoot the A620 is a better choice. If you're looking for convenience more than artistry, go with the SD series.

Other minor points, the A620 seems to have a slightly sharper lens (no surprise based on size) and better low light functionallity. There is also a little less shutter lag and less delay between photos. Don't get me wrong though, the SD series can still take great pictures.

The A540 stands in between the two in both size and features, but is cheaper. I had planned to replace my A60 with one of those until I realized the A60 was closer to the A620 in features, so I would be losing a little bit of capability with it. Now I find myself in the similar boat to you...choosing between the A620 as my one-size-fits-all camera...or getting an SD for snapshots and a Rebel XT SLR camera for being artistic (ideal except for the $$).

Oh, one more site for reviews. It was the biggest help to me in choosing my original Canon, and I was very satisfied with their reviews:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

The A600/A700 and SD500/700 series Canons use a larger sensor than the A500 series so the individual pixel elements are bigger so they collect more light and thus are effective.
Starter SLR cameras like the Rebel and D50 use a sensor that has about 5 times the surface area of most compacts, with same number of pixels. Higher end SLRs use an even bigger sensor(and some different kinds). A big reason for there effectivness. Prosessing can do nothing if the lense doesn't get the light to the sensor or if the sensor doesn't pick it up.

The only reason I'm considering the Fuji F30 is because of their super-ccd and some nice external options. dpreveiw sure likes it and the F10 that preceded it.

A couple folks mentioned some good points that had crossed my mind, mainly:

It seems like you're shopping for a smaller camera to carry around and take simple snapshots with
and

as far as high-iso operation is concerned, if you know you'll be out in the evening, take a 5$ mini tripod with you. theyre tiny, and they work great. i put the camera on 2-second timer so i wont disturb the exposure by pressing the shutter button.

It's these two reasons combined that I am interested in the high ASA ability of the Fuji. That is most snapshots are taken of action and or in lower light social situations. ...and the core of my conundrom.(and secondary, the pocketability of the SD's verses the solid hand grip of the A's. I have large hands.)


The SD series, while being a lot more pocketable, loses some of the modes, and modes they do have are mostly stuck in the software menues (although the menues are pretty intuitive)
The newer SDs seem to have a few more external options now.


Interesting how Canon has overtaken Nikon as the premiere professional's camera huh?
Canon makes their own glass and lenses, of very high quality. I don't know if they sell them to other companies, but if they do I'm sure they keep the best of the lot for canon's use.

Nikon DSLRs do accept most Nikon SLR lenses made in the last 50 years which is a sure bonus and the D50 is priced lower than the Rebel.

I've got a Fuji S5200, very nice camera. I would buy another Fuji anytime

One thing for http://www.imaging-resource.com/ that hasn't been mentioned is the awesome My Advisor. Click find the best camera for you link on the left navigation box. You tell it what is important to you and how important it is and then it gives you a list of things that come closest. Great tool.

. One thing that I noticed once you get into the 5mp+ range is the difference between SLRs and point&shoot cameras. The SLRs have better lenses and use much, much less JPEG compression in storing their pictures (or with minimal compression RAW images).
RAW images are unprocessed and uncompressed. if they are compressed - rarely - they are compressed with a lossless algorithm (think zip). even rarer, supposedly nikon uses a lossy alg. supposedly. nonetheless, raw = uncompressed



It's these two reasons combined that I am interested in the high ASA ability of the Fuji. That is most snapshots are taken of action and or in lower light social situations. ...and the core of my conundrom.(and secondary, the pocketability of the SD's verses the solid hand grip of the A's. I have large hands.)

in my experience, there is a huge jump in high-iso performance of PS vs DSLR cameras. now im not familiar with this fuji model in specific, but if it has iso400 performance equivalent to canon's 200.. its just a 1-step advantage. personally, for any exposure faster than 1/30 and it doesnt make a difference, and anything slower than that makes no difference either because theyll both be blurry hand-held! where they converge in low-light situation is, in a snap of the finger, i can adjust iso / flash mode / shot vs timer / white balance / etc on the canon to get a proper shot. that, to me, is better than a 1-step sensitivity advantage.

as far as form factor goes, i know i get more utility out of something i carry often rather than something thats more ergo to use but too large to carry in the first place... something to think about :)

I used to have a Fuji Finepix 4.1 and the battery door was such that I could hardly take a picture without the think popping open and shutting the camera off.(my friends had the same problem with it.) Also it was hinged very flimsy and finally broke off totally.

Is this still a problem?
I didn't bother getting it fixed because it was free in the first place.


in my experience, there is a huge jump in high-iso performance of PS vs DSLR cameras. now im not familiar with this fuji model in specific, but if it has iso400 performance equivalent to canon's 200.. its just a 1-step advantage. personally, for any exposure faster than 1/30 and it doesnt make a difference, and anything slower than that makes no difference either because theyll both be blurry hand-held! where they converge in low-light situation is, in a snap of the finger, i can adjust iso / flash mode / shot vs timer / white balance / etc on the canon to get a proper shot. that, to me, is better than a 1-step sensitivity advantage.
What? I think that needs a reword or revision for me to get what your trying to say.


as far as form factor goes, i know i get more utility out of something i carry often rather than something thats more ergo to use but too large to carry in the first place... something to think about That's a good point, and the reason I don't use my SLR very much.


im a canon zealot. go for the elph line over the A line if you can. im not sold on other people's CCDs as canons generally produce very good images...
While Cannon makes their own lenses and prossesors, they use others' sensors, I know they use sony for some CCDs.

I can recommend the Fuji F10, 11 or 30. My wife has an F10 and I was really surprised by the image quality of this little camera. The I only thing I don't like about it is the lack of an optical viewfinder.

I can recommend the Fuji F10, 11 or 30. My wife has an F10 and I was really surprised by the image quality of this little camera. The I only thing I don't like about it is the lack of an optical viewfinder.

You know, i thought the same thing with my Casio Exilim, but the camera is so small that i think a viewfinder would be a hinderance. More so for me since im left eye dominate. The Exilims screen is huge and very bright. I dont miss not having a viewfinder at all.

got a canon SD500 in may '05, which was stolen, and replaced by the SD550. only difference being a larger screen on the 550

great camera. not as light and small as most elf type cameras, but 7.1 pixels, and your good to go.

here's some examples of the quality fo the pics:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4914/01bul0ub.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/foot.jpg
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/5827/destijl069qu.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/bul2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/bbbull03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/hound.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/compy02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/veal.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/campalongo.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/beer.jpg