Shprung

Lately, part of the must item in my jersy is a camera.
In the past, I used to take few photos with my cell phone (a 1.3 mega pixel camera) but the qality is/was so poor that I carry a 6MP camera with me. Its not very big, but I want to get a new one; especially because my weekend rides are like 6 hours and size does matter!
Maybe a phone with 3+ MP that is small and light, or a smaller/lighter camera...
You can see alot of the rides and photos in my route/map site. (the bad quality images are back when I used the cell phone).
I am using Fuji FinePix F30
What do you use? What to you hate/like about yours?

Valpo Hawkeye

I use a Canon SD800IS. It's 7.1 megapixels, very compact, stores to readily available and cheap SD cards, and has Image Stabilization. It's my third Canon Elph, and I'm sold on these things. Not near the power and flexiblity of an SLR, but still very quick and capable. It takes great photos and has great color rendition. It also has outstanding battery life. Here's a link to a review:

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD...S/SD800ISA.HTM

That site has tons of info on most any camera out there.

JPradun

I have the SD700IS. While taking pics of moving cyclists, it won't continuously auto-focus (even while holding it half way down). Am I doing something wrong? All my action photos turn out blurry...

Valpo Hawkeye

No, from the half-shutter press the focus is set. This is true in burst mode too. I would say to manually set the ISO up higher, but understand this will add some noise to the image. My other suggestion would be to just fully press the the shutter button from the get-go. That way there's very little lag from focus to shoot. Also, try the scene mode "Kids and Pets" as this assumes action and so adjusts the camera accordingly. Also, try shooting in burst mode just in case your blurriness is coming from your shutter finger shaking.

Mr. Beanz

Using a Sony Cyber-shot 6.0, don't ask me why?

I don't like wearing jerseys, only on forum rides to a carry the camera. When I ride with my wife I know it's not a problem to stop at a park and refill the water so I only carry one large bottle.

I cut a watterbotle in half, or more like 75/25. I use it in the seat tube water bottle cage to carry the camer. I slip a plastic shopping bag inside the cup like fixture I created to soften the ride for the camera. Also keeps it from jiggling and holds it in place!

Peek the Geek

I just recently picked up the Canon PowerShot SD750 to replace my PowerShot s410. I like that Canon finally decided to include a variety of preset modes, and I think the pictures are pretty darn good for an ultra-compact, though I wish I could just carry my DSLR all the time.

I like the large LCD screen, which is part of the reason I picked it over one of the IS models (also because it was a little cheaper and a little smaller). I chose a Canon just because all of my other digital cameras have been Canons, and their menu systems are more intuitive and easier to use than many other makers. I still shudder when I think about trying to navigate the menus on my original Olympus.

seriouslysilly

I'm sticking with the Casio Exilim camera, but only because it's from Sharper image.
They have one of the best warranty out there.

At anytime during the warranty, you can take the camera back to the store. If they still have the camera in stock, it can be replaced with relatively no questions asked. If however, it is no longer carried, you are given your $$ back (full value) for store credit to purchase whatever you wish in the store.
My brother a few years back spent about $300 for a Casio 4mp camera. Less than two years later, he let a friend borrow it and dropped it. My brother took it back to the store and exchanged it for a brand new CAsio 5mp camera for about $250 and used the remaining $50 for another warranty

Torgrot

I would second that exlim. They are really nice little cameras. Compact, nice zoom and image stablilized, in a package not much bigger than a deck of cards.
Some times I take my Canon 620 but most times not. Just takes up to much space.

torgrot

Astronomical

What's your budget? In my opinion, Panasonic makes the best bang-for-buck cameras. They're expensive but produce excellent images due to Leica glass and a decent CCD. I think there's a new slim Lumix 6.1MP that should be great because it's basically just a mini version of my camera, which I love. (I use it for B&W because I feel that it puts out better images than my AT-1 with Tri-X or even low grain film, which I now use mostly with color film.)

Cadfael

If you at some time want to move away from full Auto AE... and maybe later want to get creative you could always consider this little baby...

https://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_SP-510_UZ.htm

Trust me... it is no bigger than a compact camera, in fact it IS a compact camera... but it has a fantastic 10x zoom. There are some amazing deals on offer at the moment for this camera. I got mine for half price, £150.

You can just point and shoot with confidence... but you can also take more control if you decide you want it... with shutter priority, aperture priority or full manual.

Cadfael

I also agree with this, the deciding factor being the Leica lens... basically the finest lens in the world in my opinion... at least in 35mm film stock, if the digital lens matches the film stock equivalent it is worth the expense.

patc

Just some thoughts from a photographer:

1- Don't get more mega-pixels just because your can. 6 or even 4mp will do fine up to 8x10. Unless you plan to make huge prints, you don't need high resolution. And if you do plan to make large prints, you will care more about the quality of the image produced than megapixel count.

2- Make sure the zoom is optical! A 10x zoom may sound great, but if its a digital zoom you may as well not use it and re-size the images later on your computer. Read the fine print.

3- Don't worry to much about the lens specs. The tiny sensors in P&S cameras are the limiting factor, any lens that isn't complete crap will do.

4- Read review/opinion sites, and look up the specific camera model you are considering. Don't assume that all "brand X" cameras are good. With few exceptions, camera makers do not make their own sensors, so the Widget 1001 and Widget 1002 models may have different sensors from different companies, and produce completely different image quality.

5- Try to get an optical viewfinder. The delay, poor resolution, and poor contrast of focus on an LCD or digital viewfinder may cause you frustration some day.

6- Finally, handle the camera and try it out. It may be affordable and produce great images, but do you really want it if you absolutely hate the control layout?

I can't recommend specific models, though, I don't really keep up with the P&S market.

Shprung

Thanks. I would like to make a point that may clear some questions. I all ready have a TTL camera and ton of lanses (the Canon 30D) knowing that you can tell that budject and quality photos are not a problem. But when I am riding I want something super small & light.
I checked out Panasonic and found one that look interesing the DMC-FX01K. 6Mp and only .29lbs (131 grams)
I checked out Casio Exilim and like it too. 7.2Mp and only 127.5 grams

Astronomical

Yeah that's the Lumix I was talking about.

tgreenwood

We got a Sony Cybershot for $149. It has a 7.2 and 3x zoom. Does what I need, which is take family pics and preserve memories. Nothing fancy.

Only wrinkle is that there are too many features. I just want to point and shoot, but ended up losing a lot of good photo ops because I chose the wrong setting.

Advice for newbies, test your camera and make sure you're getting good pictures before going to important events like a wedding or graduation. There's no time to find the right setting when you're in a hurry. And you don't want to end up with tons of bad pictures. Figure out the camera before the event. (Or just rtfm.)

t

ETA: After reading through the rest of your postsk, this might not be the camera for you. But the advice to newbie digital photographers stands. Learn to use it before you go to an important event.