P & S camera purchase advice

[ozimax]

I know P&S cameras have been discussed on this site, but of course the models are always changing. Here is my question:

I am heading over to the USA in a few weeks for a 7 week trip. One of the numerous reasons for my trip is to visit a few contacts with a view to selling some photos. I am not going to lug my D70 and gear around for a variety of reasons, hence my need to purchase a small camera (tax free)to take with me.

My budget is <$500 AUD and I need advice on which camera(s) are the goods at the moment. Must be CF or SD card card compatible as I have both. Sizewise, smaller is most probably better. I have looked so far at a few Canon, Casio and Panasonicm models. Am I on the right track? Any particular model that stands out?

Any help from the photographic gurus on DLSR appreciated.

Max

[losfp]

I've always felt that you should always get a camera made by a company whose primary focus is cameras

In my experience, the Canon Ixus range is top-notch. Very portable, and highly usable.

[stubbsy]

Nikon have just released a new range of Coolpix, with two having VR built into the camera - the P3 and P4 priced at $650 and $730 respectively (only difference between the two is WiFi in the P3). See here for aussie prices and here for a review.

[ozimax]

Thanks Stubbsy, didn't want to go as high as 600-700 buckaroos, wifi would be nice as my iBook is wifi enabled but not necessary.

As for the Ixus, had a play around one with recently, beautifully built and now around $450 mark might fit the bill eg Ixus55.

Anyone had experience with the little Casio models?

[Catcha]

ozimax

Pluscorp are having a really good deal on Canon Ixus 55 free delivery for $399

Ixus 750 7.1MP $549 Plus $15 for Delivery

IXUS 60 Super Special $449 plus delivery $10 Regd post $15 Air Bag

Or even better deal if you live near a David Jones which I don't Ixus 55 for $379

http://www.davidjones.com.au/ho...entials/39_e.jsp


I recieved my Ixus 55 Yesterday, great small compact camera to compliement my D70s

http://www.pluscorp.com.au

[ozimax]

Ben that is cheap, I think my friend Kerry paid over 700 for Ixus55 a few months ago! Will check it out. Many thanks. Max

[shutterbug]

I recommend the Fujifilm Finepix F10, my friend has one and the low light images (high iso) are tops.

[ozimax]

I had not considered the Fujifilm but will check it out. Thanks a heap.

[xorl]

I'm really tempted by the Casio EX-Z750 myself. Tiny, has some manual modes, good video support (MPEG4!). Apparently the default saturation is a little high, but this can be turned down in camera. It might be pushing your budget a bit, but I have seen it under $500Aus online. Now a newer model is out you might be able to get it cheaper.

[ozimax]

Thanks Mark, the write ups on the Casio 750 are pretty good all round, I haven't had the chance to play around with one as yet but will try and source one locally and have a squiz.

[Nnnnsic]

I recently did some research for this andconvinced a friend to try the Canon A620.

She's since brought it over here and I've had a play myself and it's a fairly impressive 7 megapixel phd.

[losfp]

I recently did some research for this andconvinced a friend to try the Canon A620.

She's since brought it over here and I've had a play myself and it's a fairly impressive 7 megapixel phd.

Yep - haven't tried that particular one, but tried a mate's older model and it was pretty good.

Better bang for buck than the Ixus cameras, but not as easy to slip in your pocket

[Technik]

I'm really tempted by the Casio EX-Z750 myself. Tiny, has some manual modes, good video support (MPEG4!). Apparently the default saturation is a little high, but this can be turned down in camera. It might be pushing your budget a bit, but I have seen it under $500Aus online. Now a newer model is out you might be able to get it cheaper.

Casio has the advantage over Canon IXUS as it offers manual modes - Aperture Priority, Tv, M etc. Though I never realise Casio makes cameras, I thought they only make watches and calculator!!

[ozimax]

I recently did some research for this andconvinced a friend to try the Canon A620.

She's since brought it over here and I've had a play myself and it's a fairly impressive 7 megapixel phd.

I saw the Canon A*** series at Hardly Normals the other day, they seem very popular, will try and get one to try out as well. Thanks.

[birddog114]

If you don't mind, a disposal camera is also good for the purpose

[Greg B]

I have just guided a friend to purchase a Canon Powershot S2 IS.

12x optical zoom (36-432mm equiv.)
5.0 million effective pixels
1.8-inch tilt-and-swivel LCD monitor
Color electronic viewfinder
Optical Image Stabilizer (3 modes)
Ultrasonic motor (USM)
Extra-long movie mode with enhanced VGA resolution and stereo sound
Canon DIGIC II processor with iSAPS
PictBridge and Canon Direct Print compatible – no PC required
Six new 'special scene' shooting modes
Uses AA batteries

My mate is very happy. I have had a play with it, very impressive.

The list price is $699, but he picked it up for $549 at Landmark computers. The S3 is coming out soon, so you might do well.

Detailed review here

[ozimax]

I have just guided a friend to purchase a Canon Powershot S2 IS.

The list price is $699, but he picked it up for $549 at Landmark computers. The S3 is coming out soon, so you might do well.

Detailed review here

Thanks Greg, this price is OK if I could get one for about $550, less GST means approx $500, which is my upper limit. I did see one of these some time back and the image stabilization seemed very good, however at the time they were too expensive.

As for Birdie's idea, why don't I unpack my box brownie? Kodak Instamatic?

[ozimax]

I could of course buy something in USA but I'm not sure about the warranty side of things. Plus the Oz dollar has fallen over recent weeks and now it's not as attractive to shop overseas.

[birddog114]

As for Birdie's idea, why don't I unpack my box brownie? Kodak Instamatic?

ozimax,
Great stuff that you have! and proving film is not dead!

[ozimax]

My favourite old camera is my Father's old Voightlander. It is malfunctioning at the moment but has a crystal clear lens and takes great shots. I think I can get it fixed but I don't have the money at the moment.

Birdie, what about a 1972 Polaroid?

[ozimax]

Thanks to all who submitted posts on this question. I purchased a Casio Ex S600 on "prestigecamera.com" (USA credit cards only). It was $244 USD, and does a cracker of a job for a microscopic camera. Even low light shots are very useful. Battery last forever. Quite impressed.

However, I will be glad to get home to my D70 and hit the beach in a month's time or so.

[Grev]

Oh yeah, those panasonic lumix are quite good too. But I think the Ixus are famous for being looking good and performing well.

The Nikon S3 coolpix is only $500 here.