Beginner Camera for Holiday snaps

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GreyBush

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Hi Guys,
I've never actually owned a camera that wasn't on a phone but I'm going for a holiday in Bali soon and would like to take some nice shots while there.
I don't want to get a camera that has a million features I will probably never end up using or that is so complicated that I end up taking rubbish photos with it because i don't know what I'm doing.

So I was looking at the following cameras :

Canon SX210 IS (nice and portable, good review on techradar)
Canon Powershot SX20 IS (not so portable but a better camera, good review on dpreview)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FC38 (also good review on dpreview)

So thats what I'm looking at at the moment, any one used any of these? Any other camera's I should be looking at?
Would a (D)SLR be a waste of money?
 
V

Vanhimself

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How much is your budget Scooby? There are some sweet deals on DSLR's. And the pro to a DSLR is you can get a nice zoom lens and pop it on and let the GF take surfing shots?
 
bwana

bwana

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My next P&S is without a doubt going to be the S95, or it's successor.
 
G

GreyBush

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Vanhimself said:
How much is your budget Scooby? There are some sweet deals on DSLR's. And the pro to a DSLR is you can get a nice zoom lens and pop it on and let the GF take surfing shots?
Click to expand...

Shot van,
I got 10K, but this is also spending money for the trip... Oh that's another thing, buy it in SA or when I get into Malaysia/Bali?... Hmmm I toyed with the idea of the DSLR, one thing I'm not that keen on is the size, mission to carry that around all day on excursions n stuff... You got one, don't you reckon it's bulky?

VonPickle said:
I'm looking at the Canon PowerShot SX220 IS, here

14x Optical Zoom on such a small camera, 1080p video recording, anti-shake, the list goes on. Good review here
Click to expand...

Looks like the update of the SX210, will definitely keep that in mind.
 
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AniV

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doobyscoo said:
Canon SX210 IS (nice and portable, good review on techradar)
Canon Powershot SX20 IS (not so portable but a better camera, good review on dpreview)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FC38 (also good review on dpreview)
Click to expand...

I have experience with both the SX10IS and the SX30IS. If you're going to get the Canon, don't get the 20. Get the 10 or the 30.
The 10 is an excellent camera. Then they took the 10, added interpolation to the CMOS to artificially push up the Megapixelage, and called it an improved model. The 20 sold dismally in comparison to the 10, and they realised that you can't bull**** your camerageeks that easily. So they pulled up their socks and did things properly for the 30 again.

A DSLR is never a waste of money. They use a lot less battery than your normal mik-en-druk because you zoom manually instead of with a little motor. That zooming in and out with a button is what wastes a lot of energy. However, the Canon SX10IS and SX30IS are both amazing great cameras that have suprising battery life despite using penlights and motor zooming. Also, the SX30IS (which is the one you're likely to find, since the 10 is not made anymore) has a viewfinder so you can save on battery by not using the LCD all the time.

I don't know the Lumix, but my first camera was a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ50 and it was and still is a great camera too. However, from personal experience, I can REALLY recommend the SX30IS.
 
BigAl-sa

BigAl-sa

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My sister-in-law was out from Germany a while back and she has a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 which really impressed me for a P&S. (It seems to have been replaced by a TZ20.) Nice compact size for holiday snaps.

SLR is always difficult to keep out of sight on beach holidays.
 
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Vanhimself

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Yeah it is a bit bulky to carry a kit lens (18-55mm) and a zoom lens (70-300mm) but just the pics it has already taken has justified its size IMO. And its a good excuse for the lady to sit on the beach with a monopod (not even really neccesary) and take pics of me. I got many new profile pics because of the zoom lens and its also great for taking shots at the game reserve.
But you have to decide whether you want a smaller cam, over you shoulder, for excursions (like hikes, jols, landscapes etc) or whether you happy with a tiny backpack. The downside to the size is that I am reluctant to take my cam to parties etc. I also have a cheap point and shoot (probably a few hundred bucks) for mobile shooting if I have to. I know Lucien has a keef Canon point and shoot and got a waterhousing for it and it fulfills his expectations.
 
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GreyBush

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Vanhimself said:
Yeah it is a bit bulky to carry a kit lens (18-55mm) and a zoom lens (70-300mm) but just the pics it has already taken has justified its size IMO. And its a good excuse for the lady to sit on the beach with a monopod (not even really neccesary) and take pics of me. I got many new profile pics because of the zoom lens and its also great for taking shots at the game reserve.
But you have to decide whether you want a smaller cam, over you shoulder, for excursions (like hikes, jols, landscapes etc) or whether you happy with a tiny backpack. The downside to the size is that I am reluctant to take my cam to parties etc. I also have a cheap point and shoot (probably a few hundred bucks) for mobile shooting if I have to. I know Lucien has a keef Canon point and shoot and got a waterhousing for it and it fulfills his expectations.
Click to expand...

My guess is he's got the canon S95, seen it selling online together with the water housing..

Narrowing it down to the SX30IS, SX220 and S95...(high five canon)

Think If I start loving photography and feel like I'm being held back then I will go DSLR.
 
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Vanhimself

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I think its like the s95, i just remember the lens looking a big bigger? Anyway. Im sure you are doing the right thing. Rather start small and go large than starting large and then realizing you want to go smaller. :)
 
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GreyBush

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So would these camera's be cheaper in Malaysia/Bali? Or is it better to get it here in case something goes wrong with it?
 
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AniV

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Better to get it here so you have time to play with it and get used to it before going away.
Don't want half your holiday snaps to come out messed up because you're trying to use a new camera or new settings.

More importantly - when you buy it overseas it's likely the instruction manual and camera software will be in another language.
I once bought a camera and everything was in Japanese. Took forever to work out where the language option was on the camera to make it go to English.
 
Dolby

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bwana said:
It's nice and small and shares many of the manual controls you get with a dslr. Plus it's got a nice wide aperture.
Click to expand...

And a large sensor (relativly).

I had the SX110i and the SX1 IS ... now the 7D and I'm also aiming for an S95.

Canon For Life ;)
 
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GreyBush

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Dolby said:
And a large sensor (relativly).

I had the SX110i and the SX1 IS ... now the 7D and I'm also aiming for an S95.

Canon For Life ;)
Click to expand...

Large sensor means better color right? If so S95 it is...
 
G

GreyBush

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And Bang, S95 ordered... Shot for the help guys.

ORMS is a good shop right?
 
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