Need help choosing a compact digital

Ecco

Ecco

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
11,472
Reaction score
8,230
Hi guys,

I need your help to buy a compact digital camera, or ultra compact - not sure the difference really.

Main criteria for me is reliability, compactness (i travel a bit and really dont want to lug around a big camera), decent zoom, and of course great picture quality.

Really don't have an idea what to get, i believe the Canon Ixus camera's are great, but i also have been told to get a panasonic. My current is some nikon coolpix which i got as a gift in 2005.

Can you guys recommend something for me. I dont want to walk into a shop and have a salesman push a product.

Thanks
 
I recommend the Panasonic ZS3 , best compact super zoom camera I have owned. 12MP , 12X optical zoom , HD video with Dolby digital sound. Fits into my pockets.
 
Mier said:
Budget?
Click to expand...

Well I am not looking at bottom of the range, something reasonable to high end. I was under the assumption, most of the good compacts would be in a similar price bracket.
 
catweasel said:
Main criteria for me is reliability, compactness (i travel a bit and really dont want to lug around a big camera), decent zoom, and of course great picture quality.

Really don't have an idea what to get, i believe the Canon Ixus camera's are great
Click to expand...

One camera, two cameras...

I don't know what kind of zoom range you're after, but Canon's newly announced G11 and S90 looks pretty good.
 
koffiejunkie said:
One camera, two cameras...

I don't know what kind of zoom range you're after, but Canon's newly announced G11 and S90 looks pretty good.
Click to expand...

1 Camera, 3x zoom, minimum, something with more is better.

I saw the s90, but it just launched, i doubt they will be available immediately
 
The G11 is 5x optical zoom, the S90 is 3.8x. The Nikon P6000 is a similar range - maybe bwana can weigh in on it.

I'm pretty happy with my G9 (prefer my DSLR especially where flash is involved). It's slightly chunkier than most compacts but not too much - still easy to keep in my pocket.
 
any other opinions on the Canon Ixus range? or The Panasonic ZS3?
 
I got myself a Panasonic ZS3 (TZ7).

Brilliant little camera. My most important needs were to be able to put it comfortably in my shirt pocket when travelling and at parties.

I am a Canon guy ... but must admit that my S5 and G9 was too big for me. I eventually took the decision to opt for a smaller form factor camera.

My dslr is too big for candid photography during excursions so mad the compromise of image quality to size.

Highly recommended.

The video (HD AVCHD lite) is awesome. Got myself a 16GB card and don't bother taking my video camera anymore as well.

Bought a few extra batteries and a travel (car) charger from ebay and was good to go.
 
jbeen said:
I recommend the Panasonic ZS3 , best compact super zoom camera I have owned. 12MP , 12X optical zoom , HD video with Dolby digital sound. Fits into my pockets.
Click to expand...

Slightly off topic ... if you do go for this camera - remember that the avchd lite codec is not that used as yet.

@jbeen: what s/w do you use to edit you movies?
 
sdd said:
Slightly off topic ... if you do go for this camera - remember that the avchd lite codec is not that used as yet.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing out. How do you then play the movies? I presume it will not work with just the ordinary media player or VLC player?

Second, is there a setting where i can record the video in a more commonly used format (even if it means sacrificing the HD)?
 
catweasel said:
Thanks for pointing out. How do you then play the movies? I presume it will not work with just the ordinary media player or VLC player?

Second, is there a setting where i can record the video in a more commonly used format (even if it means sacrificing the HD)?
Click to expand...



Playing the movie is easy .... I was referring to editing the avchd files (this is my only gripe ... soon to be sorted out with a codec update from corel).
don't let this be a deal breaker ... the video quality is awesome .... played on a 42" Full HD LCD.

You can record on mjpg (motiopn jpeg) format ... and if it is just candid stuff ... guys over at a braai ... it serves the purpose.
I edit on Corel Video Studio ...

You can play all your video using windows media player (with k-lite installed) no sweat.

Got mine from sacamera. IIRC they took about 2 days to deliver mine.
 
Last edited:
I have the Canon A700. The newer version, A2100 IS I think, is pretty nice. Not too sure about the price though.

If you don't need the MPs, then go for a slightly older model.
 
koffiejunkie said:
The G11 is 5x optical zoom, the S90 is 3.8x. The Nikon P6000 is a similar range - maybe bwana can weigh in on it.

I'm pretty happy with my G9 (prefer my DSLR especially where flash is involved). It's slightly chunkier than most compacts but not too much - still easy to keep in my pocket.
Click to expand...
I'd wait for this camera. It looks fantastic.

The Nikon P6000 is a great camera - just a little bulky for my pocket. My compact camera is now a 400D. :D
 
Thanks for all the input.

I have shorlisted as follows:

Fuji Finepix F200 EXR
Canon Ixus IS 100 / Powershot SX200
Panasonic ZS1/ZS3

Still trying to decide which one its going to be.Going to read up on each on on DP review. And also Will have to take price into account.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X