Looking for a good digital camera information source

[decemberfall]

Okay guys,

I have decided to start looking for a real digital camera, I've been using the digital camera in my video camera for years, but there are some major drawbacks to it. First I have to carry the video camera when taking pictures, 2 it's only a 1.1 megapixel and 3 there is no flash, so I've decided to get a digital camera that has some of the features I love best about my video camera still camera, but I have been having some problems. Does anyone know of a good forum or source where I can find a camera based on the features I want.

Basically here are the features I want:

-10x optical zoom or above
- swivel LCD screen
- My friend recommended 8 megapixels or above
- low light features (I have a couple friends in bands and will probably be taking pictures at shows)

I can find all kinds of cameras that have 2 of the features, but not the other two.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

[trashcan]

You're probably going to be looking at something like the Canon S3 IS. It's got a swivel screen, 12x optical zoom, though it is only a 6 megapixel.
It's important to ask, however, what you're going to be doing with the pictures. If you're just going to be printing them out or putting them on forums/myspace, 6 megapixels is (more than) enough. If you intend on blowing the pictures up and/or cropping them, you may want a slightly higher mp camera.

Edit: And on low-light conditions, what you want to look at is the ISO level. Basically, higher numbers mean better low light pictures. The best I've seen is somewhere around 1600. The S3IS has a max setting of 800, but the image stabilization (the IS in S3IS) will help a lot with the low light shots.

[decemberfall]

Thanks Trash!!!

That was precisely the camera I was looking at. The majority of the pictures I take now are mostly used for keep sakes and myspace/website. But I also do some artwork and may be doing decoupaging with some pictures, or making posters or such, but from a 1.1 anything is huge compared! Also that camera does not have low light features, so i'm kinda worried how venue pictures would turn out.

[masherscf]

Okay guys,

-10x optical zoom or above
- swivel LCD screen
- My friend recommended 8 megapixels or above
- low light features (I have a couple friends in bands and will probably be taking pictures at shows)

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

I get the mag "popular photography and imaging." Maybe your local library has a copy. They also have a website http://www.popphoto.com.


I recommend the Canon Power Shot S3 IS http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=13077

A couple of things:

Despite what your friend says, you don't need more that 5 megapixels. It's more important to get a camera with a good lens and good software.

A large zoom is going to be useless without a tripod or image stabilization.

Digital still cameras do not have "low light" capability without special equipment.

Rather, they have different ISO, aperture and shutter speed settings to control exposure.

Many compact point-and-shoots have high ISO settings but these tend to be unacceptably noisy.

Also, the auto focus on most point and shoots depend on available light or auto focus illumination to actually focus.

Still camera's just aren't designed to take pictures without a flash or available light.

Your pictures taken at low-light level are going to be unacceptably noisy, shakey or blurry.

In any case, there is not substitute for proper lighting in photographs. The more capable your camera is in "low-light" the more expensive it's going to be.

Good luck.

[decemberfall]

Man you guys are awesome, thanks so much for the help! I think I will get that camera now, it seems to be the one everyone recommends for me, and I've already looked it at the store, they have it at Best Buy and I have 12% off coupon and one of my friends gave me a $25 gift certificate yesterday for my birthday, and they have 6 months same as cash, So I can get it for like $325 and pay it off over 6 months. Then I can actually use my video camera for a video camera again... ha ha

Thanks again for all the help!!!

[decemberfall]

So I went and bought the camera today, i'll let you all know how it goes!

[masherscf]

So I went and bought the camera today, i'll let you all know how it goes!

Geez, you don't believe in shopping do you?

[decemberfall]

Geez, you don't believe in shopping do you?

Ha ha, i'd been shopping, and i'd been looking at that exact camera, just wanted to do some more research and then with just telling you guys what i'd like to have in a camera you came back with the exact one I was looking at... that was enough of a sign for me... some things in life are just meant to be...

oh and I have until January 8th to play with it, and if i don't like it... it can be returned for a full refund :)

[masherscf]

Ha ha, i'd been shopping, and i'd been looking at that exact camera, just wanted to do some more research and then with just telling you guys what i'd like to have in a camera you came back with the exact one I was looking at... that was enough of a sign for me... some things in life are just meant to be...

Well, It's a nice Camera. Canon EVF point-and-shoots are well respected.

I use a Nikon DSLR myself, my I was sure that was too much for you.

[decemberfall]

Well, It's a nice Camera. Canon EVF point-and-shoots are well respected.

I use a Nikon DSLR myself, my I was sure that was too much for you.

yeah i wanted to avoid an SLR, too much work with the lenses and such, and mainly just wanted a point and shoot with some of the better options...

Thanks again!

[masherscf]

yeah i wanted to avoid an SLR, too much work with the lenses and such, and mainly just wanted a point and shoot with some of the better options...

Thanks again!

NP! Practice safe snappage!