picking an intro level P&S

H.S. wrote:
SMS wrote:

For an ultra-compact with a wide angle lens, look at the Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-W170. This is presently the only sub-compact with a Li-Ion battery,
wide-angle lens, optical viewfinder, and image-stabilization. Alas, it's
$225 (US).

Yes, this is a bit pricey for this purpose.

Also look at the Fuji FINEPIX J150W, which has the 28mm wide-angle lens,
but lacks image-stabilization, lacks an optical viewfinder, and lacks
af-assist.

Don't mind the IS (helps only for about 1/2 a stop usually, right?),
neither the lack of optical viewfinder, but af-assist is usually helpful.


Personally I'd get the Canon A590 IS, and buy them some Eneloop
batteries and a charger. While Li-Ion batteries are highly desirable, at
the low end like that you're getting a very de-featured model in that
price range. Forget about the 28mm as well.

Yes, it is not wide angle. But wide angle aspect can be one of the
features to compromise. The A590 IS* is actually a quite good P&S
camera, but I am hesitant about the need for extra batteries. You see,
the intended recipient is a retired elderly who is not tech. savvy and I
want to keep the peripherals to the minimum, along with the weight.

I am presently also looking at cybershot DSC-S750. 7 MP camera, but
Steve's digicams web page shows some purple fringing .. which might not
be such a big issue for this particular situation.


* Earlier this year I gifted the A570 IS to my brother. A590 has only
more pixels, if I am not mistaken, and a bit lower fps while making a
movie. Otherwise it is similar to A570. But take great pictures though!
Hardly any purple fringing.

Check the recommendations at "http://www.freewebs.com/dslrversusps/".
There are recommendations for both P&S models and D-SLRs, with a good
discussion of the trade-offs between the two.

I'd agree with the list below, though I'd pass on the P6000.


Compact Low-Cost

* Canon PowerShot A590 IS

Ultra-Compact with Wide Angle Lens

* Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170

Ultra-Compact without Wide Angle Lens

* Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH
* Canon PowerShot SD890 IS Digital ELPH
* Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH

High End (Narrow Range Zoom)

* Canon PowerShot G10
* Nikon Coolpix P6000

High End Wide Range Zooms

* Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
* Olympus SP-570 Ultra Zoom

Steve wrote:

I was looking at that DSC-W170 until I saw it uses a Memory Stick
instead of SD or CF cards. I have quite a few SD and CF cards and
loathe going to yet another format.

Yes, that's somewhat a PITA. Does Sony realize how many lost sales are
due to Memory Stick?!

Alan Browne wrote:
Jürgen Exner wrote:
SMS wrote:
For an ultra-compact with a wide angle lens, look at the Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-W170. This is presently the only sub-compact with a Li-Ion battery,
wide-angle lens, optical viewfinder, and image-stabilization. Alas, it's
$225 (US).

One issue with Sony: all their cameras are using the proprietary Memory
Stick

False. The DSLR's all use CF. Some support both CF and MStick.

Aehmmm, thanks for pointing out that compatibility with the old memory
cards might become an issue if he ever wants to upgrade to a DSLR.

jue

On Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:49:42 -0500, "H.S."
wrote:

Hello,

I am looking for a P&S going to be a gift for a relative of mine. I am
looking for a battery-included (Li ion), at least 6 MP, reasonably good
picture quality and costing around $110 (in Canada) camera. There is
some leeway in the price. If the lens starts from 28mm, all the better.
Also, ease of use and no complicated controls are desired (the user is
not familiar with camera controls). So cameras in which menus are needed
for even routine typical touristy picture taking sessions are something
I want to stay away from.

Some of the ones I am looking at a
Nikon Coolpix 8MP Digital Camera (L18)
Fujifilm Finepix F480 8.2MP
Nikon Coolpix P50
Nikon Coolpix L16
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W110

I wanted to know of people can comment on these and if somebody can
suggest other models to look at. Obviously, given the constraints I
mentioned above, a camera with shorter shutter lag and good picture
quality is desired.

Thanks.

My choice would be the DSC-W110 or 120 or 150
The Fuji and Nikons listed are not nearly as fast.

Thank you every one for their excellent recommendations and insights. I
have had an other suggestion in addition the great ones he Casio
Exilim Zoom EX-Z9. I checked some sample photos, and this appears to
have better pics than Sony DSC-S750 and comparable to Coolpix L18's. The
Coolpix, however, required AA batteries where as EX-Z9 has a Li ion
battery, has some sort of "easy to use mode" and uses SD card (as
opposed to Sony).

One other factor, Nikon cameras appear to be notorious for being too
"menuey" (they appear to do everything with menus) so that is one other
factor against them in this particular scenario (to be fair though, I
did not find any other camera that equaled their quality of photos).

Thanks everyone!

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