Hi there… I need a bit of help; for a change, I need you, yes YOU… to share some information with me. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to photography or not, your opinion is welcome. What information? Well, I’m in search of the perfect point and shoot camera, and perhaps you can help me find it.
The Journey Begins
For many years now, I’ve been taking pictures with SLR and DSLR cameras. I’ve never really had a point and shoot digital camera, or a point and shoot film camera for that matter, though I’ve used such cameras that belonged to friends and family. I’ve recently had a revelation though…
Simplify to Keep Creating
Recently, I’ve been noticing that there are a lot of things that I really do want to photograph. However, using a dSLR never seemed like the appropriate choice of tool because they were just too complex and large… I really don’t want to have the hassle of lugging around a big, expensive piece of equipment to shoot these simple themes. Like I said, I have used other people’s point and shoot digital cameras in the past and I’ve enjoyed the experience. So, I’m looking to buy one for myself.
The idea is to keep the process of creating images simple, without having to spend time on equipment, settings, quality of images, etc. For this application, all that matters is a good exposure and composition. Noise, shallow depth of field, and fine tuned shutter speed isn’t necessary for most simple images.
The Quest for Balance
So, what are we really looking for in a point and shoot? A balance – of good image quality, good performance in low-light conditions, ruggedness to withstand the everyday hustle, and compactness to slip into our pockets with ease. If you, like me, are tired of carrying around bulky equipment or seeking to simplify your creative process, let’s get started on this quest together.
Recommendations So Far
So now I come to you, my experienced reader, because I need help in choosing a good point and shoot digital camera. I’d posted this on my shiny new personal blog a while ago, but the problem there is that hardly anyone knows it exists… Well, so far Johann has suggested the slightly bulky Canon G7 which he himself uses and the Fuji Finepix F31fd, and Trish suggested the Canon Powershot SD630.
Share Your Experience
But this journey isn’t just about me – it’s about us. This is a call to you, my readers, to share your experiences, your favourite point and shoot models, the ones that have never let you down. Tell me about that time when your point and shoot came through in a pinch and captured an incredible moment. The power of community is unparalleled – let’s utilise it to help each other find the perfect gear.
You might know that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in photography. Your camera should be a tool that complements your style, enhances your creativity, and allows you to capture your unique vision. Whether you’re a professional, a hobbyist, or just someone who loves taking pictures, let’s discover that perfect tool together. Your story, your experiences could help a fellow photographer in making their choice. Let’s start the conversation today – I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Do let me know your suggestions…
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Hi. i was in the same position than you. i even post a topic on some group in flickr. i needed a camera that is compact, with flash possibility.
from all the answer, the camera that came on was half of the time, the olympus XA. it is a compact rangefinder, that you can attach a flash at the side, so it still goes well in a pocket. and it has a 35mm f2.8 lens, wich i consider fast for a compact camera
i havnt bought one yet, but i will.
hope that will help. (i wanted a flash for lowlight situation. i wanted a compact holga for 35mm :p, but i dont think that exist.)
Hi, I suggest you to get a camera with the fastest lens possible (in P&S, I think it’s 2.8) and image stabilization. I own a Panasonic Lumix FZ8. It’s not a compact camera, but slr-like. Night shots are super without flash. The other one I’ve evaluated was Canon A710 IS. Both have image stabilization and are great cameras
hi ..You already have great SLR camera …which is superb.. but as per your requirement i will suggest Olympus Stylus 720SW, enough compact and sturdy to carry in all situation. See the features and benefits in https://web.archive.org/web/20071229103241/http://www.olympusamerica.com:80/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1225&fl=2As company claims Stylus 720 SW is Shockproof (up to 5ft.), Waterproof (to depths of up to 10ft.). Image quality is good. Night mode also works pretty well, see the examples in http://www.flickr.com/cameras/olympus/s720sw/if see the negative side, compare with compact cameras of canon image quality lacks in Olympus.
dont forget, its olympus XA, and not the XA1 and 2 and 3 4 etc.
XA is a rangefinder, the other are simple point and shoot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_XA
Hi Louis & Juan,
Thank you for the suggestions.
Louis: many thanks, but the Olympus XA is a film camera and I’m looking for a digital one. Sorry, but that’s ruled out.
Juan, Both look like great cameras… :) They also look like tanks. :) I really do need one with a smaller profile. Pocket size.
Abishek,
Thank you. The Stylus 720SW does look like a promising camera. I will look into it.
Funny how you ask, because I’m contemplating buying a D-SLR now. I even mentioned it on my blog this morning. I have a kodak V550 (I have a link on my blog to what it looks like too). I’ve only had digital kodak cameras and I’ve been really happy with them. I like mine a lot because it is so small, but there are a lot of new ones out there that are small. My friend just bought a new small camera and it has a touch screen (like how you can touch the iphone), i thought that was pretty cool, but i can’t remember the brand at all. I think my camera does great in regular situations and average for low light situations. Hope that helps a little?
Hi;
I would nominate Canon PowerShot SD850 as one of the most versatile point & shoot digital cameras out there. Better than even some of the other newer Canon’s. Here are my reasons:
– Very small and compact
– 8 M pixel CCD sensor with good sensitivity (usable to ISO 800)
– 4X optical zoom (35 mm – 140 mm equivalent)
– Real image viewfinder
– Image stabilization
– Big 2.5″ LCD display
– Fast startup, very little shutter lag
– Well-developed Canon color processing algorithm for smooth detail
– Very nice lens (Mainly because Canon outsells every other brand, so they can afford to put good lenses on their P&S cameras, because they can recover the cost.)
I also have a Canon PowerShot A620 (4X optical, 7.1 M pixel), and love that one too, because of most of the above, the movable LCD and the full manual controls. A620 is a bit heavy, however, and very difficult to fit into the proverbial shirt pocket!
Good luck with your selection.
Ömer.