time for a new camera

bnm ↓

Wed, Mar 18 2009, 11:49 pm

I need some help deciding on which camera to chose. I used to have a Canon S410, one of their original digital models. I as very happy with it. It's starting to dye and I want to upgrade.

my criteria:
I want something more professional but I'm not sure if I'm ready for an slr. also I prefer a view finder and lithium battery.

after doing some research I came up with these options, all of them are Cannon:

G10-replace the G9
SX10 replaces the SX5
SX200 a totally new camera, here are the specs:
* 12.1 Megapixel
* 12x Optical Zoom
* 3" LCD
* Optical Image Stabilization
* HD Video Recording

I'm also open to other options and I have no budget.

can someone please help me decide?

Zahava ↓

Thu, Mar 19 2009, 6:50 am

I'm pretty sure that the SX200 doesn't have a viewfinder only an LCD-check with Gamzu, she has the SX100. I have the S5 and I don't see anything that the G9 has that I don't, except that the S5/SX10 has a wonderful zoom. The S5 takes better video than my canon camcorder. There's a possibility that the G9/G10 has better ISO capabilities which would help a lot indoors. I don't know that, I'm just thinking out loud. IMO the G9 didn't justify the price gap to the S5. For the price of the G9 you can almost have the lowest end DSLR with the same amount of zoom and better quality pictures.

↑ bnm ↓

Thu, Mar 19 2009, 8:50 am

Zahava wrote:

I'm going to take a lot of indoor pictures.

An slr automatically produces good photos? In the beginning I would only keep it in auto.

↑ Zahava ↓

Thu, Mar 19 2009, 9:26 am

I wouldn't say it will "automatically" take good indoor pictures, but you certainly have a better shot at it.

I have a film SLR which I hardly use simply because I got used to "instant" results from digital where I can tweak the settings right away if I need to do a retake. But in digital you can very quickly learn what's best suited for that particular environment.

The disadvantage of SLRs are:
a-Size--it's more of a hassle to carry with you at all times. With my S5 I never hesitate to simply throw it in my bag, make sure it's somewhat protected from a bad bang, and I'm on the go! Even more so with the SX200 and G10; they are both thinner.
b-Zoom--unless you buy an additional lens to add to the kit lens that the cameras usually come with, you're very limited with zoom as opposed to a point and shoot superzoom. A lens that covers both telephoto and long range zooms is usually quite expensive and probably pretty heavy. Chayitty will be able to tell you more about lenses; I didn't buy any zoom lenses.
c-Video--it doesn't take any. For some it's a major issue, others not so much. The more expensive models from both Canon and Nikon have added it recently but they're manual focus anyway.

Hope that helps.

↑ bnm ↓

Thu, Mar 19 2009, 9:36 am

2 questions about the S5:

↑ Zahava ↓

Thu, Mar 19 2009, 10:01 am

Batteries- I bought rechargables and I always make sure to have a spare set of charged and alkaline. Before any event or simcha, etc, I make sure to charge all of them, and maybe buy another set of alkaline as a backup. The advantage of AA is that anywhere you're stuck without batteries you can get them. Any convenience store, drugstore, etc. The disadvantage is that the camera eats them

Noise-not any worse than point and shoots. As a matter of fact, I think it does pretty well on the noise issue, relatively speaking.

As an aside the S5 has a 2.5" Lcd, whereas the G9 has 3".

↑ bnm ↓

Sat, Mar 21 2009, 9:40 pm

Comparision Chart

according to this chart the SX10 comes out ahead. I don't see which features make the G10 so much more expensive. Though I do like that I can control the ISO and other stuff through buttons on the G10.

How many batteries a shooting do you go through with the SX10?

↑ Zahava ↓

Sat, Mar 21 2009, 11:17 pm

Hard to tell, bc I have rechargable and I don't really keep track of how often I need to recharge them. I make sure to constantly have a spare set of charged batteries, and a pack of alkaline as backup.

After a while I bought a hot shoe flash, so the batteries in the camera last longer being that they are not needed to power the flash.

It's true about the ISO buttons. I have to use the menu for it, and when your in a pinch even 2 seconds matter. But for me the option of a 12x zoom (now 20x or so) was more important than the controls. It all depends on what kind of shooting you do. At the end of the day, for real good indoor high-ISO shots, you need a DSLR anway.

I don't know where you're located, but maybe the best thing for you to do would be to go to a large camera store, and feel how each of them are in your hands. Sometimes the smallest details can make your decision easier.

I don't either know what makes the G10 so expensive, honsetly. I've heard from people that have it that it's a glorified A-series camera with the added option of shooting RAW.

Good luck in whatever you choose. They're all great cameras.

(PS I have an S5 and not SX10, but I'm sure it makes little difference)

chayitty

Sun, Mar 22 2009, 7:24 pm

I didnt read everything written but I just wanted to say that I really really want a g10 or a g9 simply because it has alot of manuel features with a viewfinder plus it compact..well more then an slr..I have 2 slr's and I love em and I work with them so I need it but I really want a camera I could just take out with me without shlepping a whole seprate bag for!...plus it really is a great camera!

↑ Zahava ↓

Sun, Mar 22 2009, 7:36 pm

chayitty wrote:

I don't know much about the camera. What controls does it have that the other p&s don't?

ValleyMom

Sun, Mar 22 2009, 8:47 pm

I urge you to buy only what is being sold at Costco. They have the BEST cameras on the market at competitive prices. Check out what they are selling and rest assured they will be high quality cameras.
Good Luck and Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!

↑ bnm ↓

Sat, Mar 28 2009, 10:28 pm

Zahava wrote:

chayitty wrote:

I don't know much about the camera. What controls does it have that the other p&s don't?

Iso has its own dial, I think also exposure.

I hope to go to an electronics store tomorrow, maybe even to B&H, I'll let you know which one I end up with.

↑ Zahava ↓

Sat, Mar 28 2009, 11:32 pm

The cheapest new DSLR from canon should run you under 500 with the kit lens, ditto for nikon. Nikon's is an older model, though, and doesn't have autofocus in the body. Which means you always have to buy only autofocus lenses until you upgrade the body.

I just saw your post about the flash. On body flashes are close to worthless. You're better off saving a bit on the camera body and buying an external swivel flash, if flash photography interests you much. If you're basically looking for candid snaps, then the on camera flashes are ok. The additional flash makes transporting the camera very bulky and cumbersome.

I know they always come out with new cameras so you can constantyl wait for the "newer" one, but canon announced a new DSLR this week. The camera includes video capture. It will be a long time before the prices come down significantly, but I might wait a short while to see if the prices of the older models come down a bit. Unless you want to have it for Pesach, just go ahead and enjoy whatever you buy. There's no knowing if and when the prices will come down, so I would recommend waiting only if you're really in no hurry.

Enjoy your trip to BH Photo. It sounds like a trip to the candy store to me!

↑ bnm ↓

Sat, Mar 28 2009, 11:44 pm

I don't want to wait. I wanted to get a camera in the summer, we where pushing it off till we have a baby (November) by then we couldn't afford it. When I first started looking everything was one model down-the S5 and the G9. I want to give back my loaner camera (Canon SD850) and have my own before the model numbers change again.