OT: Digital Cameras--Ultra Compact--HELP!!

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:45 am

I need help and fast. I did a quick search of the forums but couldn't find anything.

I'm leaving for Vegas (with the wife so a different kind of Vegas will be experienced) this Saturday and am feeling like i want to grab one of the ultra compact cameras. Done some looking and listening at Circuit City among other places and just can't seem to get a good feel for why the $400 units are better than the $200 units. I realize 6, 7.2, 10.1 megas as well as zoom make a difference but other than those two things what should i be looking for?

Any of you own one? If so which and do you like it? Are these cameras good enough at capturing vacations, holidays with the family, etc? I'm not trying to become Ansel Adams, but i would like to have decent quality.

Sorry for the length, any advice is appreciated.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:55 am

While not an ultra-compact model, the Sony H2 is rated highly for both picture taking and the quality of video you can capture. My wife is looking at picking one up soon.

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:01 pm

If you want a small camera, I recommend the Canon SD 700. It takes excellent pictures, is very compact and lightweight, and has image stabilization to reduce shaking that occurs when taking pics. I took mine to Vegas in August and it served me very well. I believe you can buy for $300 or so at Best Buy, etc.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:14 pm

I would second the Canon SD 700...awesome camera...any of the Canon SDs would work...just find the size you like. However, I've got a Casio Exilim because it's about half the size and takes pretty good pictures. I'd rather have the smaller camera and very good shots than a bigger one and great shots.

I had the 6 mp Exilim, but just upgraded to this one two weeks ago.

http://www.casio.com/products/Cameras/E ... EX-S770SR/

It's pretty freakin' awesome. The battery life on these things is amazing...you can usually fill up a 1gb sd card on a single charge, which is awesome. Oh yeah, and you can hardly tell it's in your pocket.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:40 pm

Yes, I'm a big fan of my little SD600, and I'm sure any other Canon in the SD-line would fit the bill. They aren't the most controllable, in terms of exposure options and such, but they take great pictures, are very compact and easy to use, and have pretty good glass for their class.

Total resolution (as measured in megapixels) is only one measure of a camera's quality, and probably not the best. The quality of the lens is actually the most important element of the camera, next to the chip itself. The Canons have pretty good lenses for that type of compact camera, with great image sharpness and color, and a decently useful throw of physical zoom. Digital zoom can be nice for certain situations, but it takes a toll in overall image quality.

You can also compare cameras by their ASA speed options. The faster the setting, the less light you need to make an exposure. My SD600 takes great pictures at its 400ASA speed setting, without much grain, with natural colors and with good sharpness. It can take pictures at an 800ASA setting as well, and they are a bit grainy but it's relatively film-like grain compared to other brands of comparable cameras. Some similar cameras have an 800 setting, but the images will look like crap. I wouldn't recommend habitually taking pictures at the fastest ASA setting the camera can do, but sometimes it's very handy to have that choice at your disposal. Comparing images from two camera's top ASA settings can give you a good idea of the comparative qualities of the video chips and processing at the heart of the thing.

Finally, you can look at the various features of the camera in terms of image control, focus controls, etc., to differentiate them. Ease of use is important in this type of camera, so if two cameras are pretty close in terms of image quality, your comfort with getting around the settings can be a good way to make a choice.

I love my little SD600, though there is a lot I wish it could do that it just can't. For what it is, it takes very good pictures, though. I chose it based on comparing it with other makes in its class/price range using reader reviews from CNet and various retailers, as well as professional reviews.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:39 pm

Thanks boys. DSP comes through again. Just grabbed the Canon SD600. (although db i DID like the Casio, the deciding factor simply being, well, Canon is Canon) Got the camera and a 1GB memory card for $250 at Circuit City. Seemed like a decent deal from what i could tell.

Thanks again.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:30 pm

Nothing wrong with the canon at all. Everyone in my family has a Canon of some sort...all on my recommendation. I just like the Casio because it's quite a bit thinner...which is what I want in a camera that I stick in my pocket. That is the only reason I'd get the Casio, so you made a fine choice...and at that price...good work.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:55 pm

I was going to recommend the 630/700 but the 600 is also quite good. I think the 630 just has the larger screen, no biggie, and the 700 has image stabilization.

Have fun.

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:12 pm

Db, between the Elixim and the Canons you mentioned how much smaller is the Elixim?

I'm going to Bulgaria for a few weeks over the holidays and need something other than the camera on my phone. Like you, the most important thing to me is size, with a decent quality coming second.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:22 pm

Atx:

Well...with my old camera, it was more significant...the S600 was approximately 1/4 inch thinner...now it's more like 1/8 of an inch. It's a lot when the cameras are all under an inch thick in the first place. If you want ridiculously thin, the S600 is the best bet at 6.0 mp where as the 700 is a 7.0 at the added expense of being newer, and a 1/8 of an inch thicker. You really can tell the difference when it's in your pocket...it's pretty significant. I still have my 6.0...my girl uses the 7.0 mostly because she's got the purse most of the time.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:06 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Atx:
...my girl uses the 7.0 mostly because she's got the purse most of the time.

Have you got it the rest of the time?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:23 pm

Yup, I rock it occasionally...but I'm sure yours looks a lot better seeing as though you wear the pink shirts.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:24 pm

My fiance wanted a very compact model too last year.. but I bought her a different once since the small ones use propietary batteries.. just something to think about.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:33 pm

bdunn13 wrote:My fiance wanted a very compact model too last year.. but I bought her a different once since the small ones use propietary batteries.. just something to think about.

Yeah, but you can get extra batteries for like 10 bucks a shot. And they are rechargable so it doesn't really cost ANYTHING extra when you use the thing for a few months. The cost evens out and actually sways towards the ultra-compacts as you use the camera.

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:44 pm

Cool, thanks bro.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:19 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Yup, I rock it occasionally...but I'm sure yours looks a lot better seeing as though you wear the pink shirts.

Haha, I knew that was coming. I figured I'd attempt to get a shot in on you knowing full well I'd hear that in response.

And it's a European handbag, God.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:37 am

Airdog wrote: Haha, I knew that was coming. I figured I'd attempt to get a shot in on you knowing full well I'd hear that in response.

It's all I've got on you, so I gotta keep going back to it.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:55 am

I was going to recommend the 630/700 but the 600 is also quite good. I think the 630 just has the larger screen, no biggie, and the 700 has image stabilization.

Funny you say that because i had the 600, 630, and 800 (the 700 was nowhere to be found) and while i liked the sleekness of the 630 and the stabilization of the 800, i just couldn't justify the extra $75 for the 630 and extra $175 for the 800. Having never had a stabilization feature on any camera before and still having good photos i figured what am i missing really that could warrant the extra cost. I'm sure i'll be pissed when i come home with a memory card full of fuzzy crap!

Regardless, tried it out last night with the girls and love this little thing. It should be perfect for Vegas this week (VEGAS BABY!!) and the holidays.

Thanks again boys.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:58 pm

I picked up the SD800 for 323 shipped from a Dell deal about a month ago and couldn't be happier. I agree that Canon makes some of the best ultrcompact digicams.

-G7

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:44 pm

Just in case anyone cares or followed this thread. Now that Canon released the SD1000...I picked one up when I cracked the screen on my Casio (damn girlfriend and the dodger stadium stairs). This thing is badass. It's almost as thin, but it is smaller in total volume because the rest of the dimensions are smaller. Damn it's good to be back with Canon image quality.

Oh, and if anyone wants a Canon A710IS with a cracked LCD...100 bucks (f'n awesome camera, can still use the viewfinder and I'm sure you can get the lcd replaced as well). Yes, that's two cracked lcds on both of my cameras in a matter of two weeks...neither of which I did. Gotta love family! I go and pride myself in not scratching or hurting my electronics AT ALL, and I lose two lcds when I loan out my equipment. Gotta love family!

I'd repair it myself but I needed a camera for this weekend...Braves @ Padres...lol. Hence the reason I picked up the SD1000.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:59 pm

Canon Powershot SD line, look no further (btw, Buydig.com has excellent prices and fast shipping for a legit online retailer).

I use my Canon Digital rebel SLR for most of the important stuff, but my wife loves the SD450 that I bought her about 18 months ago and now we have alot more pictures being taken because of it (it's nice and small/light, fits in her purse, she takes it everywhere and is basically idiot-proof).

It takes high quality pictures and the newer ones (since the 300 line) have an improved LCD screen (the originals had issues with cracked LCD screens).

edit: doh! old thread, sorry. Anyway, I highly recommend the Canon SD line for anyone looking for a sub-compact digital.