Best compact digital camera

[chunky]

I know we have had heaps of discussions in past but the models change all the time.

What's recommended?

For throwing in the ski jacket to take pics with ease rather than carting around my DSLR in a backpack. And other things like that.

[Snow Yeti]

IXUS/IXY are the best compact point and shoots in my opinion ... get snow in it, drop it, still works!! Have had quite a few models, damaged some by sitting on them or other people running over them smile.gif lol

[Farty The Snowman]

No to the ixus for me. If you are going to use it at beach and snow, you need one where the moving parts are behind an impervious glass lens protector.

ie I bought a konica minolta (a few years old now), because my ixus got condensated in my jacket pocket, and water went down the lense extensions and that was it for that camera.

Having said all that I would ask that question again for ourselves as we are due for a new one. I just got my wife a new sony ericsson cyber shot phone and it has an awesome camera in it.......8.1 megapixels!!

[Jahoota]

Just brought J1 a waterproof camera for x-mas - a pentax w60. It does HD video as well :eek:

Don't know how good it is though until she uses it tho. That said I'm going to borrow for japan sking this year so I if you wait 2 months I'll report back! :D

In my research I formed an opinion that the pansaonic lumix fx38 would be a really great buy.

[whatajoke]

The Nikon Coolpix S610 is excellent. Cant fault it.

[tambo]

haven't been happy with the waterproof camera we bought. It's not a pentax. It always looks fuzzy, not clear at all. Been very happy with our ixus. I think you need to check out the controls... are they easy to use with one hand, Ie turning on/off, swapping to movie mode etc. Also check the movie quality, as there are lots of times a little clip can be used. Is the format for movies compatible with your movie editing software and camcorder stuff? And the screen size too, bigger can be better at the snow. Also, the on/off... will it turn on accidentally in your jacket? That's why we went ixus rather than the other options, but things change all the time. Good luck!

[SA]

If you're buying it for use at the snow and want to be able to take action shots, make sure you get something with a decent zoom, ie >7x.

That rules out about 90% of the compact digicams out there, leaving the Ricoh R series (R4-8) and the Panasonic Lumix TZ3/4/5 (TZ11/15 in Oz).

(There are a few other 'compact' models that won't really fit into the pocket, eg. Canon Powershot SX 1S).

[ 13.12.2008, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: SA ]

[Princess]

I bought another camera last season purely for that reason Chunky as my Canon A710 while compact is too big for my jacket pocket. Only wanted something cheap so if it broke it didn't matter, but with good zoom so I ended up with the Pentax M50. Size of a pack of cards, big screen, lots of modes and a 5x zoom. Photos have been good out of it (although I still prefer my Canon).

I lost it on the last day of the season as it fell out of my hoodie pocket. Did the same run again about an hour later and my mate found it!! It was only in a mobile phone type sock and it was damp with condensation in the screen - put in on the back shelf of the car on the way home to dry out and it still works fine!!

[ 13.12.2008, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Princess ]

[Snow Yeti]

Most of the time, I'll take my camera back indoors and hang it off something from the strap. Water will come out of the lens extendable bit, whatever it's called... Once dry, it works again and again ;) Have done this so many times!

[Snow Yeti]

On my last one I cracked the screen from sitting on it.

I had another one that I broke the lens because the lens actually hit a rock when I dropped it.

So I did an operation and after 30 screws, I swapped LCDs and now I have a camera that works again ;)

But don't try this at home unless you are prepared to break it, I'm sure it voids the warranty ;)

[chunky]

I'll bring the D80 up onto the slopes for skiing action shots and the nice panoramas but for scenics and the cheesy hey let me take a shot of you photos I want something nice and small. All your suggestions I will check out. Also if the weather is dodgy I will just take the compact.

[ 13.12.2008, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: chunky ]

[Podlettte]

I don't have one, but a friend recently bought the olympus MJU waterproof/shockproof numbers. Loves the results from it in hi contrast situations, which he mostly uses it for, so it could be a way around the condesation.

having said that, I haven't had any issues with my Panasonic TZ1, though you may think it's too big, it fits in my jackets pockets though

[Xena]

Agree with the Panasonic Lumix 10 x optical zoom (mine is TZ3), but TZ15 is newer version), but compact in size - takes a great shot, huge display screen and I love it. I bought it from a guy on ebay who lives at Gold Coast, much cheaper than retail, boxed and sealed, brand new. I have actually bought the same camera twicw from him, as mine was stolen from rental car in US in March. PM me if you want the guys details. First time, I p;icked it up from him, 2nd time he delivered it personally to my door. Instead of $499, I paid $279.

[ 13.12.2008, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: Xena. ]

[skimax]

yep that is a good camera IMHO.
10 OPTICAL in a compact size is brilliant if you wnat to take scenery shots.

[SA]

^I'd prefer a wide angle for scenery. Luckily the TZ series now start at 28mm.

Ultra zoom for close up/action.

[spaz]

We had an Olympus shock proof/waterproof, it was pink(forgotten the model), great little camera. Shot some video while skiing, took it surfing/swimming, happy to let the 4yo carry it around I think they do them up to 10MP. - Someone claimed it as they're own at a party. <$350

[chunky]

That's bad spaz :(

[Officer Schmenz]

dpreview.com just compared a heap of the little ones with the canon ixus 90 coming out on top..

id also consider the panasonic tz 11/15 too.
if u want something with more zoom.

under 250 the ixus 80 is an awesome buy and the only one we sell that i would buy. some of the sony arent far behind the canons tho.

re the waterproof ones. great for activities where u want waterproofness ie snorkeling etc.. but you do lse some photo quality.

and the ixus 80 or 870 would get my money these days or teh pana tz 15.. just cant decide which yet..

[SDJ]

Dont let the megapixel numbers be the major deciding factor. these days most digital cameras take decent enough pictures. The only time u would want anythin over 10mp is if u plan on blowing them up above A3 size and how often u plan on doing this would be another factor. magazines will print photos that have been taken on a 6mp camera cause at that size the quality is fine.
just a few things to think about. Oh and i love my Ixus 65 P&S (i've had images blown up from this one to 30" and they look fine) for when the dslr is to big or we're headed for a night out ;)

[chunky]

Thanks everyone :D Having a look at JB tomorrow at some.

[Officer Schmenz]

hey chunky.. if u decide what u want let me know and ill tell you what you should be paying!

[chunky]

Thanks OS I certainly will :D

[chunky]

Schmenzy the Ixus 90 is going for about $269 up here? Good price?

[chunky]

And here is that review on the compacts.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/page15.asp

[chunky]

Bump.

[Podlettte]

don't think she's around but if that's more than $100 less than the manufacturers RRP on their website, then yeah it's probably a good deal ;)

[Snow Yeti]

Just bought myself a Canon PowerShot SD 880 IS

I think it's just the Ixus 880 IS in Australia

Don't know when I'll get it - 3 weeks maybe? lol
Mail is slow out in the country here smile.gif

[chunky]

I bought the Ixus 90 today.