OK. I really can't find any good source for this on-line, so I'm turning to you, the experts.. Most of the mainstream sources that might even venture to recommend a digital P&S camera usually do not inspire confidence and say things that either don't make sense or show that they don't know what they are talking about. And dpreview.com (say what you will) seems mostly focused these days on DSLR's, and that's not what I need.
I need something for Mom. She needs a new digital P&S. She's retired and living in Florida. The Olympus C-4000 that I got for her a few years ago, is long in the tooth, and quite lacking by today's standards (features, handling, intuitiveness of interface, etc.).
So what do I get for Mom today in a P&S?
Here's what I figure she needs (or would be desirable):
8mp (don't think she really needs more than that)
3x zoom that is reasonably fast (again, no real need for more than 3x)
IS (Real IS would be nice, and not auto-ISO adjustment masquerading as anti-shake)
Use commonly available cards (like SD -- no xD-only cameras)
Easy to use (both the camera and the computer software)
Flash (all will have that, but one that works reasonably well)
Optical viewfinder would be nice (my own prejudice here, may not be necessary)
Not too big
I'm sure there are camera from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony, Pentax Samsung, Panasonic, Kodak and Casio (and maybe others) that might have something that might fill these requirements. But which one would be good and worth recommending? I am hoping that some of you will have some insights here. Thanks for the help.
You might get a variety of answers, but based on your criteria, the Canon A590IS should fit the bill nicely. In addition, it uses AA batteries in case you need them in a pinch. It's also not so small that it's easily dropped or fumbled with yet not so large to be cumbersome. Best of luck in your search. Most importantly, it takes great pictures. It also can be purchased for $120 range.--Frank
+2 for the A590IS. I've just bought one for my wife to replace her "vintage" APS-C film P/S. I messed around with it myself, and am pretty impressed. It can be used as simply as wanted, as high-tech as needed.
Thanks. I was thinking of the A590 IS -- It's covers all the bases and it's pretty cheap. I am cautious about just defaulting to a Canon. There are a lot of manufacturers out there. Someone else may make something worthwhile -- Canon doesn't have a monopoly on this.
I also saw a Canon SD1100 IS -- also 8mp, but more compact (and a bit more expensive). Yes, another Canon, but any thoughts on this one?
Out of all the manufacturers making these things, is Canon the only one with a good product in this particular market space?
From what I hear, I think canon and panasonic are the two big players in this space.Looks like panasonic has some models with leica lens, not sure how they compare with canon's.
Also panasonic has models which support higher iso's and they are known to due a lot of noise reduction in camera which would be good for indoor low light shots.Not sure how much detail gets lost with the heavy NR.
Price is the other factor and what is the most you want to spend.
If the NR done in the camera is decent enough then I would go with the better NR and higher decent iso as I see too many noisy indoor shots and I suppose mom will not be running noise ninja in post.
You can't go wrong with either the Canons (so many models to choose from) and the Panasonics. The only one I will stay away from your criteria would be Sony. Like the Olympus Sony's also use a different memory card. Casio is probably the smallest and the image quality for a point and shoot is not bad. Panasonic is nice but the lens sticks out a little. Of course the Canon G10 is the top dawg along with the Panasonic LX-3. Unfortunately they may not be small enough for your need.
Another alternative to the A590 would be the LZ-8 from Panasonic or the W120/W150 from Sony.
Pany for wide angle 5x
Sony for very small 4-5x zoom.
Pany would probably be easiest to use, their AI auto mode is pretty uncanny at finding just what you are shooting.
Lotusm50 wrote:
...
Here's what I figure she needs (or would be desirable): XXX 8mp (don't think she really needs more than that)
3x zoom that is reasonably fast (again, no real need for more than 3x)
IS (Real IS would be nice, and not auto-ISO adjustment masquerading as anti-shake)
Use commonly available cards (like SD -- no xD-only cameras)
Easy to use (both the camera and the computer software)
Flash (all will have that, but one that works reasonably well) XXX Optical viewfinder would be nice (my own prejudice here, may not be necessary)
Not too big
I continue to push the Panasonic FX150, which matches your criteria except for its 14M pixels and lack of optical finder. I love this thing, and carry it everywhere. A fuller report with pics:
FWIW dpreview.com has made a budget-cameras research.
Sony W120 and Panasonic (don't remember which) were the winners and Canon A590IS was the third because of flash recycle and ok-ish low-light performance.
