Digital camera - high end P&S or SLR???

GaryM · Aug 13, 2005

Bob, You are correct that the best camera is the one you take with you. A $2K camera and lens at home is not as good as the Canon A95 that's in your shirt pocket when you want to take a picture of the kids, or a tractor for that matter.

Many posters have referred to SLRs when they really mean interchangable lenses. Any digital with a LCD on the back or a electronic viewfinder is an SLR, because you're viewing through the taking lens. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Don't forget that most of the interchangeable lens digitals have a multiplication factor that needs to be applied to calculate your focal length. Some factors are as high as 1.8 or so. That 35MM lens from your Canon may be a normal focal length on a digital camera.

Took the attached this morning with my Nikon 995. Ever seen a David Bradley Tri-Track?

MikePA · Aug 13, 2005

Many posters have referred to SLRs when they really mean interchangeable lenses. 
Common usage, including at most photography web sites such as dpreview, is that cameras with interchangeable lenses are referred to as Digital SLRs, those that don't are P & S.

The first line in the Canon Digital Rebel review at dpreview is;

"On 20th August 2003 Canon dropped a bomb into the digital SLR market..."

GaryM · Aug 13, 2005

Well, some of the early SLRs didn't have interchangable lenses. Guess I'm just too literal minded. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BillG_in_TX · Aug 13, 2005

Hazmat,

The P&S cameras also have video capability, which none of the DSLR's can do. The S2 can take excellent video with stereo sound, and the 12x zoom is available while filming. It's great not to have to lug a separate video cam along on trips.

Alan L. · Aug 13, 2005

I borrowed a Digital Rebel with the kit lens that came with it from a friend. Used it a couple of days for maybe 200 pictures in various situations. The best thing about it was it was extremely fast focusing and taking pictures - no delay at all. However, while a got a few awesome pictures, with that particular lens on it I get more consistently sharp pictures from my A80. Unless you have the Canon lenses to take advantage of, I don't think its worth it. But as an SLR with lots of lenses to choose from it would probably be great - just not with the kit lens.

I really like my A80 but would like one of the 10 or 12x zoom lenses. The Panasonic Lumix F20 or whatever it is has gotten good reviews for a decent price.

pajoube · Aug 13, 2005

Bill,
Do you eat up battery time fast, using the video? Also, how many minutes of video time do you get? Just wondering if this feature is worth the extra price or a standard feature.
PJ

Durbob · Aug 13, 2005

The Canon S2 you mentioned will be my next Camera. Simply incredible for the money.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s2is.html

Dur

MikePA · Aug 13, 2005

Do you eat up battery time fast, using the video? 
Not really.

 Also, how many minutes of video time do you get? 
Up to the capacity of the memory card.

 Just wondering if this feature is worth the extra price or a standard feature. 
I've never heard of options on a digital camera. Movie mode on the S2 is standard.

Dargo · Aug 13, 2005

( If I could only have one camera, I'd opt for one of the Casio Exilim cameras. Credit card size with a 3x optical zoom and 7.1 megapixel.)

I didn't have one of those. I now have a new Casio EXILIM EX Z750 on the way! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You just had to mention that camera, didn't you!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I may have to give my wife your email address so you can explain to her why I just had to have another digital camera. Better yet, I'll use Bob's trick and get it a little dirty before she sees it. Maybe she won't notice. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Heck, I have another trip to Hawaii coming up and I can't lug either of my large body digital cameras out to some of the beautiful, but remote, spots. Now I'll be set to take pictures at a minimum of 7.1 megapixels there. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Uh, I'll call it the backup to my Nikon Coolpix 8800 VR I'm taking on the trip as well. Yeah, that's my story! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MikePA · Aug 13, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I had one of the first Exilims (since sold it). Even with no optical zoom and no where near 7 megapixels, it was a great camera. I took it on a business trip to San Francisco specifically because I did not want to take yet another bag on the trip. I put the little charger stand in my laptop bag and the camera in my front pants pocket. Carried it the whole time I was there. It was no more noticable than carrying a money clip. You might even consider not taking the Coolpix. I left my Olympus UZ2100 at home when I went to SF. You will enjoy the camera. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, Circuit City has them for $385. Web special.