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The perfect point and shoot?

Ronisdragon

Ronisdragon

Why can't someday be now?
Joined
Jan 19, 2012
Messages
717
Hi Ladies. I just decided that I want a point and shoot for Christmas and there are sales now so I figured I'd better get some quick advice from all you experts. I want a point and shoot that takes awesome pictures! I prefer a Nikkon or Canon but maybe I am overlooking something. I am having trouble comparing the powershots, elphs, and coolpix cameras. I definitely want to keep it under $200 preferably much closer to $100. I definitely want zoom and maybe macro though I won't use macro much. I really want some manual settings and a night time setting and maybe a firework setting and action mode. The ability to get shallow depth of field would be super but I know that is tough with point and shoots. I definitely want something I can slip in my purse. I will mostly photograph family and pets and hopefully babies. A pretty color other than black or silver would be a really nice bonus but is not a top priority. If you could be specific about models that would be great as it seems the elphs, powershots, and coolpix are all so similar. If there is another important feature I should be looking for that I have overlooked please let me know. I really want to get THE PERFECT POINT AND SHOOT!
 
Just thought I'd share the models I'm looking at right now.
Canon Powershot sx260hs
Canon Powershot sx160
Canon Powershot Elph 110
Nikon Coolpix L810
Nikon Coolpix S9050
These are all under $200 on sale right now. The Elph 110 and Coolpix s9050 are the most affordable. Love the colors of the Elph but not too much zoom. Has anyone used any of these models? I need to make a decision while the sales are still on. Ugh. I hate feeling pressured.
 
I did not like my Coolpix... not sure which model I had. It was SLOW. My son ended up shattering the screen, so we pitched it. We had a Minolta that we loved until son dropped it and broke the battery door. I have a Panasonic Lumix (it's old) but I love it!
 
I also had bad luck with the Coolpix..mine was awful, took horrible photos, and the battery door broke and I had to use a hair elastic just to keep the door shut. However, I love my Canon Powershot. Takes pretty good low light photos, has a decent zoom and I've had it for a year and a half and it's still in working condition. I had a Panasonic Lumix for years and years and I loved that camera, I made a horrible mistake and gave it away when I got the coolpix (I mistakenly thought an 8 yr old camera wouldn't take as good a picture), so I had almost a year of horrible photos I had to endure before we decided on the Powershot. Maybe check prices and reviews on Panasonics as well? The zoom is what ultimately made me decide on a powershot over the panasonic because I don't have a DSLR.
 
I have an older Canon Powershot SD790. I keep it on manual most of the time because I think the programs are harder to figure out, but I love it. I have several friends that have similar ones to mine, and they all love them. It was recommended to me years ago by a friend who is a professional photographer. He is a Nikon guy, but for the point and shoots, he says that Canon's are by far better cameras.

Both my sister in laws have the Coolpix and they take horrible pictures. I'm not sure if it's their models, but they're just awful!
 
Ok Nikon is out. I feel most comfortable with a Canon but I feel like I should research the Panasonic Luminex. It seems people who have the Luminex love them. Their site doesn't seem as user friendly as Canon. I wish I could find a site that gives the pros and cons of Canon vs. Luminex. For some reason it seems like Luminex is more complicated to operate but I don't know why I think that. I am planning to go to Best Buy tomorrow to see if they have the models I am considering. It might help to see them in person. Not sure if they carry Luminex. Thanks for the feedback! If anyone has any more advice please beep it coming!
 
GO TO THE CANON WEBSITE, check their current REBATES! I know they have like a tons of rebates that expire this week! There is a Canon powershot (I think) that has a 12x OPTICAL zoom (the only one that has it) that is AMAZING!
 
I know I replied earlier...

I have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 (10x optical zoom) I don't remember how many megapixel (maybe 8?). It was given to me by my husband's cousin when he got his first DSLR (which he has subsequently given to us also). I love the thing. I am looking to upgrade it and will probably go with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20K.
 
Hey Roni, maybe I'm too late to chime in, but I also own a Canon Powershot that I love. It's old now (like 5 or 6 years) but I have the SD IS1400. My MIL bought a newer one and she loves hers too. I also own an old Panasonic Lumix that I adored!!! I don't use it anymore, but that thing was really fast compares to other zoom point and shoots that I've owned in the past and had crisp pictures and good color, plus it had a 10x optical zoom, so I loved that flexibility. Of course that made it a little bigger than the "purse" type cameras, but the Panasonic took much better pictures than my purse cameras.

Here are a couple sites you can look at for more reviews:

www.dpreview.com

and

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm
(he's a TOTAL Nikon guy and even he picks Canon for the small point and shoots)
 
lynning said:
I did not like my Coolpix... not sure which model I had. It was SLOW. My son ended up shattering the screen, so we pitched it. We had a Minolta that we loved until son dropped it and broke the battery door. I have a Panasonic Lumix (it's old) but I love it!
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Sorry, I had to laugh when I read this, not one but two cameras? He's persistent. :)
 
I have a Nikon Coolpix S8100. I like it, but it is slow compared to my DSLR. However, if fits into a fanny pack, and is simple to use.
 
i have an older canon powershot that I really like - it's quick and I love that it has a 12x zoom. Lately I've been mainly use my DSL but the powershot is a lot more portable. And more user friendly for my hubby :)
 
HeatherB said:
Sorry, I had to laugh when I read this, not one but two cameras? He's persistent. :)
Click to expand...
I have 3 sons... but yes, he's consistent. LOL This is the same child I had to take the E.R. at the end of September and the end of October because he got injured using big power tools in metal shop class. If it tells you anything, the class first aid kit now has a sticker on it that says "Ingram's Tool Box."
 
I got the Canon Powershot SX 260 HS. I haven't really gotten out to take photos yet but I have played around with it a bit. So far I really like it! I will know more when I'm out talking pictures and having them printed or when I put them on the computer. The zoom is great! I have to learn how to use all the fancy features. Unfortunately the user manual is on a CD. I so wish it came with a hard copy. I did call canon and they are sending me an 8.5 x 11 print out of the 246 page guide. That made me happy! Thank you ladies so much for all of your feedback! You really helped me make my decision!
 
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