Which Coolpix to buy?

[AliTN]

I tried searching the forum, but there are just too many models to sort through. I have a Canon DSLR, but I am looking for a small camera just to keep in my purse for candids while out with my kids. I had an old Nikon coolpix (S210) I bought several years ago, and it was awful, which I attribute to the tiny, inset, rectangular shutter button. It was impossible not to have camera shake and my pics were terrible. I had a mid-size Canon Powershot that I loved before buying my DSLR, but I have heard that the Coolpix is much better than Canon's point and shoot cameras, so I'm thinking about giving Coolpix another try.

I was looking at the s9500, as it got the best reviews on b&h (not sure where else to look), but it seems pricey and I'm not sure I really need all of that. I am looking for a slim camera that is going to take a nice, crisp picture, and has a nice zoom. I want recommendations for something I can just walk into Target, Sams, Best Buy, etc. and purchase. I don't want to put a ton of time into research right now, as I have two very busy kids and not a lot of mental energy LOL. I'm tired of lugging my DSLR around to every one of their events, which are mainly sports, so something good for that too. I do shoot in manual with my Canon, but I want this camera to just be something I can whip out and get a good picture 99% of the time. I'm mainly looking to just capture moments vs. working on improving my photography. I'm missing great random moments with my kids because my iPhone 4 camera is not meant for moving kids and I never carry my DSLR.

There seem to be so many coolpix models. Can someone recommend a good basic one for me? Like I said, just something easy to purchase - nothing refurbished or anything like that. Just a plain old store purchase. I would love to stay under $200 if possible.

 

[toomanycanons]

P330. See, wasn't that easy?

 

[John McCormack]

I was going to say the P330 also, but it's closer to $300. than the OP's limit of under $200. I had a Nikon S9100 and it performed very well, though the lens isn't fast enough to shoot active kids.

 

[toomanycanons]

John McCormack wrote:

I was going to say the P330 also, but it's closer to $300. than the OP's limit of under $200. I had a Nikon S9100 and it performed very well, though the lens isn't fast enough to shoot active kids.

Sorry, I missed that $200. Cheap point and shoot to photograph active kids? Pricey point and shoots can only do so much, cheap ones even less.

 

[AliTN]

I'm Ok with paying more if I need to. I was just worried that I would be overpaying for things I may not need. I will check out the 330. My standards are kind of high, so if I'm paying more, I want it to be for better quality shots as opposed to something like GPS capability. What's the story on the s9500? Seems good and gets good reviews, but doesn't seem too popular here?

 

[50grit]

I have 2 canon dslr`s love them, and I bought a coolpix 510, I know they are a little more money but since the 520 came out they have come down in price a lot, think they are
high $200`s now, this little camera for its limitation`s has worked great for me, great zoom and still wont get lost in your hand, take a look, sure like mine, cheer`s

 

[AliTN]

I think I want something smaller, though the 510 looks like a great camera. It reminds me of the powershot that I loved so much. It weighs almost 3 pounds and is probably a little too big for my purse (which is already jammed full of unnecessary things that mysteriously find their way there LOL). I have tiny hands, so that's not too big of a deal for me. As long as the shutter button is a decent size, I'm good.

 

[toomanycanons]

50grit wrote:

I have 2 canon dslr`s love them, and I bought a coolpix 510, I know they are a little more money but since the 520 came out they have come down in price a lot, think they are
high $200`s now, this little camera for its limitation`s has worked great for me, great zoom and still wont get lost in your hand, take a look, sure like mine, cheer`s

That's good to hear. I've been looking at the P510 as well. How is it for getting a shot off quick and not having to wait forever for the image to write to card (shot to shot times).

 

[richardrap]

If it may of any help, having an extreme fast card helps a lot for for the image to write in the P7700. Without any precise calculation i may say that it is about now easily more then twice as fast. (Sandisk Extreme 16GB Class 10) - no longer a constraint for my use.

 

[AliTN]

I just ordered the 330 from Amazon for $296. Thanks everyone for your advice! Looking forward to getting it.

 

[Veducci]

AliTN wrote:

I think I want something smaller, though the 510 looks like a great camera. It reminds me of the powershot that I loved so much. It weighs almost 3 pounds and is probably a little too big for my purse (which is already jammed full of unnecessary things that mysteriously find their way there LOL). I have tiny hands, so that's not too big of a deal for me. As long as the shutter button is a decent size, I'm good.

The 510 and 770 are both out of your criteria for a purse camera. The P330 is much slimmer and IQ plus movies are good. Slow to focus in anything but good light. It`s just under $300

The Canon s95/ s100 is also a good choice.

 

[bgn]

AliTN wrote:

I just ordered the 330 from Amazon for $296. Thanks everyone for your advice! Looking forward to getting it.

Hi,

Congrats on your purchase. I just want to add that I just bought the P330 for the same price and the IQ is really great. I sold my P7100 to help buy this one because I wanted a smaller camera and I believe that the photos of the P330 look better that the ones I took with the P7100. I always look for the best IQ possible within price range and don't care about other aspects that much and I truly love the photos that I can take with the P330. It also has the 5X zoom which is better than a lot of compacts and should help with photos of your children. I think you will be happy with this camera and good luck with it.

 

[toomanycanons]

AliTN wrote:

I think I want something smaller, though the 510 looks like a great camera. It reminds me of the powershot that I loved so much. It weighs almost 3 pounds and is probably a little too big for my purse (which is already jammed full of unnecessary things that mysteriously find their way there LOL). I have tiny hands, so that's not too big of a deal for me. As long as the shutter button is a decent size, I'm good.

I think what you meant to say was that the P510 weighs 19 oz. Where did you read it weighs three pounds? Are you talking about your purse? :-D

 

[PhotoXtreme]

Some older Coolpix models can be really nasty to use. They can often be uncomfortable or be able to shoot only really bad pictures.

Well, tehnology goes better and better and Coolpix cameras are alot better now. I do recommend Collpix AW110 or AW120 or even S800 or new S810.

If you think like me, you will ask yourself: which is better AW110 or AW120?

AW110 pros:

Cheaper than AW120

More fps than AW120

Can make 3D pictures

Cons:

Smaller aperture

Smaller screen

Ahem...kinda "Cheap" felling...>_<

AW120 has wider aperture, as i said up there, but it i A LOT heavier and it costs more.

Make your choice:

Better movies

Cheaper

3D photos

OR

Expensive

Wider aperture

No 3D

S800 and S810 are okay, but, do you know that felling of android camera.This cam is no better than androids built in cam.

So, you should buy AW110 or AW120 and enjoy their durability and nice images.

P.S.

If you are not stuck to Coolpixes bug Nikon D90