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Simple question: which P&S is best?

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Chuck Lantz

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Without getting into the dirty details, I'd like opinions on which P&S you think is best for carrying in the Sigma bag, for those times when you just want a few quick snapshots of the kids, friends, family, whatever, at night, or indoors, or outdoors when you don't want to drag out the SD9, SD10, or SD14. (DP1 and DP2 need not apply, since the second requirement is "inexpensive", ...like $300 or less.) The third requirement is a reasonably long optical focal length. Size of the P&S is not an issue. Thanks in advance.

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'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com
 
posted by this website?
 
You could try the Panasonic DMC-FZ28 or Fujifilm Finepix S8100fd, both under $300 at Amazon.

In compact form, you could try:
Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 10 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical
 
...as you didn't state it has to be a digital P&S (LOL).

--
'We are only immortal for a limited time'
 
Ringwraith69 said:
...as you didn't state it has to be a digital P&S (LOL).
Click to expand...
Ringwraith:

Well, since this website isn't named "Fpreview.com", I figured everyone would know I was looking for a "d" rather than an "f". ;) But thanks anyway.

And thanks to everyone for the great, and varied, suggestions. I'll start researching them right away.

Corkcampbell:

I did check the recent review of P&S cameras on this site, which led me to ask for even more suggestions. So far, the Sony H-20 seems to have most of what I need, but I'll now check it against the new suggestions.

Again, thanks to all for taking the time to help me out.
 
The Casio Z1080 is the one to get. Why? Because it will perfectly expose anything you put in front of it with or without flash.

It also has smooth video, ultra wide.

This is a sleeper. Not many photographers know about Casio. They think that Casio just makes calculators. Actually, Casio invented the first digital camera.

Likely this camera has a Canon lens. They use Canon lenses and have labeled them as such in the past. The sensor is big, not as big as Sigma Foveon, but it is far larger than 93% of all the compact point and shoot cameras.

The lens is very sharp. There are a few pictures I left in full original size. Find them and blow them up to see fine details.

See the results of this camera here:

http: www.pbase.com/timberwolfpuppy

They sell for about $160. Just get the Z1080 model.
 
Thanks Timberwolfpuppy. I discovered the quality of the Casio digital cameras a few years ago when I bought my daughter one. I was very surprised at the great shots she got with it. And thanks for the info about Casio's digital history. I had no idea they were that involved.

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'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com
 
Primarily due to Timber's comments and great gallery, I've decided to go with the Casio Z1080.

I'd originally picked the Nikon P90, which has everything I need, but I finally had to admit that it has TOO MUCH of "everything I need". With all its bells, whistles and features, it was simply a slightly smaller version of my DSLR, which sort of negated the whole point of the exercise.

So, the Casio is da winnah. Nice sharpness, res and color, and it's a "real" pocket-sized P&S.

Thanks again for the feedback, folks.

--

'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com
 
Damn! After all this, I can't find a Casio Z1080 for sale anywhere. After the usual search, I checked the Casio website, and the Z1080 was still featured on the site, but a call to their customer care (?) number led to a kinda nasty woman who made it VERY clear that the Z1080 was discontinued and was not available anywhere on the planet...period.

Anyway, my search continues. If anyone knows where to find one, please let me know.

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'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com
 
Hey Chuck,how ya' doing.

There seems to be a mint one on Ebay"

Item number: 220421885204

Some of the older Canon's have great IQ: A610, A620, A630, A80. Focus speed is a bit slower though. Nice twist & turn LCD's though. I recently tried a Canon A630, focus & zooming seemed faster than the earlier models.

Then there is the Fuji F-10. Probably the best value in a P&S out there. Great IQ, large fuji sensor..great high ISO., and very speedy focus & shutter lag...as good or better than anything out there NEW! This was the first of the Fuji trio's using the new sensor design. F-10 ,F30, F-31. I have a refurb that I bought for around $90.00.

Good Luck,

Mike
 
From the latest PS I had been happy with Panasonic TZ5. Very fast in focus, good exposure, solid build, very good wide to zoom lens. 28mm 10x optical. Optical stabilizer. Embedded lens mechanical cap or how it is called.

It is very good package for the $250 or so and the size is just great for PS. Panasonic did up their performance over the years, 6 years ago the panasonics were cry babys.

I carry it in a jacket pocket - constantly and everywhere - battery never discharge by itself, even after months still full charge. No dust anywhere.

(I had the Fuji F10 and F31 and gave it away. Good PS but actually not that fast, neither the mettering was too reasonable. But the batteries lasted loooong time - one point why I liked them)
 
Things are looking up! I didn't mention that I was looking for the Casio Z-1080 so that I could drop a hint to my wife (with a link) since my birthday is approaching rapidly. Too rapidly. As I mentioned, my hunt was fruitless. But I had not taken into account the tenacity of my better half. She found one, somewhere, online. Woo-hoo! I'm back in biz.

This is beginning to look like a blog, so I'd better stop.

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'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com
 
Smaller than "dslr" size (half at least), but still the feel of a dslr in that you have full maul, aperture, shutter priority controls... and you don't have to hold it with only three fingers..

:-D)))

Seriously, you couldn't stick it in your poscket, but a belt bag like the LowePro APEX 60 AW does very nicely, even thoough a little bulky on the waist... I got used to it...

--
-- Hank III
http://www.pbase.com/hhcubed
 
I have been looking at the Fuji F200EXR, interesting sensor & technology plus I get a employee discount. I missed out a while back with the F10 which is still used as the benchmark for high iso P&S.
Regards
PT
 
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