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looking for a good point and shoot

Started Dec 11, 2012 | Questions thread
GeraldW Veteran Member • Posts: 8,872
Re: looking for a good point and shoot

Fred,

It has been a while, so I looked up the specs on the A630.  That was quite a camera with a great reputation for excellent images.  I'm going to list the specifications in order to help others who may be trying to help you.

8 MP, 1/1.8" sensor

2.5" articulated LCD with 115,000 dots plus an optical viewfinder

lens is 35-140 mm, f/2.8-4.1

4.29" x 2.6" x 1.93", 11 oz with the four AA cells

I don't know which of these specifications are important to you; but the optical viewfinder and the flip out LCD will be hard to find in new cameras.  The A830 had a full range of controls for manual or semi-auto (Program) shooting.  I gather you did not use those; but shot in Auto?

The closest camera, available new is the Canon G12.  The G12 has been replaced by the G15; but you can still find new G12's.  The G12 is roughly the same size and weight, has an optical viewfinder and a flip out LCD, a very similar lens, and a larger and higher resolution LCD.

The G15 is a really good camera; but lacks the flip out LCD.  I just got one, and I'm really pleased with it.  It covers the same 28-140 mm range as the G12; but the lens is better and significantly faster, and noise control is a little better at high ISO.

Both of these are probably more camera than the A630; but won't give you dramatically better images in good light - the A630 was very good and closely matched the G7 for image quality.  However, they are better built, have hot shoes for adding a flash, much higher resolution and larger LCD's, and have Image Stabilization that the A630 lacked.  They also cover a little wider angle at a 28 mm equivalent and still go as long as the A630 at 140 mm.  The A630 could go to a so-so ISO 800; but the G15 can do ISO 3200 and with its faster lens will be much better in low light.

Smaller cameras like the Canon SX260HS or Panasonic ZS15 can take very good pictures and have lenses that cover a much wider range.  They also will fit in a shirt pocket.  They lack the optical viewfinder and the LCD's are fixed in place.  However, if you don't miss the optical finder and flip out LCD on your A630; they will both take excellent pictures.  Of those two, I decided on the ZS15 as it felt better in my hands.  The ZS15 also has a really good Intelligent Auto mode.

Without the optical viewfinder, you have to rely on the rear LCD for composition.  Sometimes in full sun they are hard to use; which is when the optical finder comes in handy.  The LCD's on the SX260HS and the ZS15 are good ones; but I still have to take off my sunglasses to see them in full sun.

For use in Auto, I would not recommend the S100 or S110.

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Jerry

 GeraldW's gear list:GeraldW's gear list
Canon EOS M5 Canon PowerShot S95 Canon PowerShot G15 Canon G7 X II Sony RX10 IV +1 more
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