Mid range Camera advice needed

[Paulsy]

Greetings!

I have a unique opportunity to buy a bleeding edge camera from Japan, and Im having great troubles deciding which, if not what kind of digital camera I should get. The last digital camera I bought was the Canon Powershot s400 (give or take some obscure model naming), which served me well but left me wanting higher quality pictures and maybe some more manual features. I would really like a DSLR, but being completely honest with myself, I know if it's not pocket sizeish, its staying at home. Im a little overwhelmed since there is 100x the selection since I last looked at digital cameras, so I figured this would be a good place to seek some advice.

It doesn't have to be Ultra-compact, but portability is a must. I had a Canon EOS Digital rebel at my disposal for a while, which I loved, but there were a lot of missed photo ops because I didn't want to lug it around with me. It would be nice to have a lot of versatility and manual features. Shooting RAWs would be nice, but not mandatory. I would like to spend somewhere south of $450.

Browsing through newer cameras, the Panasonic DMC-TZ5 caught my eye though more for the lens, zoom and 720p video. That seems like a handy feature but I would rather have the camera that takes the better pictures than video (I hope to have a HD Camcorder some day in which case the 720p video feature will become less impressive). Another Camera that caught my eye was the Canon G9, but I don't know much about it.

The cameras main use would be for capturing family memories and vacations, but I do get in artsy moods every once and a while. I also really enjoy photo-chopping my photos and making DVD slide shows.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

ps. Sorry for the Novel.

 

[Paulsy]

Is there anything new and exciting that falls in the Canon Powershot A720 IS - Panasonic DMC-TZ5 - Canon Powershot G9 range?

 

[john farrar]

I think they want you to buy a S5is or a DSLR. The G9 looks like your best option if you want a pocket-sized camera with more manual control.

About 100gm heavier (and if you can use an EVF) your next best bet may be one of these:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz18.asp

--
John.
Please visit me at:
http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridge
http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/digital_dartmoor

 

[Paulsy]

I think the Panasonic you linked is straying into the "too big to want to carry everywhere" zone

After spending most of my time at work trolling through this site, I've rounded up 4 camera's I think I would be happy with.

Canon A650 IS
Canon G9
Canon SD950 IS
Panasonic DMC-TZ5

Questions:
Is the price jump between the A650 IS and the G9 really worth it?

Are the extra manual features on the A650 and G9 (especiall the G9 I guess) worth giving up the ultracompactness?

Is the SD950 IS basically an A650 IS crammed into a smaller body sans the zoom and manul features with double the price tag?

How would the Panasonic DMC-TZ5 compair to the SD950 IS, and has anyone found an in depth review of the TZ5 yet? Im pretty sure its a few million pixels shy of the Canon, but I might be able to live with that if everything else is on par.

Are there any Cameras I am missing?

I'd really appreciate any insight, sorry if this sounds rushed, I only have 5 days to decide on something.

-P

 

[john farrar]

Canon A650 IS
Canon G9
Canon SD950 IS
Panasonic DMC-TZ5

Questions:
Is the price jump between the A650 IS and the G9 really worth it?.

Yes.

Are the extra manual features on the A650 and G9 (especiall the G9 I
guess) worth giving up the ultracompactness?> >

You get Manual control (instead of fiddling with ISOs and exposure locks) and also RAW. You don't get a flip out LCD on the G9 though - foolish Canon left it off the G series at #7; thousands more would have sold if they had left well alone.

Ultracompactness? Let me think... I don't notice a camera of the s400 size when it's in a little holster over a hip on my belt; one in the pocket could be a nusiance and if it has to hang around the neck the it had just as well be DSLR size for features and ease of use. The SD800is with its 28mm wide angle was IMO the last really useful one of the line; they removed the viewfinder on the follow-up and went back to 35mm widest. Cameras without viewfinders are a real pain.

Is the SD950 IS basically an A650 IS crammed into a smaller body sans
the zoom and manul features with double the price tag?> >

Well, mercifully, they left a viewfinder on it; and I'd have to answer 'you're kind of right there' apart from the convenience factor.

How would the Panasonic DMC-TZ5 compair to the SD950 IS, and has
anyone found an in depth review of the TZ5 yet? Im pretty sure its a
few million pixels shy of the Canon, but I might be able to live with
that if everything else is on par.

TZ5? I don't know... but TZ3 is without viewfinder and so it would not be my choice.

Are there any Cameras I am missing?> >

Not with viewfinder at pocket size. If you enjoy using something to be held at arm's length like a phone cam then you may be OK without viewfinder of course and that Tz3 gives you plenty of scope with a nice long zoom.

--
John.
Please visit me at:
http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridge
http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/digital_dartmoor

 

[Dave Martin]

I'd wait for the reviews of the Fuji F100fd.

In my view increased usable ISO is well worth a wait. Each EV sensitivity increase doubles the range of practical hand-held photos.

 

[Paulsy]

Thanks for the Replies John and Dave, you've given me much to think about.
Decisions decisions