party/college camera suggestions??

[theromanone]

Hi there, was all set on the Panasonic zs3 until I realized it's probably better to start with something a little cheaper for my first camera for a year or so..

I will be mostly shooting/taking a few videos in low-light typically, bars, clubs, inside house parties, the typical "college/"frat" setting if you will. Looking for a good image stabilizer, and would like a wide style 28mm and below. Suggestions up to $200-250?

So far I have the Fuji f100fd (~$150 with rebate) and Canon 890is ($200) in mind.. Suggestions for the beginner? I've been reading these forums for over 2 weeks now, going crazy, thanks!

 

[theromanone]

...or should I hold out for an ebay f31 (no IS should not hurt here, from I have been reading)??

 

[glitched]

Um if you are serious about low light then a P&S will never cut it. You will need a DSLR for the larger sensor (and less noise, but not the 15 megapixel ones) and ability to use faster lenses (faster shutter speed).

 

[MikeinCA]

I will be mostly shooting/taking a few videos in low-light typically,
bars, clubs, inside house parties, the typical "college/"frat"
setting if you will. Looking for a good image stabilizer, and would
like a wide style 28mm and below. Suggestions up to $200-250?

I would assume that this type of crowd doesn't mind flash - as a matter of fact, they probably expect it. So this might change your definition / idea of what "low-light shooting" is. So, will you be using flash?

--
MikeInCA - I've seen the light...

 

[theromanone]

You're right, flash is pretty much expected, by myself even.. people would be happy just to get drunken pictures taken and put on facebook, to be completely honest! I just want the highest quality of pictures I can get without much post-processing these types of photos, I do understand flash sometimes can lead to washed out or worse pictures.

I know the whole dslr route, but that would be just hilarious to carry around on a crowded dance floor (though it would be an interesting conversation starter at the least, I'll pass for now). Next year maybe a dslr to use on road trips, now would much rather prefer something pocket-able

 

[dradam]

I just got my SD880 and love it. It has everything you seem to be looking for, 28mm wide end, video, $250 price tag.

Then again, if it was me I wouldnt bring this to a frat party so you might want to consider getting something cheaper that you wouldnt mind if it got dunked in a beer.

 

[paul_kew]

that & it getting lost/stolen

 

[theromanone]

Won't get lost/stolen, that's the scene, but I'm pretty careful with my stuff.. just wanted to be prepared for the lighting that I'd typically be in.

Any other suggestions or experiences with this? Don't need a new camera, a respectable model from a year or two ago is fine (ie the f31)..

 

[dradam]

Well, if you're confident that it won't get beered or stolen than I might as well recommend my SD880. Like I said, it has the wide angle you are looking for, it has very decent low light abilites (expecially if you are willing to use the flash), it has IS to help with hand shake, and it's right in the price range you mentioned (right now at B&H at least).

The biggest thing here is to simply realize the limitations of what you're asking for. Any P&S will be inherently bad in low light due to the large number of pixels being crammed on to a small sensor. Therefore, in many ways, without any further specific needs you may have, most modern P&Ss will be sufficient. I bought the 880 because it was the right mix of other features for me. If you wanted something more pocketable you could look at the 780, if you wanted HD video you could look at the 960, if you wanted MUCH better performance and more manual controll you could check out the G10 (but would have to be willing to pay more), if you wanted a super zoom you could check out one of those. Just be aware that if you use ISO1600 you WILL get grainy pictures from most any camera this size.

 

[rsn48]

First, any camera from $100 and up will do what you want, which is what most of your friends will have at the same drunken party; most won't have a clue as to how to operate the camera.

Here is a post from another thread, some one looking for a good mother camera:

My wife will never know an f stop from a shutter speed - ever! And I know all her pics will be either shown on screen on the computer or with 4 by 6 pics; she has yet to have one pic printed.

She doesn't know or care about megapixels, ISO, or anything else on the camera other than she wanted a simple one to use. My plan was to spend "X" amount on the camera, not a lot compared to bridge and DSLR cameras. So I simply went out and bought the best camera for the money I had. Like others, I usually obsess over camera stats, reviews, user opinions, etc when I buy a camera for myself. I didn't with hers.

With my wife I just bought the best "deal." In fact, I didn't even look that hard for a "deal" as I knew whatever I bought would work quite well for her once it was put in the "idiot" mode. And I was correct, she has never learned her camera, she has never watched the free DVD that came with the camera; she just points and shoots, all you can really ask from a P&S, and she is quite happy with her "toy."

I bought her a Panasonic even though I'm a Canon guy. I suggest you set a money amount, doesn't need to be a whole lot, your mother won't care about all the "gizmo's the camera has; and watch the blank expression come over her face if you try and explain it to her. The only explanation needed is to say - "when you set the camera here, it will make all the adjustments for you." That's about it.

Purchase the camera from Walmart, Cosco, or wherever you can get a reasonable discount on last years models.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.

 

[theromanone]

Ok, looks like it's between the canon 880 or 890, fuji f100fd or f31.

If all were priced at $150 (with the 880 at $200), and taking into consideration my situation, which would be best?

 

[rsn48]

Just about no one here will have experienced all of the cameras you are asking about, just zip through some reviews you have googled and decide from that. All of the cameras listed will do you just fine. The cheaper ones are better if you lose it, it gets stolen (happened to me), or some one breaks it at a party.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.

 

[theromanone]

Got one!

f31fd on ebay for $200! Should do well for my purposes..

 

[rsn48]

I sped read some of the review here of this camera; seems like you have a "classic" on your hands, an unusual status for a P&S. You should many happy drunken hours with it - enjoy!
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.

 

[theromanone]

Haha nice. Thanks again!