DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Which basic Canon to buy? Especially for macro?

Started Dec 1, 2011 | Discussions
mirintra New Member • Posts: 1
Which basic Canon to buy? Especially for macro?

Until I dropped and broke it I have been very happy for the past few years with a Canon PowerShot SD880 IS. Looking for a replacement, my budget is around $300.

Most important is macro capabilities. I take a lot of photos of documents (handwritten and printed) in archives and libraries with very variable light conditions. So I need great detail and cannot use a flash and often cannot use a tripod. I never used a tripod with my SD880 and always got the detail I needed.

I also travel a lot and want a reliable, lightweight camera that takes great photos in general.

I have been recommended the following but they are all different and I am looking for advice:

Canon PowerShot S95 (worth the money for my purposes?)

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS (is the macro good enough?)

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS (worried about the size/weight and the AA batteries vs battery pack)

I am partial to Canon but am open to other suggestions. Thank you very much for any help!

Canon PowerShot S95 Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (Digital IXUS 870 IS) Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Canon SX220 HS
If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.
Cyril Catt Veteran Member • Posts: 5,453
Re: Which basic Canon to buy? Especially for macro?

I have been using digicams as portable document copiers for a dozen years. Currently I am using a Panasonic LX3, which has the advantage of an F2.0 lens for low light work. It also has an external switch for rapid format changes between 16:9, 3:2, and 4:3, and a menu setting for 1:1. However, the Canon S95 and S100 have similar fast lenses, so I suspect would be just as suitable.

I believe that a macro setting is hardly needed for document copying, as greater distortion is likely if the camera is closer to the subject. Rather, I prefer to hold the camera at least a metre from the document and use some zoom if necessary, to minimise barrel distortion
--
Cyril

 Cyril Catt's gear list:Cyril Catt's gear list
Canon PowerShot TX1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max +3 more
PaulRivers Veteran Member • Posts: 7,420
Re: Which basic Canon to buy? Especially for macro?

fyi, the s95 has a macro focussing distance at best of 5cm - this might be fine for you, or it might not, just wanted to mention it. It's probably fine for documents, but fyi.

Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads