Inexpensive Digital

[dbllunger]

I just destroyed my second digitial camera Kodak C743.  I either sat on it in my pack, or the horse broke it when it ran my pack into a tree.  Either way the screen was broke, and now it has completely quit.  The Kodak took great pics, and I replaced it with another C model.  The last one took really poor pics and I sent it back.  Any suggestions to look at?   

Needs to be ran by AA batteries because everything else in my pack runs off AA's.
Small enough to fit in shirt pocket for obvious reasons. 
Like cost to be under $150.00
Take a SD memory card.
Truely a point and click with the close up feature.

[robodad]

Canon Powershot SX100IS.

Great P&S with image stabilization. Takes really good photos. Lens is a 36-360mm f2.8-4.3 so it is quite fast in low light and really clear !! 8.0 MP 10X optical zoom forget about the digital zoom they are useless. Only one drawback is it doesn't shoot in RAW which is no biggie for some !!!

[Grizzly95]

I have a kodak at home I will check the model and let you know, I was gonna try to hack it but I think I will stick with the sony's for now.

[dbllunger]

robo...I just looked at their web sight.  I am not a techno guy at all.  I ran a comparison between the one you mentioned and the A580.   The A580 is 100 bucks cheaper, and nothing is free.  They looked like the same camera on the web sight.  Would you look at them and see if they are the same.  We use a Canon at home and it takes awesome pics.  It is an older one but is great and never a problem.  Again this camera will be used for my hunting, fishing, dirt bike, etc. general point and shoot camera.  I take scenery pics of sunrise, sunsets, and animals.  If you thing the A580 is compareable that might be the way to go.

[Grizzly95]

Gotta agree with you guys on the canons, my neighbor has one and it does awesome, he has a DSLR and his wife has a lesser expensive canon point and shoot and I think they both look just as goods as eachother.

[robodad]

Some of the major differences I see are the 580 does not have Image Stabilization, it's zoom lens is only 140mm or 4x compared to the 100IS at 360mm or 10x. You cannot put the 580 into Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority mode which is a small drawback, but the 580 is a little bit more compact in size and weight.

Both should be able to take very good photos out to 4x zoom but the 580 stops there and the 100IS goes all the way to 10 times closer which is huge especially with animal pics and employs an image stabilization feature which improves image quality immensely especially for those long shots.

If I were you I would get the 100is just because of those features but if you don't care about seeing a long ways off and are a pretty steady camera holder or use a tripod then the 580 should do fine !!!

[Slider]

Amazon has the 110IS for $212.00 +1 on the Cannon point and shoots!!! I took this pic with a A95. I have purchased an A95, 570IS, 590IS, SD1100IS(between getting them jacked and liquid spilled on them at concerts) I quess my kid is hard on camera's? 


http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX110IS-Stabilized-Black/dp/B001EQ4C8U/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_0

[huntnphool]

ROBO, does it have the ability to shoot RAW? DBL, I would look for one that does if it is a matter of $50.00

[dbllunger]

What is RAW?  I just checked the family digital and it is a Canon A610.  It has the swing out screen, and is at least seven years old.  It takes great pics.  I found the A580 for right at 100 bucks cheaper.  I really appreciate the input, so now I will mull them over.  I don't use a bipod, but have layed it on my pack, or over a log/rock at times.  90% is just hold it, let it focus, and take the picture.  I think the image stabilization would be good.  When I take pics sitting on the horse I take 5 to make sure one turns out.  Seems like he is sitting still, but the pic ends up blurry. 

[huntnphool]

DBL, make sure you read this before you purchase. I didn't write it Pope did but it does a great job in explaining some things for you to consider before spending your money. I will never buy a point and shoot but if I had to RAW would be essential and something I would reject cameras for if they didn't have the ability.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17434.0.html

[robodad]

ROBO, does it have the ability to shoot RAW? DBL, I would look for one that does if it is a matter of $50.00

No it doesn't Rob and that was one of the drawbacks I pointed out earlier, I personally shoot all pics in raw but there are some that don't and wouldn't know where to begin. If I didn't do any post processing I would rather have the IS then the ability to shoot in RAW if it is about $50.

Personally I am selling a bunch of my stuff so I can afford a $950 lens but shooting great photos is quite a bit more important to me then some folks !!  I want both !!! 

[dbllunger]

Thanks...I read popes post and it was informative.  WAY more advanced then I want.  I checked out the 500.00 Canon, and did not see the RAW feature.  So what does that feature cost extra?  Is RAW labeled as something else in the features or what "Spec" should I be looking for to know it shoots in RAW.  Would be a nice feature as I have screwed up a few shots that could probably have been made to look great.

[robodad]

Thanks...I read popes post and it was informative.  WAY more advanced then I want.  I checked out the 500.00 Canon, and did not see the RAW feature.  So what does that feature cost extra?  Is RAW labeled as something else in the features or what "Spec" should I be looking for to know it shoots in RAW.  Would be a nice feature as I have screwed up a few shots that could probably have been made to look great.

Best I can explain is it is a format that does not compress your digital photos, (jpeg compresses them and degrades them as it does) and allows for post processes that are not possible with jpeg (white balance, exposure values, etc...) so you have much more freedom when touching up your pictures in RAW format. I know there is many more advantages to RAW files but just think of it as your digital negitive like the film negetives that were necessary to generate a great image from a not so great image.

[dbllunger]

Robo...thanks sorry I did not explain that well.  Will the spec sheet say "RAW" in it. I have seen the jpg, but just not the abbreviation RAW.  Sorry I am being a pain, but if it is only 50 bucks or so more it sounds worth it.

[robodad]

Yeah you bet it is worth it !! and yes it should say under "setting image recording quality" weather it will shoot in RAW and sometimes it will say Raw/jpeg and that means it will take both at the same time !!

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Here is a good place to start and when you decide on one you can look up its specs right there. Look under buying guides and you'll see a side by side comparison menu then just put some cameras in there and see which one is better !!!

[dbllunger]

robo...perfect exactly what I was needing.  It is going to be the Canon A590!!   RAW is more then I want to spend at this time.  Will be ordering it up this week along with a new Garmin 60csx!   

[NWTFhunter]

Robo, you got me looking at cameras now...

Have you ever looked at or purchased from refurbdepot before?

They have a cannon eos rebel xti for 425....... they say retails for 1450.

Not that I have the $$ to buy it now... but I will keep my eyes on that site if you think they are ok to deal with.

I also just found the Cannon G9 for 370.  reading the info from your link this is a good camera, I think,

[robodad]

Robo, you got me looking at cameras now...

Have you ever looked at or purchased from refurbdepot before?

They have a cannon eos rebel xti for 425....... they say retails for 1450.

Not that I have the $$ to buy it now... but I will keep my eyes on that site if you think they are ok to deal with.

I also just found the Cannon G9 for 370.  reading the info from your link this is a good camera, I think,

That is an excellent camera, I have the Xt and it has been great, however you should read this site if you are considering an online purchase http://www.resellerratings.com/store/refurbdepot there is a place to find out reviews on any online reseller, just type in the name of the company and it will give you more information then you want to read about any company !!!

That camera will do you just fine and you should be able to find one on craigslist reasonable enough, or if it has to be a new one look at Walmart, they usually carry those and they are pretty inexpensive, the lens you get with them is not really great but you were going to upgrade that anyways right !! 

[Al Bundy]

Check out the Kodak Easy Share Z1012. It's a 10 megapixel camera with 12x optical zoom, image stabilization yada, yada, yada. It also has a schneider-kreuznach varigon lens, which is a high end German lens maker. I have the older 4mp version of this and I can tell you it takes awesome pics. It's a good size too so it won't slip into your shirt pocket, but it feels great in the hand. I saw it at WalMart for $249.

[dbllunger]

Just ordered up the A590 off Amazon for 118 bucks delivered to the door.  Tried a A580 and it took good pics.  Not a super camera compared to a lot, but for what I do it will be perfect.  That way when I dump the bike being stupid, or the horse knocks my pack off again I'm not out too much more money.  Thank you all for the help and input on what was what.

[robodad]

Make sure you post up the good ones !! 

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I bought a Kodak m883 for my pack last year and it's a great hunting camera, not going to win any photo contest's with it, but is nice and compact and takes nice shots with good light, I'm still learning it's in's and out's on the setting's.

[Grizzle]

I got lost in the middle of the thread.....

Is there a Canon that shoots RAW within $50.00 of the 100IS or A590?

Thanks

[columbiaman]

Costco has new camer deals from next week.

[robodad]

I got lost in the middle of the thread.....

Is there a Canon that shoots RAW within $50.00 of the 100IS or A590?

Thanks

You'll have to post up a price range and we'll let you know what we find !!

[luvtohnt]

I hope you have some field photos of this cat with you in them!!

Brandon

[WAcoyotehunter]

nope...just a few like this.

[robodad]

nope...just a few like this.

I was replying to your post with the kitty about the Canon 10IS 20X but now I see it is deleted or moved or something !!! 

[popeshawnpaul]

The Canon G9 can shoot raw.  It's about $300.  The new Canon G10 can also shoot raw but it's more like $400.  Both of these cameras are the best point and shoot cameras out there.  They still aren't as good as a dslr but a few pros use the G9/10 for backup cameras.

Panasonic makes a good P&S with a good lens and raw too...

I wouldn't buy a camera that I'm taking serious photos with that does not shoot raw format.  Expecially since P&S cameras are prone to wierd exposure and such that can be fixed later...   

[WAcoyotehunter]

Ok it's back.  Anyone know anything about the camera listed below?  I would have had a great picture Sunday if I had a decent camera along.   

Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

[popeshawnpaul]

There are a few problems with this shot WAcoyotehunter.  Here are the settings you used to shoot the cougar picture:

ISO-400
f5.2 aperture
1/40th shutter speed

When you look at the photo the color balance is off.  The camera was probably set to auto color balance so there isn't a lot that can be done about it.  Do you see the cold blue color in the whole photo?  It needs warmth.  You can do a bit of that with a jpg but if you had this shot in raw you could just change the white balance and it would be fixed automatically.

The next issue is that it is kind of blurry.  Part of this is the cheap lens on the camera but the main issue is camera shake.  The camera was not at a fast enough shutter speed at 1/40th to stop the action and movement of the camera.  Some of this could have been prevented, however.  The f5.2 aperture isn't the fastest aperture but it's the fastest that camera has for that focal length.  The ISO could have been changed, however.  Had you put the ISO at 800 or 1600, you would have 1 to 2 more stops of light.  This would have changed your shutter speed from 1/40th to 1/80th at ISO 800 or 1/160th at ISO 1600.  Now, any photo at these higher ISO settings would have been more grainy/noisy, but at least the shot would have been sharp.  The camera has image stabilization.  If you had it on it doesn't work well or maybe you didn't have it on...?

This is the problem when you have a P&S camera on auto.  They select the settings for you and they got it wrong.  When I put my cameras on auto they rarely ever set the settings correctly.  This is the reason I like the creative control of using aperture priority and setting the ISO myself.  Some cameras do it, some don't.  It doesn't look like this camera does but I think you can manually set the ISO...

[robodad]

OK I am a bit confused on this cause originally he said that this photo was taken with another camera and just wanted information on the canon and if it could have improved this photo but now it appears that the photo was taken with the canon ?? 

[WAcoyotehunter]

OK I am a bit confused on this cause originally he said that this photo was taken with another camera and just wanted information on the canon and if it could have improved this photo but now it appears that the photo was taken with the canon ?? 

You were right the first time robo- the camera I had along was a cheapo and I was looking into buying the canon model that I posted.  Do you know anything about that model?

The camera I used was a Sony Cyber Shot 8.1 megapixel set at all auto settings and zoomed in.  The cat was probably 20'+- feet away.

Thanks for the info Pope, I wish I would have had a good camera along, i thought this picture had potential to be a good one.   You're right about the jpg being tough to work with.  I can't seem to get this photo much better than it is now.     

[robodad]

OK I am not familiar with that particular model like I said I have the SX100IS and I really like it. Do I think the SX10IS set on the auto mode would have produced a better photo ??  that's anyones guess, that's why they call it auto so it can decide your settings for you and I don't know if it would have picked the right setting for your shot. The more freedom you have in your camera the better off you'll be, like PSP says the raw shot would have been an easy fix so my first thought is to get a camera with that function but if I had to choose between the IS function and Raw I would get the IS because you will get fewer blurry pics !!   blurry RAW pics go in the recycle bin. You have more post processing freedom with RAW but no amount of PP is going to fix camera shake especially when looking down the barrel of a 150# kittykat !!! 

Shawn definitely has more information then I do on this subject so you better wait to hear from him on it but I don't think you would go wrong with the SX10IS, getting one that will shoot RAW is better though if you can afford it !!!

[popeshawnpaul]

I think any P&S would have taken a similar picture. 

As for IS and RAW...?  I like both.  Generally if your camera can shoot RAW it has IS. 

Really, the main problem with this shot is that the camera doesn't have the ability to set the settings manually.  If I were to shoot this scene with my camera and those settings popped up, I would have adjusted my ISO quickly to get a faster shutter speed.  I'm not sure you have that latitude with many P&S cameras.  That is why I like the G9/10 from Canon so much.  It's like a mini dslr, shoots RAW, has IS, and gives you aperture priority to control exposure.

All this being said, my wife has a Canon digital elph, like a 8mp P&S.  It does not have IS or RAW capability.  We take it places and use it but I understand the limitations with it.  Sometimes I get good shots and sometimes I don't.