another camera question

[searchnfor]

 I went snow shoeing yesterday and found a couple coyotes and a few elk and got soaked in the rain (thats the west side for ya). Here's a pic from yesterday, I'm frusate with not being able to get decent shots. my little point and shoot is a 3.2 mp with a 4 power zoom. I'm willing to spent some money but I'm not sure if I'm ready for a camera typical to the cannon 20D ( I've been reading the other post here). Simple is good for me but I'm to the point I want to take better pictures. What's the main thing this photo lacks (I realize alot of things) is it MP?
 

[boneaddict]

I take a majority of my pics with a point and shoot.  A Panasonic Lumix fz18.  It has an 18 power optical zoom which is currently tops in its class.  There is an olympus that has a 15 power zoom and a Canon that close in comparson.  Most choose between the lumix and the canon.  The lumix has a bit better glass and a little more zoom.  ANything over 5mp is not that necessary for a point and shoot unless you are trying to develop poster sized prints.   granted the will never take shots like the 20D, or the D40 and up.  Mostly what your picture lacks is focus.  Low light conditions need light.  The fact that your whole picture is out of focus I assume that you were jittery.  Some cameras have some anti - jitter features (both the canon and Panasonic do).  Otherwise if it was real low light then you need the tripod.  Most cameras shooting at 4x it isn't as necesssary as say anything over 12 power.

[boneaddict]

Its too bad its out of focus, that would have made an unbelievable picture.  I can see why you are frustrated.

[huntnphool]

Wow very cool, when do they start dropping their antlers? The only problem I see is its a little blurry. I'm guessing you had to zoom way out for it? Remember optical zoom is better for pics than digital zoom, and the farther out you zoom, the more movement is magnified with a blur. A mono, bi or tripod will help steady your shots, I'm just guessing as to the blur on this pic. Congrats though, it looks like a good time.

[huntnphool]

oops, sorry Bone posted while I was typing.

[billythekidrock]

Wow, 4 posts beat me while I was typing.

I am not a pro, but I like to take pics.

I have a Canon PowerShot S2 IS and it is great for what I need. It has 12x optical and is 5mp.
 If you are not ready to join the pros I would suggest something like the Canon PowerShot S5 IS. It has 12x optical and is 8mp. They have a ton of features, but are also very "point and shoot".
http://www.pricescan.com/electronics/items/item530381.asp

[boneaddict]

I think thats the canon I was thinking of.

[Elkman]

Just movement based on low light and slow shutter.
Nothing wrong with 4meg. I have 3 Canon G3's that's only 4x optical zoom but I love it so much I bought 2 more 
Shot this with it, and it still goes in my pack. Plus it will shoot RAW.
And yes, that would have been a sweet pic!

[Elkman]

Here's another quick point i can give ya before I have to run to the store, again
Run in manual.
Open up the aperture all the way the set the shutter to be one step over the lens focal length, like if your shooting at 55mm, shoot 1/60 on the shutter or 100mm, shoot 1/125 on the shutter. that way you will be shooting fast enough for handheld at the given focal length. another tip is to spot meter what you want correctly expose and then shoot based on that, not the whole seen that could under or over the seen based on full frame metering.
AND Bracket the hell out of it, I mean it's digital, not like it's going to cost you anything.
Come home with a full card, and delete later.

one more, start at your lowest ISO and work your way up to what you need to shoot to get the proper exposure.

[popeshawnpaul]

What's wrong?  Looks like camera shake to me, not focus.  Not sure why because it looks like there is plenty of light.  Not sure given the camera and lens speed though. 

[searchnfor]

Thanks guys for the great advise, NO doubt about the jitter, I was zoomed max. It might not look like it was but I had 33 degree rain running down my neck and I was cooling downing from sneaking in and watching the critters, defintely operator error.
 The camera is a Lumix with a 10 opical  zoom. It has taken some great shots. I'm in the market to get a camera thats the next level up in the point and shot.
 I'll do some home work and thanks for the suggestions.
 With the anti jitter function, do you think this picture would have turned out?
 This site is a great learning tool!

[huntnphool]

"This site is a great learning tool!"

Major understatement, I was going to post a question as to which point and shoot camera people had that was small enough for packing, DSLR's get a bit heavy and bulky, still shot RAW images, and had bracketing ability. There cant be too many out there that do this. Elkman, you say the G3? I will look into that, any others you guys? Pope, what do you pack when a DSLR is too big? Sorry for the highjack, thought it might help you out too.

[popeshawnpaul]

I honestly pack an canon elph when I'm hunting, because I'm hunting.  I do see a bunch of great photo opportunities that I miss without my dslr, but I go hardcore while hunting.  Crawling through rain forests, jumping accross creeks, climbing trees, etc.  Not sure my dslr would make it through a season with me... 

[boneaddict]

and you were harassing me for rolling down the mountain with my camera............

[searchnfor]

Has any one compared this camera to the Panasonic and Cannon mentioned here?  Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9/B (Black) Digital Camera