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Thread ID: 89286	2008-04-26 06:52:00	New compact digital camera recommendations	Jen (38)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
662776	2008-04-27 01:15:00	We bought a Canon PowerShot A710 IS about a year ago to replace our Canon IXUS V3 (which is still being used by another family member) and are very happy with it . It's a little bit bigger than our other one but still able to be popped in my handbag or large pocket . We like the 6x zoom, 7MP resolution (can blow things up really big on the monitor then zoom in to see the fine details) and, most of all, the image stabilisation feature . I would not buy a camera without the latter now, it is fantastic . The camera takes two AA batteries and the rechargable ones we use last for ages . During the Warbirds Over Wanaka this Easter the camera was continually taking photos and videos for over five hours straight on just one set of fully recharged batteries before they ran out . Unlike a lot of cameras these days it has a viewfinder which was absolutely essential during the Warbirds event as the LCD screen was almost impossible to see in the bright light . The only negative about this camera is its slow (compared to similar cameras) recharge after taking photos with the flash . That is normally not a problem but on several occasions the flash has gone off unexpectedly whilst taking "action" pics and, due to having to wait for the recharge, the opportunity to take some good pics was lost . Unfortunately it is very hard to find information on flash recharge times for other brands and models if that feature is important to you . I didn't know about this issue prior to purchasing but I still would have bought it if I had known . This model has now been replaced by the Canon PowerShot A720 IS, which is very similar but with a couple more megapixels . Noel Leeming currently have a special bundle ( . noelleeming . co . nz/cameras/digital-cameras/canon-a720pk1-digital-camera-with-1gb-sd-card-bag-and-charger/prod45359 . html" target="_blank">www . noelleeming . co . nz) available for this model at a good price . I'll leave you to check out the reviews at Steve's Digicams and DPReview websites if you are interested . A family member recently bought a Canon PowerShot SX100 IS which has an awesome 10x zoom lens and 8MP . It, too, is a great little camera but it doesn't have a viewfinder which is a serious disadvantage in my view . As far as proprietary batteries are concerned, our IXUS V3 has one and it never lasted anywhere near as long before needing recharging as the rechargable AA batteries used with the 710 . They are also expensive and, if ours is anything to go by, do not have a very long life . I am much happier with the current AA batteries that we use . Of course, if we are caught short and are unable to recharge them there is always the option of buying a pair from a handy dairy or service station, or even pinching some from the torch or radio if we really had to .	FoxyMX (5)
662777	2008-04-27 06:49:00	Thanks guys, you have all come up with great suggestions and recommendations (and some nifty search/comparison websites!) . :) Going from your comments, I've made a list of cameras and their pros & cons: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Pros: Wide angle lens from 28mm Telephoto lens to 280mm (10x) Good quality LCD (230,000 pixels) Cons: Propriety Batteries No viewfinder Ricoh Caplio R7 Pros: Very compact/light (135g) Wide angle lens from 28mm Telephoto lens to 200mm (7 . 1x) Good quality LCD (230,000 pixels) Fast response Cons: Propriety Battery Lesser known brand (?Lens quality) No viewfinder Canon Powershot A720 IS Pros: AA batteries Viewfinder Telephoto lens to 210mm (6x) Cons: No wide angle lens (starts at 35mm) Average quality LCD (115,000 pixels) Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS Pros: Viewfinder Light weight Cons: Only 4x optical zoom No wide angle lens (starts at 35mm) Limited telephoto lens (140mm) Propriety Batteries The comments about the lack of viewfinder are interesting, because my now dead Canon Powershot A70 had one, yet I rarely recall having to use . I am drawn to cameras with AA batteries just because I've been a few times in places where I was unable to recharge both sets of rechargeable batteries and had to use alkaline AA's as a backup . I guess if the propriety batteries hold their charge well and spare ones are not too $ it would be OK . So far, I'm more inclined towards the good quality lens that have a wide angle (28mm) to decent telephoto ability . My Canon had a reasonable wide angle, yet many times I found myself trying to get further back so that my photo included everything . I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is still leading the pack so far for me purely for the lens . :D	Jen (38)
662778	2008-04-27 07:50:00	Jen, you won't realise the problem till you strike it. My sister was surrounded by fantastic scenery on a hilltop and wanting to capture pics for painting (she's an arty type) She was most upset and if I hadn't been there she would have not got any pics. It was just so bright, even under a hat brim was pretty ineffectual. The Lumix looks great and the lens would be pretty darned good but I didn't see a viewfinder. My :2cents: worth Ken	kenj (9738)
662779	2008-04-27 21:16:00	Good quality LCD (230,000 pixels)This also has a disadvantage in that all those extra pixels suck more juice out of the battery . Without a viewfinder you won't have the option to turn the LCD screen off in order to save battery power either . I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is still leading the pack so far for me purely for the lens . :DYou are never going to find a camera that fulfils all of your requirements but if that is the most important feature to you then go for that one . :)	FoxyMX (5)
662780	2008-04-27 21:23:00	Jen - I'd suggest you rethink your stance against rechargable proprietary batteries. I have a Casio Exilim camera, with a proprietary Li-Ion battery - and a large, power-sucking LCD screen (2.7"). Before I went overseas late last year, I charged the battery, but didn't bother packing the charger. I spent 2 weeks away, took 350 photos over a 2 week period, with probably an equal proportion of pictures with and without the flash. After coming back into the country, I still had about 1/3 of the charge left. Li-Ion battery technology has really come a long way. They can hold an amazing amount of power, and unless you're doing thousands of shots a day, it really isn't an issue anymore. A side-effect of the proprietary batteries is that the cameras are physically smaller, as they don't have to accomodate AA batteries, making them more compact and convenient to carry around. Just a thought..	somebody (208)
662781	2008-05-04 06:30:00	Well I'm now a proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 :wub I had a play in the shops with that camera and a couple of the others that were recommended. It was the great wide angle to zoom lens that sold me. The lack of view finder may be a problem, but to be honest, I rarely ever used a view finder on the old Canon and the TZ3 has a setting for adding more oomph (brightness) to the LCD if you are finding it difficult to view the image. It also has a setting that allows you to see what is on the LCD if you are holding the camera above your head. Thanks again everyone for your advice and input. :)	Jen (38)
662782	2008-05-04 06:49:00	Well I'm now a proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 :wub I had a play in the shops with that camera and a couple of the others that were recommended. It was the great wide angle to zoom lens that sold me. The lack of view finder may be a problem, but to be honest, I rarely ever used a view finder on the old Canon and the TZ3 has a setting for adding more oomph (brightness) to the LCD if you are finding it difficult to view the image. It also has a setting that allows you to see what is on the LCD if you are holding the camera above your head. Thanks again everyone for your advice and input. :) Thanks for the feedback Jen. A good camera and I think you will be happy with it.	Sweep (90)
662783	2008-05-04 07:45:00	Well I'm now a proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 :wub :) Leica lens :wub Misty	Misty (368)
662784	2008-05-04 09:03:00	As an aside, I purchased a Sony A100 digital SLR and I absolutely love it. Fast focus, no shutter lag, no electronic viewfinder. A pleasure to use but at a price and the size. I also have a Canon S2IS as it is smaller and easier to carry and can take videos (a bonus). :)	dolby digital (5073)
662785	2008-05-04 14:12:00	Well I'm now a proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 :wub I had a play in the shops with that camera and a couple of the others that were recommended. It was the great wide angle to zoom lens that sold me. The lack of view finder may be a problem, but to be honest, I rarely ever used a view finder on the old Canon and the TZ3 has a setting for adding more oomph (brightness) to the LCD if you are finding it difficult to view the image. It also has a setting that allows you to see what is on the LCD if you are holding the camera above your head. Thanks again everyone for your advice and input. :) I got one of these for my 21st. The holding above your head thing actually works really well.	roddy_boy (4115)
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