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Old 11-04-2012, 08:51 PM   #1
DownhillGoat
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Default Digital Camera for Chirstmas - Help!

So long story hopefully short:

My mom wants a digital camera for Christmas. The problem is every digital camera she's had in the past she's hated. Everytime she uses it she longs for the days of her 35mm, and I get to hear about how her $20 35mm took 'better' pictures.

Now her defenition of 'better' from what I can tell means less delay between pressing the trigger and taking the picture. She basically hates the lag she's got in her camera(s).

To make things complicated she doesn't want to outlay the money for a DLSR, which, IMO, would eliminate the problem.

So, I'm on a quest to find a camera that she doesn't hate. Features, in order of her priority:

- takes 'quick' pictures (her words, not mine). I gather this is mostly lag between pressing the shutter button, letting auto-focus do its thing, and taking the photo. But apparently it's also the load time of turning the camera on.
- good picture quality
- lots of pre-set scenery settings (she wants it to have full-featured auto settings, but doesn't want to get into custom settings)
- decent optical zoom

By the sounds of it, I think she would prefer a compact point-and-shoot, rather than the semi-compact (IE Canon SX40 HS, Nikon L310). However, if she can get a 'faster' camera out of the semi-compact she'd probably be swayed.

I know this probably sounds rediculous, but help is much appreciated before I pull the rest of my hair out.

Right now I'm kind of looking at the Canon ELPH 520, or ths SX40 HS (simply because I'm more familiar with the Canons, and can help her out with it a little easier than I could a Nikon or Sony), however I've got no brand loyalty in this quest.

TIA

Last edited by DownhillGoat; 11-05-2012 at 02:48 AM.
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Old 11-04-2012, 10:57 PM   #2
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Teach her to hold the button halfway down for 1 second then press the button to take the picture. Teach her this on any camera you get her. It made a big difference for my parents and they take much better pictures because of it.
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Old 11-04-2012, 10:58 PM   #3
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Teach her to hold the button halfway down for 1 second then press the button to take the picture.
Believe me. I've tried. It's "unacceptable and if I pay good money I shouldn't have to do that".
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Old 11-04-2012, 11:02 PM   #4
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Believe me. I've tried. It's "unacceptable and if I pay good money I shouldn't have to do that".
lol - then she will never be satisfied. All digital cameras need that "moment" to test the lighting, and distance when on an auto setting. Remind her that the wait means she never has to buy different speed film. If she is still difficult then tell her your getting a new mother. That always works.
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Old 11-04-2012, 11:04 PM   #5
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lol - then she will never be satisfied.
Hahaha, unfortunately that's kind of what I figured. I've suggested this to her, and she doesn't seem to believe me.
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Old 11-05-2012, 01:48 AM   #6
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Sounds like what you need is a fixed-focus camera. Get her a 10 year-old cellphone.

Edit: maybe a Lytro?

Last edited by SebC; 11-05-2012 at 01:53 AM.
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Old 11-05-2012, 02:41 AM   #7
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Edit: maybe a Lytro?
That actually may not be a bad idea. Not available in Canada yet though. I'm wondering what the import software is like as it looks like it's fixed memory. And if she'd be able to work with it...

- - - edit - - -
Just watched some reviews, looks like resolution is a bit disappointing.

Last edited by DownhillGoat; 11-05-2012 at 02:47 AM.
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Old 11-05-2012, 03:25 AM   #8
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Any thoughts on the Nikon1 J1?
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Old 11-05-2012, 08:03 AM   #9
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Oh by the way fixed-focus and optical zoom don't work together. It's one or the other... but fixed focus is garbage anyways.

Most digital point-and-shoots can actually give you a pretty quick response if you set them to continuous autofocus and enable unfocussed shooting. (The second option will likely result in out-of-focus shots though if the operator doesn't know what she's doing, and the first option cuts down on battery life.) Reponse time is one of the things manufacturers have focussed on recently, so your Mom's opinions may be tainted by old technology.
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Old 11-05-2012, 08:19 AM   #10
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I've had a Panasonic Lumix for about 6 years now and have had no complaints. It still takes great pictures despite being banged around a lot and dragged across the continent. It has also spent a significant amount of time in my tackle box, so I will vouch for their durability.

As far as affordable, good quality cameras go this is the best I have seen:

https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovi...till/index.asp
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Old 11-05-2012, 09:02 AM   #11
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I'd get a really nice pair of slippers.

I don't see how you avoid this issue without getting a dslr. The focus thing is kind of a standard thing across digital cameras. My dad was a big film shooter back in the day. Despite the speed of the shot being more or less the same (on automatic), he just preferred the satisfying click of a dslr.

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Old 11-05-2012, 09:20 AM   #12
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I have always gotten a Sony Camera for point and shoot, the most recent one i bought DSC-WX50

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/sto...16931#features
Tons of feautures could also record videos in HD
things i like about it:
- Panoramic Sweep
- if you have a shakey hand it wont be blurry
- small/light weight
- Lots of different scenery/settings to choose from

one of my favourite setting is this shot
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Old 11-06-2012, 07:02 PM   #13
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I would try to get her one with an old fashioned view finder if I were you, if you are used to a viewfinder the led screen will piss you off in any kind of sunlight
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Old 11-06-2012, 07:17 PM   #14
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Fuji X10
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Old 11-06-2012, 07:24 PM   #15
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Fuji X10
This or the Sony RX100.
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Old 11-07-2012, 06:43 AM   #16
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It is not the camera, it is the photographer.....
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Old 11-07-2012, 07:49 AM   #17
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Sony NEX-6
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Old 11-08-2012, 08:36 PM   #18
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I've enjoyed the Nikon1 that we got... might be worth taking a look at although it is up there in price for what you actually get.
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