Help Me Pick a Compact Camera

[Kipper is King]

As some of you know, I'm headed to the Olympics this summer! I want a great compact camera that can fit in my pocket, but still take great shots!

I've been using Canon compact cameras for years, so I have been looking at the SX260.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 also intrigues me.

Both these cameras have a nice optical zoom, important to me if I am way up in the stands. I wonder how useful GPS geotagging is, and how much that drains battery life.

Have any opinions on these cameras? Any other options? If I could save a few bucks picking something else, that would be nice. Let's hear it, CP shutterbugs! I have only a vague idea of the specs I should be looking for when choosing a camera.

[flamesfan6]

Not answering the question, but instead have the same question, so i'll also throw in a camera I was looking at as another comparison.

I've looked a couple days ago for the same thing, but nothing serious and saw a few places talk about the Sony DSCHX9V

[freedogger]

Consider iPhone 4s.

[To Be Quite Honest]

[DownhillGoat]

That Canon you're looking at looks pretty decent. I've been using the S90 for two years and am extremely happy with it. I was going to suggest the S100 but that may not have the zoom range you're interested in.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by freedogger

Consider iPhone 4s.

Is that a serious suggestion? If so....wow

Go drink your kool-aid

[SebC]

dpreview.com did a group test that includes the 2011 versions (might be slight lower in the model line as well?) of all three cameras you people are looking at and some other comparables.

Spoiler: Canon and Nikon won.

Be aware that they said the Canon autofocus is slow - if you're buying for the Olympics, you might want to weight that higher than they did. Another disclaimer: while camera models generally improve over time, sometimes designers make bad trade-offs in "upgrades" or one model improves enough to surpass another, so consider that as well.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

Is that a serious suggestion? If so....wow

Go drink your kool-aid

He is not that out to lunch as you make him out to be. The best camera is the one you have with you. The iPhone 4s actually takes pictures that are competitive to a good digital point and shoot. http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides/...many-yes.ars/4

The convenience of being able to take good (not excellent) pictures and video, and uploading them in minutes to a social site outweigh the advantages of carrying a second device. Zoom is really the only thing I miss.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

The iPhone 4s actually takes pictures that are competitive to a good digital point and shoot.

Unless you want proper zoom, image stabilization, the ability to control exposure, etc.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Unless you want proper zoom, image stabilization, the ability to control exposure, etc.

Agreed, but then I also question how many people know how to properly use those functions in the first place. But if you do and make adjustments to exposure, aperture etc. before taking pictures then the 4S is no good. I would venture for at least 50% of the picture taking population the 4S is good enough, and I am being generous here.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Agreed, but then I also question how many people know how to properly use those functions in the first place. But if you do and make adjustments to exposure, aperture etc. before taking pictures then the 4S is no good. I would venture for at least 50% of the picture taking population the 4S is good enough, and I am being generous here.

Both these cameras have a nice optical zoom, important to me if I am way up in the stands.

Based on this alone, the 4S is not a contender.

[Northendzone]

don't forget to purchase a large high speed memory card

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Based on this alone, the 4S is not a contender.

Yes I agree, missed that, sorry to derail the tread, continue on...

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

don't forget to purchase a large high speed memory card

And don't cheap out on that either. Buy a decent name brand. I bought some Duracell cards on boxing day for $5 each only to find out they didn't work, after I got to my destination.

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Based on this alone, the 4S is not a contender.

Problem solved!



I kid, I kid. I'd take the little bit of extra bulk in my pockets to get a better quality photo, but to each his own.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by freedogger

Consider iPhone 4s.

And take your pictures with Instagram to let all your friends know how cool and interesting you are.