Which camera as a smaller spare?

[Bayla]

I'm travelling to South Africa in a month. We have been advised not to carry an expensive camera around with us and anyway are restricted on an internal flight to 20kg check in baggage and 5 kg hand luggage so I'm not sure that lugging my Canon dSLR plus a battery of lenses is ideal anyway.

So my question is which smaller P & S style camera would you recommend? I don't really like small ones, I like the feel of something chunkier in my hands. Also one thing I hate is trying to take pictures using the LCD screen especially when it's sunny, I must have a viewfinder that I can put up to my eye!

Any suggestions?

Bayla

[kevq]

Bayla,
Take a look at the Canon Powershoot A570IS.
I bought it as a backup point and shoot and am very pleased with it It has a view finder, it's small but feels chunky.
Well worth a look,
Kev.

here is a link to a review -

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/06/13/Canon-PowerShot-A570-IS/p1

[elwoodsusanm]

I have a Canon Ixus. Had it for the last 3 years and had some fantastic shots with it! Small but weighty and fits nicely in the pocket. It has even been to the bottom of the swimming pool and back and still works:D

[lowbone]

If you want very good quality I would recommend the Canon G10 or the G9 if you can still find one. I think this is about as good as you can get in a compact camera

[Sepiana]

Bayla,

Last December I got a Canon A720IS as a back up. As I'm no expert, I did a lot of research and reading beforehand. The reviews were very favorable. I like it a lot. It has a viewfinder as well. I found a review for it in the same website (http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/11/20/Canon-PowerShot-A720-IS/p1) mentioned by Kev.

To be able to view the images in the LCD, when shooting outdoors, I bought this gadget (http://www.delkin.com/shop/home.php?cat=55), recommended by Charles (Inspeqtor). It works wonders.

You may also want to check this thread (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41151).

Hope this was of some help.

EDIT: Check out Charles' post. He was even kind enough to attach photos of the shade.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I had been wondering if you got one of the LCD pop-up shades. I am glad to hear you are happy with it :)

[Sepiana]

Sepiana,

I had been wondering if you got one of the LCD pop-up shades. I am glad to hear you are happy with it :)

Charles,

I do apologize for my bad manners. I should have said something. Yes, I got it and love it. I can see! I owe you one.

I didn't even have to order it from Delkin. A Walmart Supercenter nearby carries it. It seems a hot item -- they had only a few left.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!:)

[Inspeqtor]

Charles,

I do apologize for my bad manners. I should have said something. Yes, I got it and love it. I can see! I owe you one.

I didn't even have to order it from Delkin. A Walmart Supercenter nearby carries it. It seems a hot item -- they had only a few left.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!:)

You are most welcome :D

[Derry]

Bayla,, I use as Nikon P5000 for my bird digiscoping photography,, is light and offers very good quality,, this camera has been replaced by the P5100 and now the P6000,, if you can find a 5000 or 5100 at a reduced cost it would certainly be a good purchase and provide high quality photos,, is 10 MP, has a view finder (if needed) and the rear screen is very bright offering super resolution to pixel peep,, is also small enough to place into the pocket so it is out of harms way,,

certainly one to consider,,

Derry

[Chuck S.]

Two recommendations if you want to go to the high end of point-and-shoot ($450-500 US):


Canon G10 or G9: I have the G9 and love it. (same recommendation as lowbone)
Panasonic DMC-LX3: good for scenery with its 24 mm equivalent wide angle. Not as good as others for its telephoto end (only 60 mm)
On the other hand, some of the other cameras cited (like the Canon A series) may take AA batteries instead of proprietary; that could be an advantage if you're in a place where you run out of power and need a readily available replacement.

Enjoy your trip!

[Bayla]

Thanks for all the input. Unfortunately I can't really afford to splash out on something like the Canon G9...I'm really looking for something with a maximum price tag of £150.

Anyone know anything about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8? This weeks Which report (the UK's consumer report magazine) has a report on over 230 digital cameras and this one figured quite high (at #8) on their Best Buys list.

I'm off to try out a few before I make my decision....

One question - am I better off with an optical viewfinder or an electronic viewfinder?

Bayla

[TonyW]

I did recommend that one (or very similar) to some friends who wanted a compact super zoom and they have been very pleased with it. And the electronic viewfinders have improved a lot and on a compact I prefer them to opticals because what you see is what you get!

Tony

[Bayla]

I'm feeling frustrated...all the cameras that I've seen online and like don't seem to be available in the shops!! But I'm loathe to purchase online without having had a chance to hold and try out the camera first!

Anyone got anything to say about the Fujifilm Finepix series....eg S8000fd, S5700 or S5800?

With regard to the Canon Powershot A720 which Sepiana mentioned, the Which report was positive but had this to say about the viewfinder...The viewfinder’s quality and accuracy, however, were found to be quite poor which puts me off as the viewfinder is one of the important features for me!

Bayla

[TonyW]

That is frustrating when you can't find one to hold - I guess that says something about their popularity. There are a few of this Fuji cameras at our camera club and people seem to like them and the pictures they take turn out well but the Panasonic and Olympus SP-570UZ seemed to get better reviews - but looks like the Olympus is hard to find too.

Tony

[Bayla]

Well, I took a few cameras for a test drive yesterday, and despite saying I wasn't going to spend more than £150, I will admit that I fell in love with the Canon Powershot G9. It felt really solid, but not too big, and I loved the big screen and found the viewfinder perfect as well. Just got to get used to not putting my hand around the nonexistent lens to focus....:D

I found the Panasonic just too chunky, not much different to an SLR sizewise. I didn't buy it then and there, had to OK it with he who earns the money first (;)) but should be getting it sometime over the weekend....drool, drool.

My Canon 300D is currently being looked at. Some of you may remember THIS THREAD (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37086) from 6 months ago....well the problems I had haven't been resolved and as I'm currently without any camera so I can't wait to get hold of the G9.

Thank you everyone for your input.:)

Bayla

[Chuck S.]

Bayla, you should be able to get a bit of a discount on the G9, as the G10 is in the shops now. Hope it works out well for you - I've certainly enjoyed mine!