Digital Camera Question

[Jason Christenson]

For all of those digital photographers out there...I'm looking for the best possible pocket sized camera...any suggestions?

Thanks.
Jason

[Glenn Clabo]

Very loaded question...after all it's just a tool....and everyone has an opinion about waht tool is best, eh?

I'm a DSLR Canon guy...but my wife has this one in her purse all the time. Excellant pics...and tough as nails.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd850is/

[Jason Christenson]

Tough is good.

[Lee Schierer]

I have a Canon A520 (4 Mp) that has served me well. It fits nicely in a pocket, has oodles of features or it can be a point and shoot. Its now an older model but a good camera.

Two hints on any camera you buy.

Get one that can use AA batteries as you never know when you will have them die on you. You can get new ones at almost any place in town. Rechargeable ones are great. Dedicated camera batteries tend to go the way of the dinosaur once that camera falls out of production and can only be purchased at deicated camera counters.

Even though the camera accepts large memory cards, think small as cards can and do die and you don't want to lose all the photos from your vacation, the wedding and your birthday all at the same time....

[Anthony Scira]

I am a DLSR newbie and I had the chance to see the G9 in action and it is QUITE a camera. Its on the pricier side but i think its well worth it.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=15669

[Jim Becker]

No such thing as "best". The review site link that Glenn provided is a good idea. Being a Nikon guy, that's what I use for both my DSLR and my "pocket portable". (S51) The S51 isn't perfect...like many of it's ilk, it has that annoying delay between when you press the button and the picture actually is registered, but the photo (and video) quality is wonderful.

[John Keeton]

I am a Fuji guy for "point and shoot" cameras. Fast shutter release, compact, reasonably priced, and very good quality.

[Clifford Mescher]

I bought the Cannon Power Shot SD 870 IS recently and I am very impressed. Clifford

[Daniel Rabinovitz]

The word is "small" "compact" "shirt pocket"
The camera is a Canon Power Shot SD1100

[David DeCristoforo]

Nikon Coolpix P5100. 12 MP!!!! Small. Rechargeable batteries. Easy to use. Amazing little camera. I got one for my mechanically challenged wife and she finds it very easy to use. And her pics look as good as the pics I get out of my much more expensive D80.

[Roger Savatteri]

I have the Canon G-9, so I would second Anthony's suggestion. I actually use it as a main camera, but a couple of professional photographers I know use it as their back up "pocket" camera. It is one of the few pocket cameras that shoot in RAW mode as well, it also has a very good macro setting as well as a sequential shot setting. Keep in mind though it takes a sizable learning curve to really get into the capabilities of it. If you want to see samples of recent photos with the G-9 you could look up the photos in my review of the "Jointmaker Pro" on Bridge City Tools website. (scroll down John's blog until you get to the July 9th entry and follow the links) The photos on my own website were not done with this camera but I'm in the process of upgrading the photos with the G-9.

all the best, Roger

[julie Graf]

i have always liked the sony compact digital camera's. i also had an olympus, and did not really like that one as much.

[Randy Cohen]

i think any name brand point and shoot will do....pay more attention to what size you want and price.

[Jason Christenson]

At this point I am definitely leaning towards the G9, of course I'm spending somebody elses money here so I'll have to get approval. :D

Jason

[Eric Larsen]

Resolution is certainly important. But a million pixels give or take isn't going to make a really big difference, unless you're enlarging to poster size.

Get the camera with the best lens you can. If I were buying a pocket digital, I'd get this one. Best lens money can buy, and full manual for when a computer simply cannot get the job done:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06091408leicadlux3.asp

[Jason Christenson]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06091408leicadlux3.asp

That does look nice but I doubt I can get approval for a $1300 pocket camera! :eek:

Jason

[Russ Filtz]

I second the Canon SD lineup. I just got the SD790 IS (Digital Elph) w/ 3" LCD screen, 10MP, for well under $300.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120269

[Chuck Stewart]

The Canon G9 certainly is not a small compact camera. I have an older G3 and though it's a good camera I sure can't fit it in my pocket. Olympus has the Stylus 1020 though a bit pricey has a 7x optical zoom. Compared to my G3 that has only 3x optical zoom this is amazing for such a small camera. A few of the newer Panasonic compacts have 10x and 12x optical zooms. So when looking at point and shoot cameras pay no attention to digital zoom. If your extended past your optical in to digital your getting nothing but blurry photos.And don't worry about such high resolutions such as 10 to 12MP (though that's getting to be the norm). You can still print a very good 8x10 photo with a 5MP camera and I bet you'll never see the difference unless your toting around an SLR like the Pros. And I disagree about the AA batteries being the way to go. Yes you can buy two sets of rechargables or you can have just two lithium ion batteries which in my experience last longer and give you more shots. My G3 I never have to take the battery out to recharge, just plug the AC cord into it. But then my Canon Rebel I have to pull the battery and insert into wall charger...go figure...so if you find one that you don't have to pull the battery your a step ahead

[Jason Christenson]

Well, I got shot down on the G9, although by the time I got around to asking we were actually talking about the G10, and I just ordered the Canon PowerShot SD790IS (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD790IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0011ZK6OS/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3).

Any thoughts?

Jason

[Glenn Clabo]

What a dum.... Kidding;)...you'll love it.
(Canon guy)