General

[Deus Machina]

Tax return, time to upgrade from my cheap crap!

I'm used to a 4MP Nikon Coolpix which works surprisingly well, but is first-gen tech. It's huge for what it is and it takes a picture, then shuts the screen off for 30 seconds while it saves. It's also my mom's, not mine.

My personal one is a '7MP' Vivitar that I bought for eBay photos and it can't even do that right. It does take some really nice photos... they're just not the ones I want it to take. For example, the test picture that makes my ceiling fan appear to be made of glass.

No with school and friends and outings, I need something I can tuck into a pocket. Otherwise I'd man up and get a DSLR or Rebel or whatever. But I can't find honest reviews that break things down how I need them to be.

I need video. It doesn't need to be 1080, but it needs to be decent. Maybe 720 or so.

It needs zoom--Around wildlife and at the 'sports' (electric car racing), the shot is rarely up close. I'd rather have a camera with 10x zoom and 480 video than 1080 video and a 4x zoom.

At least 8MP. I'm not taking close-ups from the next county, but it needs to be decent. Heck, with today's technology, nothing appealing in my checking lately has been under 14, with the odd one at 12 with absurd numbers of features.

It needs to actually take action shots. The Sony Cybershot was the only thing I saw at Wal-Mart that didn't blur out Grandma Oldstein walking past, but the zoom was pitiful. Heck, a few of those cameras' 'anti blur' features didn't work with the camera sitting on the counter.

And the kicker, unfortunately: it needs to be under $150 or so. It will spend its life in pockets, glove compartments, and the garage; I care for things, but I can't be heartbroken when a teammate sits on it or it gets oil sprayed through the cracks. I could stretch this up to $175 or thereabout if it's awesome.

Sorry to make another thread like this, but I'm just utterly stumped. Even the review places can't keep the prices up to date, and the guys that say "the images are sharper than reality!" never throw in "unless you haven't glued it to a rock".

[gremlin75]

Take a look at the Lumix cameras from panasonic such as the DMC-FH25 or, if you don't mind spending the extra money, the DMC-ZS8S. Both should meet all of your listed needs. If you dont mind spending even more to get a bunch more in a P&S then check out the DMC-ZS10

I personally own an older Lumix (DMC-ZS1. The older, little brother, to the DMC-ZS10) as my point and shoot for times I don't want to trash my DSLR (like kayaking) but still want a camera with me in case something interesting comes along. It has performed flawlessly for me.

There are plenty of other P&S cameras out there from a tone of different manufactures but I really like the Lumix when it comes to P&S. When in doubt go to B&H's site, put in the filters then you want and see what offerings are out there

[CJOttawa]

"Price, quality, time - pick TWO."

You can't have it all.

You can buy used and save money, getting a quality camera. (the time factor: it'll be a camera that's several years old)

When you ask for video in a still camera, you make compromises on still image quality. Demanding same from a $150 camera means you are getting the worst of both worlds.

You don't need more than 6MP. A well designed camera with 6MP sensor will take far better photos than a poorly designed, cheap camera with a 12MP sensor.

In all seriousness, I would suggest ditching the video requirement and spend the $150 on a good, used, 6MP camera.

If you can stretch your budget and live with a fixed focal length lens, a used DSLR with a 50mm f/1.8 is going to take FAR better pictures, even at night or in dark indoor venues than any point and shoot you're looking at.

[worrptangl]

What CJ said! ^^^

[Greenmtnphantom]

Originally Posted by Deus Machina

I need something I can tuck into a pocket. Otherwise I'd man up and get a DSLR or Rebel or whatever.

Originally Posted by CJOttawa

If you can stretch your budget and live with a fixed focal length lens, a used DSLR with a 50mm f/1.8 is going to take FAR better pictures, even at night or in dark indoor venues than any point and shoot you're looking at.

Originally Posted by worrptangl

What CJ said! ^^^

Can anyone suggest a DSLR that fits his requirement that I quoted?

[ScrapIron]

Originally Posted by Greenmtnphantom

Can anyone suggest a DSLR that fits his requirement that I quoted?

hmmm, probably not in his price range without dropping video capability

[Greenmtnphantom]

Originally Posted by ScrapIron

hmmm, probably not in his price range without dropping video capability

But they exist....?

(Not being a smart *** not fitting in a pocket is one of the things I don't like about the cameras I've been looking at)

[Clearush]

Bump up to $200 and get this camera -

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full HD Video and Ultra Wide Angle Lens (Silver): Camera & Photo

The 2.0 apeture sells the camera.

[ScrapIron]

there are some pretty tiny olympus DSLRs out there, as far as the "tuck in a pocket" part goes, coat/jacket pocket = yes (with a smaller lens), breast pocket = nope.

either way tucking a DSLR into any pocket is going to risk mucking it up.

[noclue119]

I have a Casio High Speed EXILIM EX-ZR100. I picked it up for $200 almost a year ago. It is the only camera in its price range with HDR and high speed shutter. It will take 40fps max burst speed. HDR is really nice for back lit stuff. But, you have to make sure the things in the picture are not moving fast. Also a 12.5x optical zoom comes in handy. Finally, the battery life on this thing is crazy. My wife has pretty much stopped using all her more expensive Sony Point and Shoot.

1 down down of this camera is that its UI sucks. You need to read the manual to understand how to use it.

Here is a video of it. Select 1080p if you wish


Here is a sample of HDR. *edit* normally the church would be dark and very hard to make out the details