Camera help

[kingnat]

So my wife is unable to locate our camera. It's not a big deal cuz it was kinda old and sketchy at this point anyway.

- I'd like a very portable, decent quality digital.
- I don't need poster-size pics, so 12 MP and such isn't necessary... anything more than 5 MP i would think would be acceptable.
- I'd like it to be able to take passable video clips. (probably became my favorite thing on our last camera after awhile...) just for clips of the kids and what not.
- Large viewing screen is boc but prolly not totally necessary
- Good battery life would be big plus, but whatever...

Thanks for the help ftr

note: i did do a commune search.. and everything was >1 yr old and Moore's law, etc.[/list]

[Jack Sawyer]

check out this review, in which the compare various cams at various pricepoints and featuresets

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408budgetgroup/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/


This is assuming you don't want a DSLR. If you wanted a DSLR, anything Canon is good, from the affordable Digital Rebel (newest version) all the way to the EOS 5D mk2. If you have a lot of money (Guy Laliberte, Steve Ballmer, Steve Jobs or Bill Gates kind of money) get a Hasselblad H3D-39II

[CoccoBill]

For ultracompacts I like the Panasonics. Had 3 different Lumix ones, currently the FX500. Very decent quality for it's size/price and nice features (pretty wide at 25mm, 720p video etc).

And Jack I'll duel your Canons any day with my D90.

[Smacktard]

The most important feature of a camera is the ability to capture video of a backyard footrace.

[animal_chin]

The most important feature of a camera is the ability to capture video of a backyard footrace.

I'm guessing this is some inside joke between you and nat. You two and your roommate love.

[swiggidy]

videos of your wife. You can't fool us.

Sony, & Canon both make good compacts with big screens too.

I use cnet for reviews on electronics.

[kingnat]

For ultracompacts I like the Panasonics. Had 3 different Lumix ones, currently the FX500. Very decent quality for it's size/price and nice features (pretty wide at 25mm, 720p video etc).

And Jack I'll duel your Canons any day with my D90.

Looks like everything I would want.. but lots of reviews say it does poorly in low light... Any thoughts? The 720p vid sounds sick. Does that eat of shitload of disk space per sec? Are there easy ways to convert that video file for backup storage and such?

[JinxT4]

So fatb finally coerced you into getting those wife pics. Gj fatb imo.

[mcatdog]

make sure it's not an expensive one because your wife is probably going to lose it again

[Warpe]

make sure it's splooge proof

[kingnat]

So I bought a Sony Cyber-shot... we basically needed one for a B-day party today... and Best Buy's selection didn't have all the choices. I have the buyer's remorse a bit... because I think I missed out on a few features.. but i'm camera stupid so It probably doesn't matter.

I was hoping to get something with a nice landscape shot, and I don't think I have that... ... oh well, it's due to be lost in a month or two. Thanks for all the help gang!

[swiggidy]

3 years ago I would have either bought that or the cannon-elph. So you can't have gone too far wrong.