Best Compact Digital Camera

VMan · Oct 3, 2009

Looking for a small, pocket-sized camera to bring on a trip in two weeks.

It won't be used often, so around $300 or less.

So far it looks like the two best choices are the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 and the Canon PowerShot SD970 IS.

Anything else I should be looking at? The Sony is about $100 less, but supposedly the image quality and LCD display are better on the Canon.

Xericx · Oct 3, 2009

I love my Canon SD780is. Its an ultracompact but never been disattisfied with Canon Digicams...can't say the same with Sony.

VMan · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by Xericx

I love my Canon SD780is. Its an ultracompact but never been disattisfied with Canon Digicams...can't say the same with Sony.

Looks tiny, and the price is right - how is the video mode and overall picture quality?

Master-Classter · Oct 3, 2009

I did a fair amount of research on this... Basically, I think the best compact P&S's are the Canon's. Great lenses, excellent built in software menus, etc. Basically, these guys have improved over a long history, they've got it down pat. I have an 800 series (850is?), but just bought a 790is for my mother, overall the 700,800,900 and 1000 series are all good. Sony's are flash and expensive, and from what I hear they're not really great. also very expensive to replace/fix. stick with canon, they're a camera company...

Xericx · Oct 3, 2009

Originally Posted by VMan

Looks tiny, and the price is right - how is the video mode and overall picture quality?

Picture quality is nice...video is HD but not as good as a flip Mino.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekFgm...eature=related

I love the form factor and size. you have to buy a fast SD card though for video..just look it up...SDHC or somethign.

whymakemedothis · Oct 3, 2009

easy to use, good all-around: canon elph
i prefer panasonic lumix (fx37)... nicer design, material, build, wide angle lens (25mm equivalent),
and 720p video

cant go wrong with either

ill pass on anything sony-branded, thnx

Bring The Noise · Oct 4, 2009

if you can stretch your budget a little tiny bit, the ricoh cx1 and the fujifilm f200exr are perfect

DNW · Oct 4, 2009

I'd recommend a Panasonic Lumix or a Canon. Ixnay on the Sony, they're usually not good p&s cameras.

bob99 · Oct 4, 2009

Ken Rockwell has a great camera review site, he's got some recommended compact cameras as well as bigger ones here : http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Bob

tailorrmade · Oct 5, 2009

Originally Posted by bob99

Ken Rockwell has a great camera review site, he's got some recommended compact cameras as well as bigger ones here : http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Bob

Some say Rockwell is biased, however, I LOVE Canon elph digicams. I have tried almost every other brand out there and Canon beats them all, hands down.

VMan · Oct 5, 2009

Was able to pick up a Canon SD780is new-in-box for under $200 shipped.

nate10184 · Oct 5, 2009

Just got my GF the DSC-W220. From everything I could tell there was very little difference between it and the 290. At $150 it seemed like a great deal. Will get a chance to test it out this afternoon.

rnoldh · Oct 5, 2009

Admittedly Sony is not really a camera company. And their memory cards are a pain and higher than all others, particularly SD.

But they are not crap. I have a DSC-T500 which you can now get for $219.88 at J & R.

It's a 10 megapixel and features 5x Optical Zoom / 3.5" Touchscreen / Smile Shutter / Face Detection / SteadyShotÂ

Double Anti-blur / PictBridge / HD video recording / Stereo mic.

If you like a touch screen, it's really not bad.

feynmix · May 11, 2010

Bump. Looking for something similar to give to a teenager as a gift. Price <= $200. Any recs? Been out of the P&S scene for awhile...

gumercindo · May 11, 2010

Panny Lumix series is EXCELLENT bang for the buck.

Best Compact Digital Camera

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