Subcompact cameras, anyone?

[rolanni]

I've gotten a bug in my ear about getting a new camera. Mind you, I have a perfectly good (as soon I replace the duct tape holding the battery compartment shut, again) Minolta Dimage Z1, which takes a pretty good picture, though I could wish for image stabilization. Also, as it has been my goal over the years to lighten my load when I travel, I have deemed it "too big" to lug with me to, oh, WorldCon, and left it home, only to regret later that I had no pictures from the event.

This all being true, I've been looking at acquiring a subcompact camera; something I can slip into my pocket and take with. I'm not by any means a professional photographer, though I do have some proficiency, due to having had to be reporter-AND-photographer back when I was roving freelancer.

So! Bearing in mind that I cannot actually afford a new camera, but that Inquiring Minds always Want To Know, what are your recommendations?

Comments

Lot's of camera experience (digital and not)

[elgordo303.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the late post ... I just got back from Mexico ... hopefully you are still looking ...

I have a Minolta Dimage Z1 myself that I use when traveling and a compact "pocket" camera for more casual outings
(for more serious photography I still use 35mm film - I know I'm a dinosaur; I am thinking about getting a DSLR soon tho)

The point here is that I'm familiar with what you are used to and while most of the rcommendations here aren't too far off the mark I think i can offer some additional thoughts on a pocket camera ... I just gave away a Samsung S630 (6mp) because I was consistently unhappy with the inferior shots it produced compared to the Z1 (3.2mp) so don't let anyone tell you that resolution is king...
Ultra high resolution (>6mp) is only really important if you are going to print your shots larger than 8x10 ...

The critical thing is lens size ... the more light you get into the camera the better the image will be.
What you really want is the pocket camera with the biggest lens and highest optical zoom that you can find.
This will provide the best pictures with the most versatility ... and get one that uses standard baterries AA/AAA.
This way you can always get fresh batteries when you need them ...

I've been looking at the GE A950 to replace the S630... Tiger direct is selling it for about 70$
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4595241&Sku=G48-1100

hope that helps :)

Re: Lot's of camera experience (digital and not)

[elgordo303.livejournal.com]

this one is pricier but it's an OLympus ... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4425280&Sku=O83-1240

Re: Lot's of camera experience (digital and not)

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

hope that helps :)

Helps a lot, thanks! And, yeah, I'm still looking. My goal is to have something in hand before we leave to do the Guest of Honor gig in Orlando, in May.

I'd looked at the Olympus Stylus, independently; nice camera, but -- yike$!

Re: Lot's of camera experience (digital and not)

[elgordo303.livejournal.com]

I just pulled the trigger on the A950 ... should have it shortly after X-mas ... I'll let you know what i think of it ...