OT: In the market for a digital camera

[ocampg]

Anybody have any suggestions? I'm not a professional photographer or anything, but I would like the best quality image I can get. I'm looking for something in the 3.2 - 4.0 MP range, willing to spend about $350. Canons look pretty nice, its a toss up b/w the A75 or one of the more compact elphs. One thing I was wondering, is there a tradeoff in picture quality if you choose one of those more compact elphs as compared to a regular digital camera of the same specs (i.e. smaller lens on the elph takes crappier pics as compared to the A75 even if they are both 4 MP)? I'm really attracted to the small size, but I do not want to sacrifice picture quality. Also, does anybody have any experience with the panasonic Lumix cameras? Do they have a good reputation? Thanks....

[Unregistered]

Anybody have any suggestions? I'm not a professional photographer or anything, but I would like the best quality image I can get. I'm looking for something in the 3.2 - 4.0 MP range, willing to spend about $350. Canons look pretty nice, its a toss up b/w the A75 or one of the more compact elphs. One thing I was wondering, is there a tradeoff in picture quality if you choose one of those more compact elphs as compared to a regular digital camera of the same specs (i.e. smaller lens on the elph takes crappier pics as compared to the A75 even if they are both 4 MP)? I'm really attracted to the small size, but I do not want to sacrifice picture quality. Also, does anybody have any experience with the panasonic Lumix cameras? Do they have a good reputation? Thanks....

[JohnC]

i want the new canon s410. its the s400 replacement. if you check out spoofee or passwird.com theres deals on them every once in a while; so im waiting for a good one before i buy. hope someone that has the cameras will give some comments.

[warton]

Recent thread on the topic:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...digital+camera

Then, for tons more information:
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/
http://www.photosig.com

I recommend you spend at least some time hands-on with your "short list" at a local photography store (or electronic super-store etc.). I have an s400, which I like. It has limitations; low-light focus, weak flash, slow (relatively speaking). It is awesome for a carry anywhere. I also have a Canon 10D 6.3MP digital SLR. Truly amazing camera - but there is lots of good competition in digital SLRs right now, and I think the Nikon D70 is a standout. I would seriously look at that if I were in the market for a digital SLR right now. Then there's the "rash" of 8MP cameras with nice integrated wide-tele lenses (Canon Pro1, Minolta A2, Sony F828, Olympus C8080, Nikon 8700).

I don't think you're going to have a serious issue with picture quality in a smaller camera if you stick with one that's well regarded, unless you plan on doing large prints.

Regards,
Peter