FWIW - Amazon just listed the Canon A590IS for $116* w/free shipping.
Helluva buy - I'm ordering one... and yes, it uses AA batts and has a
viewfinder.
Rick
*Probably because the new A (?) 1000 is out w/10 megapixels - but I think
it's auto-only.
On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM, Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Mike Bloor wrote:
> > Does anyone have recommendations for a compact digital "point and shoot"
> ?
> >
> > I am trying to replace my wife's Canon Powershot. What she would like is
> -
> >
> > - A smaller, lighter camera.
> >
>
> You've left out crucial information. What camera has she been using?
> Smaller and lighter is relative to that.
>
> > - Preferably one that runs on AA batteries or similar.
>
> That goes against small and light, you know. Both the energy and the
> form factor mean that custom LiIon batteries make smaller and lighter
> cameras, all other things being equal.
>
> > If it has a custom, rechargeable battery, we would have to be able to buy
> a spare.
> >
>
> That's generally pretty easy, if not always cheap.
>
> > - One without appreciable shutter lag. This is the main fault of her
> current camera.
> >
>
> Again, what current camera? Shutter lag has been getting better over
> time, so age/model tells one something about what she's complaining about.
>
> As Andrew pointed out, most of the shutter lag in recent cameras is AF.
> My first digicam was a Powershot S110. It has lots of shutter lag, but
> most is in the AF. Put fixed focus, infinity mode, and the shutter is
> very responsive. Half push the shutter to lock focus, and the final shot
> has little apparent shutter lag.
>
> > - A zoom lens going to the equivalent of 28mm (on 35mm film) at the wide
> end.
> > - A decent viewfinder - or do these cameras not have viewfinders anymore
> and just rely on the screen on the back.
> >
>
> Cameras with viewfinders are still available. Cameras of this sort with
> DECENT viewfinders don't exist as far as I know. They all seem to be
> tiny tunnels that cover only a modest part of the actual frame that will
> be captured. Fortunately, my A540 IS twist and tilt screen means I can
> move it out of glare, so I don't have to use the optical viewfinder.
>
> > - Video recording with sound - or do they all have this.
> >
>
> All will have some sort of that. Mostly, it isn't impressive, with
> limited controls and often without the ability to use zoom while
> filming. Still, it's video, not still and of use on occasion.
>
> > - Some manual control. The Powershot is quite good for this.
> >
>
> This really limits the options, which may be good for your sanity. ;-)
>
> > Any suggestions would be gratefully received,
> >
>
> It's becoming clear that the G10 is the class of the digicam group for
> IQ, features and build quality, but it violates your small/light and
> battery criteria. The Powershot SD990 IS appears to use the same sensor
> system as the G10, but with a different, longer lens and without many of
> its other features, including RAW and hot shoe. It's odd in that it
> offers only complete auto or complete manual control, no aperture or
> shutter preferred modes. In its favor are size, weight and cost. Steve's
> Digicams review says "Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the
> shutter button and capturing an image, was almost instantaneous (less
> than 1/10 of a second) when pre-focused, and only 2/10 of a second
> including autofocus."
> <http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_sd990.html>
>
> Here are several cameras that I believe will perform above average in
> IQ, focus, quickness, overall usability. None entirely meet your
> criteria, but the comparison table should give you a better idea of
> what's out there. The SD990 column indicates no manual focus, but that's
> incorrect, it does have manual focus with magnified LCD image for
> accuracy. So it does have complete manual control over focus, exposure
> and WB.
>
> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_g10%2Ccanon_sd880is%2Ccanon_sd890is%2Ccanon_sd990is%2Cpanasonic_dmclx3%2Cpanasonic_dmctz5%2Csony_dscw170%2Csony_dscw300&show=all
>
> If AA batteries become the big issue, look at the Powershot A series and
> find the best match to your other feature needs.
>
> Me? I'm in love with twist and tilt. Unless Canon comes out with an A650
> successor with G10 sensor system and twist and tilt screen, I'm going to
> be looking for a good deal on a used or refurb backup A650.
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