Digital Camera Suggestion Needed

[Nomad]

I'm looking to buy a Digital camera as I think it's time to retire my Nikon Coolpix L3 (5MP). It still produces decent quality pictures outdoors but its performance in low light conditions leaves a lot to be desired.

My main concerns are good picture quality and decent video. Zoom level is of no concern to me. I was thinking about getting a DSLR but they are a bit too big to carry and it will be difficult for my family members to use them as they seem pretty intimidating. I did take a look at Panasonic Lumix LX5 but it's also a bit too big and I don't consider it a compact. If I can't carry the camera in my pocket then it's not a compact camera in my books . I would rather get a DSLR then get those extra zoom or bulkier so-called compact cameras.

After looking at cameras like Canon IXUS 1000 HS, Sony Cybershot WX5 and Sony Cybershot HX5V, I have decided to get Canon PowerShot S95. It's a bit expensive for a compact camera but I don't think there is anything else available right now with better picture quality in similar size. I'll Insha'Allah buy it in a week or so.

Purpose of this thread is to know if my decision to get Canon S95 is correct, or is there some other camera that will better suit my needs. Kindly inform me of any other alternative that might be better in your opinion or of any other reason why I should not buy S95.

 

[ubuntu83]

When I read few of the first lines I already made my mind to suggest you S95. I say an excellent decision just go for it. I would have suggested you one of Panasonic's ZS compact zooms but the problem is that Panasonic have no official distributors here so the price is quite high and also Panasonic has no resale value here.

 

[Nomad]

^ Thanks mate . I was hoping that somebody would recommend something cheaper so I don't have to spend too much :$. But I guess I have to spend money to get good quality pictures

 

[AFQ]

How much the S95 costs?

 

[ubuntu83]

How much the S95 costs?

A bit above 30k. The bit depends on your bargaining skills.

 

[kingsface]

The DSLR might be inconvenient but they certainly produce amazing pics. My cousin bought a nikon dslr camera, don't remember the model no. but the pics were outstanding with so many editing feature right into the camera and tutorials also to get you started. The quality was like those of the life like wallpapers you see on the net.
The size and bag however is inconvenient and from a distant also makes you look like one of those cameramen in weddings, etc. lol

 

[musab]

imo
1. panasonic fz100 with macro lens (50$)
2. canon sx30is

not pocket camera but imo these are best otherwise u can get canon sd780

 

[opethian]

nomad i am impressed with the image quality functions and over all size of this camera ...
ability to shoot in raw n jpeg, ... fine tuning of Focus, Exposure, ISO, Step Zoom, or White Balance
well for functions it is 10/10 ... shophive sells it for 39k+
i hope u know canon dealers in lahore ... or call mbm guys n get the details of their dealers n get it cheaper ...
shophive is selling almost 7-10k more expensive than actual dealer rates (n provides free shipping ... lol im impressed)
but do consider u r paying 30k+ for this camera ... compactness is ur main concern so go for it .. otherwise i dnt think so carrying a light canon 1000D is that big an issue
but if compactness is ur concern ... i think it is very gud option

also do consult and make a tread on stevesdigicam ... post ur options from pakistan market and they will forsure strip every option naked and present a very candid opinion ...

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 PM ----------

also do check when u go for shopping sie comparison of these with canon s95
Canon PowerShot G11 or G10 (newer has lower mp count but few added features*
or
Nikon Coolpix S8000
they r even more expensive but ...
but among these s95 is a very gud choice for its price and its output ...
i was really impressed to see it has digic4 (same used in 550d n 500d) and it has a very gud in camera hdr HDR option
must read its review over here http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_powershot_s95_review/

 

[Nomad]

How much the S95 costs?

I called one shopkeeper on Nisbat road and he told me Rs.33,500/- for Canon S95. I'm sure I'll Insha'Allah get it for a better price once I go there personally.

The size and bag however is inconvenient and from a distant also makes you look like one of those cameramen in weddings, etc. lol

That's one of the reasons I decided to buy a compact camera instead of DSLR. I am aware of excellent quality of DSLR cameras. But I don't want any incident where anybody asks me how much I would charge them for a picture :wink2:

imo
1. panasonic fz100 with macro lens (50$)
2. canon sx30is

not pocket camera but imo these are best otherwise u can get canon sd780

Panasonic FZ100 and Canon SX30IS are superzoom cameras which I don't consider compact as I can't carry them in my pocket. Zoom is not important for me and if I decide to compromise on size then I would rather get an entry level DSLR like Canon 1000D instead of any superzoom.
And Canon SD780 can't compete with S95 in terms of image quality.

nomad i am impressed with the image quality functions and over all size of this camera ...
ability to shoot in raw n jpeg, ... fine tuning of Focus, Exposure, ISO, Step Zoom, or White Balance
well for functions it is 10/10 ... shophive sells it for 39k+
i hope u know canon dealers in lahore ... or call mbm guys n get the details of their dealers n get it cheaper ...
shophive is selling almost 7-10k more expensive than actual dealer rates (n provides free shipping ... lol im impressed)
but do consider u r paying 30k+ for this camera ... compactness is ur main concern so go for it .. otherwise i dnt think so carrying a light canon 1000D is that big an issue
but if compactness is ur concern ... i think it is very gud option

If size was'nt the issue then I would have certainly bought Canon 1000D . I do want to try DSLR but I don't think that's what I can do right now.

And I cartainly don't have any intention of getting anything from shophive :wink2:. I'll Insha'Allah visit Nisbat road myself .

also do check when u go for shopping sie comparison of these with canon s95
Canon PowerShot G11 or G10 (newer has lower mp count but few added features*
or
Nikon Coolpix S8000

G11 and G10 are a bit too big. But Nikon Coolpix S8000 looks nice . I'll read a few reviews about it to see how good its picture quality is

 

[opethian]

nahe no match for s95
s95 is a great compact cam which has slr like features also
n just compare its ISO 1600 n 3200 pics ... they r great ...
very little noise ...
digic 4 is doing its best on in cmaera processing
n i think u will not feel the need to buy a better cam for a long time with s95
haan n must read two n three reviews ... stevesdigicam users review
baki g10 n g11 r also gud options one u will see them personally u can compare them n see their sizes n weight
gud luck

 

[musab]

i also searched and found s95 as the best so surely go for is

 

[Nomad]

Today I went to Nisbat road to get Canon S95 but it was not available . According to shopkeepers it is currently short and won't be available for at least a week

 

[ubuntu83]

Today I went to Nisbat road to get Canon S95 but it was not available . According to shopkeepers it is currently short and won't be available for at least a week

Get it from Karachi through someone, Jshak maybe??

 

[Nomad]

Canon S95 is still not available . I got so desperate that I even decided to get it from Shophive but they don't have it in stock either

So which camera should I get now instead of S95? Main priority is good performance in low light conditions.

 

[Shyber]

Dude, before you do anything, check out the Kodak Z915.
Just last week a colleague bought it for 9000Rs and I was astounded by its results.

The plastic is a bit light and it's not VERY portable, but it's mind blowing.

Most important thing was that it was bloody easy to use, lightning fast and I was able to take some of my best shots ever without much tinkering around.

 

[musab]

i think u should wait for a nikon upcoming camera s9100 (release date is 17 march) price is 330$ @ amazon