I need digi cam advice!
- Thread starter whiteyfunn
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As singingchicken pointed out, it's all about the lens, well, mostly. I mean you have to look cool using it, too. lol. Personally, I'm willing to sacrifice a little in the way of a lens for a camera which comfortably fits in my pocket. It's a give and take thing. When you reduce the size, you typically, reduce the lens quality. While on the subject, the first thing you should do when you get the cam is turn off the "digital zoom" which is a bunch of hogwash used to sell you a camera. NEVER use a digital zoom. My last camera I purchased is waterproof and can take underwater photos. It also claims to be "sand proof." It is an Olympus Stylus 790SW (shock and water proof). I like its compact size and the photos are pretty good, even with an internal lens. I can use auto settings or go manual, to help out with night photos. Night photos without flash are a bit "noisy." It can also shoot video. Get a 2GB card to go with your camera. I'm satisfied with my camera.
I have also used my friend's Canon powershot sd750, and was pleased with its results. It has a nicer lens than my Olympus, and does better with photos taken under low light. It isn't water proof and shock proof, but it does feel like it has some good quality to the housing, and is nearly as small as my camera. It is easy to operate and also allows you to turn off the auto features and go manual, which I've been liking lately. I have not played with the video on that camera. I've had three Olympus compact digital cameras, and I like their features. I think quality is a bit less than the more expensive Canon comparable cameras. Both are easy to use, and should suit your needs pretty well. Good luck with your decision. Either should work fine for you.
I have also used my friend's Canon powershot sd750, and was pleased with its results. It has a nicer lens than my Olympus, and does better with photos taken under low light. It isn't water proof and shock proof, but it does feel like it has some good quality to the housing, and is nearly as small as my camera. It is easy to operate and also allows you to turn off the auto features and go manual, which I've been liking lately. I have not played with the video on that camera. I've had three Olympus compact digital cameras, and I like their features. I think quality is a bit less than the more expensive Canon comparable cameras. Both are easy to use, and should suit your needs pretty well. Good luck with your decision. Either should work fine for you.
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It's a good camera, and has a good optical zoom, especially for that price point. Hard to go wrong with that camera at that price.
I wish it fit in my pocket but I think you're right. It has all the features that I'm looking for at a good price.
The sd750 will fit into your pocket, but it will cost you probably double the $150, if I had to guess the price. (haven't looked.)
I have had a Canon Powershot A510 for 2 years+ and it takes some great pictures and a LOT of abuse. Goes to the beach, mountains, in the winter snow, and everywhere else in between. I did get a much bigger memory card a year or so ago, but that is the only issue I've had and that's because I take SO many pictures.
It's not small enough to fit in a pants pocket or clutch purse, but works fine is a coat pocket or larger bag.
It's not small enough to fit in a pants pocket or clutch purse, but works fine is a coat pocket or larger bag.
Slightly divergent opinion coming - but then I'm just sort of slightly divergent a lot of the time... 
For me, the whole pocket camera thing is about convenience. If you want to take high quality pix, get a more serious, and always necessarily bigger, camera.
My priorities:
-Short power-up time (hate to miss a shot)
-Quick recovery time between shots (hate to miss a shot 2)
-Short time between pressing the shutter button and the actual image capture (hate to miss a shot 3)
-Uses AA batteries (no need to recharge, just swap them. Much cheaper than proprietary batteries, of which you will have to own a spare)
-Real optical zoom
-And of course, comfortably pocket-sized
It's been a while since I shopped pocket cameras, so I have no idea if any current models still have AA batteries.
Good Luck
For me, the whole pocket camera thing is about convenience. If you want to take high quality pix, get a more serious, and always necessarily bigger, camera.
My priorities:
-Short power-up time (hate to miss a shot)
-Quick recovery time between shots (hate to miss a shot 2)
-Short time between pressing the shutter button and the actual image capture (hate to miss a shot 3)
-Uses AA batteries (no need to recharge, just swap them. Much cheaper than proprietary batteries, of which you will have to own a spare)
-Real optical zoom
-And of course, comfortably pocket-sized
It's been a while since I shopped pocket cameras, so I have no idea if any current models still have AA batteries.
Good Luck
Slightly divergent opinion coming - but then I'm just sort of slightly divergent a lot of the time...
For me, the whole pocket camera thing is about convenience. If you want to take high quality pix, get a more serious, and always necessarily bigger, camera.
My priorities:
-Short power-up time (hate to miss a shot)
-Quick recovery time between shots (hate to miss a shot 2)
-Short time between pressing the shutter button and the actual image capture (hate to miss a shot 3)
-Uses AA batteries (no need to recharge, just swap them. Much cheaper than proprietary batteries, of which you will have to own a spare)
-Real optical zoom
-And of course, comfortably pocket-sized
It's been a while since I shopped pocket cameras, so I have no idea if any current models still have AA batteries.
Good Luck
The larger LCD view screens really suck up the batteries as well as when you shoot videos on your digicam. I HAVE to have rechargables.
TreeFrog, I disagree about needing a spare rechargeable battery. I have never had a spare battery for my cameras, and I take hundreds of photos in one sitting, on one charge. It isn't uncommon for me to take more than 500 photos in a day, without needing a recharge in the middle.
Also, unless using a flash or in bright light, the delay between pressing the shutter button and the actual shutter closing, depends on your settings. If you image requires more light, the shutter will remain open longer.
Also, unless using a flash or in bright light, the delay between pressing the shutter button and the actual shutter closing, depends on your settings. If you image requires more light, the shutter will remain open longer.