Travel Photography - Small, inexpensive, point and shoots

I own a Canon T1i DSLR but I pack that away in my carryon and don't feel like dragging it out SO I am looking for a small and inexpensive but reasonably good point and shoot to take pictures *and videos* inside airports/on flights out the window. The two cameras I am considering at the moment are the Canon Powershot A1200 and the Canon ELPH 100. And now the Panasonic-DMC-ZS9. I like the video quality from both Canons but can't find much on the Panasonic. Autofocusing during the movies isn't a problem for me since I can use my T1i for most videoing elsewhere. I am concerned that both those small cameras will not do well with high speed videoing such as when taking off and landing. However, I am thinking that anything is better than my 0.7mp iTouch videos :eek:

Last year I was so excited to have my iTouch because I could discreetly take pictures/videos on board or in airports without offending anyone. I have a few rules about taking pictures which includes not getting any sort of personnel in photos and being super careful about getting any customers in the photos/videos as well. However, I have seen some beautiful (to me, but not so much to most of you lol) scenery over Australia, and between LAX and Boston so I would love to be able to get more accurate photos/videos of that to share with my family when I get home.

My price range is 150 or less. Originally thought 120 or less but I am willing to put a little more into a better camera *if it is worth it*. The reviews on the A1200 are very good. I would LOVE to afford the S90 or S95 but it's not happening unless it goes on major sale!

Also...I can't get an iPhone...US Cellular doesn't carry it...AND they require you to get a data plan with any of their other nice phones with nicer cameras. BOO. I don't need a data plan, I don't go anywhere! And when I do, I have my iTouch for wifi!

I must add that I know I won't get DSLR quality pics or extremely high quality video...I just want something a tad clearer than my iTouch crap!

So what do you use?

I just got my dad a Canon SX230 HS. It was recommended in dpreview.com, and I've seen it this past week for around $180.

My girlfriend has an older version of the ZS9 (I want to say ZS5 or 7) and the videos seemed pretty good to me. That camera was pretty easy to use and took pictures we were happy with, given the sensor.

I just got my dad a Canon SX230 HS. It was recommended in dpreview.com, and I've seen it this past week for around $180.

My girlfriend has an older version of the ZS9 (I want to say ZS5 or 7) and the videos seemed pretty good to me. That camera was pretty easy to use and took pictures we were happy with, given the sensor.

I admit, I just bought myself a new year's present and got the ZS9. The reviews were pretty raving good and I liked the fact that it has a manual mode among other things. This way I can let my little (well, she's 14) sister use it when I'm not. She has a natural eye and I'd love to get her a DSLR but that's not happening so this will be the next best thing. I hate being impulsive like that as it goes against my nature but it was between 60-100 bucks down from what the normal price is so I just did it. If I don't like it, I can send it back. When I get it (middle of next week) I will be doing plenty of testing with it!

As mentioned above, the Canon SX230HS is an excellent, very small camera with great features and performance. I recommended it for a niece who was leaving on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa and she loved it. Brought back some pretty nice photos, too. Might be a bit out of your range but you might find it on sale.

I just got my dad a Canon SX230 HS. It was recommended in dpreview.com, and I've seen it this past week for around $180.



This week, 149USD plus tax @ Fry's B/M only.

I went with the Canon Elph 300 HS due to its amazing low light capability. Other than that, all p&s's are the same to me. If I need any more features, I'll just use my DSLR.

I must say, the ZS9 is doing a heck of a good job for being $130 and so small. It is a tad bigger than i would have liked, BUT I can still conceal it pretty well if I need to. The video is pretty good and the pictures, even in low light, are living up to if not exceeding my expectations.

Have had several of the ELPHs, the latest an ELPH SD1000, and love the small size and great quality pictures. Slip it in your pocket and forget it till you need it. Get an extra battery so there is never a question of having a charged one.

I got the Canon S95 last week and it seems great so far. I did a lot of reading into this topic and I was afraid that by getting a lower-end model I would not be upgrading much from what I already have.

My final choices came down to the S95 and the Panasonic LX5. Both models seemed to be comparable but I went with the Canon due to the LX5 being a bit larger and not so likely to fit in a pocket...

I love my Canon G12 -- it's a fantastic, light-weight camera with some superior features. (It's a favorite among my professional photographer friends, too, when they want a small but powerful camera when they are not working...).

I went with the Canon Elph 300 HS due to its amazing low light capability. Other than that, all p&s's are the same to me. If I need any more features, I'll just use my DSLR.

I have the Elph 300 HS as well (backup to DSLR) and it is a great little camera. I even got the underwater housing for it and it takes nice pics under water also.

Another fan of the Elph 300!

I also have the Canon S780 which is a nice little camera as well

I got the Canon S95 last week and it seems great so far. I did a lot of reading into this topic and I was afraid that by getting a lower-end model I would not be upgrading much from what I already have.

My final choices came down to the S95 and the Panasonic LX5. Both models seemed to be comparable but I went with the Canon due to the LX5 being a bit larger and not so likely to fit in a pocket...


Those are my final 2 choices as well. those really are the 2 best choices if you value image quality, manual controls (i.e. i shoot an SLR regularly), and loveeee wide apertures.
I haven't gotten one yet b/c I can never put my Canon 5DII down... but I keep looking :) maybe a Canon S96 or whatever the next version is called :)

I have the Canon A3000, which is pretty much the same as the A1200 (but a slightly older model).

Strengths
Quick, light (always in my pocket), surprisingly good movies (and the A3000 is decided not HD), long battery life. Reasonable EV adjustment.

Weaknesses
Colors tend to blow out when using flash. Not HD video. No manual focus, no shutter or aperture priority. No auto HDR. No panoramic mode.

Biggest complaint
4X zoom. Plenty of times I've wanted more, and I suspect you will too shooting from aircraft.

Bottom line
It's a great $89 P&S I can always keep in my pocket. For that price, I'd buy another.

The "next version" came out apparently Canon S100.. quite tempted.. but not sure i can put down my SLR.. plus it's $400+.. :(

I picked up my GF the Sony WX10 a few months back, and we both really like it

I've been using my Canon S95 for a couple of weeks now. It takes beautiful photos and has lots of settings which I am still getting used to. The screen is nice and clear.I thought there would be a problem with the location of some of the buttons/ dials but it is an easy camera to use and small enough to fit in a front jeans pocket.

The Canon S95 seems to be discontinued. Amazon no longer sells it directly and B&H has it listed as discontinued. I recently recommended it to my sister in law and she was able to grab it from Amazon on a deal of the day for $219 in December. The pictures I've seen from the camera are really great, it's a big step up from many P+S cameras. You can still purchase it but retailers seem to be charging a premium as there is still demand for it and the supply has dwindled.

The S100 is a step up, but the $400+ price tag is very steep as noted.

The Canon S95 seems to be discontinued. Amazon no longer sells it directly and B&H has it listed as discontinued. I recently recommended it to my sister in law and she was able to grab it from Amazon on a deal of the day for $219 in December. The pictures I've seen from the camera are really great, it's a big step up from many P+S cameras. You can still purchase it but retailers seem to be charging a premium as there is still demand for it and the supply has dwindled.

The S100 is a step up, but the $400+ price tag is very steep as noted.

Wow I wish I got it for $219. I paid a little over $300 but got bigcrumbs cash back & buy.com points... It was definitely a bit more than I wanted to spend.