Survey: What digital camera do you use?
 

I was wondering what digital cameras people use during their travels? I was searching around for a relatively small camera but also had high resolution and decided on the Sony DSC-P1. After using it on my last few trips I find that day-time pictures come out pretty well but the nigh-time pictures are really poor. The flash on the camera isn't very good. I'm a little disappointed since I like to take pictures during my travel especially during vacations.

So, what digital camera do you use?

Nikon Coolpix 950 and a few 128 Compact Flash cards. I've had it for about two years, and no complaints... its been around the world at least 15 times and nary a problem. I've played with the newer 990, but its too bulky for my tastes.

Very detailed digital camera reviews and sample photos, including close-up and nighttime shots:

http://www.dcresource.com/

I use the Sony DSC-F505V. Takes fantastic pictures in all conditions. With the large Carl Zeiss lense is a little bulky but does fit in a jacket pocket. I am VERY happy with it.

You are asking pretty much the impossible in asking for both a small camera and a decent flash.

Have you considered slave flash units? Do a search on slave flash, you will find dozens of ones that work to extend your flash, give you some control over it all, etc. You will want one that is made for digital cameras, because most digitals fire their flash twice, onec for wihte balance and to set exposure and focus, and the second time to take the picture. You don't want the slave flash firing with the first flash goes off.

I also have a Nikon 950 and am very pleased with it. Its certainly not one of the smaller cameras around but has plenty of features. I think that really small and loaded featured cameras are still about 1-2 years away from the market.

Canon PowerSho S100 Digital Elph with a 64MB card.

It's great, I love it. It's like an inch-thick credit card and it has incredible pictures. The rechargable battery outlives the 64MB card. No complaints.

I have the Canon S100 too -- it is my 3rd digicam I've owned. it is small, but the digital zoom is worthless, and it doesn't compress the images very well. You'll need a bigger flash card.

I've also owned an Epson 850z which had superior image quality, features, and better compression -- but it was HUGE.

If you have a regular Elph, you'll love the S100. if you enjoy the big SLR style cameras, you'd like the 850z or similar.

I have the Canon S100 too -- it is my 3rd digicam I've owned. it is small, but the digital zoom is worthless, and it doesn't compress the images very well. You'll need a bigger flash card.

I've also owned an Epson 850z which had superior image quality, features, and better compression -- but it was HUGE.

If you have a regular Elph, you'll love the S100. if you enjoy the big SLR style cameras, you'd like the 850z or similar.

Cannon S100 here as well, but I am too cheap to get the 64MB flash. I heard that I should get the IBM Smartcard it works well with the camera.

Otherwise, I love it, it takes great pictures, and it is so small!

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Al

Canon Powershot A50 1.3 mega pixel w/32 meg. Fine for all my Web site pics and email shots but you can't print above 5 x 4 at any decent definition. Worthless zoom. Rechargable battery the ONLY way. Edit Suite: Paint shop pro V7 / Adobe Photoshop /Barbie makeover pro.
rdy


[This message has been edited by RDY3238 (edited 06-28-2001).]

I agree with the commenter who pointed out that the builtin flash, especially on a small camera, isn't going to do too well at any distance.

I only recently weakened and bought my first digital camera--I got a Canon Powershot Pro90IS. It has a built in lens which gives 10x OPTICAL magnification (equivalent to a 370 mm lens on a 35mm SLR). I have taken it on one trip, to south Florida and the Everglades, and got some superb (if I do say so myself) wildlife pictures! The "IS" refers to electronic image stablization which allows you to handhold the camera even with the zoom fully engaged.

My two favorite digital camera sites are:

www.dpreview.com and
www.stevesdigicams.com

The Fuji 4700 or its Leica equivalent is a great buy.

Canon Digital IXUS. Because it's small and I use it with a 1GB IBM Microdrive so it can hold about 800 pictures.

I use the Digital Ixus (European name for the Elph / Ixy / PowerShot S100) as well, and think it's fantastic - it's small enough to keep in your pocket, and that's the best thing for me - it makes it much easier to carry around, so I'm much more likely to carry it around, and much more likely to get that shot...

I've been using a couple of 48MB CF cards, but I had a question about using the IBM Microdrive - I was told that the Canon could only use Type I cards, which precluded the use of the Microdrive cards? Did you have any problems getting it to work?

I see there is now an S300 which is a bit bigger and heavier but offers a 3x optical zoom instead of 2x, and a better digital zoom.