Help me choose my camera! :)

[jflysmooth]

Alright, here's the contenders (all 3mpx):

 

Canon A70

Nikon 3100

Pentax Optio S

 

I don't think I'll actually need a 4mpx camera for anything as I don't generally crop pictures that much or make big prints. Heck, I don't even make prints most of the time. I like the fact that all three of these cameras are small. I want to make sure that I can take nice close pictures of my reef first and foremost. I also want a camera that I'd not hesitate to bring with me, but more importantly is image quality. Who cares if I have a camera that gets close and fits in my pocket nice if the image quality sucks, right? The price differences between these cameras (or lack thereof) isn't an issue. Whichever of these three is the best choice is the one I'll get, regardless of price.

 

The cameras:

 

My mom just got an Optio S for Christmas so I've had some experience playing around with it. The disadvantage that I see is the proprietary battery because if I run out in a pinch I just can't run to a store and get some extras. However, the camera is TINY. I know if I had this camera that I would ALWAYS have it on me. Granted, the majority of pictures that I take are of my reef, but I'm almost positive its due to the bulk of my current camera and my not wanting to bring it along all the time. I've taken a few pictures of my reef with this camera (about 100) and it does a surprisingly good job. I haven't even read the manual yet.

 

The Coolpix is a nice camera, I know a few people who own them. It's smaller than the A70 but only uses two batteries which means it doesnt last as long, but then again, they're AA's and I've got those 15 minute rayovak batteries so I can always change em. However, like it says on dpreview "The 3100 is certainly a capable point-and-shoot digital camera, its major problem at the moment must be the strong Canon PowerShot A70 which at the same price offers more features and slightly better image quality (although is bigger and heavier)."

 

The A70 has the advantage that I can use additional lenses, and it also runs on 4AA batteries with the longest duration of the three by a LOT. The reviews I've read of this camera all point out its fantastic image quality. The main disadvantage I'd see to this camera is that it is the largest of the three and might cause me to leave it behind more than I'd like. Granted, any camera would be smaller than my bulky old Kodak, and I can still fit THAT in my pocket if I try hard enough.

 

Questions:

 

How close of a macro is close enough? All of them get pretty darn close up.

Is compact flash better than SD or vice versa?

 

 

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this, and even more thanks if you respond.

[SW20Rida]

I previously had the Nikon Coolpix 3100 and it was a great camera. I loved how it was small and compact, and how the zoom buttons were right next to your thumb. Since it was my first digital camera, I thought the picture quality was great. What I didn't like however was the lousy, and I mean lousy battery life. I barely put in the new batteries that came with the camera and about 10-15 shots later, I got the low battery sign! I searched on the internet about this problem and it appears to be very common on other 3100's. Supposedly there was a manufacturing error in the battery terminals, they were too rough causing the batteries to drain rapidly. So I eventually returned it and got the Canon A80, very similar to the A70 with just higher resolution. Best move I ever made! Not only is the picture quality better (I am a firm believer that Canon makes far superior camera products than Nikon), but the feature set is bar none the best value for the money. You get every single feature that the Nikon has to offer at a higer level, plus full manual controls! Something Nikon doesn't even touch with the 3100. Definetly get the A70 and you will not regret it, I guarantee!

[jflysmooth]

Yeah, I ruled out the 3100 too. Still haven't got a camera though. The tininess of the optio S has a lot of appeal to me, but the AA batteries of the A70 make it necessarily bigger. Im sure its pictures will be better, but if I don't have my camera on me, that won't even matter. Sure, its fine for taking pics of my reef, but what about other times? I dunno, maybe I'm being a wuss about the size thing. Is it really THAT big? I was originally looking at the a80 before I decided I didnt need 4mpx...

[brahm]

Rebel or 10d!

[wetworx101]

ok brahm...I believe we are trying to keep in the sub-$500 category. You know, there are so many cameras and opinions to go with, but some cameras have something that makes that one a good choice for you. I would check out a website: dpreview.com and pcworld.com for for the current top ten pics in the sub or more than $500 categories. I like Nikon myself (have a 5700 and a 4500...why two? the 5700 is all around perhaps the best camera on the market just short of a SLRbody digital that sucks at macro and manual focus shots in low light...where as the 4500 is the best, bar none, macro camera I have ever worked with). Have considered the canon s400 for it's versatility yet small size(a pocket camera with kick). Recently I have become impressed with the new fuji d7000z...great camera with features I like (big 1.8" LCD with high-res that many others dont have, 2 macro modes, nice bright lens, 6megapixel, and a $700 price)...or it's respectable competition with the new sony 828. For a sub $500 camera, you if you could find a nikon 4500 (they just stopped making them, but still a great camera), you would get it pretty cheap now, and it is a really nice 4mp camera. Canons and Sony's are pretty expensive for what you get, but good. Fuji and Olympus make some very nice mid-range digitals that should not be overlooked.

[deacon hemp]

find a good nikon 990 or better! they run out fast too but macros are sweet,and thats what you want right? i bought mine for cheap with only 100 shots taken on it,ive gotten my moneys worth at 5000 pics now! Like wetworx said the better nikons are really nice! Im looking to upgrade from a 990 to a 4500 myself!