Good p&s camera for when a DSLR can't be used?

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/20/2006 01:57:04 PM · #1

I'm going on a trip to China in a couple of weeks. I plan on bringing all my gear if I can fit it, but also want to buy a small camera that I can carry in my purse for occasions when bringing all my gear just won't be appropriate.

The Canon Powershot S80 and the new S3IS look like the best quality from what I can tell, but I'm looking for input. I don't have any need to stick with Canon - it's just that those two cameras looked the best so far.

With the S80, I'm just a little worried about the fact that it doesn't have image stabilization, because I'm so used to my big camera and often use a tripod these days. I want this new camera for the times when I can't lug around the tripod. Also, the S80 doesn't have RAW capabilities. The S3 seems best in every way except the S80 wins on image quality and the great manual capabilities. Help!

If you have a DSLR, do you also have a point & shoot camera that you use? If so, what did you choose and why?

Thanks for any tips you have!

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

04/20/2006 02:19:36 PM · #2

I have been very happy with my Panasonic Lumix... I wrote a brief review of the camera HERE.

Katmystiry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/20/2006 02:26:42 PM · #3

I use my son's Canon Powershot A610 .. it's an awesome little camera

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/20/2006 02:32:11 PM · #4

I had been really happy with the S1, I liked the S2 even better, so I'm betting the S3 will be pretty kick butt.

However, the S2 uses SD card and I'm not sure what the S3 uses. Unless you want to spend another $100 on memory, I'd stick with something that uses your current CF cards.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/20/2006 03:02:52 PM · #5

I thought the Canon S3 IS wasn't going to be released until May, but they are taking orders now ...

Uses SD/MMC cards and AA batteries.

Message edited by author 2006-04-20 15:04:45.

04/20/2006 03:09:39 PM · #6

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I thought the Canon S3 IS wasn't going to be released until May, but it seems to be available now ...

Uses SD/MMC cards and AA batteries.

Yeah, it says "coming in May" on my Swedish camera site, but then on the item page, it says it's in stock. I'm hoping it will be available before May 14, when I leave. Wait. A week or so earlier would be great, so I have time to learn how to use it.

Thanks for all the input so far. The S2 images here look great, while the Lumix does look a bit too grainy. Jmseltzer, do you have any images in your profile taken with your little Lumix? The one on your blog looks good, but I'd like to see more. Great review, by the way!

04/20/2006 03:13:10 PM · #7

Adding: The type of memory it uses isn't important to me. When I sold my Pentax *ist DS, I saved one 512 MB card and I'm not opposed to buying another. Of course, it would be great with a CF card, but it's not an issue that weighs in my decision.