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12/31/2008 12:54:12 PM · #1 |
Yes, that's right, I'm in the market for a compact - please no lynching!
First a bit of background - I use my cameras pretty heavily for wildlife and landscape photography; in particular, as a herpetologist I'm especially keen on kit that can get sharp, detailed photos of frogs, and a powerful enough flash to do so in the dark. Although I've recently stopped using compacts after investing in a Nikon DSLR, my budget won't stretch to a second DSLR camera body, and so I'm looking at updating one of my old compacts as a backup camera.
My requirements are:
AA batteries - I need the backup for an expedition, and the fewer battery types I need the better. This rules out Nikon's Coolpix series.
Good closeup mode - 'macro' of 1cm or less, ideally, as many of my pictures are taken of specimens in hand/captivity or at very short range in the field. Needs to be able to capture detail well.
Ability to take sharp photos in low light - including a fast flash response time.
Robustness is good, as this time the camera may need to last a year or more in the field - sadly not a virtue of the Canons I've used in the past. I have a waterproof and shockproof Pentax Optio W30, but have been disappointed with both its image quality and its 'waterproof' selling point - light drizzle can put the camera out of action more quickly than my Canon, as it's very sensitive to misting on the lens.
I've had a lot of success with Canon's Powershot A series - they're cheap (just as well as they often die after six months) and I've found them to be excellent for close-up detail. My current model is the A450 (I've previously used the A430 and A410), whose latest incarnation is the A470 - however I'm not sure whether the new features on that camera are worth upgrading.
Canon now seem to have a bewildering range of cheap Powershots, and I'd be grateful for any recommendations for models to look at. Reviews of the A2000IS I've seen bear out my initial impressions from testing it in the shop that the cripplingly slow flash response time is a dealbreaker - is the A1000S (which seems to be to all intents and purposes identical, and which I've seen better-reviewed) any better in this respect?
Thanks,
Phil |
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12/31/2008 01:04:02 PM · #2 |
How about the Powershot S5 IS, or it's replacement model, the SX10? It's got a great super macro mode, and you can mount an external flash unit to it. It's slightly larger than the pocket size models you mentioned, though.
  
The S5 can do RAW if you use the CHDK hack on it.
Message edited by author 2008-12-31 13:05:35. |
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12/31/2008 01:26:04 PM · #3 |
| It's got to be the Canon 870. Just the battery is a pain. |
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12/31/2008 02:00:14 PM · #4 |
I just got a SX 100 - it's small, light, and fits your criteria. AA batteries, robust (it seems, at least), IS for low light, excellent macro mode, and 6x zoom (35mm - 200mm).
Of course, like nearly all compacts, the higher the ISO the noisier it gets, noticeably at ISO 400 and up. And the flash recharge time isn't super-fast...it lags a bit, but I'm not sure that there is any P&S out there that doesn't. I use it with NiMH batteries, which seem to get a somewhat faster flash recharge and definitely extend overall battery life considerably as compared to regular alkaline batteries.
I was able to pick it up refurbished, but I understand that it's replacement, the SX 110, has dropped in price to about $200.
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12/31/2008 03:00:20 PM · #5 |
Thanks for the feedback, guys. Checking those cameras out, the SX110 looks to be at the high end of the price range I'm looking at - for the price of either of the others I'd prefer to invest in a second D60 body as my backup camera. The 10x zoom is pretty attractive as well, in case I find myself without my SLR or its 200mm lens for any reason. If I can get it a bit cheaper that does look a good option, but I'm still open to other ideas!
Phil
Message edited by author 2008-12-31 15:03:42. |
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