New camera time-what to get?
 

My old Sony MVC-FD90 has been giving me problems and its almost as expensive to have it fixed as to buy a new one. I looked at a couple of stores and was overwhelmed at the choices. My old camera is 1.6 megapix and 16x zoom. It seems like all the new ones are higher rez but less zoom although 16x zoom is not all that important to me. I here good things about Cannon but have no idea what to look for. I know its old technology but I do like the floppy storage on my old camera as it allows me to save pictures in an inexpensive format for future reference if need be. I don't save everything on my computer, only what I need.
I am looking in the $300 to 400 price range , any good ideas. Most of my picture taking is of the general variety but one in a while some close up product shots or guitar photos.

JMPRO

That's kind of funny talking about floppies and the future. I don't think you can find a new PC with a floppy today. Flash has gotten so cheap, that you don't need to worry about storage cost. I think you would be happy with any new Sony if you like your existing one. Sorry I can't recommend a new model offhand.

If your only looking for a $300 point and shoot - just go to Best Buy or wherever and pick one up. I like Canon stuff.

I like to look for a couple of things (along with the normal stuff)when shopping a point and shoot

-Size that I like
-It has a viewfinder
-The zoom I'm satisfied with
-Start up time
-Shutter release time - how fast it takes the picture when I push the button

The last two are the VERY important to me - you want a camera that starts up fast and you want one that takes the picture fast. Nothing sucks more that to press the shutter release and the subject moves by the time it atually fires.

Just my opinion

Like Neilk said, forget the floppys friend. That is caveman technology. Flash memory cards are extremely cheap, and have hundreds of times the storage capactiy.

The wife and I have a Canon Powershot SD630. This is their 'Digital Elph' line. Very small, takes great pictures. Only complaint is poor low light sensitivity. Added bonus? The movies it takes are actually high enough quality that they look great on a computer.

Try the Panasonic's with the Leitz lens is absolutely wonderful.

I have a $2500 Leica Digilux and my $180 Panasonic takes photos that are about 95% as good.

nikon...d40 is nice

Thanks for the input. When I got a new computer a year ago or so I had to order it with a floppy drive or I wouldn't get one. I do like a bigger camera as opposed to those little cigerette pack sized ones. The bigger camera seems more stable in my hands than the smaller ones and I rarely go around with the camera around my neck for hours so thats not a problem. The new Sonys I looked at have controls that are like my old sony so it will be easier to get used to it. Sony used to have a service center very close to me and I could just stop by and get things fixed very easy, now you have to ship it to where ever to get service.
I 'm off to Frys to take another look at whats offered in the great maze of cameras and uninformed sales people.

JMPRO

If you want old school goodness, get the Nikon CoolPix 990, excellent well built cameras. Only available used for about $100. No floppies though, afaik the only cameras that used floppies were the Sony Mavicas.

$300 today will get you a great camera that puts that Mavica to shame. Canon Elphs are great P&S. Nikon makes great entry level SLRs like the D40, or you could pick up a nice Nikon D50 for cheap used.

I would go to a camera store to get educated, not Fry's. Also check out some review sites like DPreview.com

Just picked up this one. I love it! Not cheap( $500). but was worth it.

http://www.digitgeek.com/canon-powershot-g9/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1213726137.jpg

ive got the Lumix FZ50. love it. the zoom is insane (if i remembre right its 30 - 430mm). its large though. like SLR size, but light and durable and affordable, great close ups, great battery life, ...maybe a bit more than you are looking to spend

that canon above looks awsome too

the entire lumix line is quite nice

I am on my second Sony digital right now and still love it. But, Sony has a new SLR out, I think it is a A350 or 350A, great camera. I don't want the real exotic, these are great for what I do.
My wife uses a Cannon 20D that is much more than I want. I don't care to change lenses anymore.

FZ50

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1213733724.jpg

whatever you buy, make sure it feels good in your hand AND YOU CAN navigate through the menus.

So many people can't even set the cameras up using the menus and options, don't read the owners manual, and after they get crappy pictures.......yeah you guessed it, they blame the camera with it all in automode.

Nikon Coolpix great cameras and I really like my Olympus. The Canon G9 also suggest has gotten rave reviews too. Any of those three manufacturers. stay away from the off brands.

A tentative +1 on the Panasonic Lumix series. My daughter was ready to step up from a pocket-size P&S to something a little more versatile. She performed an accidental drop test recently on her camera and it didn't make it. Browsing through ebay, I picked up a used FZ20 a few days ago, but haven't received it yet. Reviews are very positive on this camera - very good, wide range, Leica lens w/constant F2.8 aperture. It was around $500 new, got it for around $150. Should be fine for the price.

It's like electronics. It is electronics. Even top of the line cameras from a few months ago take their gradual hit.

Sherwood

Also, I think Cannon spends more money on R&D than all the other companies combined so if it is new it will be from Cannon.

A lot of good advice here . My old sony had a lot of features but was very easy to learn to use so I am maybe leaning toward sony because the new ones have much the same controls . I will also check out the fz50.
Thanks for all the help to narrow down the choices.
'
Jerry

recently got a canon ixus 80

great pocket sized point & shoot for when i dont feel like lugging around a 5D

if it's not too late, check out the Nikon D90, or the Panasonic clone of the Leica V-Lux. I have the Leica, and appreciate the light metering, but if you don't care about that, the Panasonic is a good bargain.

wait a second! I just notice srandallf already beat me to it....so +1. AWESOME camera.

At your price, I'd pick the D40, FWIW.

Lots of good choices though.

Ultimately, it's the Indian not the arrow. :)

Best,