Architecture student who needs a good camera for site visits, and also musician who needs a camera with good video capabilities. Not an experienced photographer, but with some interest in photography, quick learner and hope to be able to utilise some manual controls. Don't want the fuss of a DSLR, too big and I don't want to think about changing lenses and buying extra flashes.

I want to be able to zoom in to pictures I've taken and be able to see the little things in great detail. I want a good contrast in my pictures so that it gives me a good idea on how to render my sketches. I don't know what it takes for a camera to do that, hopefully you guys do.

Type: Fixed lens cameras.
Budget: RM 1000 - RM 2000
Preferred brand: Canon
Type of photography: Mostly stationary objects.
Models in mind: Basically narrowed it down to 3 options: Canon Powershot SX230 HS, Canon Powershot SX40 HS, Canon Powershot S100 (can someone please explain the difference between these cameras? Why does the S100, only with a 5x zoom, cost so much?)
Features I need: Full HD video recording, stereo audio recording, good picture with clear details, decent zoom.

Canon Powershot SX230 HS: My top choice at the moment. 14x zoom. But I'm afraid of the picture quality. And also an upgrade to DIGIC 5 by Canon should be around the corner. I'm in no urgency to buy. Released Feb 2011.
Canon Powershot SX40 HS: I don't mind the bulk, but I really don't need 35x zoom. Considering it if its pictures are better than SX230. Released Sep 2011.
Canon Powershot S100: Picture quality should be better than the rest, I'm not sure. But is a 5x zoom really enough even for casual use? Released Sep 2011.
:
All of them has a 12.1 MP rating, 3" screen, the SX40 has an articulated 2.7" instead. I only understand megapixels, so I don't really know what makes a good picture other than megapixels. Would be grateful if any of you can explain.

This post has been edited by SKisaGooner: Oct 4 2011, 11:07 AM

Type of camera : DSLR
Budget: RM1500
Your Location: KL
Preferable brand : Nikon, Canon or anything you feel is as good
Type of photography u want to do : Mostly outdoor and night. I take alot of pics of trains(railways). Sample pics like http://gallery.keretapi.com
Any specific models in mind? : None
Any specific features u want? : Hmm, not sure

Would like to upgrade from my Panasonic FZ50. Been using it for ages and have served me very well. Lemme know, thx!

SX230HS.
So says dpreview http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311travel...test/page17.asp


For your needs, looks like SX230HS suits you best.

Got GPS summore to tag your site visits.

As to why? This is pure generalization for simplicity sake but it applies here.

Bigger sensor = good
Bigger zoom range = Bad for image quality. To compensate... need bigger sensor, a lot more cost, a lot more weight.
Megapixel = Marketing. Lets say u have a 30" monitor... the resolution is only 4.1mp. Most folks will resize their photos anyway.
Bigger megapixel on same sensor size = noise...bad for image quality.
"DIGIC 5" is the processor. While its important but junk in junk out still applies.

S100 got bigger sensor 1 1/7” (about 7.5x5.5mm) than the other listed by you (1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) .
S100 got smaller zoom range than the others.
S100 can shoot RAW format = room for post processing since the camera is not always right.

Both the SX230 HS and S100 has GPS. It's not a critical feature for me anyway. I've ruled out the SX40 already.

I guess the question is won't the S100 produce better quality pictures? Is that improvement in quality worth the zoom loss?

Yes, S100 lens is "faster" f2.0 - f4.9 compared to f3.1 - f5.9 of the SX230HS which means averagely allowing u to shoot 1 stop faster (like ISO 400 instead of 800).

It's also got a wider field of view... 24mm equivalent lens.

So yeah, S100 has theoretically (cos it's not out yet but I have a S90) better image quality but then again many cameras have better "image quality" so its all about priorities I suppose.

Anyhow, you stated your usage as for site visits, be able to zoom in close , video... hence I reckon the SX230HS is a better jack-of-all-trades.

Type of camera/lens/accesories : Compact Video Camera or digital camera
Budget: max 300
Your Location: penang
Preferable brand : canon , panasonic , sony , kodak
Type of photography u want to do : more like gadget tutorial , unboxing video , able to focus constantly
Any specific models in mind? : panasonic dmc s1 (digital camera) , kodak zx1( compact video camera)
Any specific features u want? : 720p at 30fps ..

thanx in advance for any help
used product also acceptable .. as long as still working and in good condition

Wider lens, bigger sensor... Bah. http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-S100-vs-Canon-SX230-HS

All good reasons to get the S100.

Snapsort is the worse way to compare cameras... that's just based on paper specs.

Anyway, have fun.

ps: there's this thread on compact camera's http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1993918 if you're interested though its a lil dated.

Sometimes paper specs tell me something I don't know. I also posted the same question at dpreview: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=39509797

Yes... some info is useful but some are just there for marketing purpose.

For example:

ISO 6400 vs ISO 3200 --> Anything above ISO400 on these small sensors already start to break apart.. it goes down the drain by 800 so even if on paper it goes to 12800 also no use

Focus on subjects 40% closer to the lens --> SX230HS has longer zoom so magnification still bigger.

12MP vs 10MP = Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos --> as previously explained.

Again, they're all good cameras.. in fact most cameras at that price range aren't bad. Just get based your priorities and enjoy shooting.

Type of camera/lens/accesories : 2nd for fun dslr..(wanna snap food pics oni)
Budget: i think below 1k if got which im not sure hv
Your Location: Subang Jaya,Penang
Preferable brand : Nikon
Type of photography u want to do : landscape
Any specific models in mind? : not sure
Any specific features u want? : basic one will do.

This post has been edited by ArifHakimi: Oct 7 2011, 12:09 AM

I guess for that budget best you can get "might" be the D3100 if want to take pictures at night better prepare some external flash or a tripod.

Snap food I think D3100 itself also enough already good camera.

isn't nikon 3100 2nd pretty hard 2 find in garage sale?mostly is canon 1000D.not sure if that one okay...

Well the D3100 is a good camera compared to the 1000D it has better specs to be exact. But do you own another DLSR? Or have friends with DSLR's? You can share lens if your friend uses Nikon and you have the D3100 and vice versa with the 1000D.

Type of camera/lens/accesories : Semi Pro/compact
Budget: RM 1k-2.5k
Your Location: Penang
Preferable brand : Any brand would do
Type of photography u want to do : macro, video recording, portrait, outdoor/travel
Any specific models in mind? : any model is welcomed
Any specific features u want? : swivel out lense would be great as I usually do my own videos so would be great if I can see immediately if I'm in the right composition. As well as small and light would be great.

Thanks in advance. Really looking forward to improving my self to take nicer pictures of the things I love.

well my sis use d3100.

Type of camera/lens/accesories : Camera with sharp and clearness
Budget: Less then RM1k
Your Location: Kuala Lumpur
Preferable brand : Nikon or Canon
Type of photography u want to do : Casual.. And its my hobby to capture anything cool
Any specific models in mind? : No idea.. Thinking of dslr but I dont want that big..
Any specific features u want? : Just sharp and clear good when shaking,at night also good..

Type of camera/lens/accesories : DSLR
Budget: around 1.5k
Your Location: penang
Preferable brand : canon ,sony
Type of photography u want to do : scenery, macro,panoramic
Any specific models in mind? :1100d or NEX-5
Any specific features u want? : Will be better if theres built in HDR

Want to choose either Canon Powershot A2200 or A1200. What I want to know if with extra RM60~100 for A2200 is worth the added features compare to A1200? I'm pretty stingy on budget for digicam.

This camera will mostly used for snapping my toy collectibles and maybe sometime on outdoor activity.

After finding out what wide angle lens is I decided that 24mm lens is a priority. I'm currently waiting for the replacement for the SX230 HS, hopefully around Feb next year. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

But I can wait.