Please recommend your Mommy Camera (not DSLR)

[Kira's Mommy]

The three things I need from my camera are (1) decent pictures (2) relatively small size (3) easy to use.

We have a DSLR and the pictures DH takes are awesome but I learned that (1) I will never have time to learn to use it properly (2) we hate travelling with it because of it's size and (3) when taking pictures of DD, by the time we take the thing out of its bag and turn the right setting on, the *picture moment* is long gone.

Any suggestions?

[wendibird22]

Cannon Powershot Elph. Great camera. Fits in pants pocket or coat pocket. Takes great pictures and great video (we don't even use our digital video camera any more because the videos are so great from the camera). Highly rated by CR.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-ELPH-300-HS-Wide-Angle/dp/B004J3ZV62/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1319371122&sr=8-3

[eagle]

Cannon Powershot Elph. Great camera. Fits in pants pocket or coat pocket. Takes great pictures and great video (we don't even use our digital video camera any more because the videos are so great from the camera). Highly rated by CR.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-ELPH-300-HS-Wide-Angle/dp/B004J3ZV62/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1319371122&sr=8-3

yes. the powershot elph. very very tiny. quick. perfect if you dont want to use a dslr or if you dont know how.

[alexsmommy]

Another Elph user.

[todzwife]

I have both an elph and this panasonic and the panasonic takes better pictures but it's bigger
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS8-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B004KKZ0HE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319416366&sr=1-1

[iaam]

I have used (and loved) three generations of the Elph. However, this time I got the Nikon Coolpix P300 and am LOVING it! It's a little bigger than the Elph but way better in low light (think indoor setting, which is where I take half our pictures, especially in the colder months) and very fast (i.e., very little lag time between when I 'click' and when it takes the picture - super helpful when the subject of my photography is mostly two very active DC). I highly recommend it.

[lowrioh]

I love my Panasonic Lumix.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

great thread. i wonder the same thing. I am hooked on my DSLR though, and i pretty much get annoyed with my compact camera (Canon Powershot Elph) bc I can't stand a lot of things about it...can't take good pics indoors w/o flash, can't adjust aperture or other settings..

i don't know...maybe it's also bc mine is 4 years old or something..my new smartphone takes better pics i think!! i think i'd like a camera that wasn't so compact like the Elph but took a bit better pictures. Even if it's 3x bigger than the Elph, it's still a lot easier to lug around than a DSLR + lenses (and i'd be less worried about it getting stolen or whatever)

with the Panasonic Lumix, can you adjust aperture or shutter speed? i hate how with the Elphs you can't (at least not with mine).

[Melanie]

I recommend a Canon Powershot anything. Though I did NOT like my elph camera. The pictures were just never that good compared to the A-series powershots I've had.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

I recommend a Canon Powershot anything. Though I did NOT like my elph camera. The pictures were just never that good compared to the A-series powershots I've had.

interesting. i was wondering about this. my DH has a really old (from 2003? it's like 2megapixel) A-series powershot and when i first got into photography i used it a ton bc I liked it so much more than my Elph (which was newer and 7megapixel). I think also the great thing was that it had modes where you could adjust aperture and such, the elph is like having a camera always on Auto mode.

[twowhat?]

I have a Lumix based on recommendations on this board. Compared to other point-and-shoots that we've had (Canon, Nikon), this takes great pictures and it's cool that it has a Leica lens. I don't know if you can adjust aperture or shutter speeds because I don't know enough about cameras:) I know there's some sort of automatic setting that prioritizes aperture or shutter or something. I've never tried the manual settings. This camera takes great pictures, especially outdoors. Indoors you need a tripod, or flash or lots of natural light if you're taking pictures of kids or pets. But I don't think any compact digital will overcome this.

I've been really happy with this camera. DH used to do some photography as a hobby (back in the days of non-digital cameras) and he is impressed by the Lumix as well.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

hmm i am searching on amazon for Panasonic Lumix and there a ton of different ones! any recommendations for one over the other?

this one looks nice. i am impressed from the pictures. though it looks pretty big.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ40-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003WJR694/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319426228&sr=1-3

eta: i just re-read the thread and saw a link to this one..looks pretty good (doesn't seem that much bigger than elph). i may order this.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS8-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B004KKZ0HE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319426228&sr=1-1

[fumofu]

We've had a Canon PowerShot S400, now we have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9. We're getting ready to upgrade and want to go back to a Canon.

Most likely getting the PowerShot S100 (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-S100-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B005MTME3U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319427028&sr=1-1) (replacement of the S95) when it comes out in November. This is supposed to be more customizable than a regular point and shoot, but not as complicated/bulky as a DSLR.

When we were considering the Canon S95, its competitors were the Panasonic LX5 and Nikon P300. Here's a comparison review (http://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lx5-vs-canon-s95-vs-nikon-p300-15928) of the three.

[pomegranate]

My iPhone 4! Love it. I think it takes really good photos. I hear the 4S has an even better camera. Before I had my iPhone, we used to take our Canon PowerShot S1000 along. I think it cost around $100 and can fit in my pants pockets.

[twowhat?]

hmm i am searching on amazon for Panasonic Lumix and there a ton of different ones! any recommendations for one over the other?

this one looks nice. i am impressed from the pictures. though it looks pretty big.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ40-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003WJR694/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319426228&sr=1-3

eta: i just re-read the thread and saw a link to this one..looks pretty good (doesn't seem that much bigger than elph). i may order this.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS8-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B004KKZ0HE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319426228&sr=1-1

We have something similar to the one in your second link though I think ours is a step up from that. It looks the same though. Size is great - it's small. Keep your eye out on the Costco mailers. I've seen them run $50 off coupons a couple of times for that camera. In fact it looks like they're running it now which makes the price similar to Amazon's (but returns would be easier):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11629767&search=lumix&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=lumix&Ntt=lumix&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial

eta: I think the one we have is the older ZS6

[♥ms.pacman♥]

We have something similar to the one in your second link though I think ours is a step up from that. It looks the same though. Size is great - it's small. Keep your eye out on the Costco mailers. I've seen them run $50 off coupons a couple of times for that camera. In fact it looks like they're running it now which makes the price similar to Amazon's (but returns would be easier):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11629767&search=lumix&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=lumix&Ntt=lumix&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial

eta: I think the one we have is the older ZS6

thanks for the info!! hm, the Costco one looks like a good deal too, especially since it comes with a case and card...

hm, looking online it seems like the only main differences between the ZS10 ($249, the one you linked) and the ZS8 ($199 on amazon the one previously) is that the ZS8 does not have GPS tagging, and doesn't have capability to create 3D images..also i think the screen of the ZS8 may not be as good,and the resolution for videos is only 1280x720. also, this is a totally lame reason, but i think Costco only takes Amex, and i'm trying to rack up a few more charges to meet a minimum on my Discover CC by the end of the month (discover challenge)...so, i may just go with the cheaper one on amazon..

i'm excited about this. these cameras look SO small!

eta: if this thread is still alive in a few days i will try to post a review and size comparison to DSLR, elph etc

[AnnieW625]

I had a Canon Elph and it was great, but I love my Panasonic Lumix FZ28 (a power point and shoot camera) and the screen is so much more user friendly than the Canon. Panasonic makes some great small cameras as does Olympus. My brother has the Fuji Fine Pix drop and water resistant camera and has been very happy with it.

[joules]

I always had a Canon Powershot/Elph. Always loved it! I actually keep it on the manual mode but with the vivid color setting. Made all my pictures look like they were enhanced a bit with Photoshop. But with manual mode there was some fiddling involved if it was nighttime and we're indoors or some other conditions where the lighting is not optimal. I was used to it and it really was a quick adjustment.

My family got me a new Sony Cybershot for my bday this year. My sister knew i preferred the Canon but for some reason said the reviews for the Canon's weren't as good as this one. I decided to keep it and try it out. Now I'm so regretting it!! Either I'm not used to it and not using it right or it's just not as good as my Canon. We went to the zoo and DS had his back to the sun. Usually with my Canon I could find a spot where it could take a really decent picture, with the Sony, I tried everything but every picture turned out to be a washed out mess. There is no vivid color setting on my model (I think some of the other ones have it) so the colors aren't as bright and nice...I'm used to seeing the pics from my Canon. Sometimes I feel like it's not as in focus as it should be.

I feel awful about having them spend all this money on my camera, but I think I'm going to have to buy myself a Canon instead.

My mom and sister also have the Panasonic Lumix and they get really nice pictures. At this point I just really want to stick with what I know.

[amldaley]

I highly recommend Sony.

That said, depending on your price range...you might look at the new Sony NEX camera's. TOTALLY new technology, very well rated. Small. Sort of a point & shoot DSLR hybrid with totally new mirrorless technology.

I also really love this one. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=sony+16.2+mp+hd&gs_upl=703l7219l0l7485l15l15l0l4l4l0l234l1595l3.6. 2l11l0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12831292860798383156#

[♥ms.pacman♥]

bumping this..i just got my Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 a few days ago, and tested it out. Am pretty happy with it!!

twowhat?'s description upthread is pretty spot-on--this camera takes EXCELLENT pictures outdoors. I've been spoiled with my DSLR and i was impressed. Indoors (sans flash) it's not *that* great, but neither is any other camera, even a DSLR, unless you have a fast prime lens, or are using a tripod and object is still (e.g. not kids! :)). Plus at home I can just use DSLR..usually the times i really need a smaller camera is when we're outside at a festival or we're out for a walk, and i don't feel like lugging DSLR around

the size is pretty small, bigger than my canon elph but not by that much..totally easy to fit into a purse. i'd highly recommend it!

[roseyloxs]

I go through cameras like diapers. One died after a few years of use, one got tossed in the fish tank, and the last one got stolen by TSA. I always stick with a canon sd powershot with an optical viewfinder. I change models every time but I love this line of cameras. The cameras are always fast and the pictures always come out great.

After the last one got stolen though I just decided not to replace it. However my husband has heard about this new camera called the Lytro (https://www.lytro.com/camera) coming out in the spring (Feb/Mar). It looks really cool so I think we are going to pre-order one and check it out. Its a light field camera so there is no flash and no focus. Its supposed to absorb all the light in the environment so pictures still come out true to life even in low light situations. The other cool thing is you get to pick your focus while editting. Its hard to explain but you can play with this feature on their site: here (http://www.lytro.com/living-pictures). The only thing that worries me is the lack of an optical viewfinder because that's usually the only feature I demand my cameras to have.

[oneontheway]

We have something similar to the one in your second link though I think ours is a step up from that. It looks the same though. Size is great - it's small. Keep your eye out on the Costco mailers. I've seen them run $50 off coupons a couple of times for that camera. In fact it looks like they're running it now which makes the price similar to Amazon's (but returns would be easier):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11629767&search=lumix&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=lumix&Ntt=lumix&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial

eta: I think the one we have is the older ZS6

This is on my list for Santa!