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Anonymous
Hey /p/. A few months back I turned to you for camera recommendations, and ultimately decided upon the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. I've hit a few financial snags however, and haven't been able to purchase it yet, much to my dismay. (This fucking 2 megapixel FinePix 2650 is old as shit and, obviously, sucks ass.)

ANYWAY. I was pretty set on the S3 IS based on what I heard on /p/ and research on it at other sites. However, my mom has recommended that I go with the PowerShot A720 IS instead, as it has almost the same functionality, but is more compact. I compared them on DPReview, and I'm still at a loss, so I turn to you.

I take a lot of pictures of trees, plants, skylines, and bugs and shit. I also enjoy architectures and abandoned buildings. So a lot of far off stuff (the 12x zoom of the S3 IS appeals to me, but is not necessary by far), as well as a lot of really close-up stuff. In addition, I take pictures at concerts, so I need something that's going to function well in a low light environment, with possibly a lot of motion and still be able to take a clear picture.

Which one do you guys recommend?
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>> Anonymous
>>85972

I really doubt that the fz18 "PROBABLY" has a worse lens. From all accounts it is a very decent upgrade.

and the g9 *is* a different camera, good job, it's also very nicely built and just feels superior.

Both have newer technology packed inside of them, and both are considered to be some of the best choices in the sub dslr field.

also... Leica M3s? How is that relevant in the slightest? Technology is completely different these days, and although the other cameras he has listed *will* take photos just fine, he might as well get some nice zoom, image stabilization, and the ability to shoot raw if he can RIGHT?
>> Anonymous
OP here. I forgot to mention that I'm not going to be able to spend much more than $250 (S3 IS is ~$270). If you guys could recommend something else in that price range (any more than $270 is REALLY pushing it), that would be cool too (I checked out the FZ8 and it looks like it's JUST out of my price range with shipping). I'm a fairly casual photographer, and like I said, I just need something to replace this piece of shit I've had since Christmas of '01.

>>85954
Like I said, the 12x zoom is nice, but is by no means imperative.
>> Anonymous
>>85978

the fz8 is 224 dollars from amazon right now. can't you just get slow shipping?

the fz8 will probably be your best bet if you want to shoot in raw with a good zoom range and whatnot.
>> Anonymous
>>85978
you know...you could just wait like an extra week or two or whatever it takes and get something slightly out of your price range.
>> Anonymous
>>85975
1. More megapixels is not good a thing with the tiny sensors these cameras have. A larger zoom lens probably had to incorporate more compromises. Lenses like this, on the FZ8, the FZ18, and the S3IS are incredibly hard to get right, and I don't see why one should gamble on an even harder lens unless he needs the 28mm or the 504.

The 18x zoom was introduced to keep up with other companies; a technically better approach would've been to sacrifice a little on the telephoto end and get a 28mm equiv. by enlarging the sensor.

2. The same about being considered "some of the best choices in the sub-DSLR field" holds true of all the cameras mentioned, except perhaps the A710.

3. You totally missed the point with the Leica M3 and Canon D30 comment. Even though there's "new technology," these cameras still work just as well. That was the point. In ten years, every camera in this thread will still be producing the same photographs it does now. And people are doing just fine with all of them. I'm sick of people whining about things becoming "obsolete" just because some random engineer at the instruction of a random marketing exec cooked up some new feature.
>> Anonymous
>>85987
My job isn't giving me shit hours, so pretty much 100% of what I'm making is going right back out again. I'm working off of what I have saved, also what I feel to be a good price for a camera, being that I'm fairly casual.

>>85983
...Wow. I didn't even check Amazon. I'll take that into consideration.
>> Anonymous
>>85995
Double-posting, whee. I looked more into the FZ8, and I'm not so sure. Another thing I liked about the S3 IS and the A720 IS is that they can focus at 0cm and 1cm, respectively. The closest you can get with the FZ8 is 5cm with macro (not sure if that means lens or setting). Halp.
>> Anonymous
>>86025
The FZ8's lens isn't a great macro lens, no. But it's more than usable, and it can focus awfully close for non-macro applications. At its full 432mm equiv. focal length, it'll focus down to just a meter; at medium telephotos, less, like maybe a foot or so; past medium telephoto lengths and into just plain telephoto, it'll do a gradually increasing distance, from about a meter and a half up to two meters before strangely dropping back down to one at the end. Wide and normal focal lengths are very short, but the 5cm figure only works at the absolute widest.

I would give you exact figures for a couple different focal lengths, but its battery is almost dead, flashing a warning, actually, so I need to go stick in it the charger.
>> Anonymous
>>86032
I like getting "all up in the grill" as it were of some things I shoot. Bugs are a main one, also getting the textures of close-ups on leaves and other plants. How does the FZ8 work with stuff like that? Is it possible to compensate for the not-so-good macro with the 12x zoom? I'm a little ignorant when it comes to photography, so forgive my stupid questions.
>> Anonymous
>>86048

consider it thiswise: 5cm (sersly, inch and a half!) is pretty goddamn close, no matter what other cameras do. in fact, 5cm straight macro was absolutely unheard of until about 6 or 7 years ago, save for expensive primes, reverser rings or bellows extensions.
>> Anonymous
>>85940
Just get the Panny FZ18. 28mm FTW.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
I'd say go with the A720IS if the long telephoto isn't the biggest draw for you.

If you ever upgrade to a digital SLR, the 720 will still be useful as a go-anywhere small camera, while the S3IS is nearly as bulky as a small SLR itself.
>> Anonymous
>>86069
I am most definitely NOT getting the FZ18.

So now I have three choices, thanks guys. x_x

S3 IS, A720 IS, or Panasonic FZ8?
>> Anonymous
the s3 is a 'real' camera. remember that.

and in reality, it's a lot less bulky than an slr.
>> Anonymous
After some consideration, I think I've narrowed it down to the S3 IS or the FZ8. I know you guys are probably pretty sick of helping me out, but any commentary on those two would be appreciated.
>> Anonymous
>>86289
Why not just go down to your local camera shop and try out the cameras yourself? Most of the differences between the two cameras come down to the build and menu setup, and that's pretty much personal preference.