File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
So /p/. I'm looking to buy a new digicam and having trouble juggling trade-offs and deciding on anything.

First and foremost, I'm no pro and not looking for an SLR. I want something that can probably fit in my pocket, although it doesn't have to be ultra-compact. Also, I have big pockets.

Aside from the size, my main concerns are:

-Low minimum macro focal distance. I love macro shots and I see there are a fair amount of cameras that focus at 1 cm, so I don't think I'd go for anything inferior to that.

-Low noise. This is something that's always annoyed me about my current camera, and I'd love to solve that problem as much as possible. I am correct in stating that noise is proportional to megapixels divided by sensor size, right?

-Image stabilization. This would be really nice but it's a rarity on smaller cameras, so I don't know if I should be that picky or not. It seems like something I'd really appreciate though, as I've had endless amounts of disappointingly blurry photos when I thought I was holding the camera pretty steady.

-Easy to just point and shoot when needed, easy to use more involved features and fine tuning when I feel like it. I'm a noob at photograhy as it is, but I'd be interested in really trying to set up shots if I didn't have to navigate through 7 sub-menus with a d-pad to do it.

-Records video with audio, but pretty much everything does that.
Comment too long. Clickhereto view the full text.
>> Anonymous
From what I've seen, it's pretty much impossible to find a camera that fits all my critera. Anyways, here's a few cameras that at least come close, and I'd like to hear opinions on them:

Samsung NV11 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830144083
Canon PowerShot G9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120219
Canon PowerShot SX100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120220

So, does anyone have any personal experience with any of these cameras? The NV11 is appealing in every way except its lack of optical image stabilization, it only has advanced shake reduction, which I hear increases noise. The other two are a little bigger, and the G9 is a lot pricier... it would take a lot of convincing for me to spend that much. Plus, it seems that the NV11's interface might be nicer, but that depends on if it really works as nicely as it's supposed to.

Any sort of advice is much appreciated, especially if I'm overlooking some awesome camera that fits most of my criteria.
>> Anonymous
>>90247
Have you actually looked at the samples from the NV11? I prefer noisy, but detailed pictures to the mess the NV11 produces.
>> Anonymous
>>90250
Well I guess that rules it out.

Some of the Canon SD series look decent, but they don't have the 1cm macro focal distance. Kind of an annoying feature to shop for since it seems more like a coin-toss than something that correlates with the quality of the camera.
>> Anonymous
Canon Powershot S3IS. Fits every one of your criteria.

Also, I'm pretty sure there's no equation for noise, but yes, the more megapixels on the smaller the sensor, the more noise.
>> Anonymous
Have a look for a fuji f31fd or f30 they have class leading low noise. They are hard to get hold of now as aren't being produced but newer fuji cameras are actually noisier. Its pretty much the only compact you can get decent evening photos out of.
>> Anonymous
>>90266
Thanks, it looks a little bigger than I want but I'll keep it in mind in case I decide it's worth the trade-off.

>>90267
The low noise sounds good but they have neither image stabilization nor good macro distance. Thanks though.
>> Anonymous
>>90267
Fujis have lowest noise in their class, but some people hate the colors they produce. So it's useful to look at the sample photos beforehand.
>> Anonymous
>>90266

I have the S3IS, and the thing takes absolutely amazing macro shots. It's pretty cheap too. The S5IS came out, and for way more cash, all you get is facial recognition.

If you can get past the side, totally go for the S3IS. If you can't, well, there's probably another camera out there.
>> Anonymous
>>90305
Yeah, I read how the minimum focal distance is actually "0cm" and I really do love macro shots (hell, I'd love to have a microscope with a built in digicam...) so I'm leaning more towards this now. Are there any downsides aside from the size? I'm guessing you're completely satisfied with the level of noise and all?
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>90310

Noise isn't perfect, to be absolutely honest. In normal light conditions, you'd be wise to set the thing to 100-200 ISO. Hell, even in slightly darker lighting conditions, it usually works out better to keep it at 200 and do with a lower shutter speed (as the image stabilization does wonders).

My biggest complaint for the camera would be noise, but I'm sure I over-exaggerate the issue, I'm told I'm extremely finnicky over it. So I advise you to research this yourself.

Image uploaded was taken with it just a couple of days ago. I don't think this is a particularly good picture, but I'm not at my house, so the only images I have are the ones on my SD card. No tripod was involved, just hold the giant 'macro' button and point and shoot.

P.S.: 0cm focus actually is true, I can focus on stuff as it's brushing against the lens (not that you'd want to do this).

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot S3 ISMaximum Lens Aperturef/2.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2007:11:01 13:34:59Exposure Time1/1000 secF-Numberf/4.0Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo FlashFocal Length6.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width2272Image Height1704RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
>>90310
Original suggestor of the S3IS here. I owned the S3IS for a while. I replaced it after it got stolen with a Panasonic FZ8, which is a better camera overall, but is much worse for macro shots and also has marginally more noise.

The S3IS does great for noise considering that it has a really dinky sensor, like all the cameras you're looking at. The G series has a slightly larger sensor, but not larger enough to make a huge difference. I managed to use it sometimes (If I remember correctly, it doesn't save ISO in the EXIF data that Windows Photo and Fax Viewer can read) at 800 with passable results, but then again I'm not too picky about noise.

But yeah, it's a great camera- especially if one gets the hack that enables raw mode- and it will fit in a jacket pocket fine, though not a typical pants one. I would walk around with it in my jacket pocket, with the strap stuck out a little, and pull the strap when I needed it.
>> GTFO FAGGOT Anonymous
dpreview and go fuck yourself
>> Anonymous
>>90318
>>90322
Helpful stuff here, thanks a bunch guys.
>>90324
Sure thing, at this point I guess all that's left is for me to weigh the facts again, assuming there are no more cameras in this realm that I don't know about.
>> Anonymous
I ordered a Canon A650 IS.

This is awesome [y/n]
>> Anonymous
>>90963
No, the G9 would have been the way to go. Four AA batteries are a fucking killer.
>> Anonymous
>>90974
Hm? I've always used 4x Sony Ni-MH 2500mAh, they charge in 15 minutes, it's awesome.
>> Anonymous
>>90975
i like using those batteries for my flash.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>90963

Yes. I wants one of those.

(Can't justify it given how rarely I use my PowerShot A95 as is, though, and given how much expensive DSLR-related stuff I want to buy)