Need help with buying DC

[pop]

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Currently, I'm using a canon Ixus330, which I have owned for about 3 years now. I would like to upgrade to a new cam and I have a budget of $800-$1k for it.

Now, I'm no photo buff and I'm totally out of touch with what's in the market and which are the better ones.

All I know is I prefer a light and compact one like my present ixus. I use my DC mainly for taking pics of events and during my travels. I'm not into photographic hobbies. But I do like the option of manual control and also good macro shots.

I especially want one with good batt life. My ixus, if I take it out for a day and if I use the LCD, it won't last a day.

OK, considering all of the above, what would you recommend me. I will be happy with another Canon or other brands, I'm not brand conscious.

Thanking you in advance for your help. I really need it.

[wainism]

i reckon the Canon A series is the best bet for u if u want a compact with manual functions. u can use an adaptor for ur macro shots, pls refer to MEGAWEB the guru on how to do this! he managed some superb shots with an A75.

u prob can get a A95(latest model) at abt $600+(early $600) sice ur budget is pretty high, or u can try the SONY W1 or is that W3? i think

or u can get my A80(with warranty left and comes with freebies) at $450
msg me at 96928153 if u interested!

[pop]

Thank you, Wainism, for your suggestions. I will keep those in mind and I hope more people could offer their 2cents.

[sriram]

If you have a budget of $1k, get the G6 without a second thought. MS-Colour quoted me $1023, and if you get it within this week Canon gives a free 512MB Lexar CF card and a 7-in-1 bag, and MS-colour throws in a screen protector. The G6 trashes the A series cameras any day, focusing is faster, and battery life is much better.

[pop]

Originally Posted by sriram If you have a budget of $1k, get the G6 without a second thought. MS-Colour quoted me $1023, and if you get it within this week Canon gives a free 512MB Lexar CF card and a 7-in-1 bag, and MS-colour throws in a screen protector. The G6 trashes the A series cameras any day, focusing is faster, and battery life is much better.

Just been to canon's webby and take a look. Nice. But just too bulky for my liking. I do like a cam that can slip into my pocket comfortably. Sometimes I'm undecided whether to go for a more powerful cam that's bulkier or settle for one that's compact yet takes decent pics.

[user111]

second the g6

[wainism]

Originally Posted by pop Just been to canon's webby and take a look. Nice. But just too bulky for my liking. I do like a cam that can slip into my pocket comfortably. Sometimes I'm undecided whether to go for a more powerful cam that's bulkier or settle for one that's compact yet takes decent pics.

okie, pls correct me if i am wrong.

if u want manual functions. i think the A series is considered the most compact liao. maybe u can check out the S series(canon), i didnt check up on that.

other wise, most of the cams will be considered too bulky for u

[yanyewkay]

can consider sony W1.. fast start up, low shutter lag. Batt life dunno.. cos not mine to try until batt flat. small and fit your bill.. but memory sticks dun come cheap so is all other sony accessories.

I would also recommend the canon A95. both 5 mp and about the same specs roughly.
but i prefer Canon's pictures. more contrasty pics, i like~.

check out:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

[scifreaker]

G6 is a good bargain

[pop]

Originally Posted by yanyewkay http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...dscw1&show=all

wow, the side-by-side comparison is really useful. Both are almost identical. Some of the differences are too technical for me to understand, but I noticed this diff in quality levels - canon A95 has super fine, but not sony W1. Does this mean canon pic quality is better?

And about the batt, canon uses 4xAA while sony only 2, so this would mean canon can shoot twice longer before changing batt, right? But sony comes with charger though.

Seeing that many are strongly recommending G6, that tempts me too.

[Snowcrash]

Originally Posted by pop All I know is I prefer a light and compact one like my present ixus. I use my DC mainly for taking pics of events and during my travels. I'm not into photographic hobbies. But I do like the option of manual control and also good macro shots. .

try out the nex ixus 40 as well as olympus mini since you prefer something light and compact but no manual control. But for pics of events (indoor) ....I'm still waiting for one that can do iso800 decently

[nad]

since you are a Canon user and prob very use to the interface, suggest you stick with the brand.

if you want something compact, take great pics and manual controls, suggest you check out the S70. image quality is very close to the G6 but same amt of controls and best of all, 28mm at its widest make it more usable than the G6 for tight situations.

[pop]

Originally Posted by pop but I noticed this diff in quality levels - canon A95 has super fine, but not sony W1. Does this mean canon pic quality is better?

can someone enlighten me as to whether I interprete this correctly. A95 has super-fine, fine, normal, 3 quality levels, whereas W5 only has fine and standard. Is is difference critical? And does this imply A95 has better pic quality? thks.

[Belle&Sebastain]

Originally Posted by pop can someone enlighten me as to whether I interprete this correctly. A95 has super-fine, fine, normal, 3 quality levels, whereas W5 only has fine and standard. Is is difference critical? And does this imply A95 has better pic quality? thks.

its not compared like that, its just different companies use different quality to indicate which mega pixel you are using and the Jpeg compression.

Picture quality is determine by more things other than Jpeg compression, that includes the lens, CCD, and precessor of the camera.

[pop]

Originally Posted by Belle&Sebastain its not compared like that, its just different companies use different quality to indicate which mega pixel you are using and the Jpeg compression.

Thanks. Hmm, like that I'm still undecided. I tot it means A95 has better pic quality.

I think there is an IT show coming up next week, will use that opportunity to look-see, look-see.

[tkj]

If you can wait, the new A520 is smaller and use only two AA battery. Check it at www.dpreview.com.
Should be out soon.

[pop]

Originally Posted by tkj If you can wait, the new A520 is smaller and use only two AA battery. Check it at www.dpreview.com. Should be out soon.

smaller, lighter than A95 but it does seem it is not as good as A95 when it comes to pic quality?