Still digital Cameras...again

[steveG]

I searched and didn't find any good recent info...

The family digital Camera (D-40zoom Olympus) recenty took a dive so I need to replace it. The only real complaints I had about it were it's slow speed-It took forever to save a pic a lot of times cost us a great shot of the baby or whatever we were trying to shoot, it ate batteries like crazy and had very little zoom. My wife takes thousands of pictures a year and prints a lot, so we're looking for a minimum of 5 megs, above 8x zoom, and hopefully under $700. I quess we're looking for something a step above a typical point and shoot, but I also want something with a point and shoot option...
I've been recommended the Nikon Coolpix 8700 which is in our price range. Anyone have this camera? I'm also looking at the Cannon Pro 1.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance

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[DailyPedal]

If you are willing to spend $700, I would recommend the Canon digital Rebel before any of the little point and shoots. A high quality lens on a Rebel will surpass any of the small cameras.

[steveG]

I'm considering that one. The Pro 1 has a flip out screen which I really like and the rebel doesn't. I'm assuming that both the pro 1 and the rebel have an auto setting so you can just point and shoot. Am I right?

[havahockey]

Yes the Rebel has an Auto setting where you just point and shoot. It comes with a 18-55mm lens but unless you buy it used i don't think you'll find it for less then $700. Here are some good website for camera reviews and info.

www.dpreview.com
www.fredmiranda.com
www.steves-digicams.com
www.photo.net

[steveG]

You're right about the price. I'm not finding a rebel for under $700. Reviews on the Pro 1 seem to be mixed. A number of people complained that it has a slow autofocus, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what they're comparing too. Considering the fact that we're stepping up from a very compact point and shoot, It may be faster than we'll ever need....

[klaus]

High-Rev / Steve got started on his digital Rebel before stepping it up a wile back...and look at his early pictures.

[ChuckH]

some people think the Nikon D70 is a step above the rebel, including me, its a little more but close in price, i think a new rebel is about to come out soon !!??

[steveG]

There is a new Rebel XT if that's what you're talking about, but it's out of our price range.

[Jack]

I got the S1is from Canon and love it. To get the quick shots you must be in that mode, but it is great and takes great movies to boot.


I was woried about the 3.2 mega pixel, but I do all my shooting at the highest quality, and could not ask for any better (306 pics for 512mb). Most people that get the higher megapixel cameras dont use it on high qual so it is a waist. Be carefull looking at the 8 mp cams, they are having problems with image qual.

[phorensic]

I agree on the megapixel thing. I have printed out beautiful 8x10's on my 4MP camera - http://www.digital-addiction.net/camera.html . My Olympus was good to me in bright light, or with the flash on indoors during the day. Low-light sucked on it. The reason I bought my C-765 is because of the 10X optical zoom, it's very useful. I paid $500 for my camera with a 128MB flash card. That's one thing you should factor into your price, a big flash card.

Don't buy a Fuji in that price range, my buddy did and it is really a horrible camera. Nikons are used by a lot of professionals. I'm moving over to a 35mm Canon SLR, and from what I have seen Canon is the company to beat right now. I no longer research point and shoot type cameras because I'm in the market for an SLR, but check out Canon's offerings for what you want. Again, don't get caught up in the megapixel marketing.