Need new camera advise...

[KHo]

Not trying to hijack here, but I have been looking for something along these same lines. Which in your opinion is the better camera and provides the most options? Thanks!

From the research I have done, the one Snakelover mentions - the G11 - is about as high end as you can go with a point and shoot. I has a lot of "professional" features in a less than professional camera.

The one that Berandel mentions - the SX20IS - is a set below the G11. It still has a lot of features that are high end including video but not has "professional-like" as the G11.

The site Berandel has linked is VERY useful...as is the B&H site. Tons of reviews, able to compare, etc. Good luck in your research and purchase.

[k9trainer]

Thanks guys for the info. What is RAW?

[Hawg]

It's a file format. If you don't know what it is just yet, stick with shooting .jpgs for awhile.

[scotty]

Thanks guys for the info. What is RAW?

When you take a digital photo, the information is processed into a file that is stored on your memory card. If you are shooting and saving the photo as a JPEG, the information is compressed into a smaller file. This allows you to take a lot more photos than if you shoot Raw. BUT, and it a big but, whenever you manipulate the photo using editing software, you lose more data, each time you save it. Even if you are just rotating the picture on the screen.
Raw files contain all the information captured by the camera when the photo was taken. It is a lossless format. You can manipulate the photo as much as you want and all the data stays put. It's also easier and more effective to manipulate a Raw photo than a JPEG.

[MC70]

If you haven't bought yet, I'd strongly urge you to take a look at some of the upper end Kodak units. For a while I was going through point and shoots like water, trying to find the perfect one. The best I found by far (and which matched my tech knowledge as an electronics tech) was the Kodak line. I'm not talking about the pocket-sized ones, but ones that truly have a bit of glass on them. Use caution with big zooms on point and shoots though; they often come with really extreme lens aberrations to make those very tight macros AND big zooms.

They give a stellar image. They share extremely easily. They don't cost much and have proven extremely reliable.

I've found over the years you either get a lot of 'control' or you get a really good sensor/supporting electronics suite. Seldom if ever do you get both. There are several high end DSLRs that offer every control possible (and here's a secret, a lot of them overlap and are just useless) but skimp on the actual sensor to gather the data. With that, you'll never get a good image. If they skimp on the glass, the image is likewise compromised. I'd sacrifice 'control' with quality of the working bits any day. Also, consider that unless you truly have a moving shutter and aperture, you're just psudo-controlling your camera anyway via software corrections. That, again, always compromises your image.
I've found over the years you

[Burnadell]

Not trying to hijack here, but I have been looking for something along these same lines. Which in your opinion is the better camera and provides the most options? Thanks!

I think for a pure, high end, point & shoot, the G11 that Snakelover mentions is excellent if that is what you want it for. If you want some more capabilities with a longer zoom, but don't want the larger size and cost of the SLR, then the S10 or S20 is the ticket.

[KHo]

The SX20IS is en route from B&H and should be here Monday. Thanks again TBHers!

[jkf123]

The SX20IS is en route from B&H and should be here Monday. Thanks again TBHers!

KHo,
What's your review of the camera? How are the pics at 20X? My BIL has one and he loves it. I need to upgrade my older Sony and am looking at the SX20IS. I mostly need it for taking pics of the kids, videoing parts of baseball games and taking LDP's.

[Aggiebowhunter03]

The SX20IS is en route from B&H and should be here Monday. Thanks again TBHers!

Awesome choice. You won't be disappointed. I've got the SX10IS (one model earlier) and it is a blast. Spend some serious time reading through the manual and you'll get more out of it. Also, do yourself a favor and go get the book Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson. Although it's geared somewhat toward SLR's, you'll learn a ton about photography basics.

[KHo]

KHo,
What's your review of the camera? How are the pics at 20X? My BIL has one and he loves it. I need to upgrade my older Sony and am looking at the SX20IS. I mostly need it for taking pics of the kids, videoing parts of baseball games and taking LDP's.

Sorry for the delay - LOVE IT. It does exactly what I want an more. I took it on several trip and it performed wonderfully. It has a ton of features and I think I discover a new one each time out. I give it - WAY up.

Awesome choice. You won't be disappointed. I've got the SX10IS (one model earlier) and it is a blast. Spend some serious time reading through the manual and you'll get more out of it. Also, do yourself a favor and go get the book Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson. Although it's geared somewhat toward SLR's, you'll learn a ton about photography basics.

Thanks for the tips...I seem to reach out to the manual online every time I find something new.

[Kevin]

I highly recommend getting the S90 over the G11. I used to pick the G11 first, but after using the S90 for a while now, I like it better. It uses the same sensor, just a tighter package.