Which would you buy?

[-0MEGA-] · 12-19-2006, 08:15 PM

I'm debating on what camera I want for a late Christmas present, I have narrowed it down to a select few.

Keep in mind the price as well when voting, not just how good the product is.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120069

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120068

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120043

My price range is around $300-$400, I would like one that can record video at 640x480 @ 30fps or better (all of those do), will last me a while, decent optical zoom, etc.

I really like the S3-IS, but the 6MP makes it seem a bit less attractive then the A640 or A710, even though the optical zoom isnt as good on those.

MatrixEVO · 12-19-2006, 08:22 PM

Have you looked on ebay yet? Maybe you could find a cheap Rebel XT somewhere. Those cameras are great my mom has one. But out of those 4 cameras I would suggest the S3-IS because it is so much better then the other ones, and the MP doesn't matter sooo much.

EDIT: And there is no point upgrading to an A630 when you already have an A620.

**The_Other_One** · 12-19-2006, 08:29 PM

Take a look at some Panasonics. If you're looking into a larger camera(like the S3 IS) the Panasonic FZ-20 and FZ-30 provide much better quality photos. Yes, even though the FZ-20 has less megapixles, the images tend to be better... I had an S2IS for a few weeks but returned it and got my Panasonic FZ20. I was not at all pleased with the quality.

Oh, and a note about the video options... Yes, the S3 IS has an awsome movie function... However, the video is basically uncompressed so you're very limited to how much you can fit on even large cards. I'm thinking the 256MB card I used in the camera only gave me about 4 minutes of video...

[-0MEGA-] · 12-19-2006, 08:42 PM

The reason I chose Canon was because I have an A620 which takes amazing photos IMO, and I also really like the video functions. I have a 2GB SD card, so I can store a fair amount of video on there.

And a while ago the cameras on eBay were selling for more then what they cost on Newegg.

I like the A series because it's fairly small, but has loads of manual features. And ryan, how much do those cameras cost? Your mom paid like $1000 for hers didnt she?

**DCIScouts** · 12-19-2006, 09:14 PM

I would go with the S3, obviously the most money, but definitely worth that extra money. Oh, and here's a better deal than Newegg, and if you get it at the store there's no shipping, so it's a couple of bucks cheaper, too...

http://www.officemax.com/max/solutio...OID=1611426061

[-0MEGA-] · 12-19-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCIScouts

I would go with the S3, obviously the most money, but definitely worth that extra money. Oh, and here's a better deal than Newegg, and if you get it at the store there's no shipping, so it's a couple of bucks cheaper, too...

http://www.officemax.com/max/solutio...OID=1611426061

It says its for $399. The reason I would go with Newegg is because Im getting a gift card there for christmas.

**DCIScouts** · 12-19-2006, 09:40 PM

Ah, ok, there's a free card with that camera, but if you're getting a gift card, that's fine, too...

[-0MEGA-] · 12-23-2006, 08:16 PM

Bump...

I want a few more opinions before I actually go buy one after Christmas.

And Staples has the S3-IS for $399 as well.

cuffless · 12-23-2006, 11:39 PM

S3-is

**vroom_skies** · 12-24-2006, 05:57 AM

I just got the S3-IS about two weeks ago. And while I am no camera expert, I have throughly enjoyed my time with this camera. The feel to this camera is better than I thought it would be. It has a nice solid feel, and conforms to my hand perfectly (smaller hands).
If you want to see some photos I've taken with this camera go here:
http://3dgpu.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8227
Mind you, almost all of those photos were taken on auto. I've only begun to dabble with manual.

Hope this helps.
Bob

You also might want to check out what theotherone was recomending. Those were the two of the three I had it narrowed down to, but I was able to hold the s3, but not the fz20. I wasn't going to buy a camera I didn't hold in advance.

View Poll Results: Which camera would you choose?
A630 - $248	3	16.67%
A710 - $330	3	16.67%
A640 - $349	6	33.33%
S3 IS - $398	12	66.67%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

12-19-2006, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,985	Which would you buy? I'm debating on what camera I want for a late Christmas present, I have narrowed it down to a select few. Keep in mind the price as well when voting, not just how good the product is. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120069 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120067 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120068 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120043 My price range is around $300-$400, I would like one that can record video at 640x480 @ 30fps or better (all of those do), will last me a while, decent optical zoom, etc. I really like the S3-IS, but the 6MP makes it seem a bit less attractive then the A640 or A710, even though the optical zoom isnt as good on those. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

12-19-2006, 08:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
MatrixEVO Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 1,366	Have you looked on ebay yet? Maybe you could find a cheap Rebel XT somewhere. Those cameras are great my mom has one. But out of those 4 cameras I would suggest the S3-IS because it is so much better then the other ones, and the MP doesn't matter sooo much. EDIT: And there is no point upgrading to an A630 when you already have an A620. __________________ Git-R-Done!!!

12-19-2006, 08:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 24 Posts: 12,388	Take a look at some Panasonics. If you're looking into a larger camera(like the S3 IS) the Panasonic FZ-20 and FZ-30 provide much better quality photos. Yes, even though the FZ-20 has less megapixles, the images tend to be better... I had an S2IS for a few weeks but returned it and got my Panasonic FZ20. I was not at all pleased with the quality. Oh, and a note about the video options... Yes, the S3 IS has an awsome movie function... However, the video is basically uncompressed so you're very limited to how much you can fit on even large cards. I'm thinking the 256MB card I used in the camera only gave me about 4 minutes of video... __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

12-19-2006, 08:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,985	The reason I chose Canon was because I have an A620 which takes amazing photos IMO, and I also really like the video functions. I have a 2GB SD card, so I can store a fair amount of video on there. And a while ago the cameras on eBay were selling for more then what they cost on Newegg. I like the A series because it's fairly small, but has loads of manual features. And ryan, how much do those cameras cost? Your mom paid like $1000 for hers didnt she? __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

12-19-2006, 09:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 26 Posts: 5,446	I would go with the S3, obviously the most money, but definitely worth that extra money. Oh, and here's a better deal than Newegg, and if you get it at the store there's no shipping, so it's a couple of bucks cheaper, too... http://www.officemax.com/max/solutio...OID=1611426061 __________________ In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. -Martin Luther King Jr. The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against wacking them around a little. -Joe Martin FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 Posting and you - CF Edition Cheers CF

12-19-2006, 09:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 26 Posts: 5,446	Ah, ok, there's a free card with that camera, but if you're getting a gift card, that's fine, too... __________________ In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. -Martin Luther King Jr. The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against wacking them around a little. -Joe Martin FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 Posting and you - CF Edition Cheers CF

12-23-2006, 08:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,985	Bump... I want a few more opinions before I actually go buy one after Christmas. And Staples has the S3-IS for $399 as well. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

12-23-2006, 11:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
cuffless Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 538	S3-is __________________ Core 2 Duo E6400 2GB 667mhz Ram Ati x1300Pro 320gb HDD Vista Ultimate

12-24-2006, 05:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
vroom_skies Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT Posts: 2,089	I just got the S3-IS about two weeks ago. And while I am no camera expert, I have throughly enjoyed my time with this camera. The feel to this camera is better than I thought it would be. It has a nice solid feel, and conforms to my hand perfectly (smaller hands). If you want to see some photos I've taken with this camera go here: http://3dgpu.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8227 Mind you, almost all of those photos were taken on auto. I've only begun to dabble with manual. Hope this helps. Bob You also might want to check out what theotherone was recomending. Those were the two of the three I had it narrowed down to, but I was able to hold the s3, but not the fz20. I wasn't going to buy a camera I didn't hold in advance. __________________ My Photography Website My Flickr Winner of the photography tournament theme: Flowers, Sunsets, Water Scapes, Blurs 2.0, Lightning/Fireworks, Vivid, Flowers in an Abstract Art Form, Waterways, PC Inurds & Most Confusing Image.

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