So, a friend of mine asked me to help her find a camera since of course, I'm extremly knowledgeable in the P/S department.

Anyways, she gave me three choices she's narrowed down to:

Canon SD800:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho...7171531&sr=8-1

Sony W90:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybershot...7171620&sr=1-2

Nikon Coolpix S500:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-...7171719&sr=1-1

...or does anyone have any other recommendations? I figure all will lend pretty similar performance. Her only complaint was her last sony p/s "didn't take very good action shots". I'm leaning towards the Canon right now, simply because I've had a Canon p/s and it did a damn good job. But I don't want to ignore a better performer simply because of my usual Canon gear bias.

Thanks.

- Scott

Originally Posted by Stime187

Her only complaint was her last sony p/s "didn't take very good action shots". I'm leaning towards the Canon right now, simply because I've had a Canon p/s and it did a damn good job. But I don't want to ignore a better performer simply because of my usual Canon gear bias.

I'm biased towards Canon as well because they have pretty red lettering, and I like that. But without ever meeting you or her, my first judgment is based on this statement: "Her only complaint was her last sony p/s 'didn't take very good action shots'", and I can only think that she just didn't bother to learn the ins and outs of photography.

Some P&S's are geared toward action with high ISO ratings and 12x optical zoom, and others have wide angle lenses with massive megapixel ratings, but they all essentially function the same.

I really don't think you can go wrong in the P&S world these days. After all, so many manufacturers wouldn't keep the supply so high if there wasn't a market. Sure they all have different features and specific arenas of concentration, but someone who knows a bit about photography can get a great shot out of any camera. P&S, SLR, pinhole, they're all the same to someone who knows what they're dealing with. As you said here: "I figure all will lend pretty similar performance".

Please direct your friend to NSOP.

Or tell her to get a G9, because Canon makes it and I want one. I think.

I was really impressed with the Canon SX100 which I actually think will be my next PnS if I pick one up. As Ted said, its most likely she didnt learn some of the INs of the camera.

I've tried a lot of P&S cameras over the years. I've never been fond of Nikon or Sony, so of the three I'd go with the Canon. I also have wound up eventually owning Canon P&S cameras. Besides my G3, which was my first digital camera, I replaced an Olympus P&S with the SD630 and have been very happy with it.

They all suck and none are perfect???

What's the budget here, because the suggestions vary significantly based on that one criteria.

Thanks, guys, I'll probably just tell her to get the Canon and be done with it. If she can't figure out action shots with it, I'll just figure 'em out and teach her.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

They all suck and none are perfect???

What's the budget here, because the suggestions vary significantly based on that one criteria.

Its probably a couple hundred bucks, but I'm really not sure. She gave me those three and asked me which one and since I've never heard of/used any of them, I brought them here just to be sure there was no glaring issues.

does the canon have the action mode? Make sure to teach her the AF trick (half pressing the shutter) because most people using P&Ss that bitch about lag/delay don't know it and it fixes the issue for them.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

does the canon have the action mode? Make sure to teach her the AF trick (half pressing the shutter) because most people using P&Ss that bitch about lag/delay don't know it and it fixes the issue for them.

Not sure on the "action" mode, I'll check.

And yeah, I've tried to explain that to her. Press halfway to focus, then hit it fully, but apparently thats just a really hard concept to grasp for non-photographers. Go figure.

But yeah, I figure I can help her make whatever she gets work but to be honest, I'm a little annoyed that it has to be me. I don't like this stupid photographer's know everything about all cameras sterotype.

So, yeah, looks like she'll be ignoring my advice and getting the Sony anyways... whatever, don't bother asking me next time.

the sonys are very simple to use, as their menu system gives a full text description when switching modes..

memorystick what?

I have a cybershot somewhere.. cant find the power cord to charge it tho...

does it use floppies?
sony and their proprietary media....

the Alphas actually do both MS pros and CF cards. very thoughtful of them I thought.