SD100??

[possmann]

Does anyone own this and can they provide some feedback as compared to some of the other compact SD memory cameras out there?

I'm looking for an easy pack-along camera (small) but still good picture and video quality (not stellar) and with the SD card so I can pop it into my HP1910 - that would be a PocketPC in case you didn't already know :wink:

I've been looking at the Cannon for a while but would like some feedback - I'm also considering the Casio and Minolta as well - but have pretty much ruled out the Kodak cameras...

[Suhit Gupta]

I saw the SD100 at either Cebit or PC World last year at the Canon booth, and it looked very nice. Comes with all the benefits of the Powershot and is slim.

Both the Casio Exilim and the Minolta Dimage are solid product lines. I personally own the Exilim Z4 and am quite happy with it. The Exilims (from personal experience) are very compact cameras, take SD cards, (some models) offer optical zoom, and have a really large LCD at the back to assist in taking/reviewing pictures. Picture quality is quite good too.

Suhit

PS - Beware of the NA versions of the Casio cameras that doesn't offer video capture, a feature turned off in software as far as we can determine.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Nikon 3700! Cheap, good image quality (till the auto ISO decides to boost it till 200 :roll: ), and very very fast AF. Faster than my own IXUS. -_-

[possmann]

but aren't all nikon's still using the CF type II format? I really want a good, compact camera that uses the SD/MMC card format.

Speaking of Cannon - does the Rebel use this format or the larger CF Type II?

[Suhit Gupta]

but aren't all nikon's still using the CF type II format? I really want a good, compact camera that uses the SD/MMC card format.
Actually the Nikon 3700 uses SD, so you are in luck :) (if the Nikon is what you want to go for). BTW, how do you define a 'good' camera? All four companies mentioned above have put forwards some very good cameras in the compact camera range. I think it will ultimately depends on your criteria.

Speaking of Cannon - does the Rebel use this format or the larger CF Type II?
I am sorry to nit-pick, but Canon is with two 'n', not three. ;-)

And are you asking about the Digital Rebel, i.e. the Canon EOS 300D. If so then it does use CF I or II storage cards.

Suhit

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Yes indeed, my opinion is, as usual, to take a trip down to your local photography equipment store and try out the various cameras. Nowadays the cameras are pretty decent, so it's now a matter of personal taste, and you can't decide on that just by looking at the specifications on paper!

[possmann]

Right you are! I've had a Nikon SLR for years and it has served me very well. I like the fact that the Nikon camera use the Nikkor lenses in their digital cameras - are the lenses in the Canon SD100 or the Canon compacts as good as their counter parts in the SLR world - or, in the digital world, do lenses really matter as much as other items.

I've been reading specs for a while, looking at photos and playing with cameras at the store but I'd like to understand what are the critical factors (criteria) in selecting a solid digital camera. This is a camera that I'll be toting around - nothing serious - sort of an all-purpose general camera...

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Lenses do matter, but in general the lenses on a consumer digital camera are designed differently than a lens for a film SLR. The differences in the imager sizes play a part, as well as factors like the size of the lens as well as its cost can influence the quality of the lens. Generally the lenses are competent, but don't expect quality like a good Canon L or a Nikon pro lens.

[hang5lngbd]

I'm in a similar situation as you being as I have a 4150 and size and SD format were my main criteria. Image quality definately matters, but my skill as a photographer would be the limiting factor with a nicer camera.
I love my SD100. The pictures look great for my purposes (family events, sports activities, etc.) and I am able to quickly make short movies with sound. The SD100 even supports VGA instead of QVGA as I have been used to seeing for movies on digital cameras.
I have used my friends Nikon ($200 price range) and it just felt flimsy in comparison. (I know Nikon has some great products at the higher price levels, but this lower end model was plastic and felt cheap.)
For a point and shoot SD format camera in the $200-$300 price range I don't think you can do better than the SD100. You've got "enough" optical zoom, "enough" quality, "enough" features, and it's "plenty" small. You can definately geet more in each of these categories, but at this price it seems to be a good combination of everything.