Couple of digital camera questions...
Think I've settled on the Canon Powershot A60.
It's supported by iPhoto and OS X, it has a 3x optical zoom and is only $249.
Anyone own one? Have anything to say about it, good or bad? Seems that most of my friends and family that own digital cameras have a Canon model of some sort...and I've never heard them say anything bad about them. But I'm looking for some more savvy, "in-the-know" opinions and recommendations.
Yes, it's 2 megapixels. I know that's a bit on the low side.
Here's the thing: I don't have a printer. When I DO have a printer, I'm not the type of person that is going to be printing out 8x10 prints. Should the need every arise (higher resolution), both my Mom and sister own PowerShot S45 Canons...4 megapixels. At 2 megapixels, I guess I could get a really nice 4x6 print, right?
I'd use it mostly for e-mail and web gallery photos. And to create my own source artwork. And, mostly, to take photos for usage as illustration templates/guides.
So, in a nutshell, I don't NEED 3, 4 or 5 megapixels. I'm more interested in zoom, price, compact design and ease-of-use. In that order.
Anyone own one of these models and can give me the rundown on them...from your personal experience?
It's supported by iPhoto and OS X, it has a 3x optical zoom and is only $249.
Anyone own one? Have anything to say about it, good or bad? Seems that most of my friends and family that own digital cameras have a Canon model of some sort...and I've never heard them say anything bad about them. But I'm looking for some more savvy, "in-the-know" opinions and recommendations.
Yes, it's 2 megapixels. I know that's a bit on the low side.
Here's the thing: I don't have a printer. When I DO have a printer, I'm not the type of person that is going to be printing out 8x10 prints. Should the need every arise (higher resolution), both my Mom and sister own PowerShot S45 Canons...4 megapixels. At 2 megapixels, I guess I could get a really nice 4x6 print, right?
I'd use it mostly for e-mail and web gallery photos. And to create my own source artwork. And, mostly, to take photos for usage as illustration templates/guides.
So, in a nutshell, I don't NEED 3, 4 or 5 megapixels. I'm more interested in zoom, price, compact design and ease-of-use. In that order.
Anyone own one of these models and can give me the rundown on them...from your personal experience?
Comments
Originally posted by pscates
Think I've settled on the Canon Powershot A60.
It's supported by iPhoto and OS X, it has a 3x optical zoom and is only $249.
Anyone own one? Have anything to say about it, good or bad? Seems that most of my friends and family that own digital cameras have a Canon model of some sort...and I've never heard them say anything bad about them. But I'm looking for some more savvy, "in-the-know" opinions and recommendations.
Yes, it's 2 megapixels. I know that's a bit on the low side.
Here's the thing: I don't have a printer. When I DO have a printer, I'm not the type of person that is going to be printing out 8x10 prints. Should the need every arise (higher resolution), both my Mom and sister own PowerShot S45 Canons...4 megapixels. At 2 megapixels, I guess I could get a really nice 4x6 print, right?
I'd use it mostly for e-mail and web gallery photos. And to create my own source artwork. And, mostly, to take photos for usage as illustration templates/guides.
So, in a nutshell, I don't NEED 3, 4 or 5 megapixels. I'm more interested in zoom, price, compact design and ease-of-use. In that order.
Anyone own one of these models and can give me the rundown on them...from your personal experience?
Hey Pscates, Canon Powershots are great. I have one of the earliest 1.3 megapixel models (yikes, it cost me $800 Cdn back then!). They just feel solid and well built. The interface is pretty simple too. Only issue (with mine) is the time lag between depressing the shutter and capturing the shot. Not sure if this has since been improved.
I've also like the Olympus brand. My friend has a 4 megapixel Minolta but he ends up shooting at a lower res. Two megapixels should be fine for your uses. Oh yeah, look for optical zoom, not digital zoom.
Hope that helps.
I haven't used the A60, but I do have an earlier version, the A20, that still gets used even though I now have a 10D DSLR, as the A20 is much more portable. For a 2MP camera, I'm really impressed with the quality of the pictures, and since the A60 is a newer camera, I'd say the pictures should be a bit better. It uses the new DIGIC image processor, so that should help.
The 3x zoom should be OK for general use in most situations - just don't use the digital zoom if you want good pics
As satchmo said, shutter lag is an issue with most p&s digicams. However, if you're not in a hurry, it won't be a problem, as you can frame the shot, press the shutter button half way down, let the camera focus and set the exposure, then press the shutter button the rest of the way and it takes the shot.
I don't know what the handling and controls are like, as I've not used one, but in general, I find Canon cameras easy to use. And there's a reason they keep winning awards on web review sites and in the magazines
Finally, I know you said you don't need 3MP, but if the price difference isn't too great, I'd recommend getting the A70 - after all, you can nvere have too many pixels
Hope this helps
Cheers,
Dave.
again as in most consumer p&s models this does have the lag between button push and picture take but almost any consumer camera does
it does take nice pictures and has 3x optical zoom, again i wouldn't ever use digital if i were you, its basically just blowing up the optical zoom and loosing quality (at least with mine it doesn't look as good) so just take it at 3x and then blow it up urself if u want that much
i havn't tried priting from my camera yet but 4x6...i thought 5x7 was the max but perhaps not...i will find out once i get my G5 and free printer!
Greece & Turkey
I also bought a Canon ELPHS200 (IXUS in the rest of the world) for my wife and she absolutely loves it.
Sound's like you've made a good choice at a good price; enjoy your new camera!
Originally posted by pscates
Think I've settled on the Canon Powershot A60.
It's supported by iPhoto and OS X, it has a 3x optical zoom and is only $249.
Anyone own one? Have anything to say about it, good or bad? Seems that most of my friends and family that own digital cameras have a Canon model of some sort...and I've never heard them say anything bad about them. But I'm looking for some more savvy, "in-the-know" opinions and recommendations.
Yes, it's 2 megapixels. I know that's a bit on the low side.
Here's the thing: I don't have a printer. When I DO have a printer, I'm not the type of person that is going to be printing out 8x10 prints. Should the need every arise (higher resolution), both my Mom and sister own PowerShot S45 Canons...4 megapixels. At 2 megapixels, I guess I could get a really nice 4x6 print, right?
I'd use it mostly for e-mail and web gallery photos. And to create my own source artwork. And, mostly, to take photos for usage as illustration templates/guides.
So, in a nutshell, I don't NEED 3, 4 or 5 megapixels. I'm more interested in zoom, price, compact design and ease-of-use. In that order.
Anyone own one of these models and can give me the rundown on them...from your personal experience?
I purchased a Canon S330 last Fall and have been very pleased with it. I was looking for something small that would go in my pocket and would offer some manual control as well. I have just recently bought a Canon i850 printer with 4 individual ink tanks and am amazed at the quality of uncropped 8 1/2 X 11 from this 2 megapixel camera. I am recommending the Canon A70 to anyone who asks. I would like the close macro focusing that the Nikon offers, but overall Canon makes a great product.
I just needed something compact, affordable and with a decent optical zoom (I know about the whole optical vs. digital zoom thing) and OS X/iPhoto compatibility.
And yeah, the occasional 4x6 or 5x8 print and web galleries will also come into play, of course.
Unless something replaces it in the very near future, I'll be getting that one.
Spend the extra $$$, and buy another CF card!
Have fun.
Why?
Sure 2 is enough resolution if you are going to use the whole picture. But once you start cropping and zooming you loose a lot of pixels fast. this will limit even a good 5x7 print if it needs cropped etc.
just my 2 cents
There are some 6MP (12MP interpolated) and 8MP consumer size sensors coming out from Fuji and Sony, they are already announced, and you should see cameras using them around christmas time.
That should drive 2MP cameras into point and shoot price ranges, and make 3-4MP cameras VERY affordable.
Originally posted by Eugene
The A60 is $225 at Dell.com with free shipping...
Ha i'd rather pay $249 and buy it elsewhere thanks.
Originally posted by gardnerj
Ha i'd rather pay $249 and buy it elsewhere thanks.
protekdirect.com has the Canon A60 for $192.00 + $14.95 ground shipping = $206.95 total.