Which Canon P&S Should I Buy?

[hookshot]

I've currently got a camera that I bought in 2007 (I think), a Kodak Z650 (link to specs: Kodak EasyShare Z650 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review ). I didn't know much about photography then, I just liked that it was a 6MP camera, which was pretty big at the time for a P&S and had 10x optical zoom.

I'm thinking of upgrading to a Canon, but I don't know which model I should upgrade to.

I take mostly macro and landscape shots, not too many portraits; a lot of plants and animals when I travel. I'd like a camera with very good image quality; I'd rather have a better image quality with a slow startup and in between photo speed than vice versa. Colours and clarity are the most important aspects to me.

One thing I've noticed is that my Kodak has an aperture setting of f/2.8-8.0 and I haven't seen too many other cameras around that will do 8.0 aperture. I'm worried that if I take landscape shots with a camera that does a minimum aperture of around 5 they won't be particularly clear shots. I've attached a couple of shots (all taken in automatic mode) that I think have worked really well, and I wouldn't want the blues/greens in particular to be worse than the ones I have with this camera.

I'd also like one that has manual settings, so I can learn to use them properly before upgrading to a DSLR.

I'm probably looking at a budget of under $400 for my ideal camera. I will get a DSLR in the next year or so, but I do want to upgrade my point and shoot that I can take everywhere first.

All suggestions are welcome, please let me know if you need any more information about my shooting habits!

Cheers,

Hannah

[RichardTaylor]

I Have a Canon G11 and think its replacement may meet your needs.

It's replacement is the G12 ($US434 at Adorama) is a good camera.
The only downside is that it is a not quite so pocketable as some other P&S cameras out there.

Canon releases PowerShot G12 premium compact: Digital Photography Review

[jml79]

The S95 and G12 are the top of the Canon P&S lines. Either should be around your $400. Niether will have the zoom range you are used to but I am sure both will allow at least f/8 seeing that my SX20is will do f/8. These 2 camera's have a larger sensor than the rest of the Canon line and the S95 is very pocketable.

For a longer zoom range the SX30is would be the current model of what I have. It's not very pocketable but it is smaller than my DSLR. I carry my SX20 in a small bag.

The S95 and G12 have the added bonus of RAW capability. This will give you the opportunity to learn another aspect of DSLR photography with your P&S.

[inkista]

How much does the zoom range and form factor matter to you? A Canon G or S isn't going to help you much with wildlife. But they're top-of-the-line, because they use a larger sensor (1/1.7") than your average P&S camera. And they therefore have better high iso. In addition, the S95 has f/2 as its max. aperture, so these two cameras are much better at low-light performance. But for the shooting you're describing, that may not be something you're after.

I wouldn't worry too much about the minimum aperture--it's not the same as for APS-C or full-frame sensors. The depth of field you get with a 1/2.3" or 1/2.5" sensor at f/4 is roughly the same as with a dSLR sensor around f/8. The tiny sensor and tiny lens gives you a much larger DoF.

If you just want to replace your bridgecam with another bridgecam with a large zoom range,.then Canon-wise, you probably want to look at the SX series cameras, and the Panasonic ZS series.

[hookshot]

Zoom is one of the things that I would really love to have the same amount of zoom, but I also realize that 10x optical is a lot for a P&S, and I'd rather sacrifice the zoom for a better quality photo. I am going to get a DSLR in the next year, so I'll be able to get good zoom going then.

I'll look at all the cameras suggested, thanks everybody.