Help with choosing a camera model?

[tscouple]

Can anyone help me by reviewing and rating the best out of the following, for me to purchase?

I want to be able to take quick photos, as well as have a long lasting camera and good quality with good zoom and also slightly professional level ( although I'm just starting out in digital photography, I am more interested in wildlife and nature shots and hope to continue in that field.)

Canon - A480, A490, A495, A3000, A3100, IXY 210, IXCIS 95, IXCIS 100 SX 120

Nikon - L 22, S220, S230, S630, S640, S3000, S 550, L100

Please help me out to choose one of the above cameras....
Thank you so much

[inkista]

The website you need is dpreview.com. They have a database of camera specs and a side-by-side comparison tool.

[RichardTaylor]

I have personal experience with an SX100 IS, a predecessor to the SX120 and it a good camera for general purpose and some forms of of nature and wildlife photography.

It does have a large zoom range, 10X which will all you to "drag in" distant subjects. IQ is good.

Almost any P&S is ok good for landscapes, flowers & large animals
However cameras that only have a rear screen can be extreemly difficult to use in bright sunlight (you can't see the screen) and it is very difficult to track a moving subject when holding the camera at arms length.

Shutter lag (the time it takes from the moment you press the button to the time the picture is finally taken) will be a a major problem in trying to "capture the moment" with a point & shoot camera.

Either Canon or Nikon you can't go wrong.

Of the cameras listed I would choose either the SX 120 or the Nikon L100 mainly because of the lens.
It all depends on how they feel in your hands.

What sort of wildlife/nature shots were you interested in shooting (eg, landscapes, flowers, urban wildlife, small birds, wildlife in the "wild")?

What is you budget?

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Either Canon or Nikon you can't go wrong.

I think you can go wrong with a Nikon P&S camera, unfortunately.

[bearly]

if you are going for point and shoot then go for canon... if you're looking at DSLRs, it more comes down to personal preference

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by bearly

if you are going for point and shoot then go for canon... if you're looking at DSLRs, it more comes down to personal preference

Agreed, although I'd widen the "good choice" P&S field to Canon and Panasonic, plus select Sony and Fujifilm models.

[NicoleScraps]

I went through the same thing when decided on a dslr. Canon vs Nikon, everyone is going to have a personal preference. They all comparable features and prices. It comes down to which one feels better in your hand, IMO.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by tscouple

Canon - A480, A490, A495, A3000, A3100, IXY 210, IXCIS 95, IXCIS 100 SX 120

Nikon - L 22, S220, S230, S630, S640, S3000, S 550, L100

Okay, youve got everything from the most basic of entry levels to the mid-range superzoom cameras.

You need to narrow your search more in some ways and expand it in others. While Canon and Nikon are major players, there are amazing options from other manufacturers.

What are you looking for in a camera?

[Skoropada]

Maybe it's intentional, but you shouldn't discard the SONY H series, they are great P&S cameras, with many features.

I have one that I used during quite some time before goind DSLR. I liked it so much that I went for a SONY DSLR also.

[symikel]

Both products are good. It just really depends on how you use it and what is your purpose. It comes down to which one feels better in your hand,