Bewildered, bothered, bonkers

[spartacus]

I am an acrylic painter (abstract) - I was going to enter a contest, closing April 30th. The contest requires four submissions by computer in digital format. I have a Fujifilm FinePix digital camera that I use to take pictures with. I dropped it . It does not work anymore. It turns off when you take a picture. I need a new digital camera. I live on SS and a small Veterans check. My budget says no more than $350.00. My wife says less,. followed by a few words I can't print here.
I have been on the internet the whole last week looking at, what seems to be thousands of point and shoot cameras, with various numbers behind their names.
I have a scorching headache.
I have read dozens of reviews, blogs and other bits of advice. Bewildered.
I have written down a cupola of choices - Nikon L120, which I can get locally for about $280.00 or a Lumix DMC TZ8 from Amazon. There are others on my list like the Canon 3100 and the S95 which will make my wife unhappy.
I know there are adherents to Canon, Nikon, and a few others who would not recomm
end another brand other than their own - I'm not a brand consumer for cameras because I don't know that much about the technical stuff. I do drive a Ford truck.
I live in the southwest desert and mountains.
I like black and white photography more than daylight color - except the morning and evening light. I take pictures for myself and family. I like to take pictures of abaonded old shacks here in the desert, old cars, old stuff - like me - I'll be 73 next month.
I do not plan to be a professional.
My budget is limited to $350. What do you recommend?

Thank you

[scootermcq]

I am a Nikon guy, but prefer Canon in the P&S market.

I have the SX130IS for a point & shoot. I would highly recommend it.

Good resolution
Covers a big focal range
Has many creative modes, including manual settings.
Image stabilization
Most importantly.... takes great images.

It would fit nicely in your budget, and I can assure you that you will not be let down with this piece of kit.

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Digital Camera (Black) 4345B001 B&H

Welcome to the forum by the way.

[RichardTaylor]

I have used my wife's Canon SX110 (a predecessor to the SX130 IS) that scootermcq mentions and it is a good camera.

If you don't want to spend quite so much money then I feel the SX120 IS (If you can find one would be a good buy also)

[inkista]

Just me favoring low-light capability over superzoom, but I'd say get a refurbed S90 from the Canon website. It's only a 90-day warranty vs. a 1 year, but it's been checked out by Canon service, and chances are good it won't be a repaired unit, but simply one that can't be sold as new for some reason or other (damaged packaging or whatever).

The S90 (and SX20IS) is ~$280, the S95 $320 (although you might go over your budget when they add in tax and shipping).

The SX20IS might be better if you want to light your paintings, though, since it has a flash hotshoe.

[spartacus]

Thanks for your quick response and unbiased solution. I know brand loyalty can get testy among users (especially on truck forums) and it is refreshing to hear someone recommend a product other than their favorite brand.
Dumb me, I looked at the refurbished list at Best Buy and did not think of going to the Canon site to look for their refurbished cameras. When I buy computers, I buy from either Dell or HP refurbs because both of them are mfg. in the same factory in Juarez, Mexico and it only takes a cupola days to get them since they are across the river from where I live.
The Canon website has all of the refurb cameras that were recommended here. I am going to compare the 90 and the 95 and order one of these. I don't care about the 90 day warranty - if it is a lemon it would show up before the 90 days.
Image quality was a concern and it was mentioned often in all the reviews I read, especially low light. Early morning sunrises make great pictures and I appreciated the articles on the website about early morning portraits.
Any thoughts on the Canon 90 and 95?
Thanks for your help

[DelCan]

I've owned the S95 for a couple of months now. I normally use a DSLR, but sometimes those get a little too big to carry. I really like what I've seen come out of the S95. I wouldn't think the S90 could be much different.
I belong to another site that has a thread dedicated to the S95 and there are some great photos on there.
If you want the link, just pm me and I'll send it to you. (Don't think I should post it since it's a competing site)

I think inkista gave you some excellent advice!

[inkista]

The S95 is definitely a nicer camera: it does 720p video, and the rear wheel was redesigned to be a little less fiddly, which was the big complaint about the S90.

I have the S90 and love the sucker. If you're used to an SLR, it's got a lot more function and control than you're used to in a P&S. All were shot RAW and processed in Lightroom.


S90 @6mm (28mm equiv.), iso 80, f/8, 1/1600s (-2EV)


S90 @6mm, iso 1600, f/2, 1/125s. handheld. no flash. (vignette added in post).
BTW, this was before Lightroom had an S90 profile, and wasn't correcting for the distortion--it's actually closer to 24mm than 28mm equiv. this way.


S90, @12.8mm (60mm equiv.) iso 400, f/5, 1/50s.

[spartacus]

ok, i'm convinced, I've seen the pictures. I ordered from the Canon website. With tax and shipping I am $23 over the budget of $350. The wife does not have to know. I asked for two day shipping so maybe it will be here by Wed.
Already downloaded the user manual and have started reading. Any other reading suggestions for this camera?

But that's not the end of it, is it?
Now I need accessories, like maybe the little handgrip and filters from Lensmate. How about a bag to carry it in? Tell me what I need.?

I know all about accessories - I also have a Nikon 6006 - but the film door catch is broken so it won't close.

[RichardTaylor]

A spare battery?
As far as something to carry it around in I would be looking at one of those mobile phone pouches with a drawstring.
I wouldn't buy anything else until you find you may need it.

[LoneGladiator]

I am a Nikon guy but when it comes to point and shoot cameras Cannon is the best in my opinion. They have some really decent P&S that are almost baseline DSLRs. I would get one of the ones that shoots video so that you can use it for that when you don't need a P&S camera anymore. Remember to look online for digital camera codes