Camera for Mom

[bigprocess]

Not exactly sure where is the best place to post this....

Hey all,

I'm going to be picking out a digital camera for a Mother's Day gift. Other family members will be going in on the gift, so we have a pretty good budget. I've researched for a couple of hours and think I've narrowed my choices down to: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5, Fujifilm Finepix f100fd, and Cannon SD1100 IS.

I'm looking for a camera that is versatile and will allow her to take the highest quality shots with the least amount of effort....an intuitive camera if you will. I'd like her to be able to simply snap worthwhile/printable photos of family on vacation, some nature shots, family members competing in sporting events (from the stands), etc. Portability is also a nice addition. Video recording is not necessary.

Should I be considering any other cameras (finepix s1000hd for example)?

My dad really wants to get her the Nikon D60 (I suspect because he wants to snag it for himself), but that seems like overkill. Would she be able to take excellent pictures with little knowledge on the D60? Or would it take some time learning about photography.

Any opinions or recommendations would be welcomed. Thanks.

[dcclark]

While I'm not familiar with many of the point-and-shoots you mentioned, I will add a few important considerations for you:

- It is NEVER the camera that makes good shots -- it's the person. Your mom can (or can't) take great shots based on her ability to see and snap interesting photos.
- That said, your mom can't take great photos if she doesn't have the camera with her. I highly recommend going with a very portable camera. An SLR is almost certainly not the answer here (So, no on the D60).
- Your mom also can't take great photos if she doesn't know how to use the camera. She needs one with an easy-to-use interface. I believe that they all are good -- I personally like the Finepix interface, but others will probably chime in with better advice there.

You might also consider some of Nikon's newer Coolpix point-and-shoots. They have particularly large screens, which she may appreciate, but the interfaces aren't always awesome.

[bigprocess]

Thanks for the replies so far. Good stuff. Just an FYI, my mom's not quite that old...only 52...so she's not unfamiliar with technology or technological interfaces, but she is new to photography.

[jprime84]

My wife has a lumix, and it does deliver some nice images for a point and shoot with it's Leica lens.

[sk66]

Well, I'd suggest "middle of the road"..a super zoom. Specifically the Canon PowerShot SX 1 IS or SX 10 IS.
It's big enough and capable enough to be considered a "real camera". Has enough range to accomodate most shots she will likely want to take. The 10 IS is a simpler version and 1/2 the price of the 1 IS. (the 1 IS also records HD video)

If that's too big, I'd probably have to recommend the Nikon L100 or the Lumix. The nikon being a little bigger and a little more capable (and probably a little less intuitive).

[inkista]

Yeah, if the budget and bag stretch to it, I'd recommend an SX110 IS ($250). It's got a lot of features, but can be used as a simple point-and-shoot, so there's room for experimentation if she's so inclined, and the superzoom range on the lens makes it more versatile. If you can spring for $350, then the SX10 IS, or the the new SX200IS which goes wider, is smaller, and still offers full-Manual goodness.

If you're looking more in the $150 range, then the A590IS, if you can find it, is a steal. Easily the lowest-cost camera that's current that offers full-manual control if you want it. It's likely to disappear soon, though, since the newer A generation's been released. And those things offer auto modes only.

[FoG]

From the results my friend gets look at the FujiFilm Finepix S1000fd Super Zoom type and ilk smaller than a DSLR almost as many toys fer ya dad yet small enough not to be a burden. and from the pics a friend takes

see this link ... it gets great shots he loves it while saving for a DSLR

FujiFilm example

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd go for a TZ5, personally.

[m.c.adams]

I bought my girlfriend the canon and she is very happy with it. She has even started using the different modes on it. I figure that if she could use, your mother should have know problem.
Mark

[bigprocess]

Thanks to all...except now I'm stuck reading new reviews for 2+ hours. I haven't been able to to figure out major differences in these three cameras:
Canon Powershot XS 110 IS
Canon Powershot A 590 IS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5

I can find reviews/individuals that rave about each one and others that are so-so about each one. I can't seem to figure out which will take the best "Easy/Auto" pictures and which will take the best pictures overall. I realize best is relative, but I guess I think of it in terms of print quality.

Any further comments to help make a distinction between these?