Camera advice

[Dogmama]

I went to a regular camera store and they recommended CANON hands down. Said it is most reliable, sturdy, takes AA batts, etc. I got the Powershot A640 (10 megapixels) and it isn't as small as most, but I won't lose it either! I took this picture just now in almost total darkness.

[Aseradyn]

I have a Canon PowerShot S70. I had the PowerShot S45 for years - loved it! When I upgraded to the S70, I gave the S45 to my brother. It's now his primary camera, and still taking fantastic pictures, despite the dented case

When I went looking for a camera, I was seriously torn between something that I could put in a pocket and an SLR. I settled on the S45 because it took gorgeous pictures - still does! - has a good set of controls, and is relatively small. I got the S70 because I loved the S45 so much.

Size-wise, it's in the middle. Fits comfortably in a jacket pocket, and can go in a pants pocket if it doesn't have to share. It's a little on the heavy side, so I usually carry it in whatever bag I have with me - purse, pannier, backpack, whatever. For outdoor photo quality, it's fabulous. Indoors, it's adequate. And special bonus: there is an underwater housing available that gives you access to 100% of the controls.

It uses a proprietary battery, but it holds a charge admirably. I'll go months without charging it, then pull it out and take dozens of flash pictures. If we're touring somewhere with lots of photo moments - like a trip to Korea I did last year - I need to recharge the battery every evening, or I'll be wishing I had by lunch the next day.

Most of my best photos are incidental - if I didn't just carry a camera everywhere, I'd never have them. But at the same time, I wanted to be able to blow up the photos to a size that's worth framing. (What can I say? I'm proud of my photos ) So, I really don't think 7 megapixels is overkill for a pocket camera - it depends on the quality of the camera (optics and so on), the photographer's skill, and intended use of the photos.

Every camera has trade-offs. Everyone has their own ideal point on the spectrum. I'm just thrilled there's such a complete spectrum, these days

[Dianyla]

Another happy Canon Powershot user here. I've had an S410 and now use an S500. I'd love to upgrade someday to the slimmer sexier SD 600/700 generation of the Elph lineage.

[Cassandra_Cain]

I have a Nikon D70s full SLR and am a self-confessed photography geek. Although a very small part of me misses processing film and doing infrared in particular - there is something really spiritual almost about process and doing your own prints in a darkroom. Still, digital is great and for the most, though not all, applications, the way to go. From scene to e-mail or photo album in no time at all with endless options for editing and tinkering....(hello photoshop!)

For most people though, a point-and-shoot is plenty and is going to get them the snapshots they want. If I were going to get a point-and-shoot, I'd probably get something like a Canon A610.

[SadieKate]

I realized Sunday that my digital camera has become a dinsaur. Fancy little thing back in 2002, but now. . . . Jobob had her Canon SD600 with her and I have fallen in lust. More zoom, big screen, same pocket size.

Anyone have experience with the SD700 or SD800 with the added stability? I've always been a fan of cameras that run on AAs also but these are looking so tempting.

Also, any experience with the new high speed SD cards?

90% of my photos are fishing or bicycling-related, so the faster the better. And definitely need the zoom but can't sacrifice the size.