Ok, so after trying to send you a couple detailed emails and getting slapped around by recalcitrant mail servers, I’ve opted to just post the data online and have you check it out here. I did my best to stay as close to your price ceiling while focusing on image quality. Many of the camera manufacturers today offer too many features in one small package which is great in theory, but there is no way for them to cram everything in there without sacrificing the quality of something. You’ll find many point & shoots boasting 14+ megapixels which is not only completely overkill, but inevitably it affects the overall quality if the picture. So I focused on image quality as well as trying to find one that would perform well in low-light conditions, because indoor shots are a given and as such, lighting is not always optimal.

In terms of makes, the big players I’m partial to are Canon and Nikon. In terms of the two cameras your friend has, the Canon powershot SD1200 tested extremely well in it’s class and is great. It’s from 2009 so has been updated and one of the cameras I was looking at for you is the updated version. The Lumix Mega 10.0 Optical Zoom…. she didn’t specify the model so I couldn’t say for sure. Lumix is a Panasonic brand and we actually have one (had to opt for a point and shoot after we got robbed and no longer had my kick ass Nikon. Assholes.) The lumix is a good camera. The older lumix models from last year and before were a little better in my estimation as they were still using a Leica lens which has sick clarity and focus. Panasonic is now using it’s own lens even though the cameras still come branded with the famous Leica “L”. I had to hunt around Santiago until I found an older model still available which had an actual Leica lens. That being said, it’s a nice little camera, but the shots tend to go a little soft at times on the edges (not perfect focus, barely discernible really, but when you’re used to a certain quality you notice these things). The other thing I don’t like is that it’s doesn’t do well in low light conditions. So evening shots inside the house can often come out pretty grainy if you don’t use flash.

So all that being said, I narrowed down my selections for you. I could go into why I avoided other makers like Samsung and Sony, but I’d be digressing more than I already have. As you can see, where electronics are concerned, I can write volumes

Quick Breakdown

Nikon S9100

• provides bold bright colours, a Panorama mode and various other scene modes to make the most of various lighting conditions while providing a fully automatic experience.
• very good macro mode for extreme close-ups
• weighs 7.6 ounces, well positioned flash
• very easy to use, well positioned controls and menu
• Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, good for about 270 shots, uses SD cards
• large 3″ LCD display

Some good reviews of camera found here:

http://www.macworld.com/article/159225/2011/04/nikon_coolpix_s9100_review.html

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4737&review=nikon+s9100

Things to consider:

It’s available in 3 colours, black, silver and red. The red is ugly, mostly because I said so. After reviewing various reports on user forums, one real user issue I would be concerned with are some reports of the zoom jamming occasionally. There were only a few reports of this and as we know, most electronic shipments will come with a few duds, and most people who are happy with their product do not bother posting online, while those who are unhappy post their complaints everywhere. This is something to bear in mind though and test thoroughly at the beginning and also should you need to consider getting it serviced. That being said, this camera is available in Canada for the same price (and cheaper) that I have found in the US via the shopbot distributers: http://www.shopbot.ca/pp-nikon-coolpix-s9100-nikon-price-294877.html

If you’re keen to purchase in Buffalo, Camera Spot has them listed on their website and they’re located in Buffalo at 2635 Delaware Avenue, telephone 716-877-3317. They’re open 10 to 5pm on Saturday, I would still call ahead and make certain that they have this in stock. Otherwise, Bestbuy lists them as backordered on their website. Target says they have them in stock at these 3 locations (I’m listing the top 3, they have quite a few other locations so you can check on their website if you have a specific Target in mind):

Walden Galleria – 1750 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY (Buffalo suburb, I guess) tel: 716-896-0493

Orchard Park – 5622 Amanda Ln., Orchard Park, NY tel: 716-821-9511

Boulevard Mall – 1575 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst, NY tel: 716-831-8750

Canon Elph 300HS

• colors looked good in review shots I checked, there was some barrel distortion mentioned (very minimal, due to the wide angle of the lens, hardly noticeable to average user), high quality lens.
• video recording is good and you can use the optical zoom with it (not sure if Nikon above does that); it also has a really cool super slow motion mode that probably most people wouldn’t get much out of, but it certainly appeals to a geek like me. To be fair, it would probably be funny to film Fanny in that mode as well
• 4.97 oz without battery and card
• Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, good for about 220 shots on a fully charged battery, uses SD cards
• 2.7″ display

A review can be found here and if you go through to the end of these reviews, you will find examples photos taken with the camera:

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4680&review=canon+powershot+300+hs

Things to consider:

From my research in the user forums, the major complaints seemed to be 1) a poorly attached port cover that is a frequent complaint for Canon cameras (seems to be a user issue; either people get used to it or they don’t) and 2) incoveniently located Flash. It’s not a pop up like in the Nikon, and as the camera is already so tiny, some people will have a hard time keeping their fingers out of the way, you run the risk of ruining the shot. There has also been some overexposure mentioned at times; I believe you can tweak the manual settings somewhat to balance this out. This Elph series is the update to PowerShot SD 1400, like your friends. They’ve renamed/revamped the series. There is actually a newer version of this camera out, the Elph 500HS. It’s basically the same but with a touch screen. It lists for almost a $100 more and is really not worth it just for a touch screen. For the extra money, you would do better to buy the Nikon.

This camera is available in Canada, it’s lists for about $280 at Bestbuy although you can probably find a better deal. Currently, Bestbuy in the US has them listed at $224.99, available in Black, Silver and Red (you know my stance on red cameras). According to the bestbuy.com website it is available at two of the locations I listed above – Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga and the Boulevard Mall in Amherst. I never count on online supply listings to be accurate though, so do call ahead to verify availability and have it set aside if this is the one. There were other locations listed as having them as well, so if you have a particular bestbuy in mind, check their website.

Walden Galleria – tel: 716-681-5406

Amherst – tel: 716-837-9080

Panasonic Lumix FH27

• This camera has a Leica lens which is excellent. Leica is probably one of the few lens makers than can actually compete with Nikon and Canon in that respect.
• creates sharp, well-exposed images with realistic colours. Also offer Intelligent zoom, which extends optical zoom range by a factor of 1.3 without affecting image quality.
• has an Intelligent Autofocus mode; camera selects what it considers to be best settings based on shooting conditions and auto-activates it’s various scene modes; image stabilization, face detection, etc. based on this. I’ve used this IA mode, it’s pretty good.
• flash is in a good location, autofocus sensor however, is in the top left corner when holding camera, so you must be careful not to block it.
• Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, 150 shots on a full charge (give or take, the touch screen seems to be a power drainer), uses SD cards
• 3.0″ touchscreen LCD, comes with a plastic stylus pen to use with it (not sure how practical that is, but I have skinny fingers so never use those things)

A review can be found here and if you go through to the end of these reviews, you will find examples photos taken with the camera:

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4695&review=panasonic+lumix+fh27

Things to consider:

We have a Lumix. Got it after we got robbed, as I mentioned. It’s actually a good little camera. Sturdy. I’m clumsy and have dropped it. It’s doing fine. I do like the Intelligent Autofocus feature, which for someone like yourself who just wants to point and shoot, is probably ideal. According to the reviews I checked out, this camera is listed as having a Leica lens which is great. I know some of the new Lumix camera’s weren’t getting them, but this is also an older model so that might have something to do with it. The images we get off our camera are pretty good. A little soft on the edges and grainy in low light definitely, but I’m also coming from the user experience of a high end digital SLR Nikon. God, I miss that camera. Those F-ckers. I hope they get kidney stones or something equally painful. Anyhow, Panasonic does make some very good cameras and this one sounds alot like ours, although we don’t have the touch screen feature (don’t really care for that to be honest).

Anyhow, the major if’s about this camera in particular are the purported finicky zoom control and touchscreen interface, the fact that there is no dedicated movie button (you tap the screen 3 times to film video) and I can testify to the fact that the autofocus sensor being in the top corner where it is can be problematic at times. You have to remember to make sure your finger doesn’t block it in any way, otherwise it doesn’t matter how intelligent the autofocus is, the picture won’t turn out right. I have long, long fingers, so sometimes they get in the way. Oh yeah, the video this camera does is not a large as is available on the first two cameras. We’ve filmed the dogs on ours and it comes out pretty good. I never post them because I forget and Eric’s not at all technologically inclined, so if it falls to electronics, either I do it or it doesn’t get done.

I couldn’t find this camera in Canada. I found an older version of it at Bestbuy Canada, that’s it. It’s available at Bestbuy US though, but from what I can see, not in stores. You have to order. In fact that seems to be the case for all the major camera retailers with this model. What you could do is request to see a similar Lumix at Bestbuy. The ZS8 is supposed to be good as well, but more expensive…

In conclusion

All in all, all three are good cameras. I have experience with Nikons and Panasonic’s Lumix series and can vouch for their quality. I’ve not played with Canons but they are, quite frankly right up there in quality and many pros swear by them. That being said, personally, if I have the money, I would go with the Nikon. I like the feature set and I know they produce excellent quality lenses having used them before. I also REALLY like the fact that it has a sick zoom. A focal range of 25mm to 450mm is not easy to find, especially in a compact. I like distance and scenery shots as well as getting close-ups from farther away, like when you want to focus in on someone (the dogs) and you don’t want to startle them. So to me, the focal range on the Nikon is ideal.

If you don’t want to spend the $$, then I would have said go for the Lumix (considering the sale price) if you could have found it. I couldn’t find it in Canada though, and it doesn’t look like anyone keeps it in stock, it’s only available online. So that being the case, the Canon would probably do right by you as long as you don’t need much zoom.

I still like the Nikon best though If you’re going to invest in something, invest in something that will offer you enough versatility to be used in most instances. In my less than humble opinion. Ok, hope this has helped!

xxoo G.

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