I can't believe I am asking this...

[Streakerfreak]

I am a semi-photographer with a lot of equipment from 35mm SLR to large format and never go any where with out my stuff. I am getting married October 31 2008 back home in CT and we are heading to Germany, Austria, and Prague for our honeymoon over Christmas. The thing is I would rather not carry a SLR around with me for this trip. It's my honeymoon, time to relax with my girl. Since it has been 10 years since I held a point and shoot I have very little knowledge of what is a decent digital P&S. I going to feel awkward pulling out a little P&S, but I will just have to get over that.

Any suggestions on decent Digital P&S would be great. I am preferably looking for one that uses compact flash so I can keep everything same with my digital SLR stuff. I would love to see images of stuff you taken with you Digital P&S too.

 

[crawler#976]

Check out a Kodak 712IS.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=10689&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=13578

You will appreciate that while it is an auto, it can also be run in two completely manual modes. The zoom is great, and it uses image stabilization to take out the shakes...

While obviously not at full resolution, the pic's below show you how much zoom is available.

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/showpost.php?p=67314&postcount=13

They are relatively inexpensive. I'll e-mail you a full resolution photo of the zoomed seals so you can see how it looks. The photos above were taken in the automatic mode.

Mark

 

[chet]

also check out the Canon s5is or the panasonic FZ8/18 for a point and shoot they are a little bigger but the added zoom is awesome. Also Panasonic has the TZ3 which is true pocket size and has a 10x zoom.

I have an older Pana FZ3 and the 12x zoom with the Leica lens grabs some great shots.

 

[Clark White]

I've had a little Sony Cyber-shot 7.2 mega pixel P&S. It has a Carl Zeiss lens, and I have always been real impressed with the pictures it takes. It's kind of an older camera, but I think they still make it or a new model. It has been all over the place with me, been dropped a few times, bounced all over the desert, rained on, it it hasn't noticed the difference. My only complaint is in low light it is hard to get a steady shot with such I small lens, but that kinda goes with the territory on a small camera.

 

[bigreen505]

FWIW, I took a camera or couple on my honeymoon. Between me and my wife we shot about 50 rolls of 35mm and probably 20 rolls of 120. We have several beautiful images from the trip (mostly shot on 6x9) around the house and we remember the trip vividly even though it was a few years ago. My recommendation is that unless you routinely travel to Germany, Austria and Prague take some gear. My guess is LF is too slow, so take 35 and a couple lenses or use some of your wedding money to buy a used Fuji GSW 690 III and GW 670 III or a Mamiya 7ii and a couple lenses and a bunch of 220 film off eBay. When you get back from your trip you can sell the cameras for what you bought them for. The thought being rangefinders are relatively small, light and fast to shoot with and the images you take home will rival (not match) the quality of 4x5. Either are pretty easy to prefocus and use as a P&S.

If it were me I would want a Leica M (preferably M8) with a few lenses covering about 15 - 90.

I made it clear to her that this was a working trip for me as well as a vacation. She didn't mind the equipment or me always taking pictures, she did get annoyed every time I set up a tripod because it slowed her down.

You could also take your DSLR and get nice P&S for your wife to play with.

 

[cshontz]

I find that I can take more good pictures with a p&s than I can with my digital Rebel, though my digital Rebel has more potential to take exceptional pictures - but I take fewer good ones. Wrap your head around that. I'm still very much a novice in regard to SLR.

I do have pretty much experience with p&s's, and I can tell you - you can count on them for quality and creative flexibility. You'd likely have to get used to slower response time, though.

You might be hard pressed to find a new p&s that uses CF, but I highly recommend the Canon Powershot G-series, especially for an experienced photographer.

Here is the Flickr page for Powershot G9 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_g9/

Actually, Flickr is a fantastic reference to see what people are using, and to see real world samples:
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/

Canon Powershot S80 (discontinued and broken)

 

[Bella PSD]

I am a pro photographer and like P 5000 Nikon for a point and shoot. Done the honeymoon thing with camera...honeymoon didn't go to well!! Got a ton a great shots That was back when I shot with F4's and F3's

Louie

 

[Streakerfreak]

FWIW, I took a camera or couple on my honeymoon. Between me and my wife we shot about 50 rolls of 35mm and probably 20 rolls of 120. We have several beautiful images from the trip (mostly shot on 6x9) around the house and we remember the trip vividly even though it was a few years ago. My recommendation is that unless you routinely travel to Germany, Austria and Prague take some gear. My guess is LF is too slow, so take 35 and a couple lenses or use some of your wedding money to buy a used Fuji GSW 690 III and GW 670 III or a Mamiya 7ii and a couple lenses and a bunch of 220 film off eBay. When you get back from your trip you can sell the cameras for what you bought them for. The thought being rangefinders are relatively small, light and fast to shoot with and the images you take home will rival (not match) the quality of 4x5. Either are pretty easy to prefocus and use as a P&S.

If it were me I would want a Leica M (preferably M8) with a few lenses covering about 15 - 90.

I made it clear to her that this was a working trip for me as well as a vacation. She didn't mind the equipment or me always taking pictures, she did get annoyed every time I set up a tripod because it slowed her down.

You could also take your DSLR and get nice P&S for your wife to play with.

Just a couple shots from the trip that make me glad I had real cameras. These are all 35 mm (not 6x9).

Hey, yeah I know that, but I have been there before and pretty much doing the same route I did when I was there in High School during Christmas. I have thought long and hard about that exact point, but I think I just need to relax and have a great honeymoon. Thanks for the input.

 

[Schattenjager]

I love my Canon G7. It can accidently take a great photo - in the right hands it's very powerful

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=14321

DP REVIEW SAYS:
The PowerShot G7 features:

10.0 Megapixels
6x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and SR coating
DIGIC III and iSAPS with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection AF/AE
2.5” high-resolution LCD with wide viewing angle and anti-glare coating
ISO 1600 for flash-free, low light shooting
Ergonomic design with dedicated ISO and Multi Control dials for fast, easy operation
25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
Extra telephoto reach with Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom
Hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories
“The PowerShot G7 brings a new level of performance and usability to the G series,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “By introducing our DIGIC III image processor and new technologies such as Face Detection AF/AE, Canon continues to raise the benchmark for digital compact cameras."

Image Quality and Optics

The PowerShot G7 delivers the image quality and optical performance demanded by advanced photographers. A 10.0 Megapixel sensor captures enough fine detail to ensure large photo quality prints with added cropping flexibility. The fast f/2.8 (W) – f/4.8 (T) 6x optical zoom lens (35-210mm focal length, 35mm equivalent) incorporates optical Image Stabilizer technology to counteract the effects of camera shake, allowing the camera to be used at slower shutter speeds in low light conditions. The lens configuration consists of 9 elements in 7 groups and includes a double-sided aspherical lens element to counteract common lens distortions. The addition of Canon’s SR lens coating – a first for Canon's digital compact camera range – significantly reduces the problem of ghosting and virtually eliminates chromatic aberration.
DIGIC III

Canon’s new DIGIC III image processor drives improved responsiveness and colour rendering along with increased noise reduction, extending the camera's ISO range to ISO 1600. A dedicated ISO dial makes it simple to switch between settings. Complementing DIGIC III's performance, the camera features the same DDR-SDRAM used in professional EOS cameras – raising the data throughput rate substantially.

Face Detection AF/AE
For portrait and group shots, the PowerShot G7 is equipped with Face Detection AF/AE, a new Canon technology that automatically detects up to nine faces within a frame and sets the optimum focus and exposure accordingly. If there is more than one face in a frame Face Detection AF/AE is able to determine the face or faces intended to be the main focus. The system operates at the same speed as Canon’s established 9-point AiAF system, which it automatically reverts to if no face detection is required or intended.

Designed for photographers
Referencing classic rangefinder cameras, the ergonomic design features analogue inspired controls, a multi-control dial and a customisable shortcut button for faster access to camera settings. Usability is further enhanced with a high resolution (207,000 pixels) 2.5" LCD. The low-reflection screen coating aids visibility in sunny conditions while a wide viewing angle helps with group viewing or and aids more creative framing options.

A selection of 25 shooting modes includes full Manual and two custom settings, enabling users to tailor the camera to their specific preferences. Shooting modes are complemented by advanced settings such as AEB (auto exposure bracketing), focus bracketing, and an integrated neutral density (ND) filter with 3 stops adjustment. Photographers can also take advantage of second curtain flash synchronisation for creative flash exposures, while interval shooting (up to 100 shots in 1-60 minute increments) allows for extended time-lapse photography of up to four days.
Advanced movie functions include high resolution XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) video capture with sound at 15fps. Users can also record VGA and QVGA movies at a smooth 30fps.

A new Safety Zoom feature allows users to extend the camera's zoom range without interpolation affecting image quality. Images can be captured at up to 14x zoom with enough resolution for lab-quality postcard (10 x 15cm) prints. Photographers can also enable the Digital Tele-Converter3 feature for added telephoto reach on every shot, without the reduction in aperture typically caused by optical tele-converters.

Accessories
In addition to Canon Speedlite support, the PowerShot G7 is compatible with a range of optional lens accessories, including wide (0.75x) and tele (2.0x) converter lenses. A waterproof case allows for shooting at depths of up to 40 metres.

 

[mtnbike28]

G7

I am a professional photographer, (newspapers) and use Nikon D2hs daily, that said, I love my G7.

It's replacement the G9, is cheaper, larger file size and has RAW files.

Examples at www.jaycapers.com
All the Fall pics are from it.

Congrats on the marriage

Jay

 

[Grim Reaper]

If you want something to just stick in your pocket that takes respectable pictures go to Wally world and pick up the Sony Cybershot for around $129. Small fits easily in your pocket. Won't be devastated if it gets stolen or damaged.

Only down side is the card it uses don't meet your request.

I have an Olympus I am happy with. My Mom has the Nikon Coolpics that also takes respectable pictures and fits in your pocket.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Looks like I should check out Canon PowerShot G7 some more. P&S have come a long way since I was a kid using them. Thanks a lot guys. I think I will take along my old Minolta 4x5 twin reflex and leave that in the rental car and my luggage just in case.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Check out a Kodak 712IS.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=10689&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=13578

You will appreciate that while it is an auto, it can also be run in two completely manual modes. The zoom is great, and it uses image stabilization to take out the shakes...

While obviously not at full resolution, the pic's below show you how much zoom is available.

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/showpost.php?p=67314&postcount=13

They are relatively inexpensive. I'll e-mail you a full resolution photo of the zoomed seals so you can see how it looks. The photos above were taken in the automatic mode.

Mark

Thanks for the email. I will check the kodak out and the PowerShots some more. Where was that seal pic taken? Cape Arago in Oregon or the Sea Lion caves along the coast by any chance. Looks like the view you get from those places. Just a guess. Probaly wrong.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Oh yeah look at that. Just went to your thread, yup sea lion caves.

 

[mountainpete]

Canon Powershot SD 800 IS. For the size, it took amazing pictures while I was in Europe in August. It's downside is low-light, but for landscape and portrait, it is simply great. I will try and post a few soon. Just on the work computer right now.

Pete