Nikon D40x or Canon Powershot S5IS

[nwoods]

I'm not sure why you would go through the effort of buying an SLR if it doesn't work with your existing lenses. Get a used D80 or even a D200 and you will be happy for a long time.

Or, if not the SLR route, consider two areas that PNS cameras are typically weak in:

Shutter response time (shutter lag)
Short battery length

Also, the recycle time (time between shots) is typically quite a bit slower, and of course, the speed of the zoom in your case, as it has that large telescoping motorized zoom, which by the way, tends to consume battery strength quite a bit.

I am a big beliver in PNS cameras, and have several, but buy one that focuses on the benefits of having a little compact PNS, instead a big one that has too many compromises. Thinking more about that telescoping lens, you might want to look at something like the Sony DSC-F828. It has an amazing lens (F2.0 28-200mm), huge battery capacity, and relatively fast operation, and a fantastic exposure compensation ability. I have shot several thousand images with the older F717, and loved it. Still have it in fact.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Keep an eye on this sale. Could be a good deal.

 

[Alex]

I can't speak for the S5is but I got my wife an S3is. It is tiny and easy to carry but capable of getting some nice photos. These are photos (and a video) that I would not have gotten from a bigger camera because I would not have bothered to carry a bigger camera on this trip.

Night mode... pretty good for a hand-held point and shoot camera. This is the first image stabilized camera I have used.

I love the fold and swivel LCD screen... it makes it easy to compose photos on the sly.

Video is only 30fps but still you are talking about a palm sized camera here! More than adequete for posting to the internet, it also records in stereo. Turn the volume up.


This is what made the racket. Another shot that the tilt-n-swivel LCD made easy to compose.

The S5is had just come out when I bought the S3is, for $100 more the 5 didn't seem that much better of a camera. There may be less price difference now that the 5 has been out a while.

My conclusion is that the point-n-shoot camera that you can carry everywhere will take better photos than the best camera in the world that is missing the opportunity, sitting on a shelf at home.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

My Canon Powershot A560 takes great photos too.... My only major complaint is the auto opening lens cover does not open on its own.

Here are some pics taken with the 560

I used photos that showed a variation in the different types of exposures the camera is capable of...
As I stated in my original post, the S5IS has a smaller sensor than the SLRs, BUT the sensor is still larger than the sensor in the 560. The 560 ALMOST does everything I need...... almost....

The only other thing that I do not like is the fact that it does not have the swivel screen. The photo with the leaf is an example of when that would have been helpful because the leaf was only about 12" from the ground.

Your point about actually having the camera when you want to take photos is a big thing with me. I will be travelling through Central America this coming summer, which is the primary reason I want a new camera. No one has pointed out that a bigass camera draws more attention in Central America.... I'm concerned that i may be less likely to dig out the 3lb gun (camera) opposed to the 1lb gun to take photos of the people and such....


decisions decisions

 

[Lost Canadian]

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to see the cameras side by side or not. My friend brought over her S3 IS today, which is comparable to the S5 IS, is the S5 better??? don't know, but it seems to be a serious debate amongst owners. Anyway I did a little comparison.

D40x vs G9 vs S3 IS.

The S3 was a nice camera but nothing spectacular compared to the A560. I doubt you'd see much improvement, if any. My mom has a A560 and she takes great pics with it. The D40x and G9 took much cleaner pictures, but then again you're looking at a higher price tag.

If it were me spending the money, which it's not, but if it were, I'd move up the P&S range to something like the G series canons, leica or similar, or move into a DSLR.

Good luck on your trip and your camera search.

I took some quick snaps of the three.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I've never had cooked camera before. :bike_rider:


I'm pretty set on the S5IS and will likely be what I go with. It has a few accessories that will help me take better photos. These include wide and telephoto lenses and filters. I'm sure other cameras have these features, but not many of them have the features the S5 has that I like.

One of my biggest things is the ability to put a safety filter on (with a sleeve over the lens) keeping the actual lens protected.
Another feature that I like is the swivel LCD screen. I hardly ever take regular photos.... you know standing height, straight on.... boring. As i showed above, most of my photos are pretty much at odd angles.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[BPMOU]

Lots of great comments. I was in the same exact spot and couldn't decide between a S3, or S5 or D40 or XTi. I tried them and quickly ruled out the S3 and S5, leaving only the XTi and D40. Tried them both, (friends have each of them, and looked at Pentax) and in the end I liked the D40 best. The lack of motor on the body is minor as almost all of Nikons new lenses are AF-S lenses. I would not spend the extra money on the D40x. Get the D40, with a kit 18-55 and spend $205 and get a 55-200 with VR and learn how to take picures. I know that my next camera will be a D300, but it will be down the road. I only buy Nikorr lenses, so I don't worry about compatibility. I know others have recommended that you get a d80 or D200 out of the gate, but if you are looking at entry level I think that they may me way more than what you need. If you get into it later, then buy better gear, but don't by the best gear out of the gate just because.