The other camera I was looking was the Panasonic Lumix 7.2MP...what drew me to the Canon was the "color accent" feature but I realize that photo editing software can do the same thing...

You might want to include the Ricoh R6 on your list. Sounds like a camera. Features stack up nicely with the Canon and the Panasonic (TZ3?) and the size/weight could be just what you're after. Good luck on your search...

Thanks for the reply..

Anyone others out there? I realize that this is probably the most asked questions but I'm looking for something a little more specific other then general photo taking and I want to get one this week so I can learn how to use it before I go on my trip..

Many thanks..

It might help posters to know which Pany you were considering. There are a bunch of Lumix 7 MP models. Was it the TZ3?..

It isn't an easy thing to give advice on particulary if it isn't going to be what you want to hear..

They have stopped making the kind of camera you really need. Canon G5 or G6 would have ticked the boxes. The current G7 is a dummed down version without a nice fast lesn, reticulating LCD or RAW recording function, but is still about the best for what you want except it's widest zoom is 35mm and not 28mm..

Now, you can control the Ixus/powershot SD camera in a semi-manual way with exposure locks and focus locks, but the larger G7 (1" longer) offers much more control..

In 2004 I took an S400 on a trip and managed to make it do plenty of difficult things but the 35mm max wide angle was a pain at times..

What also could be a real pain is one of those ultra thin cameras without a viewfinder if needed to be used under very bright conditions which swamp the LCD leaving you unable to frame your shots easily.If a small camera is essential then you must make compromises for it..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

Mikemarshall wrote:.

It might help posters to know which Pany you were considering. Thereare a bunch of Lumix 7 MP models. Was it the TZ3?.

Sorry it is the Panasonic Lumix 7.2MP Digital Camera (DMCFX07A)..

John farrar wrote:.

It isn't an easy thing to give advice on particulary if it isn'tgoing to be what you want to hear.They have stopped making the kind of camera you really need..

The store still carries that model...but I'm confused as to why you think that model wouldn't be what I'm looking for and why the Canon G5/6 is... can you explain please...

Please dont take any of what follows the wrong way - I am trying to help. Its just that I think people can make this whole business (choosing a camera) much more complex than it needs to be - and yet, at the same time, expecting there to be one simple, single answer that is just right..

Oceania wrote:.

Anyone others out there? I realize that this is probably the mostasked questions but I'm looking for something a little more specificother then general photo taking.

Actually, youre not being very specific at all and there is little in the info you have given that could narrow the options down to fewer than maybe a dozen cameras..

And I want to get one this week so Ican learn how to use it before I go on my trip..

This week!?You should be spending your time at a good camera store, consulting with the staff and handling cameras. Not waiting for responses on an internet forum..

I travel overseas quite a bit so I need something that's not to bulkyand can easily be hidden and carried..

Just about every compact camera on the market comes in to that category..

Something that's pretty easyto use, without fiddling around too much but allows me to have somecreativity to capture some really cool pics.

In that case you will be wanting a camera that provides any or all of Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Program modes (as well as the standard Auto and other pre-programmed modes). A clear requirement, but doesnt narrow the field much..

...for example, take apicture make it monochrome except for focal point to be incolour...things like that..

Thats a function of your photo editing software (and skill) more than of the camera. You should take that off your list of requirements for the camera..

I would like to be able to blow up some of my pictures and framethem..

Anything from 5 megapixels upwards, then. Unless youre talking about 16x20 prints and upwards..

Also taking good shots at close range or from a distance..

A zoom that starts wide (around 18-28 in 35mm equivalent terms) and probably around 10x (i.e. up to around 200mm in 35mm equivalent)..

And if you go that long in the zoom, Image Stabilisation will probably be important, to help you avoid camera shake at the long end..

In the future, I would like to get more serious about photography andlearn the manual settings..

As above - look for Manual etc ability on the camera..

I'm looking at the PowerShot SD800 IS (not the 850). I've only readgood reviews about it. I looking at the 800 instead of 850 notbecause it's cheaper but the wide angle lens (even though thatdoesn't really mean anything to me right now) but the rest of thespecs are pretty much the same..

Please let me know if this is the right type of camera for my needs..

You should be able to answer that question for yourself by now..

Now, I strongly suggest that you get to a good camera store and ask the salesperson to show you compact cameras that offer:.

1. Some or all of Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program modes (i.e. as do DSLRs)2. 5MP upwards3. 8-10x zoom that starts around 18-28 mm (35 mm equivalent)4. Image Stabilisation..

Play with them, pick one, and happy holidays!..

There has just been announcement of a Canon G9 in which they have put the RAW function back. Don't know how soon this will be on sale however..

In the case of the G7, what they took away from the G6 was a fast 4x zoom (good for low light) and replaced it with a slower 6x zoom. They took out RAW as mentioned, and also removed that very useful flip-out and twist LCD..

I think your problem might well be that these cameras have a maximum wide angle at 35mm. 28mm is better for many tourist locations particularly when you cannot step back far enough.Uluru viewing point for example:.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

To shoot from the front of the crowd at 35mm it is necessary to use Canon Photostitch to join 2 shots together (not allowed off the paths as thousands of tourists would erode the desert)..

I think the G7 will give you a lot more control than the smaller Ixus/powershot 850 and still not be large enough to present problems..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

Did you use the stitch feature for that picture? Is that with the G7.

One of the main reasons why I was opting for the 800 is that it has the colour accent features where you can choose one focal point to be in colour and everything else is monochrome...I want to try some funky stuff (I'm going to the desert in Morocco and I've seen some amazing pictures taken by amateurs) so I really want to take some unique shots, blow them up and frame them..

I did check out the G7 and it looks pretty decent and seems to be what I'm looking for...so you think it's still better to go for the G7 35mm instead of the SD800 28mm?..

It looks like the G7 has the colour accent feature too!.

I hope it's not too complicated for a newbie :-S.

On average...how long do you think this camera will last? It's quite a bit of money (I wasn't anticipating spending this much) but if it's a solid camera that will last a long time then I have no qualms spending that much on it (I'm also going to get the extended warranty)..

Thanks!..

I am also looking for a smaller camera and was going to get an F31. However, a bunch of new cameras are coming onto the market and the price has shot up. At the moment, I am looking at the Canon A640, Fuji F50, Samsung NV 15 and NV20. Maybe I should throw the A650 in as well. None offers all I would like but they each have some strong points. The Canons allow one to adjust the settings in order to get a more real looking, less hyped photo.

If Samsung and Fuji offer control of the image parameters, the Canons will be off my list..

BTW - all these cameras use larger sensors and not the tiny 1/2.5 sensors typically used. Keep us posted as to how your search continues. I also welcome any opinions on the ones I am considering...

I see the G7 has add-on lenses and can get down to 26mm... when I'm more "serious" about photography I can always purchase the add-on lens...so it looks like this is the one. Still researching it further though...thanks Jerry..

Sorry for all the posts...

No, the shot of Uluru was a single 35mm picture. Look in that Red Center gallery on my PBase site and you'll see a closer one that is stitched. All those in that gallery were shot on the 4mp Powershot/Ixus sd400 which, incidentally, is still going strong into it's 4th year. There were times when I would have appreciated the extra control available in one of the G series models, but I found work-arounds.http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/australia__the_red_centre.

It's hard to say how long a camera will last as it depends on how you handle it. Hopefully it should last until you need to upgrade it - say 4 years max..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..