Cannot fault the SD700 or SD800. I don't know if you'd gain much from the C-Lux compared to them. You do pay a premium for the brand when buying the Leica's, IMO..
You like the Canon's, are used to them and the improved model would add value..
The only suggestion I'd make is that you consider keeping the SD630 and getting a bridge camera to complement it, rather than replace it. Having said that the SD700/800 choice would give you IS and longer batter life. Image quality will be maybe a little better - not much..
StephenG.
Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..
Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate the advice. When you say bridge camera, what do you mean exactly? An SLR or a camera with more manual options? (pardon my ignorance)..
Nothing at all wrong with Canon. I started with a Nikon 5900 as a beginner. Now I am probably an advanced beginner. My current camera is a Panasonic FZ-30 with a Leica lens. I have had it for about a year and am just thrilled with it. Easy to use, great pictures.
Hope this helps a bit...
"Bridge Camera" is a vague term and has no agreed definition..
In common usage it describes a camera which has a long zoom and some manual control in addition to scene modes. They are NOT DSLRs, they use the same sensors as compacts. Bridge essentially refers to the fact that they cover similar functionality ( with less quality ) to a twin lens kit DSLR..
The main advantage f a bridge camera is that, while you have the same image quality as compact ( i.e. a lot worse than a DSLR ), they are good cost and value compromises over DSLRs. The single lens usually has more versatility than equivalent kit lenses, and there is no need to change lenses ( which reduces teh possibility of sensor dust )..
A good bridge camera ( like the Fuji S6000/6500 or the Canon S3 to name two ), would be able to take shots ranging from macro to long zoom in reasonable light with good results in normal sized prints..
A DSLR is basically a camera body that can take lenses. DSLR sensors are significantly better than compact sensors. They are faster in a certain sense than bridge cameras and they can be tuned more precisely. However, that tuning requires skill. Bridge cameras can also be tuned, it's simply that the level of image quality will never reach a DSLR..
In practice normal prints taken in reasonable light do not look significantly different on either. It's only larger prints and more challenging photographic conditions that separate the two..
The performance of individual makes of bridge camera is different, so you would need to read reviews of these to establish the subtle differences that match your needs..
StephenG.
Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..
Looking at the Canon Powershot SD 800 IS as well as the Leica C-Lux2. I am worried about the issue of the Leica being an overpriced,rebadged Panasonic, but I have to be truthful I love the Leicabrand and would love to own one because I have heard nothing butgood things. Looking at pictures on this site, I do appreciate thesharpness of the Leica C-Lux 2, but I worry they are taken bypeople who have a lot more skill than I do. I am looking at thecanon powershot sd 800 is because I trust the canon brand.
The Leica C-Lux 2 is simply a Panasonic FX01 with a Leica badge (no bad thing - the FX01 is a great camera). But you'd have to be seriously into Leica as a fashion accessory to pay the extra they charge, although there are one or two extras in the box to make up for the price difference. The Panasonic version has, however, been updated twice, so the newer Panasonic FX30 is perhaps better than the Leica. Well, maybe. It's a bit slimmer if nothing else..
If you go from the Canon SD630 to the SD800, I don't think you'll see an improvement in quality, but you will benefit from the wider lens and the IS of course. And you lose the big screen..
Perhaps the Panasonic FX50 with a 3 inch screen would be the best choice for you?.
Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..