Need a new P&S

[carve]

Hey everyone, I think I am in need of a new point and shoot. I currently use a sony cybershot dsc-p73. It is a great little camera, it only has 4.1 megapixels though. I also want to buy a new camera because the battery life on it is horrible. It is my "go to" camera which I just grab if i'm going somewhere with friends. I am willing to spend up to $200 for a new camera, maybe $230. My needs are something that can take decent macro shots, and good night pictures. Any suggestions?

 

[santa]

save up more money (nt)

no joke here

 

[NC MacGuy]

Hey everyone, I think I am in need of a new point and shoot. I currently use a sony cybershot dsc-p73. It is a great little camera, it only has 4.1 megapixels though. I also want to buy a new camera because the battery life on it is horrible. It is my "go to" camera which I just grab if i'm going somewhere with friends. I am willing to spend up to $200 for a new camera, maybe $230. My needs are something that can take decent macro shots, and good night pictures. Any suggestions?

The macro won't be a problem but there aren't many good P&S's that'll take a good night shot - I'm assuming non flash?

 

[ftaok]

The P73 is at least 4 years old. I have the very similar P7 and it's on it's last legs.

As for a new P/S camera, I'd think that most Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, Canon cameras in your budget would easily surpass any photos coming from the P73. The tech has advanced so much in the last 4 years.

I'd suggest a Panasonic TZ-4 (or a TZ-5 if you can stretch the budget) because it's pretty compact and has a nice 10x zoom starting at a wide 28mm. Most P/S cameras only go down to 34 or 38mm.

The Canon digital Elph series are pretty nice too, although it's tough to figure out which one is the latest/greatest as Canon's numbering system is so messy.

If you want more manual controls (which could help with night shots), you might need to go with a slightly bulkier camera. Canon's A-series are pretty decent and they tend to cost less than the Elph's as well.

Most new P/S have decent night shot modes, but it depends on what you're shooting. If you're shooting night "scenes", you'll need a tri-pod any way since the shutter is open longer. If you're looking to shoot people at night, you might need something with a good night portrait mode to help control the flash better. Stick with the bigger names and you can't go wrong.

Also, check out dpreview.com and dcresource.com .... I find these two sites to be the best for ametuers like me.

ft

 

[termina3]

If battery is the biggest issue why don't you just replace the battery? You won't get a great camera at that price point (although there are many available)

 

[cr2sh]

I have owned several Canon p&s cameras and each one was better than the last (with the exception of the G2 being the first and best)... anyways, my new 870 IS is a pretty amazing piece of technology. The image quality is amazing, the ISO performance is best I have ever had in a camera this small, the Image Stabilization makes low light shooting without a flash a LOT easier and the screen on the back is HUGE.

This camera sells for $249 new on amazon.. but I'm sure you could find it cheaper somewhere. I would very highly recommend it.