Need to hear opinions again

[Grummpy1]

I will be traveling to D.C in a couple of weeks and would like to take some photos but Don't want to take my DLSR because it is a work trip and I don't want to leave it alone in the room, it might get lonely. Plus I would like to have something small so it is easy to tote around. So what is the opinions on point and shoots? What brand do you like, what model? I am looking to spend around $300 plus or minus a little. I would like a nice zoom so i can use it here at the airport also to capture some of the planes we have passing through. I have brought my 5D before but I can't keep it with me all the time and when i don't have it that seems to be when we have something like a Warthog or Apache land and take off. Last week we had an AWAC doing touch and goes and I didn't have my camera with me so I missed the op. I'm kind of torn between the Panasonic DMC-ZS10, Sony DSC WX9 or Canon ELPH 310. I'm still open to which one so would love to hear which one you use and if you have one of the three I mentioned what do your think of it. Good low light would be nice but not extremely important. The most important features for me is the zoom, size (needs to be able to fit in my short pocket, I can fit some big stuff in my pocket!), and of course the picture quality. Would like one that performs good enough that I can crop and enlarge a little, don't expect it to be anywhere near as good as my 5D but don't want a piece of crap. So tell me your opinions. Thanks everyone.

[ronocnikral]

I tend to be a control freak. So...take this for what it is worth.

We had a P&S similar to the Canon one you list, in fact our last three have been canon P&S of that flavor. My wife absolutely hated our last one, the auto functions sucked, the pictures were always blasted, underexposed....blah, blah, blah. Well, she acted upset when I had the P&S on a bike ride and I dropped it, but deep down inside she was giving herself high fives. To me, a cheap P&S isn't going to always yield the same quality photos a dslr with some nice glass is, but I expect it to give nice photos of family and friends that you can share with little work in post.

So, we have an S95. It shoots RAW, manual exposure etc. It has been much better for us instead of trying to trick the camera what to do in an auto mode. It is a little over your price range, but...it affords a little more flexibility. I wish it would allow you to set the focus distance, but we have been much more happy with it. It isn't "playing card size," but it is still manageable to haul around. One complaint is it has a pop up flash where we put our hand...I would also look at a G11/G12 or whatever is out, which is even a little bigger!

[groovyone]

If you want RAW capability it could be worth pending a little more. My coworker and occasional forum member has the x10 and LOVES it. He sent me an ISO2500 photo that looked dang good.

I have many friends with the ZS10 predecessors and they are all pretty happy with them. That line has been very good. I have seen a lot of good write ups on the WX9 but have not used one. My WX1 is ancient by comparison now. haha

[bigjon0107]

What about a second hand G12, G11, something that that series? I have used them and have been overall pretty impressed. Not as small as your traditional point and shoot, but functions very close to a DSLR with the dials, controls, etc...

[Kalrog]

If this is a common need for you... what about one of the EVIL cameras such as the Olympus PEN or Sony NEX? I think it hits everything you asked for, but it does have interchangeable lenses and some of those might not be pocketable (although some are).

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

So, we have an S95. It shoots RAW, manual exposure etc.

Agree with this except, the S90 is almost the exact same camera.

You can buy a refurb from Canon and it fits your price range.


Canon Direct Store- PowerShot S90 Refurbished

[Grummpy1]

I appreciate the info on the different cameras. I went with the Panasonic ZS10 because of the focal power and it fits in my pocket, very important since i can't be seen carrying a camera around the airport while on duty. I've been playing around with it and it seems to have a lot of options and produces some pretty good images, not as good as my 5D but no where near the price either. When I get back from DC I will post some images. I would love to take the 5D but it would have to stay in the hotel room while i am on duty and I just don't feel safe leaving it there for ten hours. I just found out today that I will be deployed to Alaska in March for three weeks so hopefully I will be able to take both cameras and get some good photos. If anyone has ever watched the TV show Fly Alaska (or something like that) then you have heard of Era Alaska. I will be at the airport they shoot most of the show at, who knows I might even manage to sneek into the show...