In need of a Digital Camera

I'm looking for a digital camera that I can take with me to tennis tournaments. (I am going to Miami in March!) I would like one that I can easily carry in my pocket that has very good zoom. Looks like I would get 10x or 12x, the ultra zoom cameras are bulky. I would also like it to make videos, but they all may do that.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

I have a Panasonic FZ-8 and i'm happy with it, does it all and very big zoom...

If you want good picture quality, and the ability to take pictures in a variety of situations (low light, fast action like a tennis match, etc.) a DSLR is the only way to go.

I noticed you say ultra zoom cameras are 'bulky', so I will assume you won't be going this route.

First, look through the cameras in this test: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q109superzoomgroup/ and see if any of the good ones are small enough to meet your needs.

If that doesn't work, look through this group: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/.
I would recommend the Panasonic TZ5. Good telephoto, HD video, etc. The SX110 IS is also a good choice. You will make major sacrifices, but expecting a long telephoto in a small body without sacrifices would be insane or uninformed. You either get a big camera with less sacrifices, or you get a small camera that makes plenty.

Personally, I own a Panasonic LX3, and it's utterly fantastic. The only problem is, it is limited to 60mm telephoto. Perfectly fine for my uses, but it sounds like this might be an issue for you. The wide angle, aspect ratio switch, f2.0-2.8 lens and size for a camera with an angle and fast glass like this are unparalleled in a digital camera. The Canon G10 is comparable, and better in some categories, but size wise it is far more unwieldy.

I would use dpreview.com, amazon.com user ratings (taking into account the fact that some users are wrong), and your own thoughts when handling the cameras in a store. Panasonic and Canon are two names that cover the very best cameras for what you are looking for. Good luck!

Fletch said:

I'm looking for a digital camera that I can take with me to tennis tournaments. (I am going to Miami in March!) I would like one that I can easily carry in my pocket that has very good zoom. Looks like I would get 10x or 12x, the ultra zoom cameras are bulky. I would also like it to make videos, but they all may do that.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Click to expand...

Hey Fletch, the smallest 10x optical zoom ultra compact will be released soon in February by Olympus, model Stylus 9000. It's only 96mm x 60mm x 31mm and weights 185g. It also has 28mm wide angle lens. The picture quality of this series has been pretty good so far. And yeah they all take videos and these new ones even have some 'easy upload to youtube' function. Otherwise if you seek the best picture quality it's got to be a Canon camera.

Fletch said:

I'm looking for a digital camera that I can take with me to tennis tournaments. (I am going to Miami in March!) I would like one that I can easily carry in my pocket that has very good zoom. Looks like I would get 10x or 12x, the ultra zoom cameras are bulky. I would also like it to make videos, but they all may do that.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Click to expand...

I have a ton of cameras so I'll decipher some things for you.

You use the term 10x to 12X but it doesn really specify the FOV range of your camera. Why? becuase the 10x requires you to state the widest FOV. What I mean is a 10X with a starting FOV of 35m equivalent to 35 mm film camera would mean that it zooms from 35-350mm equivalent. In contrast a 10x with starting value of 28mm would be 28 - 280 mm.

So the first question. Do you want wide or do you want long?

Second question: are you trying to shoot things are that moving, like the players? If you are, Canon and Panasonic makes the best auto-focus on digicams.

Third: How dark do you want to shoot and still freeze motion. Freezing motion, not having motion blurs means you need to keep shutter speed faster than 1/400-600th of a sec. With digicam, unless it is sunny, you will need to boost the ISO which makes it noisy.

Fourth: how do you want to display your image? just on the small screen, do you want to print large like 8X10, 8X12

Fifth: how much cropping will you be doing?

Everything above would be better if you buy a DSLR or that new Panasonic G1. These will be bigger and have more than one lenses. It isn't that bad to carry around.

I'm sure you won't be going the DSLR route but if you do consider the Canon XSI (450D) with the kit lens plus the 55-250 IS, around 800-850 USD and will be head and shoulder above any zoom camera.

If you want a zoom, I suggest you read this review

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q109superzoomgroup/

If these are still too bulky for you the Panasonic TZ5 is a good choice.

WBF said:

If you want good picture quality, and the ability to take pictures in a variety of situations (low light, fast action like a tennis match, etc.) a DSLR is the only way to go.

I noticed you say ultra zoom cameras are 'bulky', so I will assume you won't be going this route.

First, look through the cameras in this test: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q109superzoomgroup/ and see if any of the good ones are small enough to meet your needs.

If that doesn't work, look through this group: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/.
I would recommend the Panasonic TZ5. Good telephoto, HD video, etc. The SX110 IS is also a good choice. You will make major sacrifices, but expecting a long telephoto in a small body without sacrifices would be insane or uninformed. You either get a big camera with less sacrifices, or you get a small camera that makes plenty.

Personally, I own a Panasonic LX3, and it's utterly fantastic. The only problem is, it is limited to 60mm telephoto. Perfectly fine for my uses, but it sounds like this might be an issue for you. The wide angle, aspect ratio switch, f2.0-2.8 lens and size for a camera with an angle and fast glass like this are unparalleled in a digital camera. The Canon G10 is comparable, and better in some categories, but size wise it is far more unwieldy.

I would use dpreview.com, amazon.com user ratings (taking into account the fact that some users are wrong), and your own thoughts when handling the cameras in a store. Panasonic and Canon are two names that cover the very best cameras for what you are looking for. Good luck!

Click to expand...

I missed your reply, have you any experience with the Canon G9 or 10? If so, how do they compare to the LX3. The LX3 seems to be at the head of the class.

Wow, you guys know your stuff! I took my little Sony Cyber-shot 6.0 mega pixels iso 1000 and 3x zoom. I used this last year at the US Open and it was pretty good. I know very little about cameras, I just put it on automatic and clicked like crazy knowing I would delete about half the photos. I ended up using iphoto and cropping them. I made a calender and a photo album, that is pretty much the extent of my abilities. (I have to say, they came out great) I would also like to take some photos at the Cavs games, need to get the close ups of Lebron and the cheerleaders during timeouts
I like the video part to take clips of my tennis strokes for improvement.
The small cameras are just easier, I tend to take it with me more often, which I end up using more frequently.
Knowing this, I am thinking the Sony is the easiest to use? The only reason i would replace my current camera is for better close up shots.
What would be your suggestions?

After reading all the reviews, it looks like Canon Powershot SX10 IS is very well liked. I figure I can use this one for games and tennis tournaments, and use my smaller cybershot for family functions.

dennis10is said:

I missed your reply, have you any experience with the Canon G9 or 10? If so, how do they compare to the LX3. The LX3 seems to be at the head of the class.

Click to expand...

No experience with them. From what I've read, both cameras are great depending on your needs. The G10 might be cleaner if you are a pixel peaker, but the end results are similar.

Ultimately, the dpreview enthusiast camera roundup conclusion fits my views as well; the LX3 was pushing the size limitations I wanted to work within, the G10 was out of the question.

Of course it's not perfect; the controls are pretty fiddly (as it's so small) and there's no telephoto to speak of, but if you want telephoto you're not going to be considering this camera. If you want more SLR like controls and a longer zoom - and don't mind the bulk - go for the Canon G10. Me personally? By that point I'm using an SLR. For a carry anywhere 'walk around' camera I'd go for the LX3 every time

Click to expand...

Fletch said:

Wow, you guys know your stuff! I took my little Sony Cyber-shot 6.0 mega pixels iso 1000 and 3x zoom. I used this last year at the US Open and it was pretty good. I know very little about cameras, I just put it on automatic and clicked like crazy knowing I would delete about half the photos. I ended up using iphoto and cropping them. I made a calender and a photo album, that is pretty much the extent of my abilities. (I have to say, they came out great) I would also like to take some photos at the Cavs games, need to get the close ups of Lebron and the cheerleaders during timeouts
I like the video part to take clips of my tennis strokes for improvement.
The small cameras are just easier, I tend to take it with me more often, which I end up using more frequently.
Knowing this, I am thinking the Sony is the easiest to use? The only reason i would replace my current camera is for better close up shots.
What would be your suggestions?

After reading all the reviews, it looks like Canon Powershot SX10 IS is very well liked. I figure I can use this one for games and tennis tournaments, and use my smaller cybershot for family functions.

Click to expand...

Either the Canon or the Panasonice will fit your requirements. I'm familiar with both systems so I can't say whether one is consider better than another in terms of ease. All cameras are easy for me, even the Fujis.
The new superzooms have Image Stabilization and Canon/Pany are excellent in that and in Auto Focus. I think the advantage of the Pany FZ28 is the HD, the RAW, and a bit faster AF. The Canon is slightly better Image quality, a flash shoe, and swivel LCD and better EVF.

any nikons recommended?

TheShaun said:

any nikons recommended?

Click to expand...

In the past 2-3 years, Nikon has concentrated on catching up with Canon in the DSLR market so they've pretty left the PS market. Now that they are arguably the number one DSLR brand, they are trying to make some P&S but they are behind. Most Nikon DSLR owners own Canon or some other brand if they have a P&S.

You can go to dpreview and they have a pretty extensive review of all the digicam. If you are thinking of getting a DSLR, the one to get is the Nikon D90. It is the class of the field for a step up from entry level DSLR and it does 720p HD video.

dennis10is said:

In the past 2-3 years, Nikon has concentrated on catching up with Canon in the DSLR market so they've pretty left the PS market. Now that they are arguably the number one DSLR brand, they are trying to make some P&S but they are behind. Most Nikon DSLR owners own Canon or some other brand if they have a P&S.

You can go to dpreview and they have a pretty extensive review of all the digicam. If you are thinking of getting a DSLR, the one to get is the Nikon D90. It is the class of the field for a step up from entry level DSLR and it does 720p HD video.

Click to expand...

Yup, agree with this. Nikon and Canon are big names on the DSLR scene, Canon and Panasonic on the P&S scene. There are a few other names that have some decent offerings, but the Canons, Panasonics, and Nikons dominate.

Keep in mind DSLR's and SLR's are bulky, large cameras, and this guy wants something he can carry in his pocket, unless you want pointy cargo pockets I don't think those are the way to go. So you're not gonna find a 10 - 12x optical zoom camera that fits in your pocket.

This Canon has a 4x zoom and from personal experience it has great picture quality.

And this Olympus seems fairly small and has a 5x optical.

I think Panasonic got some slim P&S with at least 10x? I don't know how good are they though.

get a Canon Ixus, best one for cheap money!

This is a great resource that I have found very helpful when camera shopping.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php

The OP does not seem to want a DSLR. The point/shoot cameras with 10-12x optical zooms these days are very nice cameras. If you like to shoot sports at long focal lengths, look for image stabilization (very important) and a good multiple-exposure feature.

I like my Nikon P80, but the manual acknowledges that images shot in bright sunlight can render a streaky image--very frustrating as I've lost some good shots to the streak goblins. Nonetheless, it will run off about 10 shots a second, great for tennis and other sports.

The P80 is by the way substantially smaller than a camera with similar specs from even a few years ago.

the Cannon Powershot Series are pretty nice, i have the 7.1MP SD1000 one and its awesome