Favorite travel camera???
 

So, we leave for Asia on Saturday and I'm looking to buy a new point and shoot digital. What are you all currently shooting with and do you like it???

I'm debating between the Canon A610/A620 and the Panasonic DMC-TZ1 among others if anyone has any input. I've been on a photo board, but they can be a little overwhelming and I need to make a decision pronto!

Hi LA,
I have been looking at these two cameras as well, but found the A620 quite heavy to hold. Have a look at the new A700 with a 6X zoom. It weighs 250g (8.8oz) as against 285g (10.1oz). I know it doesn't seem like a lot but it did when I held them side by side.
Good luck and have a great trip.

I've actually looked into the A700 also, but it seems that with that long of a zoom it should have image stabilization. I can't find a local store selling them either, so I've sort of had to rule that one out due to lack of time to have one shipped.

I forgot to mention that I'm not so sure I can even find an A610 around here either.

Thanks for the info though!

Hi again,

Yes, I know what you mean about the image stabilisation, would have thought it should be standard these days. That really was my only concern.

Wish I could send one over to you from Perth. What about the airport, could you pick one up there - make some calls or even get one in Asia???

Well, I live in L.A. and none of the local retailers have it yet, so I'm guessing it's not at the airport either. As far as Asia goes, we are flying straight into Langkawi and then island hopping in S. Thailand from there, so we won't even get to a major city (Bangkok) until the beginning of week 3, so I guess that won't work either. I think I'm pretty much limited to whatever my local stores have at this point. There are still tons to choose from though!

What a bizarre coincidence! I live in Singapore and have just spent the past couple of hours researching digital point and shoots, as mine cratered on the last trip.
The Canon A700 is on the shelf here now at comparable prices to the US. I'm trying to decide between that and the A540 because they both have the larger (2.5") LCD screen. The A620 is out of stock here now. The main negative I have read about for the A700 is the recharge time for the flash. I'm actually off to the store now to hold them both in my hand and give them a try.

Lindsey,
Report back and let us know how you got along.

LA,I gathered you live in Los Angles from your name, hope you have a great holiday, lucky you, our last trip was to Krabi.

Here is a reveiw that has just been posted on the A700, you can also do a side by side on a couple of different cameras. www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona700/

My second choice is the A540, can you get that one near you? They all seem pretty much the same.

For the past year I've been using an Olympus Camedia C-160 but I've not been happy with its results and limitations. So I've just bought a Panasonic DMC-FZ30. Cost $AUD 787, tax free. The main feature that really appealed to me was the 35-420mm Leica zoom. I read many reviews and tests in various mags and this camera received top ratings.

TexasSlim,
I have just checked that one out, but it looks a bit big to fit in my bag. But will have a good read about it - I still am undecided. A digital is going to be by 50th birthday present so I can retire my old Pentax film camera.

Wow, this is a very timely post for me as well. There have been lots of posts about cameras on the Africa board. Based on what I have read (and my price range) I think I will be going with the Panasonic FZ7 with leica lens and 20x digital zoom for $399.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06...nasonicfz7.asp

The FZ7 is apparently an updated version of the FZ5, which I have a like a lot. The manual focus is a big plus, something I wish were available on the FZ5.

The FZ5 (and, I believe, the FZ7) has a 12x optical zoom. Not sure what the 20x digital zoom is about, but digital zoom is just about useless.

Rizzuto-

Yup, I meant to say 12, not 20....coffee has not kicked in yet this morning.
Can you elaborate on saying the digital zoom is worthless? A few Africa board Fodorites seemed to say that the FZ zoom was sufficient for safari shots....what has been your experience?

I've always liked my Olympus C-765UZ. It's 4.1 megapixels with a 10X optical zoom and fairly small. There's a newer model out (the 770UZ). I personally go for a camera with the maximum optical zoom I can get as I never use the digital zoom. I also take a lot of shots that are far away (eagles in trees, glaciers as we sail by, etc). But definitely check out www.dpreview.com like some other posters suggested. You can do side-by-side camera comparisons there.

OK, I'm home from my shopping trip with the Canon A700 and a set of NIMH AA batteries and a rapid (2 hr) charger. There is a special promotion here at the moment, so I got a 256k media card, a camera bag and a tripod thrown in for free. Total cost - SG $546, or about US $338.
I picked the A700 over the A540 because the diff in price was only SG $85. For that you get better res on the LCD display (115,000 vs. 85,000) and the 6X optical zoom, vs the 4X on the 540. Those were the two biggest differences.

I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend on Rawa Island where I can play and practice with my new toy. Will let you all know how it goes. Whatever it does, it's going to be better than my semi-antique Nikon Coolpix 885. You could grow old and gray waiting for the autofocus on the that camera!!

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Lindsey, I hope that A700 works out for you. I also have an ancient Nikon CP800 and an even older Pentax point and shoot film cameral. It's really time to upgrade, but I can't seem to make a decision! That new Panasonic is really appealing, except it doesn't have any manual controls (not that I'd know what to do with them anyway)! That web site everyone has been posting is the forum I've been on, but I thought I'd get some traveler input as well.

My little Olympus Mju camera with 5 mega mixels and a half gig flash card produces great results and fits in your pocket!

Our most tech savvy friends (you know the type), two of them, separately actually have suggested we look into the Panasonic FX9. We just purchased one after getting their reviews and seeing their shots. Really impressed. It's a moderately priced (I found it online for $270) little point and shoot. Huge display, 6 megapixels and a "sport" function that allows for quick snaps. A problem we loathed on our Canon.

Thanks for the tip. I just looked into the camera and it looks nice, but appears that it may not be in stock locally.

LA, have you found a camera yet? Or at least one that you liked and was in stock.

Lindsey, glad to hear you like your A700 and please do repost on here and let us know what you think. You sure did get a great deal!!!

Cheers.