Best canon compact for everyday use

EireRoadUser

I've been looking at the canon compact cameras lately ,something i can have with me all the time.
I want to get canon because I have canon already .

I was looking at the IXUS range ,but am not sure about there quality over time.

ScabbyLeg

Hi,
I have an IXUS 50 myself, which I bought back in June. I decided on the IXUS because I was about to spend 8 months abroad and wanted something I could carry in my pocket and take the usual holiday-type snaps. I found it was ideal for the job, nice form factor, easy to use quickly, switches on in no time at all and the build quality is great.

10 months later it's a bit more scuffed up but still working flawlessly
I'd definitely recommend it and I'm sure others would too.

I suppose the only thing to remember is that you won't have a huge amount of control over the settings, it being a 'point-and-shoot' camera, but at the same time I was surprised enough to find that it gives manual control over shutter speed, ISO and a few other things.

EireRoadUser

thanks leg ,I was looking at that one or the 60

was concerned at the quality because of it's size so thanks for setting my mind at rest.

I have an A20 i bought 5 years ago and it's used everyday at the moment by the sister.(Very big for a compact though).

waldo

I was an SLR user, and got the powershot S60 at a time when I didn't want a DSLR. The quality of the powershot s series is really good, and has delayed my purchase of a DSLR. They have full manual controls, nice metal bodies and a great wide angle lens. They also have a nice intervalvometer function for time-lapse photography. I'd look at an s70 or s80

EireRoadUser

I seen the s80 in conns ,looked combat looking like it could withstand a bash like.
I suppose everyone will say something good about all there camera ,wasn't sure if the s80 was just a tad to big for carrying all the time in my pocket.

FinoBlad

EireRoadUser wrote:

I've been looking at the canon compact cameras lately ,something i can have with me all the time.

You're goanna kill me for saying this but you dont need a compact. Take your 350D everywhere

ScabbyLeg

The S-- cameras are nice alright. One of the reasons I bought the IXUS was because my dad has an S50 (couple of years old now) and I was impressed with the quality and features but just thought it was a bit big and expensive to be carrying about in my pocket while I was on the go!

It was great to be able to go from one to the other and find all the menu options and functions are where you'd expect them to be.

But I'd say you can't go too far wrong with either, whichever suits your needs best!

EireRoadUser

Your grand fino ,I work in peoples houses everyday and am driving all the time ,just thought it cool to have a camera with me all the time.

I do be paranoid about anything happening to my slr.

I think if a shot is worth taking theres no harm in doing a little research first and taking a few handy shots first to see if its viable.

fletch

I see Canon now have an IXUS wireless range....basically all the usual digi cam features along with built in 802.11G wireless.....very handy for transferring files etc.
Just thought I'd let you know as it'd be worth considering
For sale from expansys for €550 but you'll be able to get one cheaper on ebay

EireRoadUser

cheers fletch ,I seen that one alright sexy little yoke ,nice colour.
I don't need anything fancy, i prefer to plonk the card into a reader.

I'm sure the wifi option will kick off though.

thanks.

FinoBlad

Personally I'd only buy a compact if you'd got everything you want for your SLR. You could get a lens, training course or top flash for the price of a compact.

You need to lose that fear, maybe insuring it would help.

fletch

EireRoadUser wrote:

cheers fletch ,I seen that one alright sexy little yoke ,nice colour.
I don't need anything fancy, i prefer to plonk the card into a reader.

I'm sure the wifi option will kick off though.

thanks.

Yeh its handy alright but I suppose it'll probably drain the battery....I personally never connect my camera up to my PC....just whip out the card and into a reader...

EireRoadUser

Fino ,I have the lens i bought from you and a couple of others

I definetly will be attending a course somewhere ,but i need some more photos that I am happy with.
Some of the stuff i want to do ,I'm not sure whether i will get into trouble with ,I.E. staging a photo with household stuff that looks illegal etc.
Not in a criminal way but to tell a story like.

This is what i use at the moment
24-85mm (yours) for outdoors and dossing about
30mm 1.4 indoors and outdoor portraits
70-200 F4 outdoors and sports.
old 75-300 EF

I want to get other lenses ,but i don't have enough decent photos to justify buying any more lenses ,I have what i consider enough to do anyone in my position.

I gave my canon A20 away,it's a good compact but not what i would consider pocketable.

EireRoadUser

How do i go about insuring my stuff ??
Have you done it?,it would help me a lot alright.
Adding it up must come to about 3 grand.

FinoBlad

EireRoadUser wrote:

How do i go about insuring my stuff ??
Have you done it?,it would help me a lot alright.
Adding it up must come to about 3 grand.

Yes I'm insured, you can get your gear listed with your house insurance as "Specified All Risk Insurance" or get a separate policy from someone like...

PJT Insurance Services,
17 Main Street,
Swords,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: (01) 8401254
Fax: (01) 8131070
E-mail: pjtins@iol.ie

I've my own policy that covers Ireland and Abroad. It was a weight off my mind the day I took it out.

FinoBlad

EireRoadUser wrote:

This is what i use at the moment
24-85mm (yours) for outdoors and dossing about
30mm 1.4 indoors and outdoor portraits
70-200 F4 outdoors and sports.
old 75-300 EF

I want to get other lenses ,but i don't have enough decent photos to justify buying any more lenses ,I have what i consider enough to do anyone in my position.

You do have enough, I'd look into a 580ex flash [€399 plus €22 shipping TechnikDirekt] though.

EireRoadUser

Obviously ,the more expensive a flash the further the distance.

Whats the major difference between the 450 and 580 etc.
I will eventually have to buy a macro ,maybe the 60mm 2.8 so i'll need a flash for that .

FinoBlad

Google the differences in specs between them. I'm not sure what the gurus think of it.

I used the 550 for years and thought the 580 was much improved. Much better battery life, quicker recharge, TTL II, improved swiveling and a very useful popup white card.

EireRoadUser

Cheers Fino ,I read a few things alright ,the 580 is made for the 350D etc .
Has special facility that talks to the camera and compensates the differences of the chip rather than film.

This thread has gone from a compact camera to a flash.

I will be ringing the insurance company tomorrow ,most of the good photos I have are when i first bought the camera I have,then as i bought more stuff i started venturing out less.

Thanks again

Found link : http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-580ex-E-TTL-2-Speedlite-Flash-Review.aspx