The camera that takes the best pictures is one that is always with you.
I tend to have rather large pockets, so I’ve been happy carrying larger cameras like the awesome and affordable Canon Powershot SX110IS, or the pro-caliber Canon PowerShot G9 that we have been experimenting with lately.
Both of these fit into a jacket pocket or cargo pants easily enough, and they are always at-the-ready in the center console of Jeep. But small and easy to carry everywhere these cameras are NOT.
Cherie on the other hand is less concerned with manual settings and other fun camera complexity, and she wisely likes her primary cameras to be as small and simple as possible.
Until recently she has been a fan of the Pentax Optio S12, a super-small camera that can almost fit into an Altoids tin.
But…
We’ve discovered that this cute little Pentax has a fatal flaw. It records video in a format that can not be edited easily with iMovie on our Macs, making it useless for the increasing amount of video work that we have been doing.
It is so frustrating to run across a major camera manufacturer with such poor Macintosh support, but Pentax is clearly lacking in this regard.
We’ve spent the past month researching other small alternatives that will give us great photos, and great video too. And today at last we made the jump and upgraded.
Cherie’s new pocket camera is the Canon PowerShot SD780IS. We even managed to get it with a red case, perfectly matching our trailer!
The SD780IS is an extremely well balanced camera. It is even smaller than Cherie’s old Pentax (which is now for sale), yet it takes fabulous pictures and it can even record HD quality video too!
We spent the afternoon playing with the new SD780, and the picture and video quality is indeed impressive. I am particularly excited to now have a way to record HD resolution video – the difference in sharpness and detail in our first test videos is astounding.
February 2010 Update: Cherie continues to love her Canon SD780Is. It’s picture and video quality is superb, and the size completely functional. For some examples of video shot (after being compressed, not raw footage) with this camera, check out:
Salvation Mountain at Slab City
Next Up: A DSLR?
Ever since our adventures light painting with Ben Willmore a few months ago, I’ve been wanting to explore more complex and creative photography. I’ve been struggling with the limitations of the full-manual modes of the SX110IS and G9, and have come to realize that the larger lenses and sensors on a real DSLR will open all sorts of new avenues for creative exploration. I think it may be at last time to make the leap.
The cost and complexity of a DSLR though is rather daunting – and so is the thought of taking on the bulk into our space-constrained lives. Right now I am weighing the tradeoffs deciding what to get, and contemplating whether to buy a new or used camera.
The top contenders at the moment are the brand new and feature rich Canon EOS Rebel T1i, or the more basic and affordable classic Nikon D40. I am also really intrigued by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 (which also comes in red!), and its video-capable but outrageously expensive sibling the Panasonic DMC-GH1.
DSLR tips, wisdom, and advice are appreciated. Do any of you out there have any advice or recommendations to offer, or older cameras that you are looking to part with?
Stay tuned to see what I end up with! *grin*
February 2010: In December 2009, I decided on a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
. Stay tuned for a review!
I must have screwed up my attempt to post the url since its not showing up in my comment. Sorry. Here’s the link for the Flip MinoHD vs Canon Powershot SD780IS video I was referring to above http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAIYQAzoe7g
Awesome.. thanks for pointing us to that. Nice to know that not only did we choose a great compact all in one camera/HD video – we also choose wisely. Much preferred the Canon video in the demo to the Flip.
Since you mention that you are using your Canon Powershot for video, if anyone else plans to do so too and are debating whether to buy the Canon or a Flip (as I’m debating/researching currently) I found this interesting picture in picture comparison of the two on you tube and I’ll just let the visuals help you come to the same conclusion that I did after seeing the vid
Save your money.. Get a decent, but not top-of-the-line, DSLR and spend the extra money on good lenses. We have an SD850IS and an SD770IS for point-and-shoots. They’re adequate for “documenting” trips, but I also have a Canon Rebel XTi, which I think is two generations earlier than the 1Ti. I’d rather have the older body with a good lens than have a new body and only be able to afford the stock lens. All stock lenses are “merely adequate” and won’t do your shots any favors. Good lenses don’t have to cost a lot, but the price climbs rapidly when you add features to an already decent lens.
A good example is the “nifty-fifty”. It’s a Canon EF 50mm F1.8 fixed focal length (no zoom) lens. Costs about $100. It takes incredibly good pictures, but the 50 mm focal length is a bit hard to deal with (it’s pretty “zoomed in” compared to a standard lens). Check out this shot… http://www.flickr.com/photos/smthng/479891929/
I can’t get anything near that clarity with any other lens. A camera body with twice the resolution or a more sensitive image sensor wouldn’t make the slightest bit of difference, it’s all about the lenses for SLRs.
Amazon currently lists the 1Ti for $300 more than the XTi. I’d rather spend that $300 on a lens or two. If you’re not planning on selling very large “art” pictures, the extra features on the newer bodies are wasted. The XTi is WAY more advanced than any of the point and shoots that you’re used to and is perfectly suited for light painting, long night exposures, macro shots, etc.
You’re welcome to check mine out next week if you’re interested… an no, that’s one piece of gear I won’t be getting rid of any time soon. 😉
.-= smthng´s last blog ..Landing page =-.
That is a beautiful photo you linked to.
I’m not opposed to investing in a good lens, but due to space and complexity constraints I don’t want to start building a large collection of lenses. One or (at most) two very versatile lenses is all I can see myself with.
The one advantage that the T1i offers over all older DSLR’s is that it can record HD video. We are playing with video more and more, and it would be nice to have a camera that can capture footage we can work with, and not just stills.
That said, I am open to getting an older or even used model.
I look forward to checking yours out next week. 🙂
– Chris