Okay, so my old one is really broken now.... funny how it gets a new war-wound every time I lend it to someone.

It's the Kodak easyshare 6330

   In truth, I've been contemplating getting a new camera for some time now. The Kodak is big and bulky, is heavy on batteries (I use rechargables) and is only really good for point and click pictures. Can't do much with it.

What I want from a new camera:

• Smallish - something like this:
• Has video capabilities
• Should accept regular sized SD card (am I asking for too much?)
• I want it to have an internal battery kinda thing, where I can just charge it off my lappie
• Allows me to take decent pictures
• costs bet 300-400

So, any ideas?

I've looked at a few, but there's so many out there, I'm not sure where to start! Help!!

I like Canon's point and shoot range, and the software from them is better than the equivalent from Nikon, IMHO.  Take a look at this site (in USA).  I've bought a lot of gear from them over the years.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
 

This one is pretty good and takes regular SD cards:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/460255-REG/Canon_1270B001_PowerShot_SD800_IS_Digital.html
 

Holy moses! 17 shooting modes!

It does sound impressive. I like the low-light stability feature too. My old one is absolutely crap at that
 

Ive had a canon ixus 55 for over eighteen months and its small, mobile and can take both videos and still - the SD cards can be up to 2G and more

so no issue with it - battery is lithium can recharge in one hour. Only issue is good photos need to be taken in right light etc dont expect night photos to work out

if your ten feet away and the flash is not enough.

Oh... Thanks for that bola.

Night capability would be nice to have. My old one is crappy at that. It's flash is too bright in a low-lit area, and just makes people look like zombies!
 

The IXUS is what's sold in the USA as the Elph, and it is one of the best compact cameras around.

It's definitely one of the strong contenders for me

Back when I was looking at cameras, the best small/slim ones on the market were (just IMO):

Pentax Optio M40

Canon IXUS70/IXUS75

Casio EXLIM<something or other>

I ended up buying something else, but If I did it again, I'd go for one of the ones above.

Thus far I've heard good reviews from 3 people about the IXUS... and it's affordable too.

I'm leaning towards it for sure
 

The camera I ended up with is the A570IS - same imaging engine as the IXUS70 .. or 75(?), and I can't really fault its picture quality, except at ISO800 or above, gets very grainy - but its probably as good as any other camera at high ISO.  If you can, go for the 860IS or the 950IS (they might scrape into your budget if you buy online).

I think the only place where the IXUS70/75 series lacks over the A5XX or A7XX series is manual/Av/Tv controls, which have come in handy on a few occasions.  that and the optical viewfinder (handy for saving battery life).

But the IXUS is a bit smaller - you don't get that "Is that an overly large camera in your pocket or are you just happy to see me" effect when putting it in your jeans pocket.

errrmm.... what's ISO?

And yeah, size is a big factor in my purchase. I've had to lug around the Kodak for the past few years, and it's a real hand/pocketful.

Not very suited for the purpose I'm buying for
 

You might want to google for an explanation, since I'll muff it up.  But, in a nutshell, higher ISO == better pictures in lower light.

Ahhhh.... Thanks

Yes, I want that too!
 

I think ISO has something to do with the speed of the camera taking in the light source.  On the viewfinder I think that all the latest ixus cams dont have a viewfinder and you have to use the rear screen so battery life comes into it.

Oh! hmmmm.... I tend to like having a viewfinder....

Sometimes it's very hard to see the subject using the screen

ISO is the sensitivity to light.  Used to pertain to film speeds, like 100 ISO was 'slower' (less sensitive) than 400ISO film.  Now, you can select your ISO with most digital cameras (within reason) but the faster you go, the noisier the image becomes.

Noisier the image becomes? What does that mean?

Noisier == err .. noisier.  I call it "grain" (as in film grain), but its errors in the foto image - the higher the ISO, the more errors that occur.

So really, its a balancing act between higher ISO/more errors and longer exposure/more image blur.
 

Ahhh.... Okay, I get it.

Wow... I got lots to learn yet
 

Well don't learn from me - that would be like the blind leading the daft

*ducks and runs*
 

HAHAHAHAHAH

That's very funny!

So, what did you end up getting, Dek?

I haven't managed to shop for it yet... Hopefully I'll find some time this week to go and have a look

JB Hi Fi is having a big sale.

Oh yeah?? Cool!

I'll make my way to one over the weekend.

Thanks Erik!
 

Normally, I'd avoid JB.  But if you already know _exactly_ what you're going to get, go in, flag down a salesdroid (use the "may I help you" technique), and get his best price on it.  Make sure you know what the other places (like ted's, camerahouse) have the same item for.

They do have some pretty competitively priced things.

Mmm ... must ... stop ... self ...from .. buying .. phallic-compensating-DSLR.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking wtf. I think I've pretty much decided on the IXUS, so I'll go to JB, Bing Lee and Harney norman and just buy the cheapest of them. (Damn, I hate shopping around)

I had a glance at the JB brochure, and I think it was more expensive than the Myer (or was that David Jones?) brochure

They will usually price match - though rare for low priced things.  I'd even say how much you can get it online for, see how close they can get.

It never hurts to ask for a better deal from HB or HN sales people - they're whores for a sale.
 

Oh! I didn't know you could bargain at these stores!

That's excellent if I can!

You can technically bargain for anything, anywhere - but stores like HN, JB, bing lee (not sure who they are, but I'd guess some electrical /consumer retailer) pretty much expect it.

They still make a metric buttload of money even on their "thats cost price, mate" prices, but they really clean up on people who pay the sticker price.

Like I said, sometimes they won't budge for low cost items (anything under $1000), but you might as well try you luck - what have you got to lose?

For sure! I just didn't think it was accepted practice....

Dek's education continues.... Thanks for the tip wtf!

I bargain for most white goods purchases, and found that the Good Guys and Bing Lee are the most receptive.  Usually, if it comes to cameras and consumer electronics, you get hosed buying them at Myer or DJ's unless they have a really good sale.  The Bing Lee on George St. Chinatown seems to have good prices and likes to deal.

Yeah, I'll go harass them

If you're a chick, a push-up bra won't hurt

Hah! I am female, but I don't need that to make someone do something for me

And stop calling me chick!

hehehehe
 

You sheilas are so touchy about that "chick" thing.

Well, for one thing, I'm not yellow, I don't have a beak, and I don't say 'cheeep cheeep'

sigh
 

But you are pedantic

No I'm not!

What do a chick and a female human have in common? I don't see any favourable connotations of that word.

(ok, I'll shaddup  now)
 

I blame The Fonz

Ahhhh.... is he the one who started this mess?

Hey, guess what??

I got it!!

A Canon IXUS 70!
 

I had a loooong look at the IXUS75, but I didn't think it was worth the almost-$100 more.

Plus the only difference (from what I could tell) is that it is a little slimmer and longer, has no view finder and a bigger LCD.  $100 more for that? I don't get it

The 70 is really nice though

Haven't tried it yet. Am (im)patiently waiting for the battery to charge
 

Schweet.  Now you have to post some picatures to show off your new toy.

Yeah.... the conundrum is this....

How do I take a pic of my camera?
 

Mobile phone camera?

Use your old camera?

Old camera is dead, and at home.

My phone is an antique. No camera!
 

zomfg!

I sheila without a camera phone?

Eh? What does being female have to do with having a camera phone?

Aint never seen one without a camera fone in yonks.  They always seem to be taking pichures of their friends with them.

hahahaha Yeah, I've noticed some of that engaging in that...

Never got it
 

Dek, don't you have a "Hello Kitty" camera?

Awaiting the abuse to follow......

Dek's latest camera.  That's cool, Dek!

My eyes!!!

That's just shocking!

Looks like the type of thing japanese girls dressed up as a manga character would carry.

hahahah yeah

Really?