Is this a Good Camera for Home Use? Canon PowerShot A4000 IS.

[bruce20]

Hi Guys,

Is this "Canon PowerShot A4000 IS" a Good Camera for Home Use? Or You can Suggest a Better one?

Also, should I stick to Canon, or I should consider Other Brands as well?

Thanks.

 

[kenrivers]

The knocks I have seen against it are low light performance, slow shot-to-shot rate and below average battery life. You may want to consider a Nikon Coolpix 6300 or 6500 as an alternative. Here is a comparison between the Canon and Nikon: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-A4000-vs-Nikon-S6300

 

[patrickwilson86]

Before you make the plunge, read some reviews and take suggestions from the forum. Don't aim too low when choosing a camera. I've never heard anyone complaining that the camera they bought is too good.

Don't rule out used and refurbished cameras from dealers and manufacturers.

Camera Reviews

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.photographytalk.com/compare-prices/canon-dslr-camera-buying-guide

http://www.kenrockwell.com

http://www.snapsort.com

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment.html

 

[bruce20]

The knocks I have seen against it are low light performance, slow shot-to-shot rate and below average battery life. You may want to consider a Nikon Coolpix 6300 or 6500 as an alternative. Here is a comparison between the Canon and Nikon: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-A4000-vs-Nikon-S6300

Thanks. Yes, so far the reviews I've read over the internet, I realized Canon Powershot A4000 IS is a Low end camera. So I'll skip it because.

I believe Canon is THE BEST Brand in Camera Industry, so I want to stick with Canon.

Please tell me, What other Canon Models/Series you recommend, with great features, design & also comes in small budget.

Specifically, Right now, I'm interested in Canon Powershot ELPH Series? How are ELPHs?

And any comments on Canon IXUS Series?

Thanks.

 

[kenrivers]

Give me an idea of the price range you are looking at and I will see what I can find in the Canon line. In the mean time you can check this link - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Price_%240+to+%24249.99&ci=9811&N=4288586282+4291570227+4293918168
Below are a couple of reviews of the PowerShot ELPH 110:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/canon/powershot-elph-110-hs/steves-conclusion-180.html
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-110-HS-Digital-Camera-Review.htm

 

[bruce20]

Give me an idea of the price range you are looking at and I will see what I can find in the Canon line. In the mean time you can check this link - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Price_%240+to+%24249.99&ci=9811&N=4288586282+4291570227+4293918168
Below are a couple of reviews of the PowerShot ELPH 110:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/canon/powershot-elph-110-hs/steves-conclusion-180.html
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-110-HS-Digital-Camera-Review.htm

My Budget is around $200, if the Cam is a Killer deal. (Price, The Lower the Better.).
The features I'm looking for, include
14-16 Mega Pixel,
CMOS,
Full HD 1080p 30fps Vid Recording
Excellent Quality Pictures,
Good avg. battery life,
Compact size,
3" sharp LCD and
at least 8x Optical Zoom. (2.7" LCD can be OK, if all other cool features are available). I'm not after touchscreen.

Performance, Design & Durability is ofcourse important. Thanks.

 

[kenrivers]

With an instant rebate of $80 these Canon digital cams meet your budget: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Video+Resolution_HD+1080&ci=9811&N=4288586282+4291570227+4293918168+4291644396+4261834002
They all have CMOS sensors and shoot full HD 1080p video. However none of them have an optical zoom over 5x.
I just looked at the ones that have 8x optical zoom and found none that meet the full HD requirement in that price range.
So it appears there is a tradeoff, the ones that have a higher optical zoom shoot at 720p while the ones that shoot full HD have a lower optical zoom. The ELPH 110 shoots full HD video but has an optical zoom of 5x.

 

[bruce20]

With an instant rebate of $80 these Canon digital cams meet your budget: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Video+Resolution_HD+1080&ci=9811&N=4288586282+4291570227+4293918168+4291644396+4261834002
They all have CMOS sensors and shoot full HD 1080p video. However none of them have an optical zoom over 5x.
I just looked at the ones that have 8x optical zoom and found none that meet the full HD requirement in that price range.
So it appears there is a tradeoff, the ones that have a higher optical zoom shoot at 720p while the ones that shoot full HD have a lower optical zoom. The ELPH 110 shoots full HD video but has an optical zoom of 5x.

Thanks. Let me check.

I also realized that many really nice cameras have only 4x-5x optical zoom in them. As a newbie, my perception is, the Bigger, the Better. Let me ask you, Does it really matter in Picture Zoom Quality, if the camera have a normal 4x-5x optical zoom? I don't mind buying 5x, but just curious to know, as I'm a newbie in this field.

Thanks.

 

[kenrivers]

The 5x zoom should be fine for home use. Just ignore the digital zoom as all it does is magnify and is not a true zoom. The way to overcome the low zoom factor is to get closer to your subject when possible.

 

[bruce20]

The 5x zoom should be fine for home use. Just ignore the digital zoom as all it does is magnify and is not a true zoom. The way to overcome the low zoom factor is to get closer to your subject when possible.

OK, Sounds good. I like both options you put, Powershot 110 & 320 HS Elph.

Also, please tell me, what could be the BEST Options in Nikon & Sony, for the same features & budget.

And Is it worth thinking about Brands other than Canon? (Just curious to know, as I'm kind of thinking that Canon is the KING in Digital Cameras).

Thanks.

 

[bruce20]

The 5x zoom should be fine for home use. Just ignore the digital zoom as all it does is magnify and is not a true zoom. The way to overcome the low zoom factor is to get closer to your subject when possible.

And Is there any difference between "Canon Powershot ELPH Series" AND "Canon IXUS Series".
I was just trying to understand the models numbers on Wikipedia & I think the Same Cameras are given 2 Different Model Numbers. For Example:
IXUS 125 HS = Powershot 110 HS
IXUS 240 HS = Powershot 320 HS
I noticed all their Specifications & Features are exactly the same, with only a difference of "MODEL Number" Written on Front side of the Camera.

Please Check Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_Digital_IXUS

Is the Model Number Difference for SAME Cams due to Geographical Locations or something? AND
Are Both Really the Same in Performance Point of View as well? Or 1 is Superior to the Other?

Thanks.

 

[bruce20]

Today I visited my local market here in Asia. After checking on several shops, I realized that Powershot 110 HS is Made in Malaysia, not in Japan. Some salesmen put another option "Sony Cbershot DSC WX50". I checked its reviews, its features, its price, its design & performance & I'm truly Impressed by this Camera. I think I'll buy this one.

The Most Amazing thing is, Sony WX50 is Still Beating most of its Predecessors (like WX70, WX80, WX100, WX150). My GOD, isn't that Awesome? 😀 What you guys think about WX50?

 

[kenrivers]

It matters not what we think, if you like the camera then that is the one you should get. Sony has a solid reputation and I don't think you'll go wrong with a Sony.

 

[bruce20]

It matters not what we think, if you like the camera then that is the one you should get. Sony has a solid reputation and I don't think you'll go wrong with a Sony.

Thanks. Actually I meant to ask, Is Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 the BEST available Option for my required specs?
Or there is another available Option in Sony line, with same or Better Specs & in Budget of Max. $200?

By the way, "Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50" is around $107.95. So I was thinking may be I could pay a little more to get something even better. Just want to know if the experts can suggest anything on it.

Thanks.

 

[kenrivers]

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 Digital Camera might be the better choice. You can see the specs at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=compare.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=910818&is=REG
It has an 8x optical zoom and shoots full HD videos.