YOUR FAVorite pocket camera?

[Lunchbox]

I'm thinking of the Canon Powershot Sd3500IS... 24mm wide angle is sweet.

[astralpictures]

I was an avid Super8 fan a few years back, then bought an HV30 to finally switch to the HD world, and loved it. I haven't made any videos in a while, but am looking to get back into the game. I was considering a T3i/T2i, but I'm on a budget and really just looking to experiment a little. I didn't realize how advanced pocket cameras have become in recent years. I would have never considered buying one for video before, but I'm glad I opened my mind and did some research. For those on a budget, the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS seems like a great deal. I do photography as a hobby, and sometimes bringing my DSLR (that doesn't shoot video) is a pain. So these pocket cams will allow me to do two hobbies in one. It shoots 24 fps, 1080p HD video, and allows you to zoom while recording and has autofocus. I was looking at the cheaper Elph 100 HS, but it lacks the ability to zoom (not a huge deal, since I never zoom while recording fiction stuff anyways), and autofocus, and the resolution for stills wasn't as sharp. The 300 also has a wider lens compared to the 100 (24mm vs 28mm), and a slightly brighter aperture (f/2.7 vs f/2.8). The 100 has a slightly larger LCD display and is cheaper, the only real pros. The 100 is selling for $109 on Amazon now, and the 300 for $150. That's blows my mind, considering full HD on prosumer camcorders was unusual even five years ago, and now it's available on little still cams from Walmart. I also am looking at the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, but it doesn't autofocus during video recording, and is $50 more than the 300. However, it has full manual control for taking still photographs. The amateur photographer in me wants the SX230 (but I can stick with my DSLR for that), but the amateur filmmaker in me wants the 300. I'll probably buy the 300 within a couple weeks, after doing some more research and seeing footage. I definitely need some good stabilization, some new lights, some extra batteries, and some good Class 10 16gb cards. Luckily, I already have a good external sound system, so I won't have to rely on the camera's sound. I can't wait to be productive and rekindle my hobby again! I'm sure a year from now the features on these will be even better and cheaper, but I'll never get anything made if I keep waiting for the next cool thing!

[astralpictures]

After doing some more research, I am a little torn. I thought the Canon Powershot 300 HS could do exposure lock in movie mode, but I believe I am mistaken after reading comments. The 100 and 310 series also lack this feature. The SX230 allows you to lock in exposure in the dedicated movie mode. This is an important feature to me, so I may end up going with the SX230! I guess I need to search Vimeo for some more video samples.

[dop16mm]

the 300 hs does have exposure lock, you just have no way of setting individual parameters. It is pretty slick for a 'family fun camera' as I call it, still use my hv20's for more serious stuff. It is fantastic at full wide, and fairly low light sensitive, at least compared to hv cams.

I love the fact that it is 24p, and should be a fairly useful 'c' cam, as well as grabbing stock shots and stills. I have the splash underwater housing but haven't used it yet, I want to build a cage for the housing to add mounting points as I can see it being quite useful as a 'crash' or car mount type unit, without the fisheye distortion of go-pro rigs.

[darthpaully]

I bought a 100HS on a whim because they were on sale for barely $100- not even realizing these little monsters had sort of slipped under the consumer radar and are now hitting with a vengeance!

What else can I say- 12.1 mp, 24p 1080p video, an INCREDIBLE new digic 4 processor, and a myriad of useable features- all in a pocket cam as big as my phone. The ONLY complaint I have is that it's so small I forget where it is. I was in the market for a T3i too, but this little guy will push me back and I'll probably keep saving... INCREDIBLE little cam, and this is the cheap one. Although, the line does seem a little crowded with many different models, all of which seem to only be nominally better.

One other thing I just rememebred was that the video was missing frames after I uploaded it to my comp, by it was fine on my wife's. The video is an add-on, really, for this level of cam, but the fact that it's 24p 1080 is just begging you to use it. Keep it stable and it's pretty darn formiddable. Works great for a wide shot or B or C cam- and a SUPER great piece of gear for vacations or traveling where you can't lug the big toys....

[astralpictures]

I decided to go with the Canon SX230 HS after playing around with the HS models at Best Buy. I ordered through Amazon for $188, and it should be here by the end of the week. I bought a grip, a flash bracket, some extra batteries, carrying case and a class 10 16gb card. After using gift cards I got for Christmas and my bday, I only ended up spending $60! I decided on the SX230 because it has full manual control over the stills, manual focus, a 16:9 LCD screen with slightly higher resolution than the Elph100 and 300, and a 14x zoom. Are you sure the 300 has exposure lock for video? I read it does for stills, but when you switch to movie mode, smart auto takes over and the lock is gone.

Either way, all of these cameras produce great quality video. I'll be using it mostly for artistic short films, music videos, and maybe an experimental feature combined with some Super8. I think it's amazing that these little, inexpensive cameras can create beautiful, professional video and images if you take the time to light properly and compose your shots.

[krewcial]

I had been looking for a Canon G10, 11 or 12 but second hand prices were still way over $200. And I needed a camera I could take with me everywhere for as little money as possible. Only feature I really wanted was an optical viewfinder, which means most newer compacts didn't qualify.
I ended up getting a mint condition second hand A630 with SD card and LowePro bag for $40. Great little camera with manual controls for very little money. Video sucks as it's 640x480, but for stills it's a good camera, despite it's age.

[hunty]

For me it's gonna be this camera that shoot this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2FTZxlPXT4

A guy named dop16mm over at dvxuser.com confirms it is legit!

And I love slow motion!

Hunty

[Janke]

I'm very satisfied with my shirt-pocket Sony Cybershot DSC-WX5 - at $300, it shoots HD video which is virtually indistinguishable from what I can get with the T2i/550D and a good lens, totaling $ 1,500...

See this post for a comparison: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?4...358#post436358

[Steve_Karl]

I found a pink one for $176 USD!

[Janke]

It takes a REAL man to own something pink!

[GeorgeMaier]

My Nickon aw100 - waterproof to 10m, drop proof, pretty much indestructible, nice and compact, fast on, fast off

[Bif]

It depends on how big your pockets are. The Canon S90 is the best pocket cam, but the video is not great. The Olympus EP1 or EP2 fitted with a panasonic 20/F1.7 will just fit inside a pocket barely and will give you DSLR performance as well as 720p.

The Olympus EPM1 (Pen "Mini") is a minimalist form factor in the Olympus Pen line, much simplified yet has most of the functional features of the top of the line EP3. Most "buttons" have been dropped but functions/features are accessed through menus. With either the Lumix 20mm f1.7 (an outstanding general purpose "normal" lens) or the Lumix 14mm f2.5 (28mm wide angle equivalent) this thing can fit in a pocket.

Two very big plus features: In addition to outstanding stills, this camera does very good 1920x1080 video and takes the entire line of Micro Four Thirds lenses.

Bruce Foreman

[Bif]

My current pocket camera--just fits in a pocket--is the Olympus E-PL1 with a Panasonic 20mm lens. This replaced the Canon S90, which replaced the Fuji F31fd. Great camera.

This Oly E-PL1 is selling from some Amazon vendors for as low as $249 or so with a 14-42mm "kit" zoom lens. I paid $290 for one in Feb and used to "explore" the Micro Four Thirds system a bit. Just passed it on to my brother in law, I consider it to be one of the best values going right now. The video is only 1280x720 but looks darn good.

And one of the "pancake" lenses makes it a very compact camera. Olympus makes a 17mm f2.8 and Panasonic has the lumix 20mm f1.7 and the Lumix 14mm f2.5, I have the latter two and they are outstanding primes.

Bruce Foreman

[liverpool 1]

Just got the nikon coolpix p300 for holidays and when i think the cams and dslr to big, all i can say is wowowowow...tremendous pics tremendous full hd.....

[Janke]

I think this belongs better here, than in the footage section, a video test shot with the little Sony Cybershot DCS-WX5:

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?4...he-Longest-Day

... but since I posted it there, I won't re-post, just link it...

[Dr. Benway]

I have a Canon 220HS - god knows why. Small and okayish for convenient 720p (it) does 1080p but the 720p is slightly better quality.

Overall pockets cameras are total crap when you've been spoilt by SLR's. But they are easy to carry and good to bash around with.

One major thing is that they are, in the public's eye, non-threatening.

[Rainer]

I have a Canon 220HS

So do I (the Ixus, not the SX). At around $160 these are amazing value. Fit in a top pocket. The IS actually works. You can just whip them out to catch whatever's happening at the time. Example.

[Bif]

I enjoyed watching your "example". My hat is off to you, and to Winnie, for caring enough to get that young Kangaroo some help. I hope it was able to recover at the wildlife rescue center.

Winnie looks like an exceptionally intelligent and caring dog. She must be a joy to have as a companion and seems to work well with you.

Bruce Foreman

[Benjamin3]

Mmmm there are many cameras now the technology have introduce for keep in the pockets and these are all the best cameras to make the photos and i like this all cameras but i am using a camera i forgot the name of this camera this is Sony company's camera which i am using and this is best for pocket camera in best result...

[Dr. Benway]

Not Benjamin3 again.

[Playing]

He must be the guy that used to write the user instructions for cameras. Those where you needed to visit a chiropractor after following them.