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[Foreign Jackass]

Saw some thread about buying a digital camera, but I have a more specific question. I'm currently hesitating between buying a SDseries camera (like the SD450) and an A series camera (like the A610). I don't mind the size that much, but if the image quality (not the number of pixels, but the lens quality and the like) is really better in an A series camera, I'll buy the A series. It's for a 2 months trip to Europe, and I want to take nice pictures. Not reflex-quality, I'll bring my SLR camera with me, but you know, something that looks good and isn't much trouble.

 

[maynerd]

Saw some thread about buying a digital camera, but I have a more specific question. I'm currently hesitating between buying a SDseries camera (like the SD450) and an A series camera (like the A610). I don't mind the size that much, but if the image quality (not the number of pixels, but the lens quality and the like) is really better in an A series camera, I'll buy the A series. It's for a 2 months trip to Europe, and I want to take nice pictures. Not reflex-quality, I'll bring my SLR camera with me, but you know, something that looks good and isn't much trouble.

General rule of thumb (real general) the smaller the camera the crapier the pictures. I think www.dpreview.com is a good resource to start your investigation.

 

[empanada]

The SD series is more of a point and shoot very pocketable cam (3x zoom) while the newer A series like the 610 has more manual options but still compact cam (4x zoom). Image quality should be about the same. I'd go with the A610 unless you really want a slim camera.

 

[Draff]

A series is better, especially if you think you'll delve into the manual features.

 

[aoi tsuki]

The manual features on my S40 were nice when that was all i had, but if i were to get a P&S now, i think i'd go as small as possible and just keep it for my snapshot stuff and bring in the SLR for the quality shots. i can't be bothered to fiddle with menus; so i'd just keep it on the same mode pretty much all the time. IIRC the SD450 has something of a shutter priority mode, so you can adjust the shutter speed. i'd imagine any aperture changes on a camera that size would be rather unimportant, but i could be wrong.

Personally, i'd look for a pocket digicam with image stabilization. i don't know what's available in that size, but shooting indoors without flash on a P&S demands at least ISO400, and the noise of ISO400 kills me. i'd take an underexposed but clean shot at ISO200 over a properly exposed Sega CD video quality shot at ISO400 any day.

 

[maximumdayco]

i bought an SD300 last year.
as a person who sold these cameras and used to manage the camera department at a very large electronics retail organization, i settled with the small, sleek SD series.

the A-series cams are too big and bulky.. plus it doesn't come with rechargable batteries.
..but it has a nice range of manual features. if you're into that sort of thing.