I'm looking for digital cameras to spend anywhere between $250-$350 US. I jsut want something easy to use, relatively compact, and takes good pictures. So far I've narrowed it down to:

Canon S330: 2MP, 3X optical.
Good: Very small, video mode with sound, Very fast shutter action. I've read it has pretty decent pictures
Bad: Apparently the flash is weak, and it has some difficulty in dark situations, and they say the images aren't as crisp as they should be.
Overall: I really like this camera as I think it will be small enough I will actually take it with me (can't take a pic, no matter how good the camera, if I don't have it with me), and good enough image quality.

Canon S30: 3MP 3x optical.
Good: I hear image quality is fantastic. Instant shutter action. Video with sound. When closed, lens, as well as viewfinder is covered.
Bad: Somewhat larger than the others, heavier as well.
Overall: This is the camera I really want, but the thing that holds me back is my wondering if it is just going to be a little 'too big' for me to enjoy having it along.

Nikon Coolpix 2500: 2MP 3x optical
Good: All around good camera from what I've read. Pictures are clear, flash is decent. Very slim, and most portable. Flip lens protects the camera well. Least expensive.
Bad: No viewfinder (only LCD), video mode, but no sound, Image quality that definitely isn't as good as the Canons. Apparently it is slow to load, slow to shutter, and slower to delete images. A bit of image "noise" in busy photos. I still can't decide if the flip lens is good or bad...
Overall: Solid camera that pulls hardest because of its very small size. I like it because I think I will take it with me most often, even if the quality of the image isn't as good, at least I'll have the pictures.

So, what should I do? Do any of you have these cameras? Should I go for the Nikon, being most convenient to carry? The S30 because of its amazing photo quality and video with sound, but is a bit more bulky? Or do I split the middle with the S330, which is still bigger than the Nikon, however is much poorer in low light conditions, but seems to offer more S30-like photos?

I really really am having a hard time deciding which to buy. I just cannot make up my mind and it is killing me.

Please help me....

Get the S30. I have the G1 which is a slight upgrade from it, and I love it. Only thing is though, image quality during the night is TERRIBLE. You have to be close to the subject at hand or it comes out really poorly.

In the day though... best camera I've used.

I just bought an S30 two weeks ago and it's excellent. Not too big, not too small, same image quality as many much larger/costlier cameras and all the manual controls. It's hard to imagine this camera being considered too big. It easily slides into the cell phone pocket in my jacket. The videos look pretty good and the sound records clear, in addition to the still image quality. Main downsides for me are the proprietary battery design and the tiny included CF card (16MB- useless)

FWIW I paid $390 shipped.

Herc: Have you played with the various mode presets? The S30 has several exposure/WB presets to make night shots easier so I assume the G1 has them too. Otherwise you can always tinker with the manual settings. I almost got a G1, but wanted something smaller. One thing I miss is the fold out LCD.

This is one of the first shots I took.. point and shoot in portrait mode. Nothing spectacular, but it shows it's easy to get clean results
http://www.nextw3.com/audi/IMG_0026_small.jpg

I have the S330 and no complaints. Night photography is tricky.. Best results are if you set it up manually.

S30, I really like. But I did forget to mention something. About how often to manufacturers change their models? The S30 has been out a little over a year, and most of their cameras are all newer. I would hate to buy a s30, and 2 months later there'll be something better but for the same price.

Originally posted by Jerome81
S30, I really like. But I did forget to mention something. About how often to manufacturers change their models? The S30 has been out a little over a year, and most of their cameras are all newer. I would hate to buy a s30, and 2 months later there'll be something better but for the same price. Tis the problem with any piece of electronics, specially computer related...

However I got my G1 for only $300 so I can't say I'm unhappy :)

Besides the camera takes great pictures and that's all you should care about!

Originally posted by Jerome81
I'm looking for digital cameras to spend anywhere between $250-$350 US. I jsut want something easy to use, relatively compact, and takes good pictures. So far I've narrowed it down to:


Have you thought of the Fuji Finepix 2800? I currently have the 1400 and was thinking about maybe getting the 2800.

It is a 2mp with 6x optical zoom, 2.5x digital zoom, and the picture quality is very good according to some reviews that I've read.

Brian