Need Fast, Powerful Camera under 16K .

[quagmire]

My priorities are:

* Fast startup, fast autofocus, low shutterlag
* Atleast 3 frames/sec - fast burst capture
* Good artistic modes (toy camera, panroma, partial color etc.)
* Above average low light pictures (I know much can't be expected)

Please suggest a Compact or a bridge camera..

I am considering Nikon Coolpix P300 , Sony CyberShot DSC-WX150 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ25.
Should I expand my budget and go for Canon PowerShot SX240 HS or Sony CyberShot DSC-HX10V or Panasonic FZ47
(Is it worth it) ?

[marvelousprashant]

TZ 25 has fastest and most reliable auto focus. Pretty good burst mode too

HX10v has those fun camera modes and decent low light performance

Sx240 has best low light performance . However it lacks panorama and hdr. 10fps burst

[sujoyp]

yes ur requirement is quit mixed up...get canon SX240 ....its a good overall performer...all the P&S have some or other funky feature...sony have the most of them.

BTW y dont u just get olympus EPL1 ....it have much faster startup time, save time,much much better low light performance then any P&S,definitely 3fps ...but only 3x zoom u will get with kit lens

[nac]

I think Sony cam would meet most of your requirements if not all. HX10V is priced under your budget in ebay.

Out of that six models, I would pick SX240 which is also priced around 16k.

[quagmire]

Thanks marvelousprashant ,sujoyp and nac for your valuable suggestions.

[bk1980]

My priorities are:

* Fast startup, fast autofocus, low shutterlag
* Atleast 3 frames/sec - fast burst capture
* Good artistic modes (toy camera, panroma, partial color etc.)
* Above average low light pictures (I know much can't be expected)

Please suggest a Compact or a bridge camera..

Help in deciding b/w Nikon Coolpix P300 , Sony CyberShot DSC-WX150 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ25.
Should I expand my budget and go for Canon PowerShot SX240 HS or Sony CyberShot DSC-HX10V or Panasonic FZ47
(Is it worth it) ?

u could also consider newly launched sx160 is by canon

[nac]

u could also consider newly launched sx160 is by canon

you're kidding, right?

[quagmire]

How about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 ?
Does anybody know retailers for this camera in India?

[marvelousprashant]

It sells in India as Panasonic Lumix TZ30.

[quagmire]

At ebay it sells at 16.4K

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ30 14.1 MP, 20x Optical Zoom | eBay

At flipkart its 19.4K

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 Point & Shoot: 14.1 Megapixels: Camera Review, Price in India, Compare: Flipkart.com

Why such a big difference?
Is ebay completely reliable?

[sujoyp]

^^ at ebay link seller does not mention any warranty ....no seller no company ....but flipkart gives proper company warranty

[marvelousprashant]

Why TZ30? Spend 1-2k more and get FZ150 or SX40. Have heard that prices have dropped

[sujoyp]

prices r just awesome these days....hx200 & P510 is 20k...prices have fallen

[nac]

Anoop,
Flipkart's price is always higher than other online seller even higher than the street price.

You can even find a better deal in ebay and with coupon you could get it under 15k...

[mastervk]

At ebay it sells at 16.4K

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ30 14.1 MP, 20x Optical Zoom | eBay

At flipkart its 19.4K

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 Point & Shoot: 14.1 Megapixels: Camera Review, Price in India, Compare: Flipkart.com

Why such a big difference?
Is ebay completely reliable?

flipkart prices are always very high..

in ebay reliability differs from seller to seller ..if seller has rating higher than 98/99 % and has many transactions then he should be good..check the negative reviews of seller in ebay to get idea about what other people are complaining...

also ready the description completely to ensure all accessories are available too..

i have bought stuff worth more than 1 lakh from ebay this year and never had any problem...

[quagmire]

Thanks sujoyp, marvelousprashant, nac ,mastervk for sharing your views.
The review for Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ30 is very good here - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 Review - Conclusion | PhotographyBLOG
and here http://www.cnet.co.uk/reviews/compac...view-50007304/

May I know why you are not in favour of this camera?
Sorry if I am bothering you by asking the same questions..
I plan to buy a camera by next month and intend to hold on for atleast the next 3 years.So i am trying to play safe...
Unfortunately I cannot extend my budget to 20k(Utmost is 17.5k)..

And marvelousprashant, I loved your photos on flickr.You have taken photos in HDR from ur 240HS (which are really good) ,but in a reply above you have mentioned the lack of HDR in in the camera..?

[nac]

^
We didn't you were open to other cameras other than the mentioned (six) cameras.

Both (SZ7 and TZ30) the cameras are good. It's up to you what you want... Just PnS or PnS with manual controls.

SX240 doesn't have in-camera HDR. He made 'em using an application called photomatix....

[marvelousprashant]

rnianoop You mentioned TZ30 for 19k. It is a really good cam but by paying little more, you can get a better camera like the FZ150 or HX200v or SX40 HS. These three bridge cameras have
1. Longer zoom
2. Better Sensor/Low light imaging

However they are not pocket friendly.

However if your budget is under 20K it will be difficult to find a deal for bridge cams

Flipkart has very high price. I bought SX240 for 2k less than the flipkart price from local dealer

TZ 30 is a really great camera ( I know coz I've played with it) It looks very premium and solid. However

It has a 24 - 480 mm lens while SX240 has a 25-500mm lens. So both cameras have 20x zoom but SX240 has a slight edge at telephoto lens.

Coming to image quality... both are pretty much similar.

SX240 has manual focus (lacking in TZ30) Otherwise manual controls are pretty much similar. TZ30 has better macro (3cm vs 5cm on SX240) However even with 5cm some images from SX240 have camera shadow... so not sure if it really helps.

TZ30 beats SX240 in video. SX240 isn't great if you are going to shoot videos in low light

TZ30 has in camera HDR and some other fun modes not present in SX240. SX240 cant even shoot bracketed photos(possible after hacking). All my HDRi were manual bracketing + processing on PC

The Autofocus on TZ30 is the best in point and shoot cams... and the fastest too. But then SX240HS has pretty decent AF... and I switch to Manual focus whenever it misfires (usually in low light)

SX240 is hackable... It adds raw, bracketing, Aperture down to f/11 and veryyyy long shutter speeds (only upto 3 mins is usable ). And it has very good high ISO performance if you are not using zoom.

Both cams are great. You will be happy with any of these. Both seem to be durable too

[sujoyp]

nobody considers Sony HX200V for 20k from ebay...I think it have all features needed

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP+30x Optical Zoom+3 YR Sony India Warranty | eBay

[quagmire]

Its kind of out of my budget , anyway..
Does Sony DSC-HX200V beat both TZ 30 and SX240 in terms of image quality and overall performance?

a comment mentions - "too much noise suppression in most of the photos are looking like a painting"
http://img.photographyblog.com/revie..._hx200v_28.jpg

Could that be a concern?

[sujoyp]

do the commparision here -> Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V Review: Digital Photography Review

I did the comparision between Sony HX200V,TZ30,SX240 and Sony HX20v ...and the result is - SX240>HX200V>HX20v>TZ30

Check urself

[quagmire]

Totally agreed .. Canon 240HS has the best image quality.. Thanks..

[quagmire]

Thanks sujoyp, marvelousprashant, nac for your inputs.

I have decided to buy Canon SX 240HS, most probably online from ebay..
From here

Canon PowerShot SX240 HS 12.1 MP, 20x Optical Zoom With Warranty | eBay

or here

Canon Digital Camera Powershot SX240 HS | eBay

Any final advices ?

[sujoyp]

get from the 2nd dealer...1st one did not mention its a manufacturer waranty or his own....2nd one have clearly mentioned that

[nac]

First seller didn't mention how long is the warranty, and second seller is new to ebay and just giving 1yr manufacturer warranty...

This seller's reputation is better than the other two and you will have two years manufacturer warranty and price deal is pretty much decent. You can go with this seller... or

You can check this seller, you will get better deal after using coupons but the seller reputation is not as good as the one suggested above.

[sujoyp]

yes the 1st seller Nac mentioned is the best one