by tasadam » Tue 14 Feb, 2012 7:15 am
The first digital camera I owned was a point and shoot, with 10x optical zoom. I was impressed with it at first, but soon got frustrated at the inability to control the photography as I was used to doing in film (SLR cameras). Since then, I have had limited experience with a number of compact cameras, but the following things stick highest in my mind, in no particular order...
Optical zoom - digital zoom is simply cropping the image, and you can do that on your computer. Forget it in the camera, get the "optical" zoom you want.
Batteries - The P&S I purchased used 4 x AA batteries. I wanted that specifically, so I could swap batteries around between devices. sad thing was it died 3 times within a year, so was replaced under warranty - with the new model that used its own type of battery - more expense stocking up on batteries, and they didn't last long.
Image quality - this is where most Compact cameras have their downside. The most noticeable effect on an image to me is CA - Chromatic Aberration - coloured blooming of highlight edges within the photo. The better the lens, the less likely you will find CA. It is unlikely that you will find a Compact that eliminates CA, but you may well find some that use good lenses (Leica for example? Don't know, haven't seen them) and are able to control the CA as a result. It seems be more noticeable with zoom as well.
Ease of use - Can't beat a Compact camera for that, point and shoot is really accurate.
To me, $349 is somewhat well above an entry point for a Compact. Another option would be to buy (or borrow) a cheap compact and use it a bit, see what you like and don't like about it so you can make a more informed decision with your own money.
Have a google of
best compact camera
Plenty of articles that show a shortlist.
Good luck, and make sure you share your results here!