Yup, Lithium-ion batteries are rechargable, and the camera should come with its own charger. They aren't like AA batteries, they're a special type that fit the particular camera.

It is supposed to be up to 4 meters at ideal settings; normal settings more like 2 meters. So yes, it is a little weak compared to many others.

Hi, I noticed that your question hasn't been responded to yet. Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on www.DigitalCamera-HQ.com ( DigitalCamera-HQ.com  ), so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!

very good choices indeed. if u dont need blow-ups then both the cameras are the same in terms of clarity, sharpness and correctness of colours. although the fx07 wud be better for blow ups. my friend has jus bought the bulkier dmc fz7 because he wanted an extended zoom camera. so in the end its upto ur other preferred requirements. if ur the outdoor type and wud need the extended zoom facility the dmc fz7 is the one for you, otherwise the compact fx07 wud be a good choice.

Hi,
I noticed that your question hasn't been responded to yet. Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on www.DigitalCamera-HQ.com, so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!

The camera you need is the Panasonic FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) it has the feature you want, it is small, and it is very easy to use. You should go to a store and find it, see if it feels right to you then buy it online becuase that is where you will find the best deals. Sorry no pink.

Lonnie,

You might try the Canon SD900 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ), the Fuji F20 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ), or the Panasonic FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). All have an ISO setting of 1600 for lower light settings. They are all 6.3 megapixels and up and have over 3x optical zoom.

Andrew

I'd go with the Canon SD630, as Sony relies on proprietary memory sticks for storage which are more expensive and only work in SONY products. A huge drawback that Sony uses, as they attempt to bottle you into their pipeline exclusively. Canon OTOH uses SD cards which are interchangable with any SD compatible electronic product.

Additionally, Canon's lens glass is superior. However the FX07 does get high marks, so I don't think you'd be disappointed with it.

There are a few cameras that are in the FX series by Panasonic ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ), including the FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ).

Andrew

You might like the Panasonic Lumix FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). Neat 28mm lens, image stabilization, advanced processor so shutter lag time is minimal, like fractions of a second. Good reviews on battery life too.

Hi Barbara. There is not any specific brand that puts extra bright LCDs in the cameras. All manufacturers are constantly trying to improve their products, including brightness of the screen. But you can still consider few things when buying the camera: 1. Most of cameras have the option to change the brightness of the LCD, 2. brighter screen usually drains the batteries faster, 3. all screens look bright indoors, so ask the salesperson if you can take the camera by window or even outside to test the LCD.

Hi Anjella,

The FX07 doesn't have an option to automatically put a date stamp on photos, but you can print them with a date stamp if you're printing to a DPOF printer. So the date stamp wouldn't show up if you're viewing the pics on the camera or on your computer, but they would in print form. Hope this helps!

Hi GA,

Canon's SD800 IS ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) fits all of your considerations except the AA batteries (it uses Lithium Ion batteries). Frankly, it's pretty much impossible to find a slimline camera that uses AAs, simply because they take up so much space in comparison to other battery types.

Some other cameras that fit your needs are the Panasonic FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) and FX50 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ), and the Kodak V705 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). The Canon and Panasonic models are all 28mm wide angle, while the Kodak is 23mm (wider angle). Each camera has at least a 3.8x zoom. They're all in roughly the same price ballpark, at $275-$325.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, Guys...for your help! This is one of my Christmas present to Jon. As you mentioned, K75rider, the battery issue is critical, since he will be out on missions much of the time and not somewhere that he can recharge a battery. He would be willing to give up the slimness of the camera a bit, if he is still able to have batteries and take some pics of the landscape there. If you're a vet, than you totally understand. He only used disposables in Iraq when he was there, and I just hope he can come home with the camera (and Himself) in one piece. It will be a long deployment. Should I buy him Lithium batteries? Don't know much about this stuff, so any advice you have is appreciated. He pretty much will be carrying all his stuff with him everywhere he goes there. He's with the 82nd.....Airborne All the Way!

Thank you, Ben! I truly appreciate your help. He knows I'm getting a camera for him and is thrilled. He has a pretty good eye, when it comes to composition, so I'm thrilled to be able to give him this for Christmas. Now....to find a good deal somewhere. Hope I can get this all for under 300.

Hi Steven,

If you don't mind spending a few dollars more, the Canon A630 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) (8 megapixel) and A640 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) (10 megapixel) would be a better choice than either of these. They're similar in size but far more powerful and much better handling. They're pretty much crowd favorites around here, and you can't do much better in the compact digital range.

Good luck!

Steven,

The Olympus 740 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) is really a pretty mediocre camera. It has issues with glare on the LCD screen, which makes taking pictures very difficult outdoors, and its build quality and picture quality are only so-so.

Just out of curiosity, why are you anti-AA batteries? Most people find them incredibly convenient, as you can buy NiMH AA rechargeables, which have a longer life than most kinds of batteries, and can be recharged up to 1000 times in their lifetime. I use them in my Canon S2 IS and get about 450 pictures out of each charge. You can get 4 AA rechargeables and a rapid charger for ~$15, and if for some reason you don't have the NiMH batteries around, you can always sub in alkalines in a pinch. Can't do that with a proprietary battery pack.

Let me know if this doesn't change your mind and I'll try and point out a few good cameras similar in price/features to the ones we've already talked about, that have battery packs.

Good luck!

Steven,

I feel you on the 4 batteries thing. There's a reason for the 4 instead of 2, though--much longer battery life. ;)

Ok... within your specs...

First of all, there's the Canon A710 IS ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). It's very nearly as good as the A630 and A640, and has some extra features those cameras don't have--optical image stabilization being the most important of these. It's got a very nice 7.1MP sensor, can shoot in 16:9 widescreen, has a great 6x optical zoom, and does use a SD card. It uses 2 AA batteries. As you might have determined by this point I'm a fairly staunch Canon supporter, but I assure you it's solely due to my admiration of their image quality. This one is very slightly out of your price range (~$300), but I believe it's worth the extra cash.

Another you might want to consider is the Panasonic FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). It's equipped with a 7.2MP sensor, a 3.6x optically stabilized zoom, uses SD cards, and it uses a LiIon rechargeable battery. Users seem to like it a lot, and the only difference between it and the more expensive FX50 is a slightly smaller LCD screen (2.5" to the FX50's 3.0").

Finally, there's the Panasonic TZ1 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ), which has a 5MP sensor (below your spec, I know) but a great 10x optical zoom in a very compact package. It also uses SD cards and a LiIon battery and has the same optical image stabilization as the FX07. Some pro reviewers have complained about high image noise even at low ISO settings, but most users seem quite pleased with the camera.

These are the only three I really feel comfortable recommending under your specifications. I think you'd be happy with any of them, but my pick is the A710 IS.

Hope this helps you make a choice. :)

Yo Steven,

Ok... between those three, if you're prepared to spend the money it's really between the FZ7 and the A710 IS.

The FZ7 is of a different class than the A710 IS and the FX07--it's quite a bit larger and heavier (about twice as heavy, actually), and this might factor into your choice if you have a problem with carrying the camera somewhere other than your pocket (i.e., a camera bag).

It is, however, a very powerful camera, with a nice 12x stabilized zoom (twice that of the A710, three or four times that of the FX07) and a good 6MP sensor. Panasonic has had some complaints in general regarding high image noise and excessive noise reduction (which smears away some fine detail in an effort to get rid of graininess), but users seem to not have nearly as much trouble with this as pro reviewers do. But hey, it's their business to scrutinize everything, right?

The A710 IS is not an ultracompact, but it's small enough to fit in your average jeans pocket. Its lens is top quality, and while its 6x zoom isn't a match for the 12x of the FZ7, it's still quite impressive. Canon's image stabilization is as good as or better than Panasonic's, and their image quality is quite frankly second to none.

Honestly, my gut is still leaning toward the A710 IS, though its feature set doesn't match the FZ7's. If the longer zoom matters to you, and if you can deal with the larger size, the FZ7 may be a better choice for you. If not, I'd definitely go for the A710.

No problem. Hope whichever one you choose works out for you. Let us know how it goes!

Hi ! I was actually just looking at those cameras myself ! I was wondering how it went with the canon (Steven !) and Ben, is there any other cameras that came out since that could be added to the list ?
Thanks heaps
Val

Hi Richio !
I was actually more thinking about a bigger zoom, aka the Panasonic DMC FZ7 ; we've tried to work out which one would be the best between this one, the Sony DSC H2, and the Olympus SP 500. My heart goes to the FZ7 :) but i am open to any other hint !!

Thanks for the help :)
Val

Hi Val,

I`m actually very happy with my canon a710s ! I`ve made 350 pictures on my holiday and they`ve been shot on the highest conditions on a 1gb SD card. Egypt came out very clear and almost fake (positive thing !) on the pictures. You can see all details and stuff when zooming the pictures on your pc. I think it`s worth the money ! The only thing which could be a turning point for your decision is the durability caused by the 2x AA.
You have to make sure the AA`s you`re using are strong because the camera uses a lot of energy. But on the other hand, 2x AA is always handy because you can always buy them practically in every store (just in case). To back up Richio, SD is definately the easiest way to use and to have with an eye on future buyings !!!

Steve

Hello guys !
We opted for the panasonic, it has been ordered, that and a 2GB card. The only thing that I feared was the lack of battery time as this model have one of its own and not AAs 'that you can buy anywhere', so we bought a pack of 2 extra batteries with it !! (Should I say we want to go to Europe for 2 months to explain why we bought extra mem and batt ???) Steve, just be aware that you have different qualities of rechargeable AAs and that the 2500mAh are WAY better than the smaller ones. ;)

Thanks again for the help and we'll tell you how it turned out as soon as we get the whole lot and we have time to try it !!

Who made the 3200 mAh? I mean, the brand? I haven't seen any that large.

One problem with rechargeables is that the charger is soooo 20th century. The new chargers analyze the condition of the batteries with sophisticated electronics, and adjust the current as needed. Then, when the batteries are 'full up' these new chargers will apply a little current every 10 seconds or so, to keep the batteries fully charged.

You can buy a battery kit (batts + charger) at your local discount store, but that will probably come with mediocre batteries (like 2000 mAh, or less!) and a charger that sucks. Spend $50 and get a nice setup. Check out thomas-distributing.com/ind...  for great batteries and chargers. (No, I don't work there, no, I am not the owner's bro, etc.)

I bought their charger---Maha C204W 18 months ago. Best money I spent in a long, long time. This charger does AA's, AAA's, has a 're-conditioning' button, has a top-off routine, works internationally on voltages from 100 to 240 automatically, will charge up to 4 batteries 'in pairs'---which means that 2 batteries can be in the charger indefinitely, while YOU ADD two depleted batteries which then start charging with a different program, etc.

Defines STATE OF THE ART

Well I knew nothing about cameras when I got mine. The only things I knew were
1 - Need 4 Batteries - rechargable
2 - Don't even look at the digital zoom figures - Only consider the optical zoom
3 - What type/size card was in use (prefer SD/1gig myself)
4 - Main Stream manufacturer

Result - Canon Powershot S3 IS - - Got it in November and over 6000 shots later I still think its the best thing since beer and pretzels.

Cheers Jon
The Happy Amateur from New Zealand

Help! Going on vacation and looking for a great compact easy to use camera. Was told the Casio EX Z75 was the best but also looked at some Canons. Now confused. Want great pictures of grandbaby, mountains etc. Have a Canon Powershot S2 IS but have never liked it. I don't really know much and just like to point and shoot. The Canon I have always seems to blur pictures exp if baby moves etc. So need easier but like quality and small size so I can take easily on trips. Can anyone help?
Thanks! Tracey

I think it's a truism that the Panasonic image sensors are noisier. It is a fact that any camera will have a noise issue at a high ISO level, but some of the Panasonics just don't seem to handle it as well. I've done some looking into this and the most scientific explanation I can come up with is that their sensor is just... different. Helpful, huh?

With that said, though, the FX07 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ) is not the worst offender, not by a long shot. Among the Panasonics, I think the problem really creeps in in the higher-megapixel cameras- 5mp or above- and while this one is above five, it's not THAT far above five.

If you're really drawn to the Panasonic, then I wouldn't worry terribly much about the image noise. I did find some sample photos (<a href="cameras.co.uk/html/sample-i...  unfortunately they don't say what ISO they were taken at, but a few of those could be considered low light, so you can judge the image noise for yourself.

One more thing though. If you haven't already, I would seriously take a glance at the Fuji Finepix F30 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...  ). It is calibrated for low light shots and has the best performance I've seen in low light situations out of anything short of a DSLR.

You're very welcome. Good luck!

The only way to do this is to change the way the camera does your datestamp. You will have to change it from Month/Date/Year to Year/Date/Month or Year/Month/Date. Not all cameras allow you to do this, but if you can it might help you do what you are attempting to do.

Hi there,
This camera doesn't have an option that will print the date and time on the photos automatically. Many cameras actually don't offer this option- but what does happen is, the camera saves the date and time data along with the photo. Then there are certain photo softwares you can use on your computer that go into the photo file and pull out this info, and you can choose to print it on the photos that way.

So what I'm saying is, although the camera doesn't offer this option, you shouldn't base your buying decision on that, since you can still get the date and time to print on the photos by using software when you download the photos to your computer. I hope that makes sense- I'm tired. =) Let me know if you need further details.

Canon PowerShot A710 IS will be the best Canon camera under $300.
It has 7 .1 megapixel sensor, 6x zoom giving an impressive range of 35-210mm zoom ), 2.5 " LCD and a real- image optical view finder.

Most important of all is the image stabilizer that helps you to avoid blur pictures and of course the reliable Canon lens.

If you add a set of 4 Ni MH rechargeable batteries, you will have a lot of photography hours without the same problem of AA batteries.

I checked the detailed specifications on this camera and found the following:

3fps or 2fps, max 8 images (standard) max 6 images (fine)

The camera can take 3 shots per second (in standard mode) for a total of 8 images. It would then not take anymore until it could write those out (or at least free up space for new images)

If you are in fine mode (higher resolution), the maximum buffer will hold 6 images.

Not sure how many shots you need, but hope that helps in your decision.

Noise level is how grainy a picture is. This camera is a really really nice camera in all regards EXCEPT for noise level. The pictures from it are pretty grainy, especially at ISO 400. Now that's not to say that they are bad or unusable at that point. Most super compact cameras have a pretty high noise level. If it's a big concern to you, check out Fujifilm compacts like the f30.

Aside from noise level, it's a very nice camera with a great lense. Image quality is great, it does really well outdoors. I've had one since it came out. The battery life in it is a little poor too, but most cameras in this size are not that great on battery and it's cheap to get spares for this one.

The image stabilization will work best in situations where your hands shaking might be an issue. This is either if you have a problem holding it steady (like if you're in a weird position) or if you are shooting in low light where the shutter is going to be open for a longer time. In ordinary lighting conditions under ordinary circumstances, you won't really need it. But it can't really hurt to have it on if you're unsure.

Are you simply relying on the AUTO setting or do you apply the night/indoor/low light preset setting? You should try those settings. Chances are what's happening is that the camera is choosing a higher ISO setting and you're getting noise. Also, you should be using a flash. There are times when the AUTO setting on the flash doesn't fire because of a rogue light source that "fools" the sensor. In low light, make it a habit to set the flash manually.
You can also try exposure compensation settings as well.

Have you tried a little rubbing alcohol on a QTip to clean out the gunk followed by a prolonged burst of canned air? Sounds like there's some dirt in there.

Uh well... if it doesn't turn on it usually means either the battery is dead or the camera short circuited. If you're sure that the battery is charged, I'd take it to a camera repair shop to check out, because short of plugging in an AC adapter, I don't think you'll be able to get it on. Just to make sure its not the battery, I would try getting a new battery and trying that.

Cool, let us know what the diagnosis is, and maybe the answer can help someone in the future as well.

same problem here...all of a sudden out of the clear blue camera wont turn on. Bought a new battery...new charger...still nothing

Is there anything making noise, like does the lens make a grinding sound at all? Try removing the batteries from the camera, or else going into the menus and choosing Reset. Might just be a glitch if it's not anything physical.

The 07 has slightly, and I do mean slightly, more MP than the 01. Otherwise they're basically the same.

Yes they do. Contact panasonic.com for a repair estimate and an authorized repair center near you.