Is the Canon Powershot SD 780IS right for me?

Jinn

Hey guys, so I want a small pocket point-and-shoot. I'm really interested in photography as a theoretical practice. Eventually I'd like to get a nice DSLR and some lenses and whathaveyou, but right now I have neither the finances nor the know-how to make good use of one. $200 is about the max I can justify. I've been doing a lot of reading and I think the Canon 780IS is the camera for me. It seems like its going to take quality pics, fit nicely in my pocket, and just generally be a good starting point for me getting comfortable with framing before getting in to real technical fancy manipulation of settings and lenses etc. Something I can take with me on travels, to concerts, etc. to just get comfortable snapping quality photos. Develop the eye, as it were..

Before I pull the trigger I just thought I'd get some more advice. So what do you guys think? Is this a good starting point? Are there comparable point-and-shoots that you would recommend over this one? If so, why?

saint2e

I know 2 people with this camera, and it is by far the best point and shoot camera on the market, in my opinion.

Just a great camera all around.

Dark Moon

If you want the camera for more than snapshots you'll want one that gives you full manual controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, WB, etc.). The SD series cameras are great pocket cameras, but don't give you that kind of control.

I'd recommend picking up a Canon A-series. Be sure it's one of the cameras that has full manual controls. I, personally, use a Canon A-570 IS when I can't bring the 5D with me. I'd buy older and used - the # of MP don't matter, and not much has changed in point and shoot tech in the last year or two besides huge boosts in MP.

an_alt

I picked up the 880IS on the recommendation of a few pro photographers I know and it's just fantastic. The 780IS looks quite similar, except the controls aren't laid out quite as nicely, it's smaller, and the wide angle isn't quite as wide. After a week or two of figuring it out, I took it to a wedding and only the pros took better pictures. It wasn't skill - it was all the camera.

The screen is big and bright enough to see what you did wrong, make the correction, and re-shoot. I keep a default setting of manual mode, exposure -1/3 or -2/3, auto everything else. The exposure most often needs correction, but sometimes the WB needs a tweak under bright sunshine (the default can be a little too blue). Most of the time that the ISO needs to be manually adjusted, you really should be using an SLR anyway.

If you want to get an SLR down the road, the 780IS is probably about perfect for you. It's great, tiny, and you'll probably use it ton after you get your SLR because it'll be that much easier to carry around.

Letarian

Personally I went for the Panasonic Lumix TZ7.

I personally wanted something with more (optical) zoom.

You can get one of the next gen models on Amazon for $199 by the look of it:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS1-Digital-Stabilized-Black/dp/B001QFZMBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1253126138&sr=1-2

Jinn

I do like the wide-angle capabilities of that Panasonic. One of the amazon reviews mentions the wide end capture landscapes beautifully, which I expect to be doing rather frequently as this will be a travel camera. I may just have to venture to Best Buy and play around with them.

Zoolander

If you like the wide angle on the Panasonic, there's also the ZS3, which is a step up from the ZS1, and the ZR1, which is an extremely compact camera with a wide-angle, 8x zoom. You should check it out at a store, it is seriously small and takes great pictures. The ZS3 is the best choice if you want to take HD (720p) movies.

Jinn

Alas, I am financially limited... much beyond $200 is not really doable right now. I certainly appreciate the suggestions though

fightinfilipino

the Canon Powershots in that line have been amazing for what they are. i swear by mine (it's the SD800IS), and while it's true that it has only limited optical zoom, the picture quality and color vibrance more than make up for it.

i was in Italy for a while this summer, and took a hell of a lot of really good pictures with just the Canon. if you're looking for something to start with, it's a good place. you may also want to just have a point-and-shoot for travel and such anyways after you get a DSLR...

RNEMESiS42

I helped my girlfriend get this camera over the summer and it's great for what it does for the price. It also takes HD video.

fightinfilipino

btw OP, i hope you saw this deal: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNPSSD780ISK

buydig is a reputable seller, too: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/BuyDig_Beachtr