Need advice from the pros for a new digital camera - Going to Europe soon!

[supercc]

Hey guys and girls,

I'll be leaving in a month for Europe and I want to capture every single special moment in this special 5-week trip with my girlfriend.

Here's the situation. I already have a digital camera which is quite OK (Canon Powershot SD1100 IS)

I want to give it to my girlfriend so I can have a new one (much better).

Here's what I am looking for:

• Ability to record videos in HD with sound
• Point and shoot capabilities
• Create those panorama pictures where you take 3 pics to build one that is super large
• Small... Need to be able to carry it in my empty pockets without discomfort
• Battery Pack so I can plug it in the wall to recharge... I'd rather have that over AA batteries and all that hassle
• I don't mind the color, as long as it isn't PINK!
• Looking for a camera that will be good for a few years... 2-3 years at least
• Any feature that would be cool that I don't know of!
• Geotag my pics (if possible!)
• Good optical zoom !!
• I am willing to pay in the 200's canadian dollars for that (can go in the high 200's... [200-300 price range])
• I'd love to buy one that is in special right now... but if it's not, at least I'll know which models, from your suggestions, to start looking at deals for them

I hope that you guys will help me. I know that I am a noob with this and i would love to read your point of views on this.

Thanks a LOT in advance! Looking forward to discovering the good stuff!

[dslrnewb]

Canon SX130IS but it takes 2xAA batteries.

[TKWizard]

Canon SX130IS but it takes 2xAA batteries.

Thats not really a small camera..

The Panny (Panasonic) Lumix DMC-ZS7 has all of that. Its about $300 at Future Shop. I saw it the other day. I suggest using that as a starting vantage point.

Oh and, Stay clear away from its updated model (The Lumix DMC-ZS10), it will make all your pictures blurry due to Panasonic cramming even more unnecessary pixels into a very small 1/2.33" sensor..

Also, don't expect to take good evening/night/low light photos with it, thats what the higher sensor compact (Like the Lumix DMC-LX5/Canon S95/G12) and DSLR cameras are for.

[supercc]

Canon SX130IS but it takes 2xAA batteries.

Hey there,

Thanks for this first suggestion. Is it possible to take panoramic pictures with it?

[supercc]

Thats not really a small camera..

The Panny (Panasonic) Lumix DMC-ZS7 has all of that. Its about $300 at Future Shop. I saw it the other day. I suggest using that as a starting vantage point.

Oh and, Stay clear away from its updated model (The Lumix DMC-ZS10), it will make all your pictures blurry due to Panasonic cramming even more unnecessary pixels into a very small 1/2.33" sensor..

Also, don't expect to take good evening/night/low light photos with it, thats what the higher sensor compact (Like the Lumix DMC-LX5/Canon S95/G12) and DSLR cameras are for.

Incredible, thanks. I'll start looking for them. Do you know if the panasonic ZS7 offers panoramic pictures?

Also, what do you think of the sony cyber-shot series? For example this one.

[TKWizard]

Incredible, thanks. I'll start looking for them. Do you know if the panasonic ZS7 offers panoramic pictures?

Also, what do you think of the sony cyber-shot series? For example this one.

Do a comparison. I have no actual experience from either camera. However the ZS7 can do panoramic photos decently well from what I read.

The SX130IS as I said before is kind of a medium sized Point and Shoot so I don't think you'll like it.

[supercc]

Do a comparison. I have no actual experience from either camera. However the ZS7 can do panoramic photos decently well from what I read.

The SX130IS as I said before is kind of a medium sized Point and Shoot so I don't think you'll like it.

Thank you very very much. Will do my homework now! Any more suggestions?

[sixteen12]

The panny Sz7 is excellent, as is the Sony Hx5...or H55...sorry if I wasn't on my phone I'd look it up. See the features and see which you like more. IQ they are about the same, Panny just offers more control of apperature etc. whereas sony is more point and shoot.

I was going to buy the Panny for my trip but I'm only going for two weeks and my girlfriend convinced me a new lense was a better choice and just bringing my dslr.

[supercc]

The panny Sz7 is excellent, as is the Sony Hx5...or H55...sorry if I wasn't on my phone I'd look it up. See the features and see which you like more. IQ they are about the same, Panny just offers more control of apperature etc. whereas sony is more point and shoot.

I was going to buy the Panny for my trip but I'm only going for two weeks and my girlfriend convinced me a new lense was a better choice and just bringing my dslr.

Thanks! I'm kinda torn between the two! They both have features that I want, but separately... More to come!

[supercc]

Thanks! I'm kinda torn between the two! They both have features that I want, but separately... More to come!

By the way, I just want to mention that my budget will extend to the 300's...

[sixteen12]

Go play with both. I have used both and I liked the Panny a little more because it had a slightly wider angle and min zoom. The Sony has a superior panorama function IMHO.

[supercc]

Go play with both. I have used both and I liked the Panny a little more because it had a slightly wider angle and min zoom. The Sony has a superior panorama function IMHO.

Hey guys, thanks a lot to everyone who provided me with their insight and their help. I have managed to learn a lot more with your kick-start, and have chosen my camera.

I'm going with the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V

A bit more expensive than planned, but it has all the features I wanted, plus more. I don't mind paying a bit more for something that I will truly, truly enjoy.

See you around guys!