Thinking about getting a Canon Ixus - help please!

[ChrissieA]

Hi there, I'm a newbie to this forum and I'm looking for some advice please about buying a new compact.

I've got a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 which I've found to be too grainy and not sharp enough when I'm trying to get good gig shots. I'm usually near the front for my favourite bands but can't seem to get the shots I want. The video is pretty good but doesn't let me zoom in once I start recording. I've tried lots of different settings and thought when I got it that the high ISO settings would be good for the low light but I hate the fact that everything is so grainy.

Last year I got my first SLR - a Canon 450 and I love it! The picture quality is amazing and I love how clear and sharp it is. I love photographing birds in my garden and am amazed at how I can capture every detail and their funny expressions.

As I've been so pleased with my Canon SLR I've been looking at the Canon Ixus (especially the 200...in purple!). I've got about £200-250 to spend and don't want to make an expensive mistake again. I'm pretty sure an Ixus will give me the clarity I want for everyday daylight shots but I'm still worried that it won't give me the low light shots or the zoom function on the video. I don't feel comfortable taking my SLR to gigs (some places are still funny about letting you take pics...even though everyone has their mobile these days) so I really wanted a cute wee compact that I can hide in my make-up bag!!

Sorry this is such a long post for my first hello but I'd really appreciate any advice re the Ixus.

Thanks! Chrissie

[chris-p]

Hi Chrissie, welcome to the forum

I presume you're talking about this camera?

Sadly, all compacts will struggle when the ISO is pushed up (usually above 400 or so). The compacts with the best low light performance at the moment (and they will be nowhere near your EOS 450D) are the Sony WX1 which is about £230, the Fuji F200 EXR which is £160, the Canon Powershot S90 (£310) or the Canon Powershot G11 which is a whopping £420.
It may also be worth considering the Canon Powershot SX210 IS which is a decent all rounder for £230.

The Fuji EXR cameras are pretty good in low light (for compact sized sensors) as they use a special pixel binning technique when shooting at high ISOs which means you get less noise but a smaller (lower resolution) image. It works though.

I know it's not a huge amount of help but it's difficult to know what your expectations are! You would probably be better off spending £100 (less normally) on a 50mm f/1.8 for your 450 and using that!

[ChrissieA]

Hi Chris

Thanks for your speedy reply. Yes, that's the Ixus I was thinking about. I've had a look at the others you mention (I had already wondered about a Canon Powershot). The G11 looks great and I've now spotted some other threads and photos on here about it....too expensive though, pity.

When I checked out the Fuji F200 it said that you couldn't zoom when taking a video so that's the same as my Lumix and definitely not what I want.

The Canon Powershot SX210 IS is looking like a really good option for me (and it comes in a fab purple colour!).

The lens you mention for my 450 sounds amazing on reviews I read and now I want that as well!! It's my birthday in 3 weeks so I think I'll be dropping lots of camera hints.

Thanks! I'll let you know what I finally decide on and post some pics.

Cheers, Chrissie

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by ChrissieA

When I checked out the Fuji F200 it said that you couldn't zoom when taking a video so that's the same as my Lumix and definitely not what I want.

Sadly you're right. I'm not sure if the newer version will. The F300 EXR was announced last week and isn't on sale yet. The Lumix TZ-10 will also zoom while shooting video but you don't seem keen on them (which is why I didn't mention it before - even though it's my favourite of this type of camera).

Originally Posted by ChrissieA

The lens you mention for my 450 sounds amazing on reviews I read and now I want that as well!! It's my birthday in 3 weeks so I think I'll be dropping lots of camera hints

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 (or the Plastic Fantastic as it's also known) is a good lens. Most monofocal lenses are fast, sharp, contrasty and suffer from little aberration. It's only £90 so it's a bit of a bargain. I use both 35mm and 85mm f/1.8s on my Nikon and they're excellent. Another recent forum member has just got the Canon 50mm and loves it - link

[ChrissieA]

Hi there, just thought I'd let you know what I decided on. I got the Canon 50mm f/1.8 for my DSLR and really like it. I've been so busy though I haven't had time to experiment and do it justice yet.

On the compact decision I originally got a Canon Powershot SX210 but was quite disappointed with it. I had it for about 3 weeks and kept thinking 'why am I not being blown away with this camera?'. The final nail in the coffin for it was an outing to a gig where I got even worse shots than my Lumix...and as for the video...not impressed I'm afraid. Grainy and disappointing. It went back to Amazon (very impressed with their customer service and I got a refund in 2 days. Excellent.)

I've now got a Canon S95 and wow, what a great little camera this is! Only had it a week and I'm loving it. Clear shots, great HD video and great fun with the different scene settings like colour accent. I've yet to tqke it to a gig but I feel confident I'll get some good results with it. I had to stretch a bit further money wise for this one but it definitely feels like it's been worth it!

[eyalg]

The S95 is an excellent choice!
Especially for DSLR users who need a compact replacement to their heavy equipment.
How are you handling the fact that it doesn't zoom during video's?

[ChrissieA]

Hi there (thanks for your comments on the Canon site as well). I think I've decided that I can manage without zooming - I've been used to it with my old Lumix anyway. It doesn't always look great if there's too much zooming going on anyway! It's a lot to ask of a small camera and at the moment I'm just so happy with the clarity.

I might change my mind after I've taken it to a gig but I'm hopeful it will be fine for what I want. I've put one of my first videos on Youtube from a work do and it seems not bad for a low light room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyyYO4DXd0

I'll post some pics once I've got enough to select my best ones from!

Thanks again and to Chris P as well. These forums have been really useful giving info (even if I was tearing my hair out at one point trying what to decide!!! :-))