Camera advice (with a catch)

[yaddam205]

I will be heading back to my homeland (NZ) soon and I am thinking why not get a new camera for the trip. Camera will be for pictures of family, friends and natural scenery in all light situations both inside and out. Now here's the fun part it MUST be black all my portable electronics (Zune 80, DS Lite, Blackberry) are black and I am very particular about this.

Other requirements:

Small/Compact
li-ion
Sub $350

Thanks.

[charlie]

Nikon Coolpix S51, 8.1mP and $250ish Very slim and compact. Total point and shoot... (super SLIM and compact but has huge 3" LCD screen!!!!!

Or Nikon P5100, 12.1 mP and $350ish. Allows a bit more control and some manual options. It does "point and shoot" and manual both. Nice. A bit bulkier and bigger (but still compact) but more features!
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/nikon/nikon_s51c-001.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/nikon/nikon_p5100-001.jpg

[shazza]

Any of the major brands should provide a nice camera for what you are looking for in your price range.

Another one to check out is the Panasonic Lumix FX-55. Very compact (comes in black), has image stabilization and a 1-3.5 optical zoom : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000TM7GO2/ref=pd_sl_aw_jset-1_hi-electronics_40973780_1

[Soulburner]

For small/compact cameras, I likely won't buy anything other than Fuji in the future. With a sensor multiple times larger than any other compact camera, the Fujis are the only ones that are useable in low-light and have the least image noise. Look for the Super CCD.

[yaddam205]

Well after walking by a Ritz camera on the way to gamestop I impulse purchased the S51. After playing around with it until the battery died I really liked it. Once I got to actually reading up on the specs it did impress me with:

Optical image stabilization rather then a body stabilization
Most lens surface area in its class great for low light.
Not a S50!

Ill be sure to post some images once I get it charged.

Thanks for the heads up charlie.

[charlie]

yaddam205;2601704']Well after walking by a Ritz camera on the way to gamestop I impulse purchased the S51. After playing around with it until the battery died I really liked it. Once I got to actually reading up on the specs it did impress me with:

Optical image stabilization rather then a body stabilization
Most lens surface area in its class great for low light.
Not a S50!

Ill be sure to post some images once I get it charged.

Thanks for the heads up charlie.

congrats...

I have a couple older Nikon point and shoots... I like them a lot especially in good light. Killer macro too.

From a past trip to DC with my coolpix 3700 3.5mp and a mobo vmod (don't laugh at my soldering skills)

[Soulburner]

Lucky shot Charlie...nowadays they wouldn't let you get within picture taking distance of that building.

[charlie]

Lucky shot Charlie...nowadays they wouldn't let you get within picture taking distance of that building.

true...

p.s. how excited are you about a ls3 Camaro that we should see here in a bit over a year?

[Soulburner]

The LS3 is going to be a great motor, just like all of the LS engines that came before. I think the car looks awesome and will definetely sell, but I don't think I like the interior. It may have to grow on me.

[charlie]

The LS3 is going to be a great motor, just like all of the LS engines that came before. I think the car looks awesome and will definetely sell, but I don't think I like the interior. It may have to grow on me.

I want one... Grabber Orange preferably.

LS3 in one state of tune or another... and a Magnacharger.

About 600 ground shaking hp... set up kinda street-ish with lowered suspension, wheels and tires. Maybe some suspension upgrades as they become available.

Should be fun.

I'll never forget... when I was 16 the "big guy" on theblock had a 427 68 Camaro... badass car. Ran 12-ish... felt fast back then.

Then a couple years later a buddy had a 68 convertible with a 327, FUN CAR!!

Love Camaros.

[yaddam205]

Well here are some bland pictures from boring Kansas but with a new camera.

Pretty damn good macro on this, the higher rez picture looks even better.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2090438432_a4549d18f5_b.jpg

Quite a good image stabilization in this little camera. This was taken while driving with one hand to shoot.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2090438582_de032eb765_b.jpg

Another tree, while stationary with two hands.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2194/2089652845_b2ef64e9c3_b.jpg

My cat.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2090439312_53dc70e01a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2090439530_789661ed37_b.jpg

All in all I am really pleased with camera. Would recommend to anyone looking for a CPS.

[charlie]

clear, crisp... good flash, looks good to me. Cold there yet?

[yaddam205]

clear, crisp... good flash, looks good to me. Cold there yet?

High of 40. It was 32 most of the time