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Our digital camera took a drop and the display cracked - so time to replace.

I'm looking for something SMALL with a 3" screen (hopefully) that does a great job of taking close-up photos of my guitar builds.

I'd like something that has some manual control options so I can set the f-stop (if that is what it is still called)

No DSLR's please as this will be our "take everywhere" camera.

Suggestions?

I've been reading reviews on Panasonic Lumix cameras and some Canons (SX200 and S90)

Thanks

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

I love my Canon G9. Works great in the shop.
TJK

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I have a panasonic Lumix, and love it. Takes great pictures, and is very flexible and easy to use.

Glenn

Terrence - G9 is bigger than I want to go.

Glenn - What model Lumix do you have?

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Hi Paul,

I use mine for guitar photos and vacations, so I really like the 10x optical zoom. Mine is a couple years old, and is model DMC-TZ3.

Glenn

I have the Leica D-Lux 3, but Panasonic makes a copy of it: DMC-LX-2 and I believe, the new D-Lux 4. I've heard they are very good. My D-Lux 3 is perfect for "in the shop" shots, where I wouldn't take my M-8 or any of my Olympus DSLR's.

I have a Pentax optio S10 which has an amazing amount of options for a compact camera. It's very small and does everything I need it to. I really like it. I know it's about 1.5 years old now so maybe the newer Pentax Optio might be something you could look at.

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I have a Lumix O.I.S., 7.2 MP, and I love it. It has a 1:2.8-4.5/6.1-36.6 ASPH, lens, and a 6X optical zoom which allows for pretty good close-up shots. It also shoots very well through the magnifying light that I have. I use that a lot for really close shots. I shoot most of my pictures in Fine mode at 5MP, which makes about a 3meg file. Then I reduce to somewhere in the 100 - 150 KB range (Large option) in Image Resizer for posting. Some recent shots are in the Marquetry thread, if you want to see how it does. Most shots are done in automatic, under mostly fluorescent light.

My camera is two years old, and I'd buy it again, given the need for a digital, if I didn't want to go DSLR.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I'd like to know more about this magnifying light you use. Is it a ring light that goes around the lens?

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Yes, that's the one. Those things have been around for years.

Here is a shot of my #3 rosette just after I leveled it off, taken through the magnifying light.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Paul, check out Ken Rockwell's site and look at recommended cameras: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

I use kodak Z650 , but it may be bigger than you want . its been a great camera though and easy to use

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I recently bought a Canon G11 which I'm really pleased with. Great image quality. It may also be bigger than you like.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Steve,

One of the reasons I'm looking at the Canon S90 is that it has the same sensor as the G11 - but a much smaller camera - and actually has some newer features that look interesting.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Paul,

For years, I've been a big fan of the old Nikon tilt lens cameras for shop use. Excellent closeup performance (focus down to 1") and an enclosed lens that doesn't telescope out of the body, which keeps the innards dust-free. The tilt feature means you can have the camera at any angle, high or low, and still see the screen easily. Great for stealth shots too, since you can hold it in your lap and still see the screen when catching people being people. I currently have the S10, which I believe is out of production, but is available used for $100-$200. It's pocketable, has a 3" screen, image stabilizing, but alas, no manual controls except white balance and exposure compensation. I'm surprised that I haven't yet missed the manual exposure controls, and I'm of the old all-manual, film, hand-held spot meter persuasion. The S10 has become our go-to vacation camera. We don't bother taking the DSLR when travelling anymore.

If I were looking for a new-new camera, I'd consider the Canon S90, with its external programmable dials and lens ring. Doesn't have the tilt lens but it's pocketable and has a big screen, with manual control options.

A bit of armor against the marketing BS: pay no attention to how many pixels. Unless you're doing posters, 3 megs is more than enough. But you probably knew that.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

For $200 - you can't beat the Canon SX110 and 120.
t might be a little larger than you are looking for, but it has many features like manuel and macro with a large screen. I use it to take videos also.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I just got the Lumix DMC-ZS3 and am very happy. It has a few of features that, I believe, set it apart from most others. These are:

1) A 12X optical zoom that starts off from a wider angle than most.
2) High definition video with a dedicated button for video mode (Panasonic wants people to think of this camera as a true hybrid still/video camera).
3) When in video mode, the zoom still functions. This feature is what sold me over the equivalent Canon.

So, as an all-round camera that will still fit in your pocket, it's pretty amazing.

Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

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I've been looking too Paul and since I have had excellent performance for 6 or so years now from my Nikon CoolPix 5700 and my Sony DSC-F828 I am finding that what ever I try out in the stores just does not do it for me unless it is a Nikon or Sony. What I mean to say is the user interface on the new Nikons and Sonys are very much the same as what I am used to and as such a breeze for me to use.

You didn't say what your last camera was but if you liked the UI, which is important on a camera if you don't wanna miss that money shot..., you might want to consider sticking with the same brand that you had.

Just a thought.

ditto here. I got the SX110. Its a nicely placed between the compact cameras and the bigger expensive ones. I wanted a 10x optical zoom and manual. Works great and only $200.

Panasonic Lumix here too, takes fabulous pics.

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Gwaltney Guitars

I'm on my third Panasonic Lumix, currently got a TZ7. Our imaging technicians at the university have a guideline when buying a digital camera, buy one from an electronics specialist rather than an optical one. The Lumix has the benefit of having a lense from the best optical manufacturer in the world, Leica, and electronics from the best electronics company, Panasonic, so you get the best of both worlds. The TZ7 has a nice large 3" screen, 10Mp and a 25mm-300mm lens. Plus, I like mine because it takes HD video and can be 'Viera' linked to my Panasonic TV.

No choice for me.

Colin

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Sorry to say that the Panasonic lenses that say Leica on them are NOWHERE near a Leica lens. I have several of each, and there is no comparison. Leica allows Panasonic to use the name because Leica designed the cheap lenses for Panasonics and Panasonic manufactures them. They either are marked Lumix or Panasonic, but say Leica around the glass. All that said, they are nice lenses, but a little zippy telescoping thing is nothing compared to a Summicron or Noctilux.
Real Leica lenses are made in Germany ( under the name Leitz or Wetzlar, and are preferred) or Canada.
My Leica D-Lux 3 is nothing but a Panasonic with some Leica approved electronics, made in Japan. It's a good little camera, but nothing like an M8.
But then who would be crazy enough to drag their M8 into a wood shop?

I stopped by my local camera dealer today to look at the Panasonic ZS3 and the Canon S90.

Both are very nice cameras - and I'm not sure which direction I will go.

However.....

I have a gripe.

Why on earth do they keep putting the tripod mounts anywhere but directly under the lens??? The Panasonic is off center like most other cameras.

I really like setting up a tripod and taking a sequence of shots for panoramas - but having the tripod mount off center complicates things a little bit.

At least the S90 got it right!!! For that reason alone I may buy that camera - LOL

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Paul, a good place to get fairly honest reviews, specs and recommendations:

http://www.dpreview.com/

Bugs me too. Plus too many have plastic threads in the tripod mount. Ugh. They must think people buying consumer level cameras don't need proper design.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com