Point And Shoot - Best For Macro And Food Photography

[MisterMan]

HI my cr*p Olympus tough 8000 died. Good riddance.

So now I want to buy a new ps and have no idea what the lens ranges mean.

I have narrowed my research to this:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/screencapture20110710at.jpg

My options are between

Nikon Coolpix S6100  Nikon Coolpix S80  Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS  Nikon Coolpix S8100 

although just saw a post about the Canon PowerShot S95

again this will be for general use with an emphasis on food photos. I like macro photography too.

THank yoU!

[hughden]

If you want to do macros, the macro focus range at the bottom of your chart is relevant. The camera on the right focuses as close as 1 cm from the subject; so this will give you the closest macros.

But, read all the reviews you can find and handle them in the shop before deciding.

[MisterMan]

Ah thanks. So the lower the number, the closer I can get. I thought so but was not sure.

[sbk]

Not sure what your budget is misterman but a friend of mine has the canon g5 and swears by it. Its a bit bigger than your average point and shoot, but not much, its certainly not a compact, but it has more options and takes great pics.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong5/page2.asp

[Atmos]

be interested in others' opinions on the Nikon Coolpix - and its durability.

I had one which died at 15mths - the electronics to open the lens/activate the zoom failed; bought another one, mainly as already had spare batteries/memory cards.

The LCD viewfinder screen failed at 4mths - unfortunately I'd bought this one in KL and the Nikon warranty is only valid in country of purchase - something to be careful of.

Nikon Thailand quoted 3000b to replace the viewfinder, i didn't bother.

Edited July 12, 2011 by Atmos

[hughden]

Not sure what your budget is misterman but a friend of mine has the canon g5 and swears by it. Its a bit bigger than your average point and shoot, but not much, its certainly not a compact, but it has more options and takes great pics.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong5/page2.asp

The Canon G5 went out of production years ago. The OP has his shortlist of cameras, not much point throwing in other options (of which there are hundreds).

[sbk]

sorry, will butt out then as it would appear my opinion is invalid, cheers.

[MisterMan]

Went with the S95 recommended in a past post.. have not received it yet. Will let you know.

[Atmos]

hi -as the right people are 'here' - referring back to my post #5 and warranty claims, appreciate any info/experience on making a warranty claim here, and which (if any) cameras have a true international warranty

thanks

[hughden]

hi -as the right people are 'here' - referring back to my post #5 and warranty claims, appreciate any info/experience on making a warranty claim here, and which (if any) cameras have a true international warranty

thanks

My experience, based on cameras bought in Thailand:

Canon - Worldwide warranty and good service centre in Bangkok (tested after my camera joined me in a car crash and suffered some damage. Was not a warranty claim though). They did carry out an upgrade to one of my cameras under warranty.

Fuji - Worldwide warranty

Olympus - Worldwide warranty

Panasonic - Limited Worldwide warranty (not clear what "limited" means, but as I live here I don't care).

Sigma - Limited warranty, Thailand only

Looking up this information is a painful reminder that I have bought far too many cameras!

[MisterMan]

Loving my Canon S95!