Hey all, I'm looking for the best camera I can get without getting a DSLR...

I'm thinking it will be one of those "SLR-like" cameras, e.g., S5 IS...

I'm looking for:

1) Best bang for the buck (ie, best value for money)
2) Best, regardless of price (< USD 600, though)
3) Best compact (will fit into a loose pocket) - In this case, NOT a SLR-Like

Any advice will be helpful, thanks :)

Please limit yourself to cameras that are currently available new :)

EDIT: Do you use any online vendors? I frequent newegg, but can't seem to find some of the recommended models

I'm sure everybody's going to recommend a different model, but this would be my non-DSLR of choice:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms6000fd/

My reasons are as follow:

- Fuji's superior Super CCD sensor: bigger sensor, bigger physical pixel size = higher sensitivity = more dynamic range, less noise especially at higher ISO speeds or low light

- Zoom range is equivalent to 28-300mm: there's an actual wide-angle, unlike many other camera models. As far as I know, a good lens in terms of sharpness, too.

- SLR-like shutterspeed range: 30sec to 1/4000sec

- raw-mode

Tossup between the Canon S5 IS and Panasonic FZ-8, IMO.

Both produce pictures of similar quality, with the Panasonic having the edge for day light shooting. The Panasonic's image quality begins to lag at higher ISO's, as pointed out in most reviews. I looked at both of these camera's, but chose the Panasonic because it is a smaller camera with just about every feature that the Canon has. The FZ8 shoots in RAW, also.

Leica C-LUX - $500 (http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Digital-Camera-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000OCEKDM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/103-3307070-8174208?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1185206698&sr=8-3)

Leica D-LUX - ~$1000 (http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Digital-Camera-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000J6FTUQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3307070-8174208?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1185206698&sr=8-1)

Tossup between the Canon S5 IS and Panasonic FZ-8, IMO.

Seriously though, 7 - 8 million pixels in a 1/2,5" sensor is like having an 18-wheeler running on 40hp engine.

I think you'd be extremely hard pressed to prove that either of the cameras you mentioned are top of the line in terms of image quality. Noise levels, NR-related blur, and lack of dynamic range are very serious trade-offs for that kind of sensors.

Wow, I'm surprised that the S5 IS has a smaller CCD than the A640/630

I'm an admitted Canon/Nikon aficionado... Nikon doesn't appear to have those type of cameras out there...?

I'm an admitted Canon/Nikon aficionado... Nikon doesn't appear to have those type of cameras out there...?

If you're referring to super zooms, then you seem to be right. Nikon has some older (2004) models such as Coolpix 8800, which, from what I gather, is a great camera. Of course that model is probably discontinued, so I don't know if you can find a store carrying one.

Best bang$buku:

Fuji f31fd; actually the best high iso P&S period for around $200 (better than the f40 btw)



Best compacts:

Ricoh gx100

Ricoh GRD

Leica dlux3



...I was VERY close to buying a 700 dollar ricoh ( i WAS very stubburn in compact only so I can bring it everywhere). But, I ended up buying a d80 with a tamron 17-50 2.8 and totally forgot about compacts. Its big ya, but I still bring it everywhere (clubs, social events, the bathroom, to bed, when I hump girls, awkward places slrs arent welcome), ha. I just cant get over the image quality!

Its big ya, but I still bring it everywhere (clubs, social events, the bathroom, to bed, when I hump girls, awkward places slrs arent welcome)

Dude, too much info. :lol:

If it has to be a new non-DSLR camera under 600 US, a Seagull GC-109 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247807-USA/Seagull_05440_GC_109_Camera.html) will give you better resolution and dynamic range than any camera mentioned so far (not to mention any DSLR that's going to be affordable in the near future).

It's probably not the sort of answer you were after though :)

^^ lol

I'm looking for a DC, and the compact was more orf an inquiry, because I recently purchased an A710 IS, and I'm quite happy with it as a P&S, esp because it's got full manual controls.

So I'm looking more towards the SLR range. The closest thing I can find that Nikon has is the P5000.