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I am 13 and have never owned a digital camera before. I am becoming interested in photography, but I also would like a small camera for everyday use. I would not lug an SLR to school for graduation pictures, but I still want my camera to be able to grab a shot of lightning. I really like the SD1100's appearance, but the A470 has more manual controls, has faster shutter speed, and more optical zoom. It is also cheaper.

I have done a lot of research, looked at videos, customer and expert reviews, and compared them and they both are very good camera. Which do you suggest for me? I just think the SD1100 is prettier.

SD has 1/1500 shutter speed and 3x optical zoom, and scene modes. The A has 1/2000 shutter speed and 3.4x optical zoom, and also has scene modes, but someone who was looking at the SD did not find any scene modes at all, while I personally
saw the scene modes on the A470.

I know I want a camera that:

-Has fast shutter speed
-Comes in blue
-Is small enough to fit in my pocket or purse
-Has the motion technology thingy

so which camera do you think is best for me?

The first one has image stabilization, the second doesn't. I'd take the first one just for that reason, your pictures won't be blurry taking motion shots.

If you can afford either I'd go for that one.

If you want to be a serious photographer, then the "scene modes" is irrelevant - you want to get a camera that lets you set the f-stop, shutter, iso, and flash so you can setup the shot the way YOU want, not the way the camera wants. If you want to take a photography class you will need these controls on your camera to use that camera in class.

If you just want to take pictures (snapshots), then the scene modes are the way to go.

IS is very helpful if you plan to take photos in low light, as you can use a slower shutter speed without motion blur (from the camera moving during the exposure) than you would otherwise be able to use.

Any camera will do for now. You will be replacing it in 6 months with better model anyway. Just start shooting...

Thank you for the negative rating. Appreciate it...

Anyway, ".....nobody wants to buy new camera once every 6 months...." . Nobody has that kind of money. When I bought my first Nikon F, I also thought it was "the" camera and that I will never have to buy a new one. But then the same Nikon line evolved to Nikon F2, Fn, F3, F3T, F4, F5, F6, D, D1, D2H, D2x, D3... and D3x is predicted do come out before the end of the year at the cost of $6K.

Aging of cameras is tied up to evolution of technology. Cameras are "technology" and just like any technology, age very rapidly. New, small cameras, usually don't last more than 1 year maximum. After 2 or 3 years, you can use them as a paper weight. You cannot even get them serviced. Of course, you can buy top of the line SLR for $8K. High-end SLR cameras age bit slower, but in 2-3 years are replaced with newer, more technologically advanced units.

Also, as a beginner-photographer, you should get inexpensive, manual camera, so you can learn how to manipulate with light and how to use all settings. More automatic features it will have - the less you will learn about photographic skills. You will learn that it is not the camera but "you" who makes pictures ( read: KenRockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com) - there, you will find more information about the subject that you can imagine ) . Camera does not matter. As you progress in your skills, you will have more specific, and more realistic, idea, what you want in your next camera.


I still think I gave you very realistic, and friendly, answer to your question in my response #4. I think you misunderstood my comment.

Good Luck...

Sorry. I guess I misunderstood.