I bumped my Nikon Coolpix 3100 in the drink. I quickly fished it out and it seemed to work OK. But now I notice several controls aren't working. It was like $300 new, but it's outdated stuff now.

Should I try to get it fixed ..... or just write it off and spend my "repair" money on a smaller, newer digital?!!

Opinions? TIA!

Get a newer one, they are so much faster than year old ones. I went from a Canon S1 to a Canon S5, and it is really nice to hit the button and have it up and running before the camera gets to your eye.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Get a newer one, they are so much faster than year old ones. I went from a Canon S1 to a Canon S5, and it is really nice to hit the button and have it up and running before the camera gets to your eye.

Good point, Mark! I timed my COOLPIX 3100 from turned on to ready.... 5 seconds!

But, I'm looking for something COMPACT AND THIN that I can carry with me in my pocket at all times.

I'm looking at the COOLPIX S600 or something like it.

I've missed more shots with my COOLPIX3100 than I care to admit because it takes a long time to fire up!

COOLPIX S600 advertises......

quote:

World's Fastest Startup in its Class among compact digital cameras equipped with 28mm zoom lens and Optical VR image stabilization as of January 1, 2008 (according to research conducted by Nikon Corporation).

PS - Mark, you've got the wisest AR sig!

I have a friend who sells cameras, and he kindly lets me try everything I want before buying.

And my conclusion is:

The very best point and shoot cameras are made by Canon and Panasonic.

No one even comes close.

By this I amean one can set the camera to do everything automatically, and they will produce great results.

One can set things manually if he so wishes on some models.

When it comes to SLRs, Nikon is way ahaed of the lot.

For a pocket camera there is nothing to beat the smaller Panasonics and Canon Ixus range. I am using the Ixus 860 IS right now, and love it.

For more zoom, I would pick either the Canon S5 IS or one from Panasonic again. They have ones that go up to 18X in zoom.

The Canon G9 is as close as you will get before an SLR.

For a really good SLR, there is nothing like the Nikon D300 - unless you are a pro wish to spend more, then the D3 is probably the best on the market right now.

I have both, and seem to use the D300 more, as it is smaller, and don't mind leaving it around the workshop for Walter to use.

I keep the D3 away from him!

I use the Panasonic Lumix FZ18. It is brilliant.
The only thing with these compact digital cameras is I doubt they will stand any abuse, but you don't need to change lenses so that helps with the dust problem you get with SLRs.
Also the 46mm lens makes filters cheap to buy.

My girl needs a camera I think I'll get her this.