Canon Elph Vs Nikon Coolpix
Nikon Coolpix vs. Canon ELPH?

Trying to decide between the two—any comments are appreciated. I’m looking at the Nikon Coolpix S3000, but feel free to recommend others!!

Canon is by far the most popular brand of digital cameras, and the ELPH model is the most popular of Canon’s models. I would recommend you buy the Canon SD1300IS. It’s awesome, and it has something most other cameras don’t — a viewfinder in addition to the screen. Try to get a good picture using only the screen in bright sunlight, then switch your eye to the viewfinder, and you’ll see what I mean.

Canon Elph Vs Nikon Coolpix

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive digital camera then the Nikon Coolpix S220 could fit the bill. This is one of the smallest and most lightweight digital cameras around. It is only 18mm wide and weighs 100g without batteries or a memory card. With the Coolpix S220 Nikon has produced a camera with a fairly standard design. It has a rectangular shape with one end being given a gentle curve. The edges are rounded slightly to stop the camera looking quite so boxy. As is now becoming typical the camera comes in a number of different colours. These are plum, warm silver, aqua green, smooth magenta, cobalt blue and black. Quite a choice!

For me one of the biggest attractions is ease of use. It is fair to say that at least part of the reason for this is that Nikon have gone easy on the features the Coolpix S220 has. It certainly has fewer features than say similar sized models from Panasonic and Canon. I like the design of the menu system. It is easy to find the control you are looking for. The menu has clear text. This helps to make reading easy. If you prefer you can switch to an icon based menu screen.

Zoom is controlled through a ring on the top of the camera. On the back of the camera you will find buttons to control the shooting mode, playback of photos you have already taken, self timer, macro mode, deleting photos, exposure compensation and accessing the menu.

More standard features include 10 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens. That is plenty of megapixels for super sized prints or for cropping photos before making smaller prints. The LCD screen is 2.5 inches in size. There is a continuous shooting mode and you also have access to a number of colour options to make your photos look a little different. These are vivid, black and white, sepia, cyanotype and pastel.

Picture quality is suitable for most snapshots. It is not surprising with such a small lens that the camera is at its best when the subject is fairly close, such as for portrait shots. Distant landscape type scenes tend to push the camera to its limits. Even so any problems are only likely to become an issue if you plan to make prints of your photos.

This is not the best pocket sized digital camera when it comes to sharpness, but taking the price into account picture quality is about right. Talking of price this is one of the cheaper small cameras, especially for one this slim and lightweight.

Electronic image stabilisation is available. There is an important distinction between electronic and mechanic image stabilisation. Electronic image stabilisation works by adjusting ISO rating and shutter speed. This can lead to increased noise levels in a photo. Mechanical image stabilisation does not affect picture quality in this way and works by making tiny compensating movements either within the lens mechanism or by shifting the sensor inside the camera. Nikon has not included mechanical image stabilisation with the Coolpix S220.

Motion detection is available too. This works in a similar way to electronic image stabilisation. It allows the camera to detect moving subjects and freeze motion. You need to be aware that while motion detection can come in handy it can also lead to a decrease in picture quality.

Other models you may wish to consider include the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6, Panasonic Lumix DMC FS7 and the Olympus FE-5000. These all have similar price tags to the Nikon Coolpix S220. In terms of overall value for money, taking into account price, picture quality and features I would suggest taking a close look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6.

Andy writes and reviews digital cameras for Cameras.co.uk. See his test shots and ratings for the Nikon Coolpix S220

Camera decision, Nikon Vs. Canon?

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS or Nikon COOLPIX S6300 ….

you go with Canon powershoot .. it is better and gives you a good quality and extra features..