Sprenzy Shopping Blog

Here’s a quick update. Back in August, I researched compact digital cameras and concluded that the Canon SD850 IS was the best camera for my needs. My key camera requirements were image stabilization and an ultra-compact form factor.

At the end of August, the Canon SD850 was approximately $340. Today, the price has dropped below $260, which is great value for a camera with 8.0 megapixels, 4x optical zoom and image stabilization (IS). If IS is not a requirement, a bigger bargain is the Canon SD1000 for under $170. It was around $215 in August. The SD1000 is a fantastic ultra-compact camera with 7.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom.

I’m sure the prices will continue to drop, as we approach the holiday/Christmas shopping season. I’ll keep an eye out for any deals or rebates on these cameras. In the meantime, I’ll have more time to research cameras, as I’m now considering getting an entry level DSLR, like the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I know I shouldn’t spend the extra money, but the superior image quality of a DSLR is really appealing to me.

If you are in the process of buying a DSLR, check out this article — How to Choose a DSLR Camera. And if you are torn between a compact camera and a DSLR, take a look at — Should you buy a DSLR or Point and Shoot Digital Camera?  Decisions, decisions, decisions… I have more research to do.

The Joby Gorillapod is a lightweight flexible tripod. From the Joby website…

“The Gorillapod is the ideal camera accessory for photographers on the go. Throw it in your pocket or backpack and you’ll be ready for your next adventure! While the Gorillapod serves all the functions of a traditional camera tripod – steadying your camera under low-light conditions, taking timed group shots, etc. – it is the only tripod malleable enough to provide you with the perfect shot while wrapped around a tree branch, hanging from a pole, or perched on a jagged rock. The possibilities are endless!”

The Gorillapod is available in several colors and in three versions.

• Original - for point-and-shoot compact digital cameras weighing up to 9.7 oz (275 g)

• SLR - made to handle lightweight SLRs weighing up to 1.75 lbs (800 g)

• SLR-Zoom - for SLRs with zoom lenses and video cameras up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg)

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been using the Gorillapod Original to take macro pictures used on my food blog. Since my compact digital camera doesn’t have image stabilization, the Gorillapod has been fantastic at steadying the picture. It’s also great for taking group shots during a hike. Forget about rotating someone in and out of the shot to take the picture.

It’s a perfect gift for active people. Who wants to carry a big, rigid tripod around while you’re traveling? You won’t need to with a Gorillapod.

[Picture via Joby]

Over the last several months, I’ve been researching compact digital cameras to replace my current Canon S500. I find researching digital cameras as one of the hardest product categories to navigate. There are so many cameras available and it seems a new model is released every day. And once you are ready to buy, the questions come up — Should I buy it now or wait for the price to drop? Or should I wait for the release of the next model? This conundrum takes the fun out of buying a new camera.

My strategy to camera buying is to take the value approach. Buying the newest model might get you the latest features, but you’ll pay a premium price for the camera. I think it’s best to find a model that meets your needs, but isn’t the newest camera in the manufacturer’s product line. You’ll get the best bang for the buck with this approach and won’t have as much buyer’s remorse when a new model comes out. It’s too hard and expensive to keep up with the Joneses when digital cameras have such a short product development cycle.

Back to my camera research, I started a new food blog recently, which is dictating my camera requirements. Taking close up pictures of food presents unique challenges, particularly at restaurants. Obviously, a digital SLR with a macro lens would produce the best images but SLRs are expensive, and it’s hard to be discrete using a big SLR. Therefore, my key digital camera requirements are…

1. Compact or ultra-compact format - allows for discrete picture taking and ultra portability

2. Macro focus of 3 cm or less - macro shots are the best for food

3. Image stabilization (IS) - taking close up shots requires a steady hand and IS prevents blurry images

4. 2.5 inch LCD screen or larger - a large LCD screen allows better picture framing

5. At least 7 megapixels resolution - allows cropping of images while retaining picture quality

Based on these criteria, I have researched many cameras, including the Sony DSC-T100 and Nikon Coolpix S50. Ultimately, based on my biased towards Canon and their reputation for good color and image quality, I believe the Canon Powershot SD850 IS is the best camera for my needs. Here’s a review roundup for the SD850…

• Canon Powershot SD850 IS Review from Digitalcamerareview.com - “The Canon SD850 IS is a stylish, well-built compact digital camera that produces great quality images and color while requiring minimal involvement from its operator. The camera lacks manual controls, but offers a number of specialized scene modes in addition to the standard “auto�? shooting mode, as well as image stabilization, up to 1600 ISO sensitivity and good shutter response time. The 4x zoom lens lacks the focal length to bring distant objects truly close, but for normal subjects the camera performs admirably.”

• Canon Powershot SD850 Review by Steve’s Digicam - “the SD850 continues their tradition of stylish and durable cameras that capture great photos with fast performance and loads of appealing features (optical IS, 8-megapixels, 2.5-inch LCD, etc.) With 8-megapixel of resolution, the printing possibilities are almost endless, from tightly cropped 4x6s to huge poster size prints!”

• Canon SD850 Review from KenRockwell.com - “I use the older version of the SD850 every day and won’t leave home, or even walk around my home, without it. If I needed another camera today I’d buy an SD850 in an instant. Enough said?”

I’m pretty much sold on the Canon SD850, but I’m waiting for the price to drop to $300. Another popular Canon camera is the SD1000, which is slimmer and cheaper than the SD850. It has everything I need except for image stabilization. I’m sure if I wait a little longer, Canon will release a new model similar in size as the SD1000 with IS. There’s the digital camera buying conundrum again!

Wired magazine recently released their 2006 gear and gadgets guide with the reviews available online for the first time. I’m a big fan of Wired and always enjoy reading the gear guide issue. The last paragraph of the editor’s note is quite amusing.

“Sure, there are other gear mags, but many of them don’t spend any hands-on time with the products they write about. In our world, that’s a catalog, not a guide. At Wired Test, we used everything we rated. If we say a product sucks, it does. And if we say it’s amazing, it is.”

This year, the gear guide has over 300 product reviews across 11 categories. The ”Best of Test” in each category are:

• Mobile Phones - Motorola Q

• Digicams - Pentax K100D

• Videocams - Canon HV10

• Televisions - Sony TAV-L1

• Video Gear - Tivo Series3

• Portable Audio - Toshiba Gibabeat MES30VW

• Home Audio - Tivoli Audio Music System

• Household - Black & Decker Infrawave Speed Oven

• Laptops - Apple Macbook Pro 15-Inch

• Gaming Gear - Nintendo Wii

• Automotive - Lexus GS 450H

I own the Motorola Q and it’s perfect for my needs. I’ve been longing for the Tivo Series3, but I’m still waiting for the price to drop. There isn’t enough HD programming currently (I’m a Comcast customer) to justify the $700+ price tag.

The gadget on the Best of Test list that intrigues me the most is the Black & Decker Infrawave Speed Oven. I actually own another infrared oven, the Flavorwave Oven. And believe it or not, it works pretty well. I’ve roasted chickens, made prime rib and bbq ribs in the Flavorwave, and it produces good food in half the time of a conventional oven. I still prefer using a normal oven but if you are time constrained, an infrared oven will definitely save some time.

Getting back to the B&D Infrawave Speed Oven, I like the toaster oven form factor, which makes it more versatile than a Flavorwave Oven. The idea of heating up leftovers in half the time of a normal oven without the microwave soggy food issue sounds very appealing. I think I’m going to retire my toaster and replace it with a Black & Decker Infrawave Speed Oven. Sorry toaster, but I don’t eat enough toast to warrant your counter space.

I stumbled upon a great article on How to Choose a DSLR Camera from the Digital Photography School blog.  The blog post discusses reasons to upgrade to a DSLR. The top 3 reasons out of 9 are:

1. “Image Quality - Due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes - DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain (ie shoot at 1600 ISO on most DSLRs will have less noise than shooting at 1600 on a Point and Shoot). DSLRs also have built in noise-reduction when generating JPG images which also helps cut down on noise.

2. Adaptability - DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.

3. Speed - DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focusing and shutter lag.”

The article continues to explain how to decide which DSLR to buy. Factors to consider are price, use, size, previous gear, resolution, sensor size, future upgrades and other common features. The author, who is a Canon user, recommends the following DSLRs.

• Canon EOS 400D - “This is a good camera if you’re a little nervous about stepping out of point and shoot land and want something that is easy to use.”

• Canon EOS 30D - “It is positioned nicely between the entry level and Professional models going around and produces wonderful images.”

• Canon EOS 5D - “This camera has great reviews from around the web and is high on my own personal wish list.”

If you are in the market for a digital SLR camera, the Digital Photography School blog posting is a must read before making your purchase.