Camera Experts: Help?

[LBmtb]

As some of you know, my camera fell out of my camera pocket and broke on T&A this past weekend. I only had it for a couple months before this. Bought it on ebay for $230. And yes, this means no new movies from me until I get it fixed or buy a new camera.

I can send it in to Canon and they'll quote me on repairs, but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it. I guess there's only one way to find out (mail it in). Or I can just buy a new camera.

I mainly use my cameras for biking photos and especially movies. I liked the sd400's movie quality, size, and weight (very small and light) but I'm always looking for something better.

Canon has the sd700 which is a higher megapixel, same movie modes, better battery life, more manual stuff, and image stabilizer. The image stabilizer feature sounds really nice. Especially when I'm holding the camera after I've been biking - hard to hold it steady when I'm breathing hard. BUT it's $440 bucks, and I'm not exactly rolling in the $$$.

Questions . . .

• Does the image stabilizer work during movie modes too or just during photos?
• Is it worth it for the image stabilizer?
• Do you know of other similar cameras that have nice movie modes?

Thanks!

[Jordansrealm]

There is a Canon customer service dept in Irvine that I take all of my gear to every month and have it cleaned and inspected. My magazines pay for it so I abuse that priviledge Image Stabilizing only refers to still shots, not video. Its a great feature to have and even on Canons top of the line L series glass lenses some come with Image Stabilizing. I think its a worth while upgrade if you are shooting alot of pics. I have a Canon a95 camera that I use just for farting around and have thrown it in my camelbak a few times and works great. Has a pop out screen that will flip around so you can take pics underneath something without laying in the dirt or pics of yourself with the screen flipped out so you know what you are shooting.

The video modes on point and shoot cameras are fantastic and I think most manf make their specs comparable in the same price range. If you want a really good website to learn about camers go to www.dpreview.com and select cameras then Canon. They also have all other makes but I happen to be a Canon whore Look through their detailed descriptions and usually in each review they have a comparison when you go through the pages. They also have a image galleries for each camera.

Here is the page for the sd700 = http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd700is/

There are 5 pages of comparison charts. I dont know if there are video samples I didnt look at every page. There are a few shots in the gallery that are really quite good for a point n shoot camera. Good luck!

Just looked there is a sample video in the review. Which means I am sure all the other cameras in its price range have samples too.

[roadkillross]

hmm
sounds like a pickle

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Does the image stabilizer work during movie modes too or just during photos?

Yes the image stabilizer works. This link has a short video showing the camera in video mode with the image stabilizer on and then off.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...era_shaker.mov

Stick with the PowerShot IMO they are the best point and shoots out.

[Jordansrealm]

I stand corrected about the IS then I have never noticed it doing a damn good on my point and shoot cameras in video mode! lol

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

I stand corrected about the IS then I have never noticed it doing a damn good on my point and shoot cameras in video mode! lol

Well it can only fix so much you might need to lay off the Jack & Cokes
Beer me!

[CalEpic]

Well it's easy for me to spend your money but after trying to shoot some pics in the low light settings on my camera without a tripod I would think the image stabilization would be pretty handy. That said, I would still take your old cam in to Canon and see what the problem is before spending extra dough on a new one.

C

[LBmtb]

So I finally got off my lazy ass and sent the broken camera on monday. Got this response today.

Dear GEORGE :

We have received your equipment for evaluation and repair. Based on our initial examination, we will start the necessary repairs at no charge to you. You can expect the repair to be completed and returned back to you within approximately 7 business days* from the date shown above. There is no need to respond to this notice.

Please note that in the unlikely event that any additional internal damage is found due to liquid/water, sand, corrosion, battery leakage or impact (such as dropping the unit), a revised estimate will be sent for your authorization, since these conditions are specifically excluded from warranty coverage.
Thank you for purchasing Canon products and for allowing us this opportunity to serve you.


Best Regards,
Canon Factory Service Center]

I'm hoping they take care of it for free!!

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

So I finally got off my lazy ass and sent the broken camera on monday. Got this response today.

I'm hoping they take care of it for free!!

Good news bubb! Now you're gonna have to look into some stronger velcro on that camera holder

[Andrew]

I recently broke the LCD screen on my camera (a Casio Z850). I was surprised to find that that Casio fixed it free of charge despite the obvious impact damage. Looks like you lucked out too!

[gurp13]

That's some good customer service right there. Makes me glad I bought Canon and means I'll buy more Canon in the future.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Hey Jordan, do you have that customer service # in Irvine handy. I have a SD330 that makes a rattling noise when I shake it, but it still works.

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by MTBRacer

Hey Jordan, do you have that customer service # in Irvine handy. I have a SD330 that makes a rattling noise when I shake it, but it still works.

949-753-4000 ask for their customer service/camera dropoff dept.

They are pretty local I would just go in if you have time.

[dirttorpeedo]

wow thats cool george,we need those pic. as i dont have a camera myself so no crash pics, of ME!hahahaha.....

[LBmtb]

Update: This morning I had an email saying they had shipped it yesterday and at about noon the fedex truck arrived. Camera works perfectly and they even replaced the front and back covers so the dents aren't even there anymore. Canon greatly exceeded my expectations! Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Now I just gotta figure out how to rig some stronger velcro to my camera pocket

[Jordansrealm]

those of you carrying small point and shoot cameras how are you carrying them for easy access and also security so they dont fall on the trail?

looking for maybe a pouch to fit on the straps of my camelbak or something to the bars?

thanks!

[Jordansrealm]

I found these and it looks like itll fit my camera. Also, you said you were looking to buy the A620 maybe? It says itll fit that too. Anyone use one of these?

http://www.tamrac.com/5218.htm