[funkboy]

I want a 4-megapixel camera that is small enough to carry in the pocket of my jeans. My Minolta S404 is a great camera, but too large to put in a pocket.

I thought about a Canon S400 (S410, S500, etc.) , but its lack of some manual modes is a drag. The Konica Minolta G400 showed up recently, though, and only costs $299 (at Target, of all places!), and, from the reviews, seems pretty good. I am wary about its low-light auto-focus capabilities, though.

Anyone have any thoughts about this, or any other very small cameras (under 13 cubic inches) that are 3 or 4 megapixel? The price and features of the G400 just seem great, even if there are a few slight problems (the sliding lens cap makes two small marks on the front body, I guess, and the previously-mentioned autofocus lowlight problem some complain about).

Whaddya think? I'd love to know.

[dracoleb]

Well there is always this Gateway. It's only $225, though I am curious about it's quality, anyone have any experience with it?

[funkboy]

I question that camera's quality... but it could work okay. I didn't see physical sizes for it... but I don't know.

Anyone have any personal experiences? anyone?

[madmacgames]

Gateway is a computer company, not a camera comany. They don't make their own cameras. The DC-T50 is really a relabeled Toshiba PDR-5300.

[TheMosco]

So how is the Toshiba then? I too am looking for a small camera to bring to college.

[funkboy]

Unfortunately, I think this topic, even though it doesn't belong in the Lounge, would get a lot more replies there... and probably some knowledgeable ones, instead of all us muttering, "we need help!"

I wonder if having this moved to the Digital A/V or the Art/Design board would get some knowledgeable responses...

[MacPowered]

Originally posted by funkboy:
I want a 4-megapixel camera that is small enough to carry in the pocket of my jeans. My Minolta S404 is a great camera, but too large to put in a pocket.
I'd love to know.

Have a look at the Pentax Optio S4i before you decide. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../optios4i.html

I have bought it and it makes pretty good pictures for a camera of that size. I have it in my pocket all the time ready in seconds.

[MacPowered]

Originally posted by TheMosco:
So how is the Toshiba then? I too am looking for a small camera to bring to college.

You find the review of the Toshiba PDR-5300 on Steve's DigiCams page http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_...s/pdr5300.html

as well as the one of the Gateway DC-T50 http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/t50.html

[funkboy]

Originally posted by MacPowered:
Have a look at the Pentax Optio S4i before you decide. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../optios4i.html

I have bought it and it makes pretty good pictures for a camera of that size. I have it in my pocket all the time ready in seconds.

I have heard good things about it, the more I look.

Do you think it makes skin tones look plastic-y? Also, how fast is it to turn on and snap a photo, as well as to auto-focus? I've heard the Minolta G400 is just crazy-insane fast to turn on and start shooting, and it claims to have a very speedy auto-focus, though the reviews have been mixed in regards to it.

[MacPowered]

Originally posted by funkboy:
I have heard good things about it, the more I look. Do you think it makes skin tones look plastic-y?

I send you some sample pictures by mail and you can juge for yourself.

Also, how fast is it to turn on and snap a photo, as well as to auto-focus? I've heard the Minolta G400 is just crazy-insane fast to turn on and start shooting, and it claims to have a very speedy auto-focus, though the reviews have been mixed in regards to it.

The Optio S4i is a great improvement over the former Optio S4 and Optio S (3MP) in regard to startup speed and shutter lag. My daughter owns the Optio S and the difference is remarkable. However, when I read Steve's conclusions on the Minolta and the Pentax, the Minolta wins the race. His comments on the S4i are:

The S4i is ready to go in about 2 seconds from pressing the power button. Power up to first image captured measured approx. 3 seconds. Auto focus speed is very good, in normal lighting conditions the shutter lag is about 2/10 of a second. Shutter lag when pre-focused is an impressive and professional class 1/10 second. The Optio S4i's single shot performance will help you capture unposed spontaneous moments and moving subjects. The shot to shot time averaged about 2 seconds between shots. Continuos mode captured the first 2 images in about 1.5 seconds, then the rest of the images were captured 2 seconds apart. This performance was measured using a SanDisk Ultra II 256MB SD memory card with the image size/quality set a 2304x1728/ , and includes viewfinder delay, photographer response time, and image capture.

You noticed the mention SanDisk Ultra II SD memory card. I think the high speed cards have an influence on the shutter lag and I have bought just the one mentioned.

[funkboy]

I purchased a camera! Thanks for the advice everyone.

I went with the Minolta G400, 4-megapixel. Amazon link. The only other digital camera I've had much experience with is the Minolta S404 (very similar to the S414, linked there), so I'm comparing it to that.

I got it yesterday and have owned it for less than 24 hours, so the following impressions are strictly the "Wow! I've got a new camera!" phase.

The startup time is amazing. It really is ready to go as soon as you can lift it up to take a photo. Slide it open, and you can, essentially, take a picture. It's less than one second to startup.

The battery life seemed pretty good... I tried to drain it as much as I could as quickly as I could, and it still stayed in for a long time yesterday. I cranked the LCD's brightness up and just let it sit for awhile... overall, the battery seems decent enough.

The included SD card goes just as fast as the CompactFlash card in my Minolta S404.

The size of the camera is just how I remembered, very small, definitely small enough to carry in a pocket or tiny purse. For some reason, though, they didn't include a wrist strap, but rather a *neck* strap... it's about a foot long. I do not want my tiny little camera to have a huge cord hanging off of it, though I could see why some would. My first accessory to buy will be a small little wrist strap for it.

Oh, and skin tones and image quality are just great with the camera. As good as my Minolta S404, maybe sharper. And the fact that it has all the manual features of my bigger camera, plus some more, is simply wonderful.

The auto-focus does go a little slower in low light, but doesn't take any longer than a second, really, even in the pitch dark. It's overall faster than my S404 in auto focus speed.

I would highly recommend this camera, especially at the current price point of $270.

Anyone know of the best SD card to buy? I heard Panasonic (SimpleTech and PNY use their memory) are the best, and a Panasonic came with this camera, I believe, so I'll have to agree. Anyone have a good price on those brands?