Is the SX280 good for taking pictures of kids (moving/playing)?
1008612
Very good. It is very fast. Only problem is that when GPS is on when the camera is off you have to wait a few seconds between off an on.
1008613
This camera should do a good job for you. It has a sports setting for capturing very fast action. The camera does an amazing job with focus. While at Disney this summer, I took a photo of a still object that was about 1/4 mile away using the zom feature. The framing and focus were perfect. I mention this because I was moving at aprox 10 mph on a train when I snapped the photo. The only thing you have to keep in mind when using this camera is the location of your fingers on the left. It is easy cover up the pop up flash. You should also have a spare battery.
1008614
Just on a sunny day. If you are indoors or need to use the flash then forget it! It has the slower flash I have ever encounter in a digital camera. It takes FOREVER to charge the flash!!!!!
1008615
I have never taken pictures of children playing, however, have taken pictures of animals and pictures in moving trains and with the image stabilizer, it takes nice pictures.
1008616
Once you learn how to use the camera, it can be good for moving kids. However, it does take a moment to focus and you need to learn the nuances of operating the camera to improve the focus ability. It does have a sport setting which will take several photos in succession.
1008617
It is good to take pictures of kids playing. If you use video ,you have to consider its battery life (too short)
1099013
No I use it mainly outside on vacation or recording grandkids birthday parties. It takes great videos BUT you must have a steady hand or use a tripod for the best results.
1115149
This is not really a kid's camera. They could probably learn to use it, but it also depends upon what age child you are talking about.
133565
I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I still able to get some great pictures.
2136213
I am still looking.... Actually I own the Canon PowerShot A720. This is a wonderful and inexpensive well built camera but .... The responding time is too long for taking picture of children. I use it to take picture of my littler daughter and most of the time I need to shoot several to get the best one.
686882
Tracy, I love my Coolpix L620 because it takes great pictures in low light without requiring the flash. It focuses slowly so I would hesitate to recommend it for an active 2-yr old. Now if you want to take pictures of the child playing quietly in the sandbox or sleeping soundly during naptime, it would be excellent. It is a nice size with a large zoom capability. I carry mine in my purse always. As for others complaining about this camera burning through batteries, I like the fact that it takes normal over the counter batteries (Lithium AA). I have no trouble with battery life at all and get a couple hundred pics out of a set of batteries. Tracy, I love my Coolpix L620 because it takes great pictures in low light without requiring the flash. It focuses slowly so I would hesitate to recommend it for an active 2-yr old. Now if you want to take pictures of the child playing quietly in the sandbox or sleeping soundly during naptime, it would be excellent. It is a nice size with a large zoom capability. I carry mine in my purse always. As for others complaining about this camera burning through batteries, I like the fact that it takes normal over the counter batteries (Lithium AA). I have no trouble with battery life at all and... » Read More Tracy, I love my Coolpix L620 because it takes great pictures in low light without requiring the flash. It focuses slowly so I would hesitate to recommend it for an active 2-yr old. Now if you want to take pictures of the child playing quietly in the sandbox or sleeping soundly during naptime, it would be excellent. It is a nice size with a large zoom capability. I carry mine in my purse always. As for others complaining about this camera burning through batteries, I like the fact that it takes normal over the counter batteries (Lithium AA). I have no trouble with battery life at all and get a couple hundred pics out of a set of batteries. « Show Less
2054994
Probably not the camera you want for that. My daughter plays high school volleyball and I have tried in various gyms under all manner of light conditions and camera settings to get both action and stable shots with very mixed results, with most action shots being fails. That said, that type of photography is not this camera's forte and you really need a dslr with a good lens to do that job right.
394706
Hello. Unfortunately, neither of these will be very good for soccer. It is not a question of zoom, so much as response time. These types of cameras have to clear the sensor before they capture a shot, so none of them are going to be great for sports. They can work ok, but you're likely to miss "the moment". If that is acceptible, try the SX200 (or one of the new Lumix models with the super fast auto focus might be a bit better). But for best results shooting sports, you'd want something that didn't have to clear the sensor, like a DSLR (Canon Rebel, Nikon D40, etc.) Or if you want a small hybrid, you could consider the Lumix GF1, but they aren't cheap. Hello. Unfortunately, neither of these will be very good for soccer. It is not a question of zoom, so much as response time. These types of cameras have to clear the sensor before they capture a shot, so none of them are going to be great for sports. They can work ok, but you're likely to miss "the moment". If that is acceptible, try the SX200 (or one of the new Lumix models with the super fast auto focus might be a bit better). But for best results shooting sports, you'd want something that didn't have to clear the sensor, like a DSLR (Canon Rebel, Nikon D40, etc.) Or if you want... » Read More Hello. Unfortunately, neither of these will be very good for soccer. It is not a question of zoom, so much as response time. These types of cameras have to clear the sensor before they capture a shot, so none of them are going to be great for sports. They can work ok, but you're likely to miss "the moment". If that is acceptible, try the SX200 (or one of the new Lumix models with the super fast auto focus might be a bit better). But for best results shooting sports, you'd want something that didn't have to clear the sensor, like a DSLR (Canon Rebel, Nikon D40, etc.) Or if you want a small hybrid, you could consider the Lumix GF1, but they aren't cheap. « Show Less
186608
It takes good quality video but the construction is a bit lacking. If your kids are good at taking care of their things it will work well for you. My son is hard on everything. So far, so good but he is seven. For the money i am completely happy with the video and ease of use with my tv and computer. Good luck!
425466
If you have a Canon Rebel, my first choice would be a 70-300 IS. That will allow you great sports shots without having to carry a tripod. It also has a panning button which allows you to follow your kids as they run and have a clear shot. This one could be good too and it allows wider shots as well.
1694407
Hello. Unfortunately, neither of these will be very good for soccer. It is not a question of zoom, so much as response time. These types of cameras have to clear the sensor before they capture a shot, so none of them are going to be great for sports. They can work ok, but you're likely to miss "the moment". If that is acceptible, try the SX200 (or one of the new Lumix models with the super fast auto focus might be a bit better). But for best results shooting sports, you'd want something that didn't have to clear the sensor, like a DSLR (Canon Rebel, Nikon D40, etc.) Or if you want a small hybrid, you could consider the Lumix GF1, but they aren't cheap.
119783
M. Dean, can you elaborate a bit? I'm having the identical dilemma. Never owned a digital camera, and the SX110 looks neat, but am thrown by lack of viewfinder and bulkiness.
247174
I think camera has enough features for an age range - toddlers will have fun just snapping pictures, while bigger kids will enjoy extra features, such as games and video recorder. I have two kids, ages 3 and 5, and they both equally enjoy the camera. Just keep in mind that it is pretty bulky and heavy, so it is harder for younger ones to hold it steady while taking pictures.
1881826
Yes, you can shoot continuously with the SX10is but the three options available are outmatched by those of DSLRs for subjects moving fast and unpredictably -- because of viewfinder blackout, display lag, and slow fps rates. All you can do is hold down the shutter button and hope to get lucky, which actually works pretty good for action in one spot (like an osprey about to settle onto a nest or a batter swinging at a pitch). The movie mode affords another option for tracking subjects and getting high-resolution still pics simply by pressing the shutter button while filming. The images are recorded at whatever pixel and compression settings you select (not at the lower movie choices) and the viewfinder remains more or less continually available to follow the subject (ISO, however, switches to auto). In review the movie displays first, followed by the still pics, which makes editing simple. Despite all its many virtues and versatility, the SX10is is at a disadvantage when shooting continuously in situations where the action changes direction abruptly, especially when it's moving rapidly toward and away from the camera -- as in soccer games and children at play, situations for which DSLRs with smart focus-tracking and high-rate fps features are better suited. If you absolutely need the high-performance features of a DSLR for the kinds of shooting you (want to) do regularly, then invest the extra bucks to get a good body and lens combination. Otherwise, feature for feature and dollar for dollar, limitations notwithstanding, the SX10is is hard to beat for all-around photography. Just take some time to get thoroughly acquainted with the options for continuous shooting and expect to practice for a while before frustration gives way to proficiency.
133564
I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I still able to get some great pictures. I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I... » Read More I took 100's of pictures on a short trip - most of them of my grandchildren. The youngest is a shaker and mover too. ;) He is ALWAYS in motion. I probably had to delete 6-8 photos of the 200 for movement (mine or theirs). One of the events I attended was a pizza party and my pictures of the children (who were moving constantly) turned out great. This camera also takes videos, but I haven't played with that yet. I was very pleased with this camera overall. I am not sure how it would do in sports applications or constant movement, but I assure you the toddler never sat, stood or posed - and I still able to get some great pictures. « Show Less
2233712
I have 4 young kids that never slow down and it seems to capture them just fine. Just took pictures at a demolition derby also and it seemed to capture that fine. LOVE the video feature on here too. Forgot to mention that.
15747
I just want a camera with high speed to take pics of the grandkids? Any suggestions. i don't need fancy just faster than they are. LOL