Is it worth paying the extra money to buy a point and shoot with a hot shoe?

Question

also, will my nikon sb600 work on a canon powershot SI 15? (i think i jumbled the name)

My flash works on my friend's canon slr, so maybe it will work with this canon. But mostly, when it comes to point and shoot, is it wise to buy one with a hot shoe?

the nikon p80 has a smaller sensor and a hot shoe, the nikon p80 has a bigger sensor but no hot shoe. Which is why i was looking at the canon.

HELP!!!!!!!! seriously : ( please help me or i'll never decide.

Answer 1

Hi Valarie,    Hope I can help :).    Having a hot shoe on your camera is absolutely an advantage.  You have,no doubt heard  of  "red eye"?   This happens when the camera's flash is built into  the body and is close to the lens.... which is directed right into the subjects eyes.  Having a lens that is placed inches above the lens eliminates the problem.  Also,   when shooting in a situation where the subject is a good distance from you,  you will really need a more powerful burst to light the shot and that off camera lens should do the trick.   Whether the Nikon SB600 will work on a point and shoot...  is something you will have to research and for good reason.   If the flash carries more voltage than does the point and shoot ( and it could ),  it will fry the internal circuitry of your camera and you don't want to do that!!   Also,  the SB600 is dedicated  ONLY to Nikon cameras.  The pins on the bottom of the flash slide into and match up specifically to Nikon hot shoes as is the same with the pins on a Canon flash.   You will want to ask the sales person at the store you are getting your camera from.   You have a nice flash and will be spending good money for a camera.   You don't want to damage either.

Answer 2

If it is a regular point and shoot, the built-in flash is quite adequate unless you are going to be doing high-speed outdoor photography.

Why don't you just go the whole hog and buy a Nikon SLR?  You already have the Nikon speedlight, which is a great one, by the way, so get stuff that all works together and have a decent camera that will keep you happy for a long time!

However, if you're going to go for the Canon with the hot shoe, just make 100% sure that it will work before buying.  Take your flash to your camera store and ask them to let you try it out.  I did that when testing the Pentax K100D super with one of my old flashes, and they had no problem with me doing that.