buying a DIGITAL CAMERA - experiences and suggestions needed
Hi JW
I thinking of buying a new camera. After a long comparison, reading many articles and talking to several salesman in various shops... I don't want to buy a reflex camera, because I wouldn't carry it so often with me. The main/ important issues on a new camera are: 1.)good quality of lenses 2.)at least 6MPixel (a high Pixel number will compensate on a smaller optical zoom) 3.) fast picture taking, when I click the button these are my favourites: Fujifilm FinePix E550 Nikon Coolpix 7900 Sony DSC-W17 or Fujifilm FinePix F10 Fujifilm FinePix F810 or should I go for a bigger ons closer to a ReflexCamera ? Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 The Fujifilm FinePix E550 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Fuji...es/3q-001l.jpg * 1/1.7- inch Super CCD HR sensor with 6.3 million effective pixels (delivering 12.3 million recorded pixels) * Wide angle 4x optical zoom lens (32.5mm - 130mm equiv.) F2.8 - F5.6 * High resolution 2.0-inch LCD * Full range of exposure controls (P/S/A/M) * Wide range of ISO settings (80/100/200/400/800) * VGA movie recording at 30 fps with sound * RAW file format * Fast start-up and operation AA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended) optional wide or tele converter possible on this one ( not on the F10 on www.dpreview.com this camera got: Highly Recommended The Fujifilm FinePix F10 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Fuji...ges/3q-001.jpg * 1/1.7-inch Super CCD HR sensor with 6.3 million effective pixels * 3x optical zoom lens (36mm - 108mm equiv.) F2.8 - F5.0 * 2.5-inch LCD * Wide range of ISO settings (80/100/200/400/800/1600) * VGA movie recording at 30 fps with sound * Fast start-up and operation NP-120 Li-Ion battery This is the new model, quite impressive, with a long battery duration and very fast. but less manual controls and no optical viewfinder on www.dpreview.com this camera got: Recommended very similar to the 550 is the 810 Fujifilm FinePix F810 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Fuji...810-3q-001.jpg same package as 550 for the lenses/zoom/chip but High resolution 2.1-inch widescreen LCD for 4:3 and 16:9 pictures USB 2.0 connectivity metallic frame Nikon Coolpix 7900 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/niko...ges/3q-001.jpg # 7MP resolution # 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with ED elements (38-114mm equiv.) F 2.8 - 4.9 # In-Camera Red-Eye Fix # D-Lighting (in-camera shadow lightening) # Post-shot Blur Warning # 16 scene modes # 14MB internal memory # 640x480 pixel, 30fps movie mode # Best Shot Selector - takes a series of shots and chooses the sharpest for you # White Balance and exposure bracketing EL-EL5 rechargeable lithium ion battery on www.dpreview.com this camera got: Recommended Sony DSC-W7 or Sony DSC-W17 http://productimages.sony-europe.com..._STYLED_IM.jpg 1/1.8" 7.2 Megapixel Super HAD CCD 3X optical zoom lens 2.5" LCD monitor1 Compact rangefinder design 32MB flash memory built-in2 AA (2) batteries (NiMH rechargables included) I'm also thinking at these two cameras with larger lenses (more light coming in) and with external flash possibility and maybefilters Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Sony...ntview-001.jpg 1/1.8 " Type CCD 7.1 million effective pixels RGB Color Filter Array 4x optical zoom 34 - 136 mm equiv. F2.8 - F4.0 Screw-on adapter for optional conversion lenses up to ISO 800 on www.dpreview.com this camera got: Highly Recommended Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Koni...ges/3q-001.jpg 8.0 million effective pixels 28 - 200mm equiv. (7x optical zoom) F2.8 - 3.5 / F11 flip-out and twist LCD monitor (higher resolution 1.8", 134,000 pixels) Electronic viewfinder, no eye sensor CxProcess III image processor Larger movie clip mode: 800 x 600 @ 15 fps No PC Sync flash terminal NP-800 Lithium-Ion battery up to ISO 800 on www.dpreview.com this camera got: Recommended Do you know one of these cameras? Any good/ bad experiences made? Please give me a "specific" answer, why you would take that model ... not general comments like "PENTAX is better" or similar Thanks guys for your help stmoritzer |
Just get the best camera you can afford. It follows that a more expensive camera is a better spec'd and featured camera.
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Quote:
I suppose the lack of responses to this thread is a result of the same question being asked week after week. Look at the older threads where people have asked for advice, look at specialist sites www.dpreview.com looks good, and research it thoroughly. Then make the purchase, and show us all the rare cars you spot :P |
Funny no Canon. You'll notice that stmoritzer did take the time to do research. All he needs to do now is choose between a Fuji, Nikon or Sony. Older threads wouldnt be of much use as those cams are probably obsolete already.
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@ evoWALO, thanks for above post, yes I would like to have some comments to these 3 choosen models.... no CANON because the IXUS700 which is in the same category has following "negative" points I noticed:
only got a "Recommended", the zoom turning button is not that nice to handle, it has a big battery and not AA batteries, which in case can be filled with single-use-batteries) and very little manual control @evoWALO , you first post was useless, because the most expensive one is very often not the besst one @thenumber1 . as evoWALO said, I did a research :oops: and I'm looking for people owning one of these cameras of knowing about them. Of course if someone knows a much better camera of the same category, he's very welcome suggest it |
This year I bought a Nikon Coolpix 5200, very similar to the 7900 but with less resolution (5.1 MP)
http://www.thecamerashoponline.com/i...n_5200_lrg.jpg I'm not a camera expert, but I can tell you some impressions I had - It's very easy to use, the 15 scene modes are really great! - Fast picture taking, not that fast but ok for me... on the other hand it does took a while to record some pictures, i.e. night pictures - Overall it's a good camera, nice videos, nice features, great zoom, the battery last a lot... the only problem I see is that the LCD is really small here, I can show you some pics I took (unfortunatelly they're all on 3.1 MP, I only take shots on that res) http://gbg87.sites.uol.com.br/disco_...BISHOP_021.jpg http://gbg87.sites.uol.com.br/disco_...D/VEGAS060.jpg http://gbg87.sites.uol.com.br/disco_...D/VEGAS063.jpg good luck! ask me anything you want, but be fast because I'm traveling in two hours :lol: |
@gbg, thanks for your comments... the 7900 has a bigger screen (2.0inch, same as the FUJI, the SONE has a 2.5inch screen))
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/niko...-hand1-001.jpg and thank for the nice samples |
I'm leaving to a camera shop, will be online in a few hours
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stmoritzer check out which one of the cams you're eyeing is "popular" or are receiving the most clicks on dpreview. I noticed that the most popular cams tend to be good ones. You're right the more expensive cams arent always the best but the added price normally goes to better specs and more features.
You might always want to consider the GUI and hardware user interface. The button placement is a big thing to think about. |
Well, I know it is more of a pain in the ass, but bigger is usually better ;) and after a while you will get used to carry along a big camera :D
I am no expert and to be honest, no time to check out the specs of the 3 cameras right now, but since you asked my opinion, here I am. Here is what I think is very important when buying a camera: optical zoom must be at least 6 or 7x. And no less than 6 MP these days. IMO also the trend of having big LCD is useless (well can be handy when checking pics you've taken): the best way to take pics is by looking thourgh the viewfinder, so you need a camera with a practical viewfinder (in mine you can see exactly what you see in the LCD): it saves battery and also helps in having fewer blurry pics. The tuning on time must be as quick as possible too. Same goes for the focusing and zooming time. Ergonomics are important but you always get used to them in the end. Also, VERY important IMO is to be able to manually set shutter and aperture, one at a time or both together. I don't dig the cameras with "day / night / sport" preset modes. Also to be able to fiddle with white balance is important for interior or night shots. Smaller cameras sometimes can't be screwed onto a tripod -> no good Smaller cameras usually can't have a polarizer filter installed -> no good Ο love Canon, so I was surprised not to see a canon option up there, but to tell you the truth, I never really looked in depth into those. And an important thing many ppl forget: a good camera isn't everything. Way more than 50% is up to the photograph anyway. MIHALS always post great pics and he doesn't have a latest generation SLR! All the cameras in the same price range are similar. Only some details change, and the brand. Basically buy what feels better when in your hand, or the brand you prefer. Then you will get used to it and the rest is up to you :) |
Thank you TT for the input
I agree to all (most) of your suggestions, except the zoom. A 7 times optical zoom means a 28mm to 200mm zoom ... I'm not sure if this large zoom is possible from the physics/optical point of view without compromises in quality or edge "sharpness" or similar. If you look at common high quality lenses used in Reflex cameras, usually you don't find a lense with that big zoom factor... ? In my opinion, I think a smaller zoom is ok and a bigger picvturesize with more Pixels can also be used to zoom in, because you can crop the picture and it's still good quality.. Just came back from the shop, I had a long conversation with the guys there. Before entering the shop, the smaller FUJI550 was the favourite, but now I think, I'll buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 for these reasons : 699.- CHF is a very good price compared what you get (I have to look if I can get it cheaper somewhere else :wink: ) 2 different memory chips can be used : SD and CompactFlash (!) Highly Recommended by dpreview.com external flash possible adapter for wide or tele or filter possible good ergonomics 7MPixel, ISO 800, good battery life |
I use cdnet.com pcmag.com and pcworld.com to get a top ten review and choose from there.
I am the lazy tipe who does not like to fiddle arround with camera options so I go for portable point-and-shoot I just bought a DSC-T1 I would have gotten the DSC-T7, but I dont think 200$ more justifies. |
You know today I came in and was thinking of creating a new thread regarding help for "buying a DIGITAL CAMERA". But now it seems if I do that, I'll be shot dead.. :)
So I better use this thread if stmoritzer, has finished his quest on finding the "right" CAM. I am looking forward to buying a professional CAM for my brother. I am not much into technicalitiies, so I have short listed about 4 of pretty decent SLR (ish) cams. Canon Digital Rebel XT (released in 2005): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_...s/rebelxt.html Canon EOS 20D (released in 2004): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/20d.html Nikon D70 (released 2004) http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_...nikon_d70.html Sony CyberShot DSC-F828 (released 2003): http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/f828.html They are'nt similarly priced, so my budget is fairly flexible. I want to give him something that he'll proudly carry around. He's not a professional photographer, but photography is his major hobby and has had some amazing Cameras (old ones). I also dont mind giving him a Hasselblad H1 with a digital back, but thats quite a bit expensive and dont know if its any practical for an enthusiast! More suggestions would be welcome. Anything from : 6+ MegaPixels 4x+ Optical Zoom (lenses are his choice so he'll buy what he wants) Cam and a default lense worth anywhere between 800 to 1500 USD. Most manual features and specs, and SLR preffered! This better be worth it, as am not buying a scheduled new notebook, I was saving for since 2 years.. Thank you. |
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