Help me buy a digital camera

[stulec52]

ok,

so with the baby due in about 2 weeks, I figured it's about time I upgraded from 1.3 megapixels to something I could use to take nice shots I could then enlarge to a decent size that will still be clear.

5x7 or bigger type of thing.

also, of course, it would really just be for me and my car collection stuff, but it would fly right past the Wife radar if bought under the assumption of getting once in a lifetime baby pics ![]

So, what do we all recommend?

Something idiot proof please.

and maybe up to about $500

also, is it even worth thinking about mini dv?? do they take good quality still shots as that would be my main use.

Any thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated.

[netsmithUK]

Hi Stu

Check out www.DPReview.com before you buy anything, its a great place for reviews and info on just about every digital camera going. They've also got a great buyers guide, where you can compare cameras in price ranges etc.

as for DV cameras, but one of them too, not instead off

Chris

[jozza]

I agree with Chris on the dv camcorders; they will never give as good quality a still picture as a proper digital camera. The best advice I can give for digital cameras is to make sure you get one with a good lens and good quality ccd; don't be taken by the megapixels hype - some cameras with a higher megapixel count give worse results than some with less megapixels.

I've had a few Canon digital cameras and have always been happy with their balance of price, usability and quality.

Also, it's worth looking in a store rather than buying online, as cameras are one of those things that you need to feel and hold in your hands before deciding - it's not much use getting the one with the best technical features if you find it's either too big, too small or awkward for you to hold.

[gozone]

I am using a Casio Exilim EX-Z40 digicam, and i am very satisfied with it. It has a 4 megapixel resolution and loads of other cool stuff, that i have no idea on how to use, but it takes great shots, i reckon.

Good luck on finding a camera that suits your needs..

Cheers..

Michael

[WillyChang]

If you're after a good MiniDV that takes decent stills, don't go

past the Sony PC330. Solid performer, very nice still 3MP pictures.

Might have to stretch your budget a bit though.

As for a dedicated still camera, need to determine what your

needs really are.

In recent months we've acquired the Sony W1 - very nice compact,

huge 2.5" screen, also does MOV videos. Quite a few adjustable

settings and a nicely weighted compact body.

On the other end of the scale, I also love my Nikon D70 dSLR.

Every possible adjustment you can think of to do with picture-taking,

no function that isn't. So it don't do videos nor play MP3s etc.

[Matt2000]

my camera is a mustek DV5500. it's only £150 and takes 5.1MP photos, records video (no tapes) and plays MP3s []

http://www.mustek.de/eng_/html/produkte/dv5500.htm

[Lordcroker]

I'm a photographer and as such am VERY picky about cameras!

I took the digital plunge and bought (the now discontinued) Sony V1.

It is awesome!! 5MP, x4 Zoom, Movie mode an a nice compact all metal body. Other nice features are the long life rechargeable battery (MUCH better than AA's) Zeiss Lens and even a cool (but fairly pointless) infra red Night vision mode!

The pictures from it are great, so much so that my Canon 35mm SLR hasn't been used since.

I have looked to upgrade to maybe a 7 or 8MP, but honestly theres nothing on the market that I'd swap the V1 for.

If I want top notch quality I'll still use my trusty medium format Rolleiflex with transparency film and scan it, but for everyday use the V1 does all I could ask.

It will easily do 5x7's...at a push it will deliver 10x8's suitable for wall hanging (but don't look at them too close lol)

New old stock ones crop up on ebay for between $200-$300, which in my opinion is a real bargain.

That also leaves you with a bit of spare cash for a decent sized Memory stick and maybe a second battery []

[TWINSET]

Have a look at the Fuji S5500 - You can get them well cheap from Hong Kong via the worlds favourite online market place;

Another real nice one, which I had meself for a while is the Nikon 5700

When you're looking at the spec, make sure it has an optical zoom, not a digital one - far better quality with optical zoom

[stulec52]

wow

thanks for all the great replies !!

I think I'll go get a good stills one for now, and try to hint to the inlaws for a 'baby gift' DV !

It seems Sony are more popular than I would have thought, not being known to me as a quality camera company, so I think I'll go out and have a look in the shops at those for now.

[Lordcroker]

Yes, Sony are very good. I think I'm right in saying that they produced the first ever digital camera?

Sony camera's (and Canon's) are a bit more expensive than the others, but you can really see where the extra money goes in terms of build quality. Some digital cameras (no names mentioned) feel like empty margarine tubs!

The Sony I have feels (and looks) almost like a 50's German camera..praise indeed from a classic camera enthusiast!

One thing about Sony's..the Memory stick is the most expensive form of memory card out there, so do take that into account when costing.

[Tamiya1/10]

Go for the prosumer SLR where you can just point and shoot but have enough adjustments for some serious shots. Canon, Nikon makes pretty good models.

If you got a bit more cash and want to go for a true SLR Nikon D70 s/b a good buy cause the new D70s is out or the Canon 350 rebel is another good SLR camera which these cameras should satisfy your joe average photographer for at least several years or more.

[richtea78(2)]

Go for a Panasonic FZ20- its awesome and the Leica lens is one of the best on the market. Much much better than the Fuji above

[Lordcroker]

The Panasonic really took my eye too! It has a very impressive optical zoom coupled to an image stabiliser system, so you can use the zoom without having to lug a tripod about everywhere! I also like the way that it looks like a camera too []...perhaps a tad bulky though.

I'd also be bit sceptical about the 'Leica' lens. Leica may have endorsed it, but it's worth bearing in mind that a true Leica lens alone is worth about 3 or 4 times more than the entire Panasonic camera.

That said Leica wouldn't allow their fine name to be put on an inferior product.

I can't wait until Panasonic release an 8MP version of this camera..that could be the upgrade that I'm looking for!

[stulec52]

hmm... more food for thought, jeez this is tough.

I think I'll keep looking and testing, but I have the go ahead to pick up a camcorder ( do we still call them that??) this week, so any specific recommendations for that format??

[ChrisB]

Another vote here for the Canon's - good quality, well designed and quality optics, plus the camera software is top quality and has some really good features. Support for Apple as well as PC versions of the software is also better than many other manufacturers.

I used to use 35mm SLR's a long while ago when I was more into photography as a hobby (Pentax MX & Canon AE-1 Program). As interest waned a bit I used to find the bulkiness of SLR's and associated lenses and bits and bobs used to mean I never had it for capturing those "photo opportunities" when they came up [V]. I do miss the lens interchangeability and the longer lenses though.....

Since then I have settled on a good compromise between features and portability and thats the Canon Powershot S series of cameras. I started with an S30, and now have an S50 (5M Pixel). A lot of features (including full manual control) on a camera that is still reasonably pocketable with a decent optical zoom and optics (for a compact). I also went for the waterproof case and its been a real boon allowing me to use the camera places I wouldn't normally (snorkelling, on the beach, when its raining cats and dogs []).

Canons (Nikon too I believe) also use the Compact Flash (CF) format memory which is about the cheapest format out there and comes in the largest sizes. This is maybe where you need to be aware when pricing up the options for the complete package - very few cameras have decent memory cards out of the box - you WILL need to buy extra. As others have mentioned some formats like Sony's Memory stick can be very expensive when you get up to the larger capacities.

Whatever camera you choose I'd suggest bearing in mind the following:

- Make sure the OPTICAL zoom level is adequate for your needs. Even compacts these days manage 3x optical zoom so that should be your minimum. This is where the decision between a compact and an SLR (or SLR style prosumer camera) will probably be made. Compacts are never going to be great for long distance close ups....

- Check the battery life and cost of replacements. Much though I like my Canon's they all seem to eat batteries - I always carry a spare as luckily they are cheap.

- Resolution. While megapixel bragging rights are not the be all and end all, you would still do well to get something that will allow you to enlarge to 10"x8" without an obvious loss in quality. I wouldn't go below 3MPixels, and if you can aim for around 5MPixel+ resolution.

- Lens / Optics. This is probably one of the most important factors in determining picture quality imho. Go for manufacturers with quality optics. Many digicam manufacturers use optics from established companies, but best to check. Carl Zeiss, Nikon, Canon - are all good lens manufacturers and often have their lenses used on other manufacturers products (I think some Sony digicams use Canon lenses for example).

- Accessories. May sound like an afterthought, but make sure you think about where you want to use your camera and the likely accessories you may need. The waterproof case example I gave is a good one. Its enabled me to get pictures I never would have with a normal camera. I'd also budget for a good quality table top tripod (Manfrotto or similar) - best 50 quid I ever spent, and has enabled me to get some great shots in low light conditions and using the self timer for example to get myself in pictures I would have been absent from [].

Phew! Got a bit carried away there. My advice would be to maybe look around for a recently discontinued quality camera. Manufacturers are updating models all the time, and the old ones are still extremely good cameras. Try and negotiate a deal with the accessories you want. Some places won't want to discount the basic camera price, but if you are after memory cards, cases, tripod etc you might be able to get a better deal getting them all at once.

If you don't mind taking a chance secondhand might save you a packet. However, make sure you test out the camera thoroughly first.

Another thing I have found invaluable if you go down the digital route is a DVD writer for your computer. Allows you to make up discs that anyone can play in their DVD player or DVD equipped computer. Means you might actually end up looking at the pictures rather than just writing them to CD and forgetting them [].

Cheers,

Chris

P.S. As someone else has said http://www.dpreview.com is about the best independent source of reviews and info on digital cameras, and also includes older models. The reviews are extremely comprehensive.

[DJTheo]

If I would buy a digicam now it would either be one of large optical zoom ones from Panasonic, Olympus or Fuji or an SLR, zoom is for us RC cars fans the most important feature, megapixels don't tell much, have seen 3MP cameras making much better and even more detailed pictures then 6MP ones.

About photo quality and reliabilty I can very much recommend Olympus as friends and I have some and we use many at work, they all work great.

Cheers

[snollan]

I own both canon and olympus. I like both of them great products. The on thing I would look at is a large optical zoom with image stablization and a fast shutter speed. Fast speed can capture moments like junior running your race care into a brick wall --or-- using the sand scorcher as a hammer.

[Sammy]

I am an amateur photographer too, and I have the Panasonic DMC FZ-20. I can honestly say it's amazing.

It has 12X optical zoom, which comes out at some 420mm (35mm) which is simply amazing.

Coupled with the OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser) it works a treat.

With the rechargeable battery, which lasts for ages, you can take close to 300 shots without needing a battery change!

Yet another plus, is that of the SD memory cards.

Olympus & Cannon use XD (expensive) and Sony uses Memory Stick (also expensive) - I purchased a 1GB ultra-high-speed card from ebay from HK for little under £40... quite amazing!

Good luck on entering the daunting DigiCam world,

Sam

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by stulec52

It seems Sony are more popular than I would have thought, not being known to me as a quality camera company, so I think I'll go out and have a look in the shops at those for now.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

Sony has been in the digicam game for a LONG time.

10+ yrs ago they had a hit with the Mavica which used 3.5" FDDs.

Around that time Apple/Kodak had their clunkers out too,

so did Canon.

Everybody else are relatively newcomers. []

[west coast customiser]

if you are wanting to make really good profesional shots then this is ur best bet fujifilm s3000 3 mega pixel and 6x zoom range

or

cannon powershot g5 5 mega pixels it has telephoto performnce and it quite good there are bigger if you want i can send more if you want tell me what sort u want and ill ave a look

ok mate

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by west coast customiser

cannon powershot g5 5 mega pixels it has telephoto performnce and it quite good

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id="quote">id="quote">

Bit old, Canon's up to G6 with 7.1MP. []

Canon S70 is also a nice 7.1MP unit in a smaller compact size.

[west coast customiser]

yea but its the price though and its a well good camera

[DJTheo]

quote:Originally posted by WillyChang

quote:Originally posted by stulec52

It seems Sony are more popular than I would have thought, not being known to me as a quality camera company, so I think I'll go out and have a look in the shops at those for now.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

Sony has been in the digicam game for a LONG time.

10+ yrs ago they had a hit with the Mavica which used 3.5" FDDs.

Around that time Apple/Kodak had their clunkers out too,

so did Canon.

Everybody else are relatively newcomers. []

---

id="quote">id="quote">

The first digital cameras for the consumer-level market that worked with a home computer via a serial cable were the Apple QuickTake 100 camera (February 17 , 1994), the Kodak DC40 camera (March 28, 1995), the Casio QV-11 (with LCD monitor, late 1995), and Sony's Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera (1996). Also Olympus had already 3 models in 96 (C-400, C-400L, C-800). Here some more historic cams http://www-users.mat.uni.torun.pl/~olka/historia.html sorry but Sony was far from first.

Cheers

[jimbob4000]

Id go with canon, we have one and its amazing

its a powershot something, 7 mp

Adam

[ChrisB]

Have to say if I didn't go for an SLR as my next digicam I'd be tempted by the Canon S70 - as long as it could use the accessories I have for my S50 []

I suspect I will want something with a better optical zoom range though - decisions, decisions.