camera shopping- suggestions please [Sitemap] - Digital Grin Photography Forum

Buddy

Jan-12-2004, 02:51 PM

OK I'm in a serious shopping mode for a new camera. a couple of years ago I got an Olympus D490. And proceeded to have a horrible experience with Olympus and their warranty. So Olympus is not an option.

I don't need anything fancy at the professional level.
3+ megapixel and AA batteries are required. (unless someone can convince me that the rechargable proprietary batteries won't leave me stranded with a dead camera after a day of shooting)

I've been looking at the Nikon 3100. not a bad little camera.

What are some other cameras I should look at while shopping around?

thanks

wxwax

Jan-12-2004, 04:23 PM

Definitely check out Canon cameras.

Canon S40. Proprietary battery, but excellent life, and if you buy a second one, you'll be in great shape.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonS40/Images/frontview.jpg

Canon A70. It has the batts you want.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00008R9NW.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

If you're not in a hurry, Canon's expected to announce a number of new cameras at a show next month.

Richard Cabesa

Jan-12-2004, 05:57 PM

I just bought the Canon A80 a couple months ago and am very happy so far. The AA batteries that came with lasted about 160 shots and then I put in my rechargeables. I'm up to 230 shots on them and they are still going. My old Toshiba would burn thruogh them in about 70 shots.

The camera has given me some greats shots with good focus and is easy to use.
Here's one from the bike show
http://richard-cabesa.smugmug.com/photos/1593168-M.jpg

kbasa

Jan-12-2004, 06:37 PM

What are some other cameras I should look at while shopping around?

thanks
I'm digging my S400. It's small enough that I actually carry it with most of the time.

wxwax

Jan-12-2004, 06:53 PM

Patch29 has a S50, I used it for one or two shots. It felt really solid (much heavier than I expected, actually.) I liked it.

An important consideration for a small camera, IMHO, is that the lens protect itself. I've only used a clamshell slide type mechanism (like the S50, I had an older Olympus, same design) that I know works well. I'm intrigued by the shutter-style lens protection on the Digital Elphs.

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s400/images/prod_img.jpg

wxwax

Jan-13-2004, 01:52 PM

What are some other cameras I should look at while shopping around?
thanks

Buddy, one other thought. Get thee to a camera store if at all possible, and lay yer mitts on the cameras that interest you. Just the feel of the camera, its size and the orientation of the controls may become the deciding factors for you.

If you do decide to buy now, there are lots of excellent cameras in your target zone. Personally, I'd stick with a camera from an established camera-making company. My only exception would be Sony.

aj2

Jan-13-2004, 04:55 PM

Definitely check out Canon cameras.

Canon S40. Proprietary battery, but excellent life, and if you buy a second one, you'll be in great shape.

Canon A70. It has the batts you want.

If you're not in a hurry, Canon's expected to announce a number of new cameras at a show next month.

I have the S45 and love it(it replaced the S40 that my wife lost :snif: ), but I was wondering, does the A80(the 4MP version of the A70) have the same elements and controls as the S45? I used the A70, I liked the feel, and the controls seem virtually identical, as in it has the same level of manual controls, 3X zoom, etc. Will the pictures also be identical? If so, I'd recommend the A series without reservation if you want/need the convenience of AA batteries.

wxwax

Jan-13-2004, 05:08 PM

Here's (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp) dpreview's side-by-side comparison of the features of each camera. Each has minor advantages over the other, it would appear. I really like the proprietary batts in the G3, so I see them as a plus, not a minus. Just get a spare - over time, cheaper and convenient IMHO.

aj2

Jan-13-2004, 06:44 PM

wxwax

Jan-13-2004, 08:24 PM

That's odd, link works for me. Maybe because I posted it. :huh: Shame they don't have an in-depth review of the A80.

Doh!

Jan-13-2004, 08:25 PM

I've had this camera a few weeks now and I carry it all the time.

There's a $30 rebate to boot.

Buddy

Jan-14-2004, 01:22 PM

thanks folks!! that'll get me started in a nice direction. there are some good camera shops in the Richmond area. I'll drop in one one of 'em.

interesting read. I was just at drummer's thread about that Z1. seems I have another choice.

and wxwax, thanks for the heads up on the show next month.

wxwax

Jan-14-2004, 10:16 PM

Hey Buddy, let us know what you buy. And then start posting pics here. :thumb:

Buddy

Jan-30-2004, 11:42 AM

I found a Kodak DX6490 at costco for $469.99 with the camera docking station. which is $30 off the MSRP. It's 4.0 MP with a 10x zoom and some other cool features like maunal controls, b/w etc. so I could learn more about photography than point and shoot.

has anybody out there got this camera?? if so, what do you think of it??

http://www.kodak.com/MEDIA/NpcProductCatalog/M1649_EKN027635enEKN027635_large.jpg

wxwax

Jan-30-2004, 04:09 PM

Second time in 2 days that camera's come up for discussion, Buddy. Here are some links. The first to dpreview... look for the link to owner's comments at the top of the column. The second is to a full review. Seems like the chief gripe is slow autofocus... which may or may not be an issue, depending upon how you expect to use the camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Kodak/kodak_dx6490.asp
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/dx6490.html

jimf

Jan-30-2004, 09:19 PM

OK I'm in a serious shopping mode for a new camera. a couple of years ago I got an Olympus D490. And proceeded to have a horrible experience with Olympus and their warranty. So Olympus is not an option.

I'm curious as to what Olympus did to turn you off. Though, these days, I wouldn't likely buy an Olympus anyway. I gave serious consideration to their E1 before I bought my 300D but the picture quality was pretty poor for the price point -- quite a change from when I bought my C2500L, which was a very good buy at the time. (One thing I noticed right away, however, is that the auto white balance on the C2500L kicks the crap out of the 300D ... the only thing it does better but it's a LOT better.)

My wife has an S330, neat little camera. She liked it for its design, I liked the features. I agree with one of the other posters who says that Canon's proprietary battery isn't that much of a turn-off, just get a spare.

cmr164

Jan-30-2004, 09:22 PM

(One thing I noticed right away, however, is that the auto white balance on the C2500L kicks the crap out of the 300D ... the only thing it does better but it's a LOT better.)
Shoot raw and don't worry about white balance.

jimf

Jan-30-2004, 10:06 PM

Shoot raw and don't worry about white balance.

It's funny you should say that, since I started doing exactly that after mucking with its white balance settings for a couple of hours and never being happy (get a load of the following shots to see what I mean). You had told me to do that before, I realize, but I haven't been terribly upset with JPEG on other cameras and I like the ability to get a pretty hefty number of shots on a single card.

Oh well, it's still way less work than going down to the Photomat.

Here are the shots. Never mind all the myriad technical problems, I was still learning to use even simple things like the autofocus system. The important thing is the mess I made of the colors. This first one was an attempt to correct your typical tungsten cast:

http://www.frostbytes.com/~jimf/images/hippo-blue.jpg

It came out ungodly blue. It should have been more like:

http://www.frostbytes.com/~jimf/images/hippo-corrected.jpg

Here's one after I switched to RAW, nice and natural. Still having trouble with autofocus, it grabbed her leg instead of face, but overall not too horrible:

http://www.frostbytes.com/gallery-albums/jan-2004/001_RJ.sized.jpg

fish

Jan-30-2004, 10:29 PM

Still having trouble with autofocus, it grabbed her leg instead of face, but overall not too horrible:
Cute subject. On the autofocus thing, there should be a mode in your camera (sorry, I'm not that familiar with it) that enables you to use a single AF point in the middle of the viewfinder. In a shot like on the child, put that middle AF point on the face, push the throttle halfway down to lock the focus, then recompose and click the rest of the way. Give it a shot.

Buddy

Jan-31-2004, 08:45 AM

I'm curious as to what Olympus did to turn you off. Purchased D490 christmas of '01. Jan '03 the camera died 2 weeks out of warranty. Olympus response, tough luck. we had it repaired. that got another 6 month warranty. 7 months later the camera screwed up again. it'll take a pic but only three or four and it'll lock up with the yelllow light flashing. that light indicates it needs a flash. and the flash doesn't work.

Buddy

Jan-31-2004, 08:46 AM

wxwax

Jan-31-2004, 10:22 AM

thank you!!! playing around with the camera at costco the autofocus did seem a little slow.

That will really get on your nerves if you're trying to shoot people. They have a tendency to move and the quicker you can get off the shot the better.

fish

Jan-31-2004, 10:33 AM

That will really get on your nerves if you're trying to shoot people. They have a tendency to move and the quicker you can get off the shot the better. Slow autofocus and shutter lag are two of the things that drove me to a dSLR. I had the S400 out for some indoor flash snapshots last night, and by the time it focused and fired, all the kids had their backs to me :(: So if a review specifically calls out shutterlag or slow autofocus as "cons", I'd recommend you keep looking, because it will just frustrate you.

gus

Jan-31-2004, 01:36 PM

Funniest part about my camera is that at night when you hit the button all you can see is this massive red beam punching out all over people. They will shut up & stare like rabbits caught in a headlight.

wxwax

Jan-31-2004, 10:46 PM

Not all cameras have that autofocus assist light. I understand Nikon still doesn't have it, for reasons best known to themselves. :scratch

fish

Jan-31-2004, 11:03 PM

Not all cameras have that autofocus assist light. I understand Nikon still doesn't have it, for reasons best known to themselves. :scratch Canon 10D (and I assume their other dSLRs as well) uses the built-in flash as a focus assist light. Kinda stupid, if you ask me. If you mount a speedlite, then it will use the red focus assist from it, and only in the "basic zone". Not terribly unlike Nikon.

Whoops. Sorry. Just realized this was in the P&S forum. So, nevermind. :doh

wxwax

Jan-31-2004, 11:25 PM

Canon 10D (and I assume their other dSLRs as well) uses the built-in flash as a focus assist light. Kinda stupid, if you ask me. If you mount a speedlite, then it will use the red focus assist from it, and only in the "basic zone". Not terribly unlike Nikon.

Whoops. Sorry. Just realized this was in the P&S forum. So, nevermind. :doh

:nod I know the external flashes all have them, but the P&S Nikons mysteriously don't. Dunno why, 'cause as a result they test poorly - slow low-light autofocus. It's one of the main reasons I didn't buy the Nikon 5700. Even in a well lit store the autofocus was ridiculously slow.

patch29

Feb-01-2004, 11:08 AM

Canon 10D (and I assume their other dSLRs as well) uses the built-in flash as a focus assist light. Kinda stupid, if you ask me. If you mount a speedlite, then it will use the red focus assist from it, and only in the "basic zone". Not terribly unlike Nikon.

Whoops. Sorry. Just realized this was in the P&S forum. So, nevermind. :doh

The 1D and 1Ds do not have built in light, they use the AF red light off the flash, I think only in one shot AF mode.

Ruskie

Feb-09-2004, 06:09 PM

I'm going to purchase the S400 and am wondeiring if anyobdy knows who is offering the best price from a reliable dealer?

cmr164

Feb-09-2004, 06:36 PM

I'm going to purchase the S400 and am wondeiring if anyobdy knows who is offering the best price from a reliable dealer?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=278235&is=REG

http://www.adorama.com/ICAS400.html?searchinfo=s400&item_no=3

Both have it at $359 (at BH the low price does not show until you put it in the cart)

fish

Feb-09-2004, 06:52 PM

cmr164

Feb-09-2004, 07:05 PM

Or you can get a very special edition at Adorama for $500:

A.PowerShot S400 Body, B.Wrist Strap WS-300, C.AV Cable AVC-DC100, D.Battery Charger CB-2LS, E.Battery Pack NB-1LH, F.Interface Cable IFC-300PCU, G.Compact Flash Card CF-32M, H.Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, I.ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM.
This Edition includes a Coach Signature Fabric Case with Leather Trim and wrist strap

the $359 includes....
A.PowerShot S400 Body, B.Wrist Strap WS-300, C.AV Cable AVC-DC100, D.Battery Charger CB-2LS, E.Battery Pack NB-1LH, F.Interface Cable IFC-300PCU, G.Compact Flash Card CF-32M, H.Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, I.ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM.

So the Coach "fabric" case is $140 !!!! But don't blame Adorama. This is a Canon idea. BH has the same "Coach" edition.

wxwax

Feb-09-2004, 08:05 PM

I'm going to purchase the S400 and am wondeiring if anyobdy knows who is offering the best price from a reliable dealer?

Ruskie, if you're not in a hurry, you might wait a week or two. First, there's a photo show in Vegas at which Canon may make new announcements.

Second, Canon has more camera announcements planned for later this year. They've said they plan to release a ridiculous number of new cameras (25?) I should think there's a good chance that the S400, a very popular camera, will get an upgrade. If so, there's a chance you could get a better price.

Just a thought.

wxwax

Feb-09-2004, 10:40 PM

Hey Mike, it's already happened. Canon has come out with a new S500 and also an S410. But their marketing page still shows the S400 too. Not sure when the new cams actually hit the market.

Here's the link (http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s500-410/index.html)

Ruskie

Feb-11-2004, 06:25 AM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=278235&is=REG

http://www.adorama.com/ICAS400.html?searchinfo=s400&item_no=3

Both have it at $359 (at BH the low price does not show until you put it in the cart)
I hope this deal goes well?? $336.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2985245981&category=30014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

So far so good. Got a confirmation number and UPS tracking number. A little bit of pressure to buy the extended warranty but that was it. With the new models about ready to hit the market these S400's willl be dropping in price. (I'm guessing)

wxwax

Feb-12-2004, 10:45 PM

Nice buy. Post some pics when it gets there. You still have your Nikon?

Ruskie

Feb-18-2004, 01:16 PM

Nice buy. Post some pics when it gets there. You still have your Nikon?
Received the S400 yesterday. All in good order. I'll post some pics soon. The great price must be because of the new models on the market.
I gave the Nikon 5700 to the son and daughter inlaw, and I sold the Nikon 5000 to a friend.
I love the Olympus E-1. Getting a deal from a relative helped. I would have not even purchased a slr digital if it were not for that.

Ruskie

Feb-21-2004, 08:40 PM

http://ruskie.smugmug.com/photos/2505667-M.jpgReceived the S400 yesterday. All in good order. I'll post some pics soon. The great price must be because of the new models on the market.
I gave the Nikon 5700 to the son and daughter inlaw, and I sold the Nikon 5000 to a friend.
I love the Olympus E-1. Getting a deal from a relative helped. I would have not even purchased a slr digital if it were not for that.

wxwax

Feb-21-2004, 09:15 PM

Who dat?

Buddy

Apr-04-2004, 04:12 PM

got the Kodak DX6490 today. KBM down in Daytona B has one and I like what he was saying and what I read about it. playing around with it before reading the owners book. I like what I see. the auto focus is a tad slow when you have it zoomed out past 3x to the 4x to 10x range. it has a hard time aquiring the target. but that figures. it has an auto time, a little pause, for the next pic shot, BUT. it'll shoot quicker with a little half button push or just hold it down. it has a few manual options I need to learn. and you can burn up the memory card with video if you want.

the software and docking station is pretty much idiot proof. it fires up like an extra drive on the pc for drag/ drop/ deletes. or you can use the kodak software.

easy to use buttons and features. more info to follow as I get use to it and learn how to use all the features.

it may prove to be bulky for hand shots off the bike while in motion. I'll find out.

wxwax

Apr-04-2004, 06:31 PM

That seems to be a pretty popular camera. It looks like Kodak may have found a sweet spot.

Buddy

Apr-04-2004, 08:28 PM

I'll keep ya posted as I learn the features. according to the book it has some basic exposure, aperture, shutter tweeks for manual settings. we'll see. :D

I got a little cheapy tripod to play with the zoom.

HarveyMushman

Apr-08-2004, 12:09 PM

Congrats, Buddy. :thumb

It seems I may be in the market for a point 'n shoot too. I'd love a dSLR like Nikon's new D70 but I can't justify the expense. However, I still want sharper optics and more control than is offered by my current Olympus D-550 (C-300).

I'm looking at Canon's A80. It has the manual control I want, and apparently the optics are good as well. Another plus, I think, is the shape; I like the SLR-ish handgrip of Canon's A-series. Square- or box-shaped cameras don't agree with my hands. Finally, the accessory wide-angle and telephoto lenses are another bonus for the A80.

Any comments from the gallery regarding the A80? Given the criteria I've mentioned above, what other cameras should I study? I just need a good performing little camera that'll tide me over until dSLR prices fall into a comfortable range.

cletus

Apr-08-2004, 12:27 PM

Any comments from the gallery regarding the A80? Given the criteria I've mentioned above, what other cameras should I study? I just need a good performing little camera that'll tide me over until dSLR prices fall into a comfortable range.
The A80 is a great camera. I was looking at the A80 for the reasons you mentioned but I wound up getting a Canon G5 instead after I found it on sale for about $80 more than the A80.

wxwax

Apr-08-2004, 04:36 PM

Yeah, I was gonna say the G5 might be a good fit. You can also find G3's for great prices these days. For sure Nikon and Sony make the kind of camera you want as well. Not that there's anything wrong with the A80 - it's an excellent camera. A co-worker just got an A70, I played with it a bit - very nice.

HarveyMushman

Apr-08-2004, 04:55 PM

Other than the extra million megapixels and slightly more optical zoom, what makes the G5 $200 more precious than the A80? A quick scan of the specs on Canon's site doesn't reveal much difference, I don't think. Does the G5 have a better lens, bigger sensor?

wxwax

Apr-08-2004, 05:14 PM

Here are the differences between the two, as listed by Phot.net.

* The "G" series are the high end models, with a faster lens, a hotshoe for flash, full manual control and RAW format capability.
* The "Sxx" series (e.g. S45, S50) have slower lenses, no hotshoe but still retain a lot of manual control options and a RAW image format
* The "A" series. The A80 is pretty similar to the "S" series in terms of features, but the A70/A60 are less advanced. They all use AA cells rather than a Li-ion battery and none have a RAW file mode.

The hotshoe was a big deal to me, I don't like in-camera flashes. The faster lens is nice in low light. But really, the A80 is a great camera. As ever, it comes down to how you expect to use it.

Here's yet another review of the A80. (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/a80/)

patch29

Apr-08-2004, 07:13 PM

Harvey, take a look at the Canon S1.

review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s1is.html)

I bought one two days ago and really like it. It is not the best camera out there but it does a few things very well.

What I like about it.

Lens is 38-380 (35mm equiv)
Lens is pretty fast throughout its range 2.8-3.1
Lens has IS
flip out screen
almost DV quality video 640x480/30fps
up to 9 minutes of video on 1 gb card
uses CF cards
uses 4AA batteries
available wide and tele adapters
available underwater housing
available wireless remote
ability for manual controls

There are a few small things that would be nice. If it was easier to follow someone and shot action. It can be done just takes some getting used to how it works. No RAW format, no hotshoe. These would be nice, but it is my fun camera so jpg is fine and it has done really well in Program mode. I also have DSLR's to go to when I need more capabilities and RAW. It is only 3.2 mp. Most of what I will shoot will only be posted online or as small prints 8x10 and smaller so it does fine for that. I have not done a definitive print test, but the one I saw was acceptable at 8x10 and it was not shot at the highest setting. Future tests to come.

Here (http://patch29.smugmug.com/gallery/94387) is a gallery with some day one test images. They were shot at M and L for image size and not at the superfine setting, but they give a good idea of what it can do. The 380mm on the long end is what made me go after this camera. I left the originals accessible, again not the highest quality. I will post some when I get a chance to read the manual and get some high quality samples. This camera is new and sells for $500.00 at the moment. I think you would be happier with it than an A80, just for the extra zoom. It is definitely worth a look. I did notice that in the highlights it does have some chromatic aberrations/ purple fringing, it does not bother me for what I am doing at this point.

HarveyMushman

Apr-09-2004, 04:17 PM

Thanks, Patrick. I was browsing briefly at Best Buy today checked out a few cameras, including the A80. I also noticed Fuji's S7000, which seems to be similar in scope to the S1. I'm leaning more toward this sort of camera now, rather than a compact like the A80. I need to do more research on the S7000 and now the S1.

The S7000 ($470, after mail-in rebate) is basically a 6mp camera with the ability to "interpolate" to 12mp. I'm skeptical about this claim, but need to read dpreview's write-up. Like the S1, it also has a fast 2.8 - 3.1 zoom lens, although it's "only" 6X. I need to do some readin'.

They also had a Nikon D70 in the glass case. I hope didn't leave too many nose prints . . .

HarveyMushman

Apr-10-2004, 05:23 PM

Here are the differences between the two, as listed by Phot.net.

The hotshoe was a big deal to me, I don't like in-camera flashes. The faster lens is nice in low light. But really, the A80 is a great camera. As ever, it comes down to how you expect to use it.

Here's yet another review of the A80. (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/a80/)
Thanks, Sid. I didn't see this post before now. Oops.

I think I've ruled out Fuji's S7000. The "SuperCCD" sensor strikes me as gimmacky (and the reviews seem to think it's flawed).

So it's between Canon's S1 and A80. I didn't have much time for browsing today, but I stopped by Best Buy to get my hands on a S1. They had about 15, all in their boxes, which the store folk refused to open. I could buy one and return it if I didn't like it, they said, but I couldn't open a box and touch one before buying it. I left.

wxwax

Apr-10-2004, 05:51 PM

I don't blame you, you did the right thing. Someone once said that you can't really make a decision until you get your hands on the thing, and I agree. It's swayed one camera buying decision for me. Patrick's enjoying that S1. I'm thinking about the only reason to get the A80 is if you plan to make prints. And even at that, Patrick says his test print with the S1 was pretty good. :dunno

wxwax

Apr-11-2004, 12:07 AM

Hey Tim, Dell is selling the A80 for $322 until April 14th (next Wednesday.) Here's the link. (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=5105&first=true)

surly

Jun-22-2004, 06:39 PM

Thanks, Sid. I didn't see this post before now. Oops.

I think I've ruled out Fuji's S7000. The "SuperCCD" sensor strikes me as gimmacky (and the reviews seem to think it's flawed).

So it's between Canon's S1 and A80. I didn't have much time for browsing today, but I stopped by Best Buy to get my hands on a S1. They had about 15, all in their boxes, which the store folk refused to open. I could buy one and return it if I didn't like it, they said, but I couldn't open a box and touch one before buying it. I left.
Its not a real 12mp but I think it produces pretty fine images
You can get one now for just over 400 with the rebate
thats an incredible deal for what this camera offers