Author Topic: Camera recommendation (Read 856 times)

AKcurly · « **on:** July 13, 2004, 03:40:31 AM »

I'm looking for a new camera in the $500.00 price range. Anyone have a recommendation? Anyone have an opinion about the Olympus Camedia C-765 Ultra Zoom?

curly

SaburoS · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2004, 03:44:51 AM »

What kind of photography are you planning to do?
What's your total budget?

AKcurly · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:01:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
What kind of photography are you planning to do?
What's your total budget?

I'm a 100% hobbyist. I currently have an old Kodak DC 200. I would like to take some 30-60 second video clips; I would like to explore the 10x zoom offered by digital cameras . Most of the images will be people or animals at 6-20 feet.

My #1 concern (after video/zoom) is image quality. I don't need large images 14xwhatever. I do need "small" pixels.

If I like the camera, I imagine I would spend an additional $200 bucks on accessories.

curly

CyranoAH · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:05:45 AM »

I am very happy with the image quality from Sony. Good in all lighting conditions, low noise, and very easy to use.

Daniel

AKcurly · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:37:41 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by CyranoAH
I am very happy with the image quality from Sony. Good in all lighting conditions, low noise, and very easy to use.

Daniel

Which sony, Daniel?

curly

SaburoS · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:44:57 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKcurly
I'm a 100% hobbyist. I currently have an old Kodak DC 200. I would like to take some 30-60 second video clips; I would like to explore the 10x zoom offered by digital cameras . Most of the images will be people or animals at 6-20 feet.

My #1 concern (after video/zoom) is image quality. I don't need large images 14xwhatever. I do need "small" pixels.

If I like the camera, I imagine I would spend an additional $200 bucks on accessories.

curly

Here are two to choose from (The Konica Minolta to be released soon, but no price yet).:

Konica Minolta Z3

Panasonic DMC FZ10

Having image stabilization gives you a big advantage when carrying a monopod or tripod is not an option.
You'll have a lot of fun with either of these (not sure on the Z3 as it hasn't been released yet).

CyranoAH · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:45:30 AM »

There are several in that price range. The P10 could be an option.

Daniel

SaburoS · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:48:15 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKcurly
Which sony, Daniel?

curly

Probably the F717 which can be had for a 'low' price now. 5x optical zoom 'only'. Image quality is very good though.
BTW never look at the digital zoom as that just degrades your image. Optical zoom only.

AKcurly · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2004, 06:05:17 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
Here are two to choose from (The Konica Minolta to be released soon, but no price yet).:

Konica Minolta Z3

Panasonic DMC FZ10

Wow! Both appear to be excellent. I really like the appearance of the sony, but the video is quick time only. Otoh, the video is accompanied by audio.

The minolta has more extensive video, but no sound.

Is there software available to convert quicktime to mpeg?

curly

SaburoS · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2004, 06:11:49 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKcurly
Wow! Both appear to be excellent. I really like the appearance of the sony, but the video is quick time only. Otoh, the video is accompanied by audio.

The minolta has more extensive video, but no sound.

Is there software available to convert quicktime to mpeg?

curly

The Minolta does have sound:

Quote

The DiMAGE Z3's movie recording function allows users to take high-resolution movies that are as beautiful as TV programs or footage taken with a video camera. In addition to the VGA-size (640 x 480 Standard) mode that captures movies at 30 frames per second, Konica Minolta has added a new, high-quality-image Fine mode (640 x 480 Fine). The Silent Zoom feature employs a newly developed Silent Zoom mechanism that greatly reduces how much noise from the optical zoom is picked up while shooting movies with sound.

Movie clips
• 640 x 480 Fine (15 / 30 fps) = max (19 / 9 sec)
• 640 x 480 Standard (15 / 30 fps) = max (28 / 14 sec)
• 320 x 240 Standard (15 / 30 fps) =max (58 / 30 sec)
• All with audio
• Night capture mode available

Sorry about not being able to answer your software question though.

AKcurly · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2004, 06:29:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SaburoS
The Minolta does have sound:

Thanks, I guess I saw the "silent" zoom and read it incorrectly.

You know the small key chain USB drives? Some of them sport up to several gigabyte in capacity. Is there a way to dump the image card to the USB drive w/o benefit of a nearby computer?

curly

CyranoAH · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2004, 06:31:51 AM »

There are plenty of video converters, some of them even freeware. You'll find no problem converting QT to any other format.

Daniel

AKcurly · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2004, 06:37:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by CyranoAH
There are plenty of video converters, some of them even freeware. You'll find no problem converting QT to any other format.

Daniel

Cool, Daniel! Thanks.

curly

Nashwan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2004, 07:05:13 AM »

I've got a Panasonic Fz 10, and I find it excellent.

Quote

Movie clips
• 640 x 480 Fine (15 / 30 fps) = max (19 / 9 sec)
• 640 x 480 Standard (15 / 30 fps) = max (28 / 14 sec)
• 320 x 240 Standard (15 / 30 fps) =max (58 / 30 sec)
• All with audio

The Panasonic only does 320 x 240 at 30 fps (might be lower modes as well) but there is no limit on recording time, apart from the capacity of your card. It uses quicktime, with sound, and videos take about 0.5 mb per second of shooting time.

You can't zoom during recording, though.

To be honest I've hardly used the video, but it was very handy for taking dolphins in the bay of Gibraltar.

-ammo- · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2004, 11:02:46 AM »

Curly-

I just bought a Kodak Easy share DX6490 ($400, but you will need more mem..$50). Its a 10x optical zoom camera that IMO is perfect for the ametuer or novice. It employs a really good quality lens and some very nice features.

I went out looking for a 10x zoom camera with the same criteria as you did. I also considered a Konika, a Fujifilm S5000/S7000, a Cannon. I used the digital camera resource site , Steves Digital camera reviews .