Best and Worst Digital Camera?

[Bajapit]

If you were going to purchase a Digital Camera: What would you look for, Buy, NOT Buy. What are your expierences good or Bad.
Nancy said I could start Looking around for Digital.
I think I may look for something with a Zoom Lense.
Any expierence with those Docking Station Printers?
PIT

[BoatnFool]

We have the Cannon Power Shot A70. Great little camera for the $$. It get's great reviews from everyone. It does what we need.

[Interceptor]

Pit - are you looking for a point & shot or an SLR?

[bradman]

We have a Canon Power Shot S 400. Not quite the rig that Sea Esta totes around, but takes great pictures, 4 mega pixel, compact, and has tons of features. I would not hesitate to recomend it to anyone.

[cabin fever]

I've got the Cannon Power Shot A40. It was a good camera when I bought it, but they've come along ways since then. I've only got 2.0 megapixels, and it takes a nice picture. If I was doing it over again. I'd get 4 megapixels, and something with more of a zoom lense.

[Butt Cheese]

I had a Sony that was broke more than it worked. I now have a 5.0 mp Kodak which works great and is very affordable, something like $279 on EBay.

[Troutly]

First....only worry about the amount of Megapixels in the category of camera you are looking at.

If it is a Point and Shoot you want, then be sure to compare performance and features with other Point and Shoots.

If it is a DSLR you want, compare their features together.

HANDS DOWN a quality 6 MP DSLR will take better pictures than most ANY of the 8 MP Point and Shoots out there. Why? One of the biggest reasons is the size and type of sensor they use. The DSLR has a much bigger sensor with larger micron pixels so it is capable of capturing more image data (higher quality) then those found in a Point and Shoot.

The DSLR also has the big advantage of using a wide variety of lenses (just ike a 35MM) as well as aftermarket flash. Certain DSLR also have the ability to write to the card as fast as you can pull the trigger. My Nikon D70 using a Lexmar Pro 512 MB 40X card can write to it as fast as I can take the shot. It also has an instant on feature where the moment you turn it on you can take the pic and the focus/zoom on the lense if FAST.

Disadvantage to the DSLR is its size, and the fact if you switch lenses a lot you will probably have to clean the sensor about once a year. Oh, and the cost. My D70 with a 28-200mm G lense, bag, and 512MB 40X card ran me just under $1,700 with tax.....spendy, but worth every cent for the results.

Advantage to the Point and Shoot are easy of carry. They are also much less expensive. Don't have to worry about cleaning the sensor either as it is sealed behind a fixed lense. You can also shoot movies with them whereas you cannot with a DSLR.

Disadvantage...although they take a nice picture for most applications, they cannot compare to a DSLR in quality, especially when large size photo's are desired. They are slow to turn on to take the first shot, they do not write to the card very fast, and they take poor low light shots without flash as you cannot put a fast enough lense on them. They are also 'noisier' at higher ISO settings. Don't get me wrong, they have their place and we even have one to use for occassions where a small pocket camera is desired.

When it comes to Point and Shoot cameras, there is not a large difference in picture quality/features between them in the same price range.

So, decide what your needs are, then go off in search of the best camera for your budget.

[Bajapit]

Troutly:
Can you get a DSLR that is compatable with bayonet mounting of all of my old lenses I have for my SLR? I have up to 400 MM for photography from my plane.
And some very good pentax lense's that Ive been using for 34 years.
In PC you need the advantage of long distance Photography. SLR still works well but you talk about slow, by the time you get them back the threads are gone!
PIT

[Wildcat]

I really like our Olympus 3mp, but the zoom on it could be better...but I can't ever remember the difference between Digital zoom and Optical Zoom...one is worthless..

Of course, we bought ours like 3 years ago, and it was 600 bucks or more...and we hardly use it...

[Butt Cheese]

In PC you need the advantage of long distance Photography.


Not necessarily. [smilie=042.gif]

[trent]

...but I can't ever remember the difference between Digital zoom and Optical Zoom...one is worthless..



Digital zoom is worthless. The picture will be become very pixilated (grainy) when you are at max zoom. Optical zoom is much better.

I have a Nikon coolpix 885 for point and shoot and a Canon digital rebel SLR for taking "good" pictures.

I like the point and shoot because it is small and convenient, but I love the DSLR for picture quality.

[Troutly]

Troutly:
Can you get a DSLR that is compatable with bayonet mounting of all of my old lenses I have for my SLR? I have up to 400 MM for photography from my plane.
And some very good pentax lense's that Ive been using for 34 years.
In PC you need the advantage of long distance Photography. SLR still works well but you talk about slow, by the time you get them back the threads are gone!
PITPit.....Each DSLR will have a list of the lenses that are compatible with it. The Nikon will take any Nikkor (Nikon) CPU type D or G lense for full function (or any other manufacturer who makes these tpye of lenses for a Nikon, ie: Tamron, Sigma, etc). It will also accept some non-CPU lenses, but you will not be able to use all their functions.


As for the digital vs optical zoom issue with Point and Shoots.....when viewed through the view finder the digital zoom looks like crap. However, when the file is viewed on a screen it looks MUCH better. It has to do with how the CPU projects the image to the view finder. Sure, optical is better, but there is not that much a difference when the actual end product is viewed.


PS....one thing I forgot to add....the FLM (Focal Length Multiplier) of the DSLR usually is about 1.5 to 1.6 . This means if you are using a DSLR with a 1.5 FLM and you have a 28-200mm lense, zoomed in to 200mm, that would give you the same viewed focal length as if you had a 300mm lense on a 35mm film camera. (1.5 x 200 = 300). The same holds true on the other end. That 28-200mm lense zoomed out to 28mm using a 1.5 FLM DSLR would give you the same viewed focal length as if you were using a 42mm lense on a 35mm film camera (1.5 x 28 = 42).

This is good on the zoom end as you can reach out and touch someone at greater distances with a shorter zoom lense. It is not as good on the wide angle side of things as the lense will not go as wide as when it is used on a 35mm film camera. This is why you see a lot of people with two lenses on a DSLR, such as a 17-80mm and a 70-300mm, or some such combo.

[Dr. Jeff]

Troutly:
Can you get a DSLR that is compatable with bayonet mounting of all of my old lenses I have for my SLR? I have up to 400 MM for photography from my plane.
And some very good pentax lense's that Ive been using for 34 years.
In PC you need the advantage of long distance Photography. SLR still works well but you talk about slow, by the time you get them back the threads are gone!
PITPit.....Each DSLR will have a list of the lenses that are compatible with it. The Nikon will take any Nikkor (Nikon) CPU type D or G lense for full function (or any other manufacturer who makes these tpye of lenses for a Nikon, ie: Tamron, Sigma, etc). It will also accept some non-CPU lenses, but you will not be able to use all their functions.


As for the digital vs optical zoom issue with Point and Shoots.....when viewed through the view finder the digital zoom looks like crap. However, when the file is viewed on a screen it looks MUCH better. It has to do with how the CPU projects the image to the view finder. Sure, optical is better, but there is not that much a difference when the actual end product is viewed.

Troutly you've stolen most of my thunder with your previous posts, I bow to you as the reigning digicam master!!

BUT...

I have to take exception to your comment on optical vs digital zoom. Optical zoom is a real zoom lense, the type everyone is used to, it actually magnifies the picture throught he use of the lense.

Digital zoom does nothing more than appear to zoom by cropping in on the picture and decreasing the amount of pixels actually used. It would be the exact same thing as taking a picture on your computer and using the maginifying glass to make it larger. You're not actually capturing any more information or "zooming in" on the center of focus, you're making the pixels larger and showing less overall information.

So, while at computer resolution or possibly 3x5 prints there won't be an appretiable difference, there is a huge difference when you go to print pictures of any larger size.

IMHO and that of most reviewers of cameras, ignore the digital zoom claims and look for optical zooms.

[trent]

Dr. Jeff said it much better than I did.
:mrgreen:

[Troutly]

DJ....you are correct...my point was (and maybe it was not clear :oops: ) that the digital image viewed through the view finder or LCD on the back is much worse than the actual product when viewed on a computer monitor or printed out. Yes, optical is better no doubt, but the digital result is not as bad as one thinks if they do not take the time to view the end product.

And....I aint no expert! No even close :mrgreen: I have just taken the time to read and research the difference between P&S and DSLR's in search of the right camera(s) for us.

I use a P&S (the Olympus E10 is actually a P&S and not a DSLR if you want to get down to the nuts and bolts of it) at work, plus a couple of DSLR's. I seldom if ever shoot 35mm anymore, unless I have to. I always shoot digital as the courts have less issues with digital than in the past. Nikon has a neat feature in some of the DSLR's that tags the file and tells if it has ever been altered from the original.

I bought a Pro-sumer DSLR because I love taking pics and I want to start printing out in larger formats. We also have a P&S Canon that the wife wanted so she can take it anywhere and use it (it replaced the P&S that took a ride on the truck bumper....before coming in contact with the street.... :shock: ).

My next purchase for the Nikon will be a Nikon 24-80mm F2.8 lense which should be fast enough for low light indoor shots. I'd also like to get a lense out in the 300mm range, but then you need to go to a VR lense (Vibration Reduction) and they get kinda spendy....

[Saleen367]

Troutly's going to retire to work at the camera dept in Best Buy. [smilie=265.gif] :mrgreen:

Damn man, you are good! [smilie=1074.gif]

[Troutly]

Troutly's going to retire to work at the camera dept in Best Buy. [smilie=265.gif] :mrgreen:




My dream job!!! :oops: :shock:

[ptextreme]

I currently have a cannon 10d slr, it takes great photo's and uses 35mm slr lenses, but I also have a Olympus 5050 digital camera with a fixed 28-105 lense and it takes great pictures also. I guess you need to decide how much you want to spend and how much lense you really need. the digital slrs are great but are bulky and cost a lot more. but you can get a lot closer with a longer lense. there is always a trade off.

[Bajapit]

Troutly:
When you begain printing larger prints, what will be your printer of choice?
Dr.Jeff:
What printer do you like?
PIT

[Sea Esta]

Another thing you want to consider is the time delay. Quite a few cameras today are quicker than my Nikon 995. Mine powers up slow, takes a while to focus and once the shutter is pressed there is a time delay to when the picture is actually taken. This is why I have to take sooooo many pictures. I get 1 or 2 good pictures for every 10 or so shots I take. My camera is quite a few years old and works great for "stills". It's not an "action" camera. I get a lot of fuzzy's due to the speed. But on the other hand I can't beat the quality of the picture. The quality is exceptional. I would rival my camera with any of the top cameras on the same "still" playing field.

I could use a new camera but a new boat is first on the list. :mrgreen:

[Troutly]

Troutly:
When you begain printing larger prints, what will be your printer of choice?
Dr.Jeff:
What printer do you like?
PIT

Right now I have a HP-1220C Pro Series. It will do up to 11 x 17. Not sure I will stick with that printer though.

[Dr. Jeff]

Troutly:
When you begain printing larger prints, what will be your printer of choice?
Dr.Jeff:
What printer do you like?
PIT

I don't print 99% of my picts, the one or two that I do print I usually send off if I want a bigger nicer, keepsake picture to somewhere like Ofoto.

I have an HP940C an HP4100 and an HP5100 all of which will do nice 8x10's but none touch the quality of sending it out.

[computer geek]

If you like larger prints check out the canon i9900 photo printer. It does up to 13x19 and they look great. I love mine.
If you use the right paper you cant tell that they are printed :lol:

[Bajapit]

My old Canon Printer with the Photo Cartridge Printer better prints than the photo labs.
But it cost more that a lab to operate. White Borders were whiter.