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03/23/2005 07:43:53 PM · #1 |
My father-in-law just decided he would like a digital camera. I've not kept current on mid-level point & shoot cameras and was hoping some of you might have a recommendation or two. (I told him he could buy a new DSLR and I'd pass along my camera... he didn't laugh, so I guess that's a no-go :-)
Here are a couple of key points:
My father-in-law is about 65, and is not very computer or camera-savvy. (Hence I'm inclined toward a camera that takes nice photos with a minimum of operator input.)
Simple controls/interface.
Most of his photos will be landscape and scenery shots, so a decent optical zoom is a definite plus.
Looking for a brand-new camera.
Digital media type is not critical, but it would be nice if he and I could use the same cards-- mine uses SD and MemoryStick cards.
Budget is ~$400 USD.
Thanks for your help!
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03/23/2005 07:46:51 PM · #2 |
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards.
Message edited by author 2005-03-23 19:47:13.
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03/23/2005 07:48:45 PM · #3 |
whats the problem with CF cards?
BTW i have a Minolta X50 and i love it!
5mp, 7x zoom.
Under $400
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03/23/2005 07:52:16 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by ChasSourek:
whats the problem with CF cards?
BTW i have a Minolta X50 and i love it!
5mp, 7x zoom.
Under $400 |
Not a problem, she just stated that she would like to stay with the same digital media if she could.
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03/23/2005 07:57:40 PM · #5 |
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03/23/2005 09:40:59 PM · #6 |
Panasonic's use SD cards.
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03/24/2005 06:35:36 AM · #7 |
I+d go for any one of the Powershot G line from canon, they use CF but it´s cheaper then memorystick or the SD, plus they have a great lens, very good auto, and the possibility to do everything manual, and they have a hotshoe for external flash when the internal flash isn´t enough.
here´s a G1 sample picture3.3Mpixels, and they only get better :)
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03/24/2005 06:54:55 AM · #8 |
I'd recommend looking at a panasonic, but don't forget that if choose a CF based camera you could always use one of these, I use one on a daily basis and it works perfectly (I have a 512mb UltraII SD card).
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03/24/2005 07:01:43 AM · #9 |
Canon A510.
Mine should be here any day now. I spent ages trying to choose it and it has all the advantages of being excellent value for money(even in the UK), extremely good quality, fairly compact and both easy to use and with full manual features if you ever want them. Uses SD cards.
4x zoom as well.
Message edited by author 2005-03-24 07:03:19. |
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03/24/2005 07:41:47 AM · #10 |
I agree with the Canon cameras, they're easy to use and the Compact Flash cards are easier to use for aging hands as opposed to the sd card
but for the SD card?? heres a camera to go with it LOL
Camera for the SD card
Message edited by author 2005-03-24 07:44:41. |
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03/24/2005 08:11:17 AM · #11 |
I would go with the Olympus C-7000, 7mp+5x optical zoom for $450 brand new. //www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4267857/blsrt=1
I bought an Olympus for my in-laws a couple of years ago... the D-520, and they love it. Simple use and clear images.
Canon has the A95, 5mp+3x optical zoom, but quite a bit less for around $280. This is also a very simple camera to use, the only drawback is the lack of zoom. But, I have recommended and/or purchased older versions of this for friends and relatives, and they all love it.
There are others, but this is where I have experience:)
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03/24/2005 11:06:47 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by rex07734:
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards. |
I'd agree with that, and I'd second the A95 also.
But, the S1 has a lot of features/functions/buttons that may confuse someone just looking for a mostly point and shoot camera. If the zoom isn't important, the A95 or A80 would be my suggestion.
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03/24/2005 11:08:49 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by louddog:
Originally posted by rex07734:
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards. |
I'd agree with that, and I'd second the A95 also.
But, the S1 has a lot of features/functions/buttons that may confuse someone just looking for a mostly point and shoot camera. If the zoom isn't important, the A95 or A80 would be my suggestion. |
Is there no macro mode for the S1 IS?
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03/24/2005 11:11:21 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by colda:
I'd recommend looking at a panasonic, but don't forget that if choose a CF based camera you could always use one of these, I use one on a daily basis and it works perfectly (I have a 512mb UltraII SD card). |
How is the performance of your camera using the CF SD adapter as compared with a fast CF card? |
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03/24/2005 11:14:44 AM · #15 |
My sister was looking for a camera to get her boyfriend at Christmas. This is the one I recommended:
panasonic dmcfz20
He is very happy with it.
-danny |
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03/24/2005 01:04:13 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by rex07734:
Originally posted by louddog:
Originally posted by rex07734:
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards. |
I'd agree with that, and I'd second the A95 also.
But, the S1 has a lot of features/functions/buttons that may confuse someone just looking for a mostly point and shoot camera. If the zoom isn't important, the A95 or A80 would be my suggestion. |
Is there no macro mode for the S1 IS? |
Doesn't need it, it does fine on macros without a macro mode.
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03/24/2005 01:09:53 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by louddog:
Originally posted by rex07734:
Originally posted by louddog:
Originally posted by rex07734:
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards. |
I'd agree with that, and I'd second the A95 also.
But, the S1 has a lot of features/functions/buttons that may confuse someone just looking for a mostly point and shoot camera. If the zoom isn't important, the A95 or A80 would be my suggestion. |
Is there no macro mode for the S1 IS? |
Doesn't need it, it does fine on macros without a macro mode. |
I will try it. I also have a macro lense but was just wondering.
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03/24/2005 06:51:45 PM · #18 |
The good thing about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 and the Powershot S1 IS cameras is that they both have a nice zoom and they have image stabilization which would be a nice feature for your father-in-law, especially since he's getting older
PS: The Powershot is in the $400 or lower range if that's where you're wanting to stay.
Message edited by author 2005-03-24 18:54:47. |
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03/24/2005 07:09:55 PM · #19 |
If you're not in a hurry, the Panasonic FZ5 is coming out shortly. It's got mostly the same features as the FZ20, lacking manual focus and a hotshoe, but is smaller and the autofocus is supposed to be much quicker. I've all but decided that it's the camera for me. Just need to get one in my hands to make up my mind for sure.
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03/24/2005 10:45:58 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by louddog:
Originally posted by rex07734:
I would recommend either of the two cameras I own. The Powershot A80. You can probably only find this on ebay now. It only has a 3x optical. Or the Powershot S1 IS. I bought this camera a few weeks ago and really love it. 10X optical zoom. The only prob with both of these for you is CF cards. |
I'd agree with that, and I'd second the A95 also.
... |
Thanks all for the comments.
I'm glad you mentioned the A95... I was going to ask about it as an update to the A80. We are definitely looking for a brand-new camera. It looked like he could pick it up for right around the top-end of his budget, but from what I can see, it provides decent point-and-shoot modes while still allowing some flexibility if my father-in-law ever gets to that point. (Not likely in the next couple of years at least). As I mentioned earlier, he has no photography or camera (and very little technical) background, so something that is going to do most of the thinking for him will be better than a camera that offers a slew of features but is harder to use.
At 3.3mp, the Canon S1 IS seemed a bit disappointing. I'd like at least 4.0 if not a full 5. I'll have to to a bit more checking on the Panasonics...
As for the memory cards... SD or MemoryStick wasn't necessarily a requirement, and wouldn't hold too much sway in the final decision. My dad has a Sony and it's nice to be able to use the same media when we're out shooting, or if I'm headed on a long trip. (I'll swap him a small one for a couple of larger ones).
Message edited by author 2005-03-24 22:48:52. |
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03/24/2005 11:19:51 PM · #21 |
might want to give this camera a look...
Nikon 4800
-8.3x optical
-4MP
-Li-Ion battery
-SD memory
-confortable and reasonable size
-GREAT macro
//www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25520
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03/28/2005 09:48:37 AM · #22 |
Thanks to all for the input... we stopped by the local camera store Saturday morning and decided on the Nikon 4800. Simplicity and ease-of-use took precedence over the features of the other cameras.
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