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06/23/2004 04:44:03 PM · #1 |
I currently have a Nikon CoolPix 5400, and I want to move up to the 8-11 MP range, but I want to know what the best camera all around is in that range. Price is an issue only in the sense that I want the most bang for the buck.
Important issues: Must have excellent zoom without the need to buy lenses (I travel light), prefer Compact Flash storage since I already invested in a couple 2 GB cards, must have good LCD screen for viewing on the go, the faster the better (I don't like waiting for the camera to think about my picture before it shoots).
Suggestions?
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06/23/2004 04:46:58 PM · #2 |
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06/23/2004 04:50:58 PM · #3 |
Hi Summer, can I ask why would you want to shoot a 12mp image? I'm sure the experts will be along in a minute but imho 11mp from a prosumer may be overkill? My (new) 300D is only 6 and can print 30x20, not that I've tried it.
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06/23/2004 04:56:59 PM · #4 |
I run an independent pet portraiture business and I want to offer the highest quality to my customers, but I need to be able to move fast and go to wherever they want to shoot. My current camera is just ok even at 8x10, only 5x7 and lower look really high quality.
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06/23/2004 04:59:45 PM · #5 |
ic, if you don't want to move to dSLR I'd personally go for the Minolta A2. My last cam was the A1 and a truly great camera - the A2 is way better (I'm told), you'll find a review in gordons link.
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06/23/2004 05:04:37 PM · #6 |
If megapixels are your priority, definitely go for the 828...
However, I don't see why megapixels should be your top priority. Many other factors are more important when considering cameras. I chose the 717 over the 828 because the quality/money is much greater with the 717. Megapixels only tell you the digital resolution of the picture... however, optics and noise levels will also limit the actual visual resolution. Putting a 12 megapixel CCD in a cellphone camera will give you shitty pictures because the optics and noise will prevent resolution of anything smaller than you can see at the 1 megapixel level. It's a matter of balance. |
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06/23/2004 05:22:50 PM · #7 |
I didn't mean to imply that megapixels are my top priority: they aren't. That's why I'm asking what cameras are best that *also* happen to be in the megapixel range I need. My top priority is actually a fast, high quality built in zoom capability.
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06/23/2004 05:46:52 PM · #8 |
| If you don't want to make the jump to interchangeable lenses you are looking at the five 8MP models-- Canon PowerShot Pro 1, Konica-Minolta Dimage A2, Nikon Coolpix 8700, Olympus C-8080, and the Sony DSC-F828. All can use your Compact Flash cards. The Olympus is rated tops in image quality but is only 5x zoom. The Nikon is next in image quality, has 8x zoom, and (depending on where you shop) is least expensive. The A2 has the widest set of manual control options, the best viewfinder, and 7x manually operated (fast) zoom but puts out images that usually require more post processing. Canon and Sony are at the bottom of the category largely because reviewers didn't think their lens systems lived up to expectations. You should know that all but the Oly use the same sensor, believed to be made by Sony, and have 8 million pixels in the same size CCD unit as their 5MP predecessors-- more pixels in the same size sensor means inherently more noise. You should read as many reviews as you can find online. And even if you intend to buy online you should go to a store and do a hands-on inspection before deciding. If you like your 5400 and are comfortable with Nikon you will probably do well to chose the 8700. |
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06/23/2004 05:56:35 PM · #9 |
One of the digital camera mags just did he comparison aginst all of them...can't remember which one though.
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06/23/2004 06:00:45 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:
One of the digital camera mags just did he comparison aginst all of them...can't remember which one though. |
Popular photo and Imaging currently has a 8mp shootout. Pretty much all the magazines in the past couple of months have done a shootouts with all 8mp. Also Rebel vs. D70.
If you have some time to browse check out the magazine racks. |
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06/23/2004 06:05:01 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:
One of the digital camera mags just did he comparison aginst all of them...can't remember which one though. |
Popular photo and Imaging currently has a 8mp shootout. Pretty much all the magazines in the past couple of months have done a shootouts with all 8mp. Also Rebel vs. D70.
If you have some time to browse check out the magazine racks. |
Or read the link at the top of this thread that does the same...
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06/23/2004 06:43:41 PM · #12 |
dpreview.com
For 'fully reviewed' camera's you get massive 20 page reviews. with photo examples, noise demonstrations, and most importantly, comparisons with similar camera's. |
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06/23/2004 06:54:54 PM · #13 |
The 'L' series glass performs quite well with the Canon PowerShot Pro1. I've had mine since may and just love the thing. People are amazed at the prints that come from this prosumer digicam. I have done some 16x20 prints that are fabulous. 8x10's are a no brainer.
SuperMacro I can get as close as just under an inch. Telephoto gets me just about as close as I want (I may get the converter to get a little closer) but not urgent right now. Wide angle (28mm equivalent) is quite usable.
I went out and played with the big boys quite a bit before buying and ended up with the Pro1 and I am quite happy with it. It was between the the Canon and the A2. Personal tastes the Oly, Nikon and Sony didn't figure in, picture quality on those just wasn't there. They were too soft, too warm or just didn't stand up colors/crispness. Menuing on these guys didn't impress me either. Noise was about the same across the board, ISO200 or better and oh well you are going to use something to clean it up. I have done ok at ISO 200.
There is a lot of talk about taking action shots on these guys and how hard it is. There was a slight learning curve there and if you are shoting action exclusively go dSLR. It is highly doable but Minolta and Canon both (by this time wasn't interested in the others) have the EVF lag when shoting action. I have some dogs catching frisbees at the animal planet expo that came out quite nicely I can post. Kind of like shoting clay pidgeons, prefocus and lead the subject or use manual focus @ 9-infinity. It all works out.
I was torn between the L series glass on the canon and the Image Stablization on the A2. I think I ended up with the Canon mainly because it has the rebel shooting modes and the menuing was almost the exact menu on my PowerShot S50 (all the powershots). As you mentioned both use CF.
I just recently got the 420EX speedlite flash for the Pro1 and it works superbly with the cam. By the way the Pro1 is smaller than the 420EX should give feel for the size of this thing. I got 58MM UV and Circular polarizers that work just peachy with the included adapters.
You got to go out and pick em up, see how they feel fight a couple unfamiliar menu systems.
These aren't the best shots for showing quality of the image but were shot in some funky conditions.
This was under poor lighting, ISO50
This was under hurried conditions weird natural lighting, zoomed
I've lived through some of the funny things on at least the Pro1 so if you got any questions just ask. |
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06/23/2004 07:01:21 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
You should know that all but the Oly use the same sensor, believed to be made by Sony, and have 8 million pixels in the same size CCD unit as their 5MP predecessors-- more pixels in the same size sensor means inherently more noise. |
They ALL use the same sensor--including the Olympus. And it is in fact made by Sony. |
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