Which camera? - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 03:46:18 PM · #1

I have to make a quick decision between two cameras:

One is a 2.1 megapixel camera with image stabilizer and focus assist light for taking photos in dark conditions.

The other is a 3.2 megapixel camera which has neither of these features, but has lots of other interesting features which the first lacks.

Does anyone know whether the image stabilizer makes enough difference to make it the better option?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 03:50:46 PM · #2

The image stabilizer becomes more relevant as you increase the optical zoom. What zoom factors do they have, and how large do you want to make prints?

10/31/2002 03:51:32 PM · #3

What are the makes and models of the two you are looking at?

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 04:03:32 PM · #4

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
What are the makes and models of the two you are looking at?

Both are Olympus. One is my C-2100, which is giving problems. The other is their brand new C-730, which I have been offered as a replacement. Both have a 10x zoom.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/31/2002 04:08:45 PM · #5

i don't know much about the olympus cameras... Ask Psychephalyx... He will have a better answer...

My camera does not have image stabilization. My old camera did, and I don't miss it....

carsten

Canon EOS-5D

10/31/2002 04:16:17 PM · #6

Gina take the C-730. I have some Olympus (E-20, C-3040, C-2100UZ) and is getting my C-730 tomorrow. I have had the chance to test it and I think itÂ´s a great camera, much better than C-2100 (which has been just great for a couple of years).

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 04:21:49 PM · #7

I just ran this side-by-side comparison at dpreview.com. If this link doesn't work, there's a link from their main page.

Do you have external lenses for the 2100? That would decide for you if the 730 can't use them.
But if you do not shoot a lot of hand-held shots with a long zoom, I'd say go with the 730 -- it's newer and higher resolution, and otherwise has almost identical features. The only obvious difference (besides physical size) I saw was in the meterng mode selection.

I've been happy so far with the photo quality from my Olympus. The 730 also takes the newer memory cards.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/31/2002 4:22:21 PM.

carsten

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/31/2002 04:25:00 PM · #8

Originally posted by GeneralE:
I just ran this side-by-side comparison at dpreview.com. If this link doesn't work, there's a link from their main page.

Do you have external lenses for the 2100? That would decide for you if the 730 can't use them.
But if you do not shoot a lot of hand-held shots with a long zoom, I'd say go with the 730 -- it's newer and higher resolution, and otherwise has almost identical features. The only obvious difference (besides physical size) I saw was in the meterng mode selection.

External lenses (tele, wide and macro)can be used with the CLA-4 adapter.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 04:29:27 PM · #9

Originally posted by carsten:
External lenses (tele, wide and macro)can be used with the CLA-4 adapter.

If it's really $600 that looks like the perfect camera for the crossover 35mm photographer who wants to take their old lenses along when they go digital. <sigh>And I'm trying to imagine a 10x zoom...</sigh>

spiderman

Canon EOS-D60

10/31/2002 04:29:53 PM · #10

canon says that their IS lenses make a 2 stop difference in low-light situations --- YMMV

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 04:41:56 PM · #11

I've just thought of something else that's been troubling me. I'm still using Windows 95. Does anyone know if I will have to upgrade if I get the C-730?

carsten

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/31/2002 04:47:44 PM · #12

Originally posted by Gina Rothfels:
I've just thought of something else that's been troubling me. I'm still using Windows 95. Does anyone know if I will have to upgrade if I get the C-730?

With the camera you get Camedia 4.0 and it works very well in Win95. But .. get yourself a USB-reader. TheyÂ´re not so expensive and much faster.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 04:48:49 PM · #13

I believe only if you're connecting via the serial cable. The file formats should be the same.
I highly recommend getting a stand-alone card reader (most are USB) so you can just move the card, you don't have to attach the camera or have it on (or there). You also don't need any special software -- the card should just mount like a disk, and you copy the files like any others.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 04:50:08 PM · #14

Originally posted by carsten:
With the camera you get Camedia 4.0 and it works very well in Win95. But .. get yourself a USB-reader. TheyÂ´re not so expensive and much faster.

We've got to stop meeting like this...or I have to type faster...

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/31/2002 4:48:03 PM.

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

10/31/2002 04:51:25 PM · #15

i used to have a c700, the 730's predecessor. it was a nice camera, but a PITA to handhold shots at full zoom in anything other than bright sunlight. The IS in the 2100 can make a huge difference. But if you go with the 730, make sure you have a tripod : ) ..

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 06:39:03 PM · #16

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
i used to have a c700, the 730's predecessor. it was a nice camera, but a PITA to handhold shots at full zoom in anything other than bright sunlight. The IS in the 2100 can make a huge difference. But if you go with the 730, make sure you have a tripod : ) ..

I do have a tripod, but rarely use it except at home. I like to carry my camera everywhere and take photos on the spur of the moment. Can't do that with a tripod! Seems a case to stick with the 2100.

The trouble is I can't help feeling that if the camera came from a faulty batch (as has been suggested to me), will it be satisfactory once it has been repaired, or will it always be a dud? (It's only 10 months old.)

Meanwhile I'm so frustrated that I can't enter this week's challenge.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/31/2002 6:37:44 PM.

10/31/2002 06:58:15 PM · #17

Windows 95 does NOT support USB... you will have to get a reader that connects to the computer some way other than USB...

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 07:01:30 PM · #18

I'm starting to think I'd better stick to what I've got.

10/31/2002 07:06:07 PM · #19

Originally posted by Gina Rothfels:
I'm starting to think I'd better stick to what I've got.

I think you can get a USB card reader that will hook up to the computer via serial or parallel, but the camera will not connect directly to windows 95. You would have to upgrade to windows 98. If you have a machine with windows 95 on it, you should also verify that you have USB ports on the computer if you decide to upgrade to windows 98...

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 07:15:51 PM · #20

I shouldn't have brought up the Windows 95 thing, I've detracted attention from what's worrying me most, which is the image stabilizer. I've never used a digital camera without one and I'm afraid I might not be able to manage without it.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/31/2002 08:19:39 PM · #21

Your best bet would be to go to a physical store and shoot some test shots with the 730 and see if it's steady enough...shoot something detailed and not too far away at full zoom and see how it looks.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/31/2002 08:36:44 PM · #22

Originally posted by GeneralE:
Your best bet would be to go to a physical store and shoot some test shots with the 730 and see if it's steady enough...shoot something detailed and not too far away at full zoom and see how it looks.

That sounds like good advice, but there's one small problem. The camera doesn't seem to be available here yet. Sounds crazy, I know, but that seems to be the choice I'm expected to make. On second thoughts, I'll ask the guy if it's possible when I speak to him.

Just wanted to add, this is definitely the best advice anyone has given me. Thanks.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/31/2002 8:46:43 PM.