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10/16/2003 09:14:44 PM · #1 |
My good wife has informed me that she's thinking of buying me a new digicam for Christmas. Woohoo!
So, I've been researching a few cameras. Would like a high-end digicam, not quite SLR (a little TOO expensive for me, unless the 300D comes down in price by Xmas). Preferred price would be around A$700-900, although might go higher if the camera is exceptional.
Cameras looking at (in approx price order) are:
Minolta Dimage Z1 A$800
HP Photosmart C850 A$900
Kodak DX6490 A$900-A$1000
Fuji Finepix S5000 A$900-A$1000
Olympus C750 A$1000
Sony MVCCD500 A$1100-A$1200
Fuji Finepix S602Z A$1100-A$1300
Fuji Finepix S7000 A$1200-A$1400
Ones that jump out at me are the Minolta Z1 (great price, nice features), all of the Finepix's, esp the S602Z, and the Sony MVCCD500.
Looking for opinions on any of the above, also other suggestions.
Oh, and if anyone overseas would like to buy any of the above cameras for me as a gift, I'd me most grateful! ;-)
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10/16/2003 09:21:11 PM · #2 |
I'm impatiently waiting for the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 to come out.
In america, I think it's going to be $600
12* optical zoom.
Image Stabiliser.
Manual settings.
F2.8 throughout entire zoom range.
Something in the region of 7 shots per second.
Uses SD cards (same as my Optio, and PDA).
The Image stabiliser apparently blows Minolta's (A1) away.
There is just no choice, given the cameras listed above.
The quality of the existing Panasonic FZ1 is supposed to be superb, and although it's only 2 Megapixels, users say the lens is so good, they can easily get good 10*8s from it.
Message edited by author 2003-10-16 21:21:55. |
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10/16/2003 09:23:38 PM · #3 |
sleekr...I wrote a review of my Kodak DX6490 here:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=45269
I'd recommend it highly.
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10/16/2003 10:18:49 PM · #4 |
I can highly endorse the Sony MVCD. I bought the CD 400 and have loved it. It is a large camera but it feels much more SLR like. You get a permanent record in the form of a mini disk. I have had mine a year and have no real complains. Shutter lag can be a problem but I have learned to prefocus on a point and hold the shutter til just the right moment and trip it all the way. I have suceeded in stopping a baseball at the plate. Can't say enough about the Zeiss lens. I have a wide angle adapter but have not found a tele adapter in stock I could purchase. 3x opitcal zoom is not enough but only a few cameras offer more stock zoom. If that is a problem for you consider another camera. The MVCD500 is really the same as the 400 only a little lighter and of course 5 instead of 4 megapixels. Good luck.
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10/17/2003 12:04:47 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by newtune3:
I can highly endorse the Sony MVCD. I bought the CD 400 and have loved it. It is a large camera but it feels much more SLR like. You get a permanent record in the form of a mini disk. I have had mine a year and have no real complains. Shutter lag can be a problem but I have learned to prefocus on a point and hold the shutter til just the right moment and trip it all the way. I have suceeded in stopping a baseball at the plate. Can't say enough about the Zeiss lens. I have a wide angle adapter but have not found a tele adapter in stock I could purchase. 3x opitcal zoom is not enough but only a few cameras offer more stock zoom. If that is a problem for you consider another camera. The MVCD500 is really the same as the 400 only a little lighter and of course 5 instead of 4 megapixels. Good luck. |
I'll also endorse the mavica CD500. I also have the 400, and I love it. I use CD-RW's, so I can reuse them over an over. That eliminates the need to buy an expensive memory stick or card. As said above, there is a slightly longer shutter lag, but I've never been disappointed. My dad has the CD500 - it is a 5MP cam, and it also has several features that my CD400 doesn't have - like the ability to see an exposure histogram on the LCD screen. The lense is great and the whole thing is just a great package, if you ask me. |
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10/17/2003 12:33:14 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by StevePax:
Originally posted by newtune3:
I can highly endorse the Sony MVCD. I bought the CD 400 and have loved it. It is a large camera but it feels much more SLR like. You get a permanent record in the form of a mini disk. I have had mine a year and have no real complains. Shutter lag can be a problem but I have learned to prefocus on a point and hold the shutter til just the right moment and trip it all the way. I have suceeded in stopping a baseball at the plate. Can't say enough about the Zeiss lens. I have a wide angle adapter but have not found a tele adapter in stock I could purchase. 3x opitcal zoom is not enough but only a few cameras offer more stock zoom. If that is a problem for you consider another camera. The MVCD500 is really the same as the 400 only a little lighter and of course 5 instead of 4 megapixels. Good luck. |
I'll also endorse the mavica CD500. I also have the 400, and I love it. I use CD-RW's, so I can reuse them over an over. That eliminates the need to buy an expensive memory stick or card. As said above, there is a slightly longer shutter lag, but I've never been disappointed. My dad has the CD500 - it is a 5MP cam, and it also has several features that my CD400 doesn't have - like the ability to see an exposure histogram on the LCD screen. The lense is great and the whole thing is just a great package, if you ask me. |
You both mention shutter lag on the Mavica - I presume you mean the time to take the shot after focussing. How about time between shots, ie time it takes to save the shots to CD before ready for next shot? Is this slower than using Memory sticks/cards? If the CD is getting full, does it take longer again?
Thanks for your input!
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10/17/2003 09:33:48 AM · #7 |
I'm not familiar with all the cameras on your list but would urge that after you decide which one you like best that you shop some more to find better prices.
Example: Fuji S5000 is only $499 from Ritz online.
Minolta DiMAGE Z1 is only $309 at bwayphoto.com
I had a chance to use a Sony recently when a tourist asked me to take pictures of his family with his Mavica CD-1000. I thought my camera (like the CD-1000, a 3 year old design) was slow but I was very surprised at how long it took to record images to the disc. Without timimg it, it seemed like about 5+ seconds between shots. I thought I was doing something wrong but the owner said just to wait until the red text warning disappeared from the LCD. Admittedly this is an older model and the write-to-disc speed may have been improved but what I said to myself at the time was "I'm glad I didn't buy this one". Sony digcam history shows a seeming indecision when it comes to storage media - floppy disc, mini-CD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Plus (not fully backward compatible) and now with the newest model -the 828- two types, Memory Stick and Compact Flash. Maybe they are starting to see the light.
If you desire a long-zoom (10x or more) be sure to consider whether it has Image Stabilization (aka Steady Shake, anti-shake). It's worth the extra cost.
For my first 2 digicams I spent many days reading reviews and shopping online before deciding; for my next one I'll do the same plus go to a camera store and do some hands-on inspection and take some sample shots. |
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10/17/2003 09:38:33 AM · #8 |
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10/17/2003 10:20:41 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
I'm not familiar with all the cameras on your list but would urge that after you decide which one you like best that you shop some more to find better prices.
Example: Fuji S5000 is only $499 from Ritz online.
Minolta DiMAGE Z1 is only $309 at bwayphoto.com
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I'll definitely shop around - the prices listed originally are general ranges only.
I'm in Australia, and would prefer to buy in Australia, for reasons of warranty, customs, shipping costs, etc. However, if I can save enough, I might risk it.
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10/17/2003 10:28:00 AM · #10 |
I think you're all crazy.
The Panasonic/ Leica FZ10 sounds like it will be heads and shoulders above all the other cameras mentioned.
Given the choice between the S5000, Z1 and FZ10 there can be no doubt as to which the best one is.
Imagine what pictures you can take with a high quality anti-shake image stabiliser in the FZ10. Sharp images in low light conditions with wide-angle or razor sharp images at full zoom on cloudy days without a tripod.
Maybe someone will take notice of what I'm posting here and I'll stop feeling invisible. |
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10/17/2003 10:50:45 AM · #11 |
Bob, don't feel alone! I, too, am waiting with bated breath for this one. There have been some interesting threads on the dpreview panasonic forum lately about this camera. The only downside might be that its coming out so soon to Thanksgiving, the price drop probably won't affect it.
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10/17/2003 10:56:50 AM · #12 |
12 X zoom,WOW !
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10/17/2003 10:57:02 AM · #13 |
| I hear you BL. I'll be at the camera store the day the FZ10 comes in. If you want real zoom power but are not ready to take the plunge into the world of interchangeable lenses, it may be the best thing since sliced bread. If I get the Panasonic I may miss the flip out LCD of my Pro 90. I thought it was a fluff feature before I got it but have learned to appreciate it. It enables shots you could not get without it. I also wish it had a fixed lens barrell. I worry about the sturdiness and reliability in the retract-extend mechanism. |
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10/17/2003 11:48:28 AM · #14 |
Glad to know I'm not alone...
I'm going to be really jealous though as it looks like I may not be able to buy one until March!
So you Americans can buy one within the month, but we'll have to wait for months in Europe.
However, the FZ2 is available in the UK, but not in America.
Panasonic are crazy...
Yeah, it's a shame it doesn't have a flip screen.
The major cons as far as I can gather at this stage are:
No tiff or raw. This doesn't really bother me though... the difference as far as I'm concerned is not worth worrying about.
72mm thread as opposed to 55mm on the FZ1. Again, I think this isn't a huge problem and am prepared to spend extra on the filters.
1/2000 fastest shutter speed. Not sure what reprecussions this would have on my photography. My Optio has the same fastest shutter speed and this only occasionally lets me down. However, the Optio can't step down the aperture too far so I can't see this being a problem on the FZ10. I'm not interested in motor racing, so I think I'll be okay!
I'm not sure the price difference for the Minolta A1 is worth it for extra features such as 16bit processing and in-camera colour callibration. Also, I really like the idea of 12* zoom. The Minolta also doesn't have F2.8 throughout the zoom, and apparently Panasonic's image stablisation is better. I also think 4 Megapixels is plenty, especially with what sounds like such a high quality lens.
I do really like Fuji cameras, no other make comes close in colour reproduction and saturation. I bought my wife a 602pro a few months ago which she's delighted with. I would love to go for the s5000, but I'm put off mainly by the fact that there's no image stablisation, and the use of xD cards. I already own 3 256Mb SD cards, so this is a big minus.
Having looked at galleries of FZ1 and FZ10 shots, I think the colour reproduction is pretty good and I can live with them as opposed to a Fuji. |
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10/17/2003 12:17:59 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by sleekr:
...unless the 300D comes down in price by Xmas |
Not a chance. They have no competition with it. NONE!
If your skill level justifies it, you should STRONGLY consider buying a used Canon D30 or D60. |
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10/17/2003 01:53:04 PM · #16 |
| Regarding time between shots on the mavica line - sony has included a fairly decent buffer, so you can shoot your next shot before the first is recorded. You can't shoot like 10 in a row like that, cuz you fill up the buffer, but time between shots is not really that long. Not nearly as long as it was back with the CD1000. Go to a store and maybe try it out a few times. Of course, I agree that the 12x zoom, or whatever it is, on some of those newer ones would be nice... |
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10/17/2003 01:59:01 PM · #17 |
Any reason you avoided the more obvious choices of cameras from Nikon or Canon ?
Any time I've been asked I'd recommend anything from Canon, Nikon and Sony over any of the other brands out there, just from an image quality perspective.
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10/17/2003 09:24:51 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Any reason you avoided the more obvious choices of cameras from Nikon or Canon ?
Any time I've been asked I'd recommend anything from Canon, Nikon and Sony over any of the other brands out there, just from an image quality perspective. |
No reason I've excluded these makes, apart from cost restrictions.
The Canon Powershot G5 could be a contender, at around A$1200.
The Nikon Coolpixes are a little too expensive, with the 5400 at around A$1400, and the 5700 at around A$1700.
I've include the Sony Mavica, but the only other that might interest me is the F717, at around A$1200.
If I was going to spend up to A$1200, I'd probably try and find a way of getting a Canon 300D from O/S without getting stung by import duties and shipping costs.
Originally posted by d2frette:
If your skill level justifies it, you should STRONGLY consider buying a used Canon D30 or D60. |
D30's seem to have gone on ebay for A$1000 to A$1400 recently, all overseas. There's currently one available in Australia on ebay with starting bid A$1200. Would be nice, but again, a little out of my price range, particularly as I'd have to get a lens.
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 21:25:57.
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10/17/2003 09:34:24 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
I hear you BL. I'll be at the camera store the day the FZ10 comes in. If you want real zoom power but are not ready to take the plunge into the world of interchangeable lenses, it may be the best thing since sliced bread ... |
So what's this thing going to cost?
Sliced bread goes stale right away and so requires the use of numerous additives and plastic packaging to stay "fresh." Try some newly hand-sliced bread from todays loaf sometime ... (wait, food challenge was last week) |
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10/17/2003 09:36:57 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by coolhar:
I hear you BL. I'll be at the camera store the day the FZ10 comes in. If you want real zoom power but are not ready to take the plunge into the world of interchangeable lenses, it may be the best thing since sliced bread ... |
So what's this thing going to cost?
Sliced bread goes stale right away and so requires the use of numerous additives and plastic packaging to stay "fresh." Try some newly hand-sliced bread from todays loaf sometime ... (wait, food challenge was last week) |
$600 dollars, but I expect it'll be a lot cheaper than that in the shops to compete with the likes of the budget Minolta and Fuji 10* zooms. |
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10/17/2003 09:41:07 PM · #21 |
Thats $600 for 4mp plus 12x zoom w/image stablization? I'm thinking of emptying my penny jar tonite!
Or did you mean $600 for a loaf of decent bread?
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 21:41:39. |
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10/17/2003 10:37:08 PM · #22 |
The price on the Panasonis site is $599.Panasonic DMC-FZ10
I have seen it offered for $579. Maybe even less by mid-December when prices drop for the holiday buying season. They only concern I found in reading forums, etc. is that it doesn't have a loss-less format such as RAW or TIFF, and that it lacks the lowest compression jpeg, offering only standard and fine. Considering the feature set and the price, I think I could live within those limitations.
Message edited by author 2003-10-17 22:38:25. |
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10/18/2003 02:08:13 AM · #23 |
Speaking of buying cameras from overseas, has anyone here done so? Purchased cameras from US or Hong Kong, and imported them here to Australia? If so, any problems? Import duties, etc?
For example, the Fuji S5000 can be purchased in Australia for around A$900, and in US for around US$340 (around A$500).
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10/18/2003 03:32:26 AM · #24 |
Yes Sleekr, I got my 10D in New York...
Which is why you are currently using my old camera.
Sheesh, keep up the the program ;)
I've only bought overseas and carried back myself, and that is certainly not a problem. The saving I made greatly outweighs the more awkward warrenty issue for me. |
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10/18/2003 04:56:17 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by natator:
Yes Sleekr, I got my 10D in New York...
Which is why you are currently using my old camera.
Sheesh, keep up the the program ;)
I've only bought overseas and carried back myself, and that is certainly not a problem. The saving I made greatly outweighs the more awkward warrenty issue for me. |
Yes, yes, OK smartypants, YOU can swan off overseas whenever you want, YOU have a fancy schmancy camera, you dont have to gloat :):):)
Bringing back the cam yourself is no probs, I'm just wondering if anyone buying over the Net has been stuck with import duty at all, and if so, how much?
Oh, and I've been looking again at in depth reviews, these are the cam's I like (sorry, guys, but the Panasonic mentioned isnt available in Aust, and I'm sticking to cams I CAN get here):
I like the Sony F717 very much
plus the Fuji S5000
and the Fuji S602Z.
The Minolta DiMAGE Z1 looks good as well, if I have to buy cheap in Australia.
The Olympus C5050 also looks good, but might be out of price range
Any more opinions on the above, or experiences with Net Sales?
Message edited by author 2003-10-18 05:04:11.
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