Digital camera recommendations?
I'm looking for a really good digital camera, which has a lot of manual control, but also easy enough to use as a point and shoot when I need to just take a quick picture. Four megapixel or higher, and as small as possible, if possible.
Yeah, that's a lot to ask for in a camera. Are there any models that kind of meets this list?
Thanks.
Yeah, that's a lot to ask for in a camera. Are there any models that kind of meets this list?
Thanks.
Comments
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong5/
I went to school for photography - I was blown out of the water by the G5. Exposures are consistently excellent, images are sharp - the movable LCD viewer is a godsend. You can put it on full auto, or you can tweak away with all manual. Only thing is you can't change lenses, but for a $400 camera, this thing rocks (was around $800 when I bought it originally).
It isn't tiny like some of them, but this thing rocks.
Whoooah. Looks like I had the G3 - apparently the only difference is the resolution so I would think my post still applies...
It's a reflex camera, with the CMOS captor of the eos 10 D for 1300 $. You have access to all the Canon optics.
The Captor has 6 millions pixels, a huge sensibility (even it it's optimum at 100 iso) and it's fast.
I really consider for my self this one. But as i made a huge investissement in computer this year, i will wait a little.
If you don't like Canon, there's also the Sony DSC-V1...it should be slightly smaller than the G5...
I'm a Canon fan myself, so the G5, 300D / Digital Rebel and A80 are all good choices.
Some things to think about regarding these:
A80: It may be worth checking out how much manual control you get with this - www.dpreview.com will be a good place to look. I've never used one myself, but I suspect that for most people the level of manual control will be more than enough.
G5: I think this would have more manual control than the A80, and still have the point and shoot modes.
300D / Digital Rebel: This would give the highest level of manual control, and once again you'll still have the manual modes available. You'll need to get lanses for it (although there's a kit that includes a lens), but bear in mind that some of the consumer level lenses may not be up to the task of imaging on to a 6.3 MP sensor
One final thing to consider - if you can find one, the Canon G3 might be a good bet. It's the older brother of the G5, with a 4MP sensor. It should be quite reasonably priced, as it's been replaced, but it's still a very good camera.
Hope this helps
Dave.
Canon IXUS 400, or whatever you call it in your country.
Dave, do you know if the 300D accepts normal Nikor lenses? I am inching back towards the digital camera market - that would be a huge win for me...
I have to say though that the G3(now G5) is a great middle ground price & size wise. Part of the reason I don't take more "snapshots" is my Nikon 8008 is just too annoying to carry around - I don't want to switch lenses to take a snapshot yet like to crop in frame... Plus I am a digital snob - lazyass? - unless there is a good reason like infrared or something.
I would definitely test out some cameras. Something no one else has mentioned, and which I haven't seen on any other brand or line, this the adjustable LCD on the G3/5. I used it CONSTANTLY - you want a lower angle on that shot? Shoot from your waste instead of getting your knees dirty (
There is a sony line that does this - but it is the camera body itself which swivels, and only on one axis (if memory serves). I was just talking to a friend of mine who also has (and loves) the G3. He was saying how the LCD is the thing he likes the best about the camera - and that is even more than the nearly perfect exposures the thing takes!
Originally posted by Eugene
If the G5 is too big, go for the S50...
I second this one. I picked up an S40(the 4 megapixel version of the same camera) for my father-in-law last christmas. It takes beautiful pictures and is fairly inexpensive. Only complaint I've heard is that the battery life is pretty crappy, which the Powershot G3 we have at work is guilty of.
I've always been into Nikon cameras, but their consumer-level digital cameras are not so impressive (IMHO.)
Originally posted by The Pie Man
Dave, do you know if the 300D accepts normal Nikor lenses? I am inching back towards the digital camera market - that would be a huge win for me...
I don't know anything about Nikor lenses, but I assume they are for the Nikon cameras...? If so, I don't think that Nikor lenses will work on a Canon. The 300D has the Canon EF-S mount, which is a variation of the existing Canon EF mount. The EF-S lenses are slightly longer than the EF lenses, and protude a bit further in to the camera body. Therefore, you can't use the new EF-S lenses on a body that uses the EF mount. However, you can use EF mount lenses on an EF-S mount camera (of which the 300D is currently the only one).
More information on the 300D can be found here.
Canon EF and EF-S lenses here.
Hope this helps
Dave.
Originally posted by RageX
I have to agree with nearly everyone here, can't go wrong with a Canon digicam. They probably have the most well rounded lineup currently.
ditto
Originally posted by Dave Abrey
Hope this helps
Dave.
Thanks Dave - that was actually a bit of a brain-fart anyway. Nikor has never fit on Canon cameras - shouldn't post before my coffee...
If you want something small (a digital SLR is out of the question).
If you want more manual controls and at least 4 MP of resolution here are my recommendations:
1) Canon G3 (rated HIGHER than the G5 (see www.dpreview.com) for around $475; this is your best bang-for-the-buck and it will allow you to use external flashes, etc. The Canon S-series (S50 and S45) are good but they don't have as many manual capabilities as the G-series and their flash capabilities are just too weak.
2) Nikon Coolpix 5000 series (5400, 5700, 5000). The best bang-for-the-buck is actually the Nikon Coolpix 5000 (you can get them cheap (around $400).
Check out www.dpreview.com for reviews on many top digicams; it's the definitive source for digicams.
BTW, I use a Nikon D100 and D2h with many nikon lenses.
cheers,
Now, to get the money...
Originally posted by shatteringglass
Now, to get the money...
Ah, the money...
I agree that Canon has the best line of consumer and prosumer digicams. They might not always be quite as compact as other models, but they have the best image quality. An added plus is Canon's very complete software package.
Personally, I've been using a 2MP Canon PowerShot A20. It takes great pictures, but I am longing for more pixels, more manual control, and a longer/wider zoom. I am currently torn between an A80, G3/5, and the Digital Rebel (aka D300). I like the A80 because it is the least expensive and will let me keep my collection of AA NiMH batteries. I like the Digital Rebel because it will let me go back to SLR and interchangeable lenses. Only time will decide.
Escher