question for camera buff's
 

I dont plan on printing anything larger than 8x10 but normally printing 5x7 or 4x6 prints

will i benefit at all by the higher megapix cameras?

im shopping now and im not sure if there is another reason to get the high megapix models.

i do notice that the newer features and technology comes only on the newer models which happen to be higher megapix, this might force em into one regardless.


thanks,

rich

Get at least a 3 to 4 megapixel.

Didn't you ask this same question about 2 months ago? :)

For an 8x10" print at 250dpi you would need a resolution of exactly 5 million pixels (2000x2500). That's just theoretical though, an image with a smaller number of pixels will probably look fine, so long as you're not examining it with your eyeball an inch from the paper.

You need to bear in mind that the aspect ratio of a consumer digicam may not fit common print sizes. For example, a 4:3 image will need to be cropped (or shrunk with extra borders on the top and bottom) to print at 8x10".

whats your spending limit if you don't mind me asking and what cameras have you been looking at?

Nikon D70

i will spend in area of $1k if needed.

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W1, http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Cyber_S...9.html?tag=tab


Nikon Coolpix 4500
http://reviews.cnet.com/Nikon_Coolpi...t=google2-cnet


Kodak EasyShare DX7590 5MP
http://reviews.cnet.com/Kodak_EasySh...9.html?tag=tab


i just read bad reviews on the nikon4500 so i will exclude that.

the D 70, looks almost TOO feature packed for me lol.

I am most conserned with shutter lag, and zoom. my current camera does not take pics very fast due to shutter lag and/or slow auto-focus, and it is limited with the zoom.

I like what i am readong about the new dSLR's but i think they are way more camera than i need lol, i think i would be lost in the features. Unless you can recommend one that is somewhat easy to use and has a good "auto" mode?


thansk for asking

everyone says that, but why?

i dont plan on buying any "glass", and dont you think its a bit much for the amateur?

price does not scare me, i just dont want to buy an entire pie when i only need a slice ....


explain why D 70 is your choice, im very interested.

im readong lots of reviews on different cameras saying that the compression ratio is messing with the picture, i dont understand this. would someone explain what it means, and how to avoid it?

thanks again

I would go for the Canon 300D. Its an excellent camera and in your exact price point.

Samples: (2 Galleries)

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gal...300d_samples2/

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gal...s300d_samples/

Get that Minolta that is about $600. I hear it is the best cam out there that does not have interchangable lenses.

check out dpreview.com for camera info

Raw mode = zero compression

JPEG mode = image data is compress down, usually at a selectable amount to reduce the size of the image file so you can shoot more on each flash card or if you don't need a hi-res image and are just using them for the web.

thats whats up if you have $1k to spend i highly recomend you check out the Canon EOS Rebel SLR
i have one it's the most amazing camera check out the quality i have tons of hi-res pics posted on www.digitalstockart.com the quality is amazing :thumbsup

I have a 300D/Digital Rebel also and highly recommend it... but if you're looking for a compact camera it's not exactly small or light.

BTW jacked: check out www.shutterpoint.com if you're interested in putting your images onto other sites.

thing is you can find the quality in most cameras out there today, im shopping more for performance at this point.

i currently have this cam: Olympus D560 ZOOM and it takes absolutely amazing pics! However the performance is bad enough to have me out here shopping for a $1k camera lol

when i push the button, i want a picture FAST! Do not want to wait even a second for the auto-focus to work, i am losing the moment too easily with this camera.

Also i would like some more zoom, this one does not have enough for me.

optional features im looking for; id like a larger LCD if possible, and i like the 2 frames per second option but it does not work with flash, is it possible to get this option with flash? even a slower version ...

You gotta also remember that a pro looking camera gets a better reaction from your talent.

I tend to get better photos when I use my D70 than if I use a more consumerish camera because they take me more seriously.

I have been at events where models have to decide which photog to pose for and they tend to pose for the more pro looking cameras.

So the Canon 300D will be good for that as well.

Any current digital SLR will have minimal shutter lag. My 300D has fairly fast auto-focus, and once it has locked on the shutter opens the instant I press the button fully. (Well, it's not really instantaneous, but it's quick enough that my human senses can't really notice it...)

but i take pics of family, babies, parties, trips, etc.

no ladies (yet) lol

good point though, i never realized that

In that case get a more compact camera because the D70 and 300D are bitches to lug around.

The flipside of this is that the less desirable crowd will also be more attracted to your camera.

I'll be buying a full-on professional camera within the next 6 months and my number 1 concern is personal security. I do scenics by myself most of the time (last night I was at a deserted house at 11pm...)

another great point i never thought of. i was never worried abotu the weight, but this is really something to think about ...

does anyone know how i find out what the equivilant/comprables to this camera are?

i like some of the features, and i dislike some of the features. would like to shop it a bit.

#1 stock lens is useless with 3:1, will force me to buy glass (which i didnt really want to do for few reasons)

#2 not sure im crazy about the silver look, but thats not a huge deal.

#3 LCD is only for menu, not for framing.

#4 reviews say flash is a bit weak, ill need to buy external.

other than those things it all looks great! I would like to see comprables though.

how do i find them?

readong a review on the D70

that scares me, the exact reason why i am shopping!

anyone know how the 10D compares?

Nikon D70, Pentax *istD. That's probably about it... there's not a huge selection of low end dSLRs at the moment.

dSLRs are designed for better image quality from the start. Zoom lenses with huge ratios such as 10X are going to be rare or impossible to find (since the designers have to compromise the quality to be able to offer such a wide zoom range), and I don't think there are any dSLRs that have non optical viewfinders either. I'm not sure how consumer digicams work but dSLRs have the sensor completely blocked off until you press the shutter button... same as a film SLR, strangely enough. :)

question,

lets say i get an 8 megapix camera. does it have a setting where i can crank it down to a high res, 6 megapix shot?

or is it just low/med/high type settings?

im thinking i will never need the 8mp so if i shoot at 5mp or 6mp i can get away with a smaller mem card

just wonderring

thanks

someone wanna bump this?



hmm, nevermind i did it lol

Extra storage is cheap. You might take a once in a lifetime shot one day, one that cannot be repeated by changing your settings to maximum res and pressing the shutter again.

I shoot in RAW mode which is like a 16 bit digital negative straight from the sensor... you can fiddle with parameters such as colour balance and exposure after the shot is taken. The file sizes are larger than jpeg (about 7-8Mb per shot for a 300D) but it's definitely worth it. There is so much more room for manipulation.

i only skimmed this article... stay away from sony camera's... the colors tend to be off in their sensors, generally very very heavy in reds and blues

my personal recomendation for p&s digital is nikon's line... ive owned mine since 2000 and its worked great

after that comes canon

both manufactors are the top 2 leaders in cameras (all of them) and put more money into r&d then any of the other companies. they also make some of the best lenses

if your gonna go dslr, id suggest looking into the canon digital rebel (300d) or picking up a newly discounted canon eos 10d

for all your camera questions and needs... check out www.iPhotoForum.com - lots of people who are everything from pro motorsports photographers to pure amatures - tons of product reviews, and overall a great group of people :)

btw - i own a 10d (in addition to several other camera's) and may consider selling it so i can upgrade... if your interested you can get ahold of me on iPhotoForum.com - same username (i run the site)

yes i am reading up on the 10D, seams like lots of camera but i guess its better to be safe than sorry? lol

i also see this badboy ... Olympus E-20 and reviews say shutter lag is almost undetectable, and it is as close to a DSLR as i will find.

feedback on that model?

thanks for the link mike

Cons: Only 3 to 4 pics before download to memory chip taking about 10-15 seconds.

Cons: Wish it would write faster - but that is common to all digitals if you are taking 15MB pictures ... which you will be if you buy this level of camera. You don't get a camera like this to take smaller file size pictures.

Cons: Very slow file writing, NOT for sports photography, unreliable auto-focus in dim light.

Cons: Slow between shots.

Cons: Write speed


these are reviews of the Olympus E-20 from CNET, this is almost scary! Have you guys noticed this? Does it seriously affect the time the camera is ready to take the next shot?

Thanks again.

:banana

i went to the link above, can someone post other links to good digi-cam forums?

i need answers damnit! lol

why dont you buy cameras that satisfy you and fit to what you need

hmmmmm

there is nothing "almost as good as a dslr"

upside of a dslr - you can change lenses and upgrade bodies and keep lenses - every feature is better then p&s

downside, if you dont have any lenses, it can get pretty costly building up a collection - initial cost

upside of p&s - easy to take around, fit in pockets - can get quality camera's for under $500

downside - when they break and our out of warrenty, gotta buy a new one - not as flexable in regards to lenses - generally have slower fps and buffers

good camera site - www.iPhotoForum.com - just about any question can be answered there... join and post away

in regards to "better safe then sorry" - i wouldnt say that is a good choice of words for this - because you could end up w/ $2000 worth of camera that you are afraid to take anywhere and may not fully understand how to use for sometime and get frustrated w/ it... most 4 and 5mp camera's can do 8x10(12) prints all day long w/ no pixelization problems

Since when has the 300D been a pro camera.. lol

You only start to get pro with the 60D or 10D. Real pro is the 1v (film) or the 1ds :D

Seriously, dSLRs are becoming the SUVs of the camera world ;)

If you're looking for a camera to take nice photos, to the specifications that you require, then you don't *need* a dSLR.

Canon will definately have something in its PowerShot range that will fit your need. For your requirements, anything over 4MP will do the trick.

As Mike says, when you enter the league of dSLRs you enter a whole new ball game.. lenses, taking care of the lenses and bodies and mirrors etc etc.

:2 cents:

it sux... but people do assume you are a "pro" when you have an slr/dslr around your neck and some big ol lens on it. the sad thing ive prob taken better photos w/ a holga toy camera then most people who are assuming im a pro because of the gear i carry... its not how you carry it, its how you use it... so don't let the physical apperance of the camera sway your opinion either way

as above... i don't think you need a dslr... canon powershoot range or even a g5, or nikon coolpix 4300 or 5800 and you'll be good to go

and you wont have to worry about paying out $1000-1500 for an entry level dslr PLUS another grand or more for some quality glass