OT FOAK - Digtal camera choice

I've been laid up in dry dock for a week and with nothing
better to do I started looking for a digital camera. I'd like
4X or more optical zoom and image quality that will at least
look good on my 19" screen. And a quick autofocus must be
a good thing if you want to catch a moving bike.

The ones that seemed good value were:
- Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 at £198 [1] (Optical stabiliser
and 12X zoom seems hard to resist)
- Canon PowerShoot A610 at £185 (Probably the sensible
choice)
- Canon PowerShoot A620 at £213 (Is 7 instead of 5 MP
really noticeable)

Anyone have any information or hands on experience of
these? Or suggestions in the same price range?

[1] Swedish prices, only to show price differences.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/

A good site.

John

 

Yes. And I used that and half a dozen others as well to produce
the shortlist.

 

I've tried (and evaluated) a fair few digital cameras over the last few
years.

The only ones I've ever wanted to keep were the panasonic lumix dmc cameras.

If you're looking for something that isn't Canon Eos in price then (imo)
they can't be beaten.

I'm currently testing a DMCFZ30BB for work, but bought a DMC-FZ20 for myself
last year.

They have some brilliant features that you normally only find on high end
units, such as a manual focus ring and manual zoom ring.

You know when you handle one that its a quality bit of kit.

 

The wife has a Dimage Z3, which is an older Z5, and it's a very nice bit
of kit - very SLR-like to use, and the image stabilisation works well.

Another thought is, have you considered the Canon S2-IS? It's currently
a bit 'pricier' than the others you've quoted, but it's due to be
replaced with the S3-IS in May, so there should be some deals to be had
soon. It's a 5mp 12X optical, image stabilised, and very nice indeed.

Just a thought, mind.

 

I'm in the same boat as my 4 yr old Fuji Finepix refuses to work properly.

Anyway, I nearly bought a Canon Ixus 55 a few weeks ago but am now waiting
for the new Ixus 800 IS, with 6mp, 4x optical zoom and image stabiliser, all
in a tiny compact camera. I found www.cameras.co.uk to be helpful.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, OH- belched forth and ejected the following:

On a slightly pikier note, I can't remember who makes it but Tesco had a
8MP camera for less than 100 quid when I went in there last weekend.

No idea of the quality and it isn't on their website.

It's about time I got a digital camera.

 

He can have my DMC-FZ20 for 275 UKP.

I bought it last year to take on a safari, the 410mm lens with image
stabiliser was very useful.

 

OH- wrote

A mate of mine came round last night toting his new Canon Camera. As
far as I can make out it is an "ordinary" modern electric SLR with a ccd
instead of film. It takes really good point and press photos and some
stunning fiddle arse about with the buttons shots. 650 squids incl
case. Nice toy.

 

If you're only interested in pictures on a computer screen rather than
printing on paper, resolution isn't really an issue as your monitor
probably has a resolution of less than 2MP

 

I don't know much, but I can see. Many camera review sites
publish lots of sample pictures. Show some of these on screen
at 200% and they look anything but good.
Not necessarily lack of pixels but image noise, less than perfect
optics, difficulty with light areas or image processing that is a
bit of for my and/or the reviewers taste.

Aside from that, I might be interested in doing a large print
sometimes or maybe use a projector.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look at these even if I suspect they
may be a bit over my budget. Who knows, pricerunner might find
a good deal.

 

Thanks, I'll look at that one too.

 

I don't think you will be dissapointed.
The FZ20 should be available for a good 2nd hand price now.

I took these photos before xmas in Munich with the FZ20 (on auto).
Both shots below are handheld [1] and taken from the same position.
It gives you an idea of how good the zoom and IS function are.
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/brownie/mc1.jpg
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/brownie/mc2.jpg

[1] - Leaning against a wall steadying my elbow.

 

What are those horrible vertical lines on the zoomed image? Most
noticable in the dark bits but apparent throughout.

 

Seconded. I've got a DMC-FZ5 & it's a lovely bit of kit.

--
Krusty.

http://www.muddystuff.co.uk
http://www.muddystuff.us
Off-road classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger (FOYRNB) '96 Tiger '79 Fantic 250

 

SimonM () gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying :

Looks like pigeon netting to stop flying rats crapping on the carvings...

 

On closer inspection, you're right. Looks like old age has done for my
eyesight.

 

It's all about cropping as well. The higher the res of the original
the smaller you can crop and still be left with a usable resolution.
If you can compose when you take the shot you can get away with a lower
res (and cheaper) camera.

Obviously big prints can only benefit from as high a resolution as
possible.

 

*snort*

You had me worried for a moment there until it clicked.......