Camera advice...

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Arcex

Senior member
Mar 23, 2005
722
0
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Look, of COURSE I'd prefer a DSLR, but I simply cannot afford one. So, for a decent point and shoot...

OLYMPUS SP-800UZ
14 MP
30x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
4288 x 3216 max resolution
2gb internal memory
$299 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830111378

The above sounds just fine to me, but my friend told me absolutely no Olympus. The best runner up on NewEgg is...

Nikon Coolpix S8100
12.1 MP
10x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
4000 × 3000 max resolution
a measly 102mb internal memory (big ass SD card clearly required)
$239 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830113279


Clearly spec wise the Olympus is the way to go, but my friend is adamant. Thoughts? Alternatives? Spare DSLR someone wants to give away, maybe?
 
fralexandr

fralexandr

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2007
2,280
222
106
www.flickr.com
the problem with photography is that the specs don't really tell the whole story. if you want a good point and shoot you should look at pictures taken with the camera and reviews.
first, the nikon seems to be a lot more pocketable than the olympus

i couldn't find any reviews from dpreview on the olympus, so...
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/SP800UZ/SP800UZA.HTM
they weren't able to get the olympus to auto-focus correctly in some well illuminated areas

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPS8100/CPS8100A.HTM
they were able to get the nikon to auto-focus correctly in a poorly illuminated area after 3 tries

from the review, the olympus doesn't seem to be able to handle noise very well... and at iso 400 seems to be having more problems with blurring than the nikon
sharpness also drops off alot more during telephoto ranges on the olympus
so, your friend is probably right.

in the $200-300 range, i'd look into the panasonic zs series (something like the zs3, zs6 or zs7)
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-LUMI.../dp/B003NYRMGA

if you happen to be looking for a smartphone also, the nokia n8 has a great camera on it :D http://www.anandtech.com/show/4126/nokia-n8-review-/2

if you're willing to spend $400, i hear great things about the canon s95 (pocketable) point and shoot.
the canon sx30is is also good too.

if your budget is ~$300 you could still get some older used DSLR kits from ebay or craigslist. They won't be able to do HD video, but will still take great photos
there are some good suggestions in these two threads for cheaper DLSRs
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2169886
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2170610
 
Last edited:
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mjh01210

Junior Member
Jan 5, 2007
18
0
0
I don't think I'm up to the level of a DSLR, honestly, but I'll read through those posts, should be good info either way.

I would indeed love the Canon S95, but I'm pushing it at $300 with my current budget, sadly.

I don't need a smartphone right now but I'll do some research on the Panasonic line of cameras, thanks.
 
C

CptObvious

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2004
2,501
7
81
The Nikon P300 is a better camera than the 2 you listed, and it's selling for $283 at the moment. It's not in the same class as the S95 (no RAW support and smaller sensor), but it fits your budget.
 
JohnnyRebel

JohnnyRebel

Senior member
Feb 7, 2011
762
0
0
Arcex said:
Look, of COURSE I'd prefer a DSLR, but I simply cannot afford one. So, for a decent point and shoot...

OLYMPUS SP-800UZ
14 MP
30x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
4288 x 3216 max resolution
2gb internal memory
$299 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830111378

The above sounds just fine to me, but my friend told me absolutely no Olympus. The best runner up on NewEgg is...

Nikon Coolpix S8100
12.1 MP
10x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
4000 × 3000 max resolution
a measly 102mb internal memory (big ass SD card clearly required)
$239 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830113279


Clearly spec wise the Olympus is the way to go, but my friend is adamant. Thoughts? Alternatives? Spare DSLR someone wants to give away, maybe?
Click to expand...

The Nikon S8100 refurb from Adorama for $199, free shipping. 30 day return policy if not happy.

http://www.adorama.com/INKCPS8100RR.html

Now, one guy recommended the Nikon P300. $286.95 w/ free shipping from Adorama.

http://www.adorama.com/INKCPP300BK.html

I really like the P300. I have the Canon S95 and am pretty sure that I would have been just as happy and $100 richer with the P300.

Here is a samplie image from the P300. I can't get that kind of bokeh from the S95.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/o/HDt3wqnImoWtkM8D2zJXWnDqYk0/Photography/P300_ER11.jpg

Here are some more sample images from the P300:

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/coolpix/performance/p300/sample.htm
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26246/COOLPIX-P300.html


JR
 
Last edited:
IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
67
91
What is the camera being used for? I did not go SLR till I had a good reason. I have kids now and I want the pictures to be as good as reasonably possible.
 
JohnnyRebel

JohnnyRebel

Senior member
Feb 7, 2011
762
0
0
Arcex said:
Look, of COURSE I'd prefer a DSLR, but I simply cannot afford one. So, for a decent point and shoot...

OLYMPUS SP-800UZ
14 MP
30x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
4288 x 3216 max resolution
2gb internal memory
$299 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830111378

The above sounds just fine to me, but my friend told me absolutely no Olympus. The best runner up on NewEgg is...

Nikon Coolpix S8100
12.1 MP
10x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
4000 × 3000 max resolution
a measly 102mb internal memory (big ass SD card clearly required)
$239 at NewEgg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830113279


Clearly spec wise the Olympus is the way to go, but my friend is adamant. Thoughts? Alternatives? Spare DSLR someone wants to give away, maybe?
Click to expand...

Also, consider the Canon S90 refurbished for $279.99

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_262361_-1

Or the Canon S95 refurbished for $319.99

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_276388_-1

JR
 
M

mjh01210

Junior Member
Jan 5, 2007
18
0
0
Well I had originally thought mostly pictures, but still have the option of video. I do like the P300, and it seems to be one of the best in my price range for video, but I was hoping for a better zoom for pictures.

From all that I've been reading it seems like I can have one (good zoom / picture abilities) or the other (good video quality) in my price range.


At this point the 2 I'm considering are either the Nikon P300 or the Nikon L120. Both sound great, 1 better for pictures, the other for video.
 
M

Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
9,372
0
76
Why do you want a huge zoom range? Unless you're shooting wildlife from far away, you'll almost always get better results by being physically closer to your subject, instead of zooming in from a long distance. In fact, if you get more into photography, you'd probably find the wide angle more important than the telephoto range.

I'll recommend the Nikon p300 - it takes good quality photos for its price and specs, has manual controls, and takes good quality video.
 
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