camera: which one?

[zimu]

so i'm debating between two camera candidates right now, and i'm stuck as to which one i prefer.

requirements:
- at least 3 MP
- uses AA (nimh) batteries
- uses SD memory
- nice zoom lens, no 2x crap.

i've got two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT cameras in mind:

a) Kodak DX340- i can get it for about 200 bucks, no carrying case but i have one that'll fit it.
b) Minolta Dimage Z1- i can get it for about 300 bucks with the carrying case etc.

what do you suggest from the two, or do you have any other suggestions that fit the above?
NOTE THAT I WILL BE BACKPACKING IN EUROPE FOR 2 MONTHS, maybe something portable would be nice?

 

[zimu]

lol, anybody?

 

[VictorLazlo]

Fuji S5000

Newegg for pics.

pricegrabber for a better price.


Edit: uses xD cards. Hard to find a reader for now, but better in the long run. (high capacity, good speed)

 

[Anubis]

may i ask wht these 2 models only? there are other cameras that are similar that i woudl also recomend over them

but out of thoes 2 id go with the Minolta

 

[pyonir]

I don't think i've ever heard a good thing about Kodak digital cameras.

 

[Kelvrick]

The kodak sucks. 2x optical isn't that bad. Most cameras will have 3x optical.

I see how you would want AA's since you'll be backpacking and might not have a chance to recharge, but then that goes the same with Nimh's. I'd choose the Minolta.

As another poster said, why only those two?

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: Anubis
may i ask wht these 2 models only? there are other cameras that are similar that i woudl also recomend over them

but out of thoes 2 id go with the Minolta

well its not restricted to these two, please suggest away!

I had gone through a huge bunch of cameras, but didn't like them for one reason or other. for e.g. i looked at canons but didn't like price/ zoom/ battery type, i looked at some pentax's but didn't like that either for some reason or other.

what do you guys also reccommend? note the SD/ MMC memory format requirement

thanks!

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: VictorLazlo
Fuji S5000

Newegg for pics.

pricegrabber for a better price.


Edit: uses xD cards. Hard to find a reader for now, but better in the long run. (high capacity, good speed)

i did notice this one actually, i had looked at it before narrowing down my options. the XD turned me off because my palm uses SD and i want something that uses that format, as i already have a 256MB SD card.

 

[pyonir]

If i can ask...why do you require SD/MMC memory?

EDIT: n/m. you answered in the post above mine.

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: pyonir
If i can ask...why do you require SD/MMC memory?

EDIT: n/m. you answered in the post above mine.

yep, no probs

 

[Anubis]

the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

 

[Spamela]

i have the Z1 & am quite satisfied with it,
particularly the movie mode (640x480, 30fps).

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: Anubis
the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

fuji S5000: uses XD which i don't want. also pricier and bulkier
olympus' also use the XD and are pricier; the 720 is cheaper but has a smaller zoom and doesn't have as good reviews.
canon's sd100 only has a 2x zoom, want something with at least 3x
coolpix 3500 is discontinued, 4300 uses compactflash.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Anubis
the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

fuji S5000: uses XD which i don't want. also pricier and bulkier
olympus' also use the XD and are pricier; the 720 is cheaper but has a smaller zoom and doesn't have as good reviews.
canon's sd100 only has a 2x zoom, want something with at least 3x
coolpix 3500 is discontinued, 4300 uses compactflash.

Get the 3500 off of ebay. searched for "nikon 3500 camera"

Pretty cheap price, and great camera.

 

[EXman]

If you are backpacking you want it as small and light as possible! I'd go for a S230 SD100 S400 or something compact.

 

[Excelsior]

Easy, one of these 4.
I have the LC33, and I am very happy with it.

3mp
SD Memory
3x Opitcal zoom
Uses 2 AA batteries.

Fits your description, and it is very portable. Just small enough to fit in a pocket, but big enough to hold in your hand comfortably. It has very little shutterlag (takes quick pictures) and I am impressed with the quality so far.

Example 1
Example 2.
Example 3.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: EXman
If you are backpacking you want it as small and light as possible! I'd go for a S230 SD100 S400 or something compact.

He already said why he didn't want those.

But yes, those reasons are exactly why he should get the 3500. Like 150 after shipping/with insurance and using a buy it now option too. Not just trying to win an auction. There are several ending in the next 3 hours, so you'll probably win it cheap.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Anubis
the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

olympus' also use the XD and are pricier; the 720 is cheaper but has a smaller zoom and doesn't have as good reviews.
.

i have a 720UZ and its fine 8x instead of 10x isnt really that big of a diff and teh quality is fine it takes amazing pics

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: EXman
If you are backpacking you want it as small and light as possible! I'd go for a S230 SD100 S400 or something compact.

He already said why he didn't want those.

But yes, those reasons are exactly why he should get the 3500. Like 150 after shipping/with insurance and using a buy it now option too. Not just trying to win an auction. There are several ending in the next 3 hours, so you'll probably win it cheap.

once again, problem with the 3500 is the compactflash memory type that it requires

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: EXman
If you are backpacking you want it as small and light as possible! I'd go for a S230 SD100 S400 or something compact.

He already said why he didn't want those.

But yes, those reasons are exactly why he should get the 3500. Like 150 after shipping/with insurance and using a buy it now option too. Not just trying to win an auction. There are several ending in the next 3 hours, so you'll probably win it cheap.

once again, problem with the 3500 is the compactflash memory type that it requires

Ah, sorry about that. You wrote uses compact flash after the 4300, so i didn't think that aplied to the 3500 too.

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Anubis
the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

olympus' also use the XD and are pricier; the 720 is cheaper but has a smaller zoom and doesn't have as good reviews.
.

i have a 720UZ and its fine 8x instead of 10x isnt really that big of a diff and teh quality is fine it takes amazing pics

well couple of more things:
a) 8x optical x 3x digital = 24x total, versus 40x for my minolta. big difference
b) video is limited to 15 seconds @ 15 FPS. versus 3 minutes in the minolta at 30FPS at 640x480 resolution instead of 320x280

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: EXman
If you are backpacking you want it as small and light as possible! I'd go for a S230 SD100 S400 or something compact.

He already said why he didn't want those.

But yes, those reasons are exactly why he should get the 3500. Like 150 after shipping/with insurance and using a buy it now option too. Not just trying to win an auction. There are several ending in the next 3 hours, so you'll probably win it cheap.

once again, problem with the 3500 is the compactflash memory type that it requires

Ah, sorry about that. You wrote uses compact flash after the 4300, so i didn't think that aplied to the 3500 too.

your'e right; my bad.

 

[Kelvrick]

well couple of more things:
a) 8x optical x 3x digital = 24x total, versus 40x for my minolta. big difference
b) video is limited to 15 seconds @ 15 FPS. versus 3 minutes in the minolta at 30FPS at 640x480 resolution instead of 320x280

You shouldn't even be looking at digital zoom. Its the same as taking an 8x optical picture and enlarging it the rest of the way with photoshop. The newer sony's have some kind of new digital software that is slightly different, but its still digitalzoom. Just look at the optical.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: Anubis
the fuji S5000
Olympus C 730, C 740
Canon SD100
Nikon CoolPix 3500, 4300

olympus' also use the XD and are pricier; the 720 is cheaper but has a smaller zoom and doesn't have as good reviews.
.

i have a 720UZ and its fine 8x instead of 10x isnt really that big of a diff and teh quality is fine it takes amazing pics

well couple of more things:
a) 8x optical x 3x digital = 24x total, versus 40x for my minolta. big difference
b) video is limited to 15 seconds @ 15 FPS. versus 3 minutes in the minolta at 30FPS at 640x480 resolution instead of 320x280

1) WHY WHY WHY do you use digital zoom? just zoom in photoshop, doing it with the camera makes pics look like crap
2) how often do you use video? ive used mine about 3 times just to mess with it, its kinda pointless

 

[DaWhim]

sell your palm and get a sony clie nx-series to have the memory stick and compactflash.
then buy yourself canon A70