Digital Camera Suggestions

[reicherb]

I'm considering replacing my Canon G1 and haven't done a lot of looking yet. What are the top 4+ mega pixel camera out there today?

Thanks.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Here

 

[reicherb]

That Canon G2 looks pretty good and my external flash and zoom lense will both fit it.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Did your G1 break? It's still considered a top-notch camera! I don't think I'd be so quick to replace it, especially since the most popular 4.0+ MPX digicam is the G2 (what I have). Do you want to stick with Canon? Want to stick with a "prosumer" camera or get a smaller one with fewer manual features? Other popular cameras, similar to the G2, are the Nikon CP5000 and Sony F707. Many anticipate that Canon will release the G3 this Fall. Nikon just released the CP5700, which looks like a nice camera, but will probably cost $1K+ at launch.

Personally, if you have exhausted and mastered the manual features of the G1, I'd save some more dough and move up a level. Canon's D60 digital SLR can be had for $2,999.

Check out DPreview.com for more digital camera news, reviews, and discussion.

 

[reicherb]

I've got a wedding coming up next spring and would like to have a family member take pictures rather than hiring a photographer. I'll need a few months at least to learn to use the camera and then teach the family member what they need to know. I'm not quite satisfied with the quality of the images the G1 produces when they are blown up to 8x10. The reason I was thinking the G2 was because I have an external flash and a zoom lens from my G1 that would fit. $3000 is way out of my price range, but I wasn't ware that the G3 would be out soon. If I can't afford that, it would at least force the price of the G2 down. I'm hoping to stay under $1000 but I don't want to waste my money if I'm only going to see a small improvement in picture quality.

 

[GTaudiophile]

There have been plenty of arguments over which has better quality, the G1 or G2. The G2 probably produces better images for enlarging to that size because of its 4.0mpx CCD, but many argue that the G2's pictures are not as sharp. You can check out my G2 pics on my web site if you'd like (see my sig).

I'm not bashing the G2 in any way, but I understand the "soft" picture argument. It's a good camera, but I think there is a large learning curve with it. I've had it since December and am still a long way off from perfecting my technique with it.

 

[randomlinh]

well, isn't the d60 body "only" 2k if you got lenses? heh... but you aren't satisfied w/ 8x10's from a 3MP camera? That's a first i've heard, especially from a G1. The oly 4040 looks good, that fast lens is why i like it.. just can't afford it

But if you have SM and CF, i think you can take it to a ritz and take some samples.. if you're in a mall you can walk around and snap some things.. the ritz by me i know lets you do that. Prolly not a GREAT way of doing it, but it's something you can take home and ponder.

 

[reicherb]

GTaudiophile:

Those picutres seem to be considerably more clear than the ones I've take with the G1. I see no problems with the softness but don't know what the orignal colors and such looked like.

lnguyen:

I hadn't considered taking SM and CF to a Ritz, but will certianly do that in the near future.

Thanks guys.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Olympus C-700 Ultra Zoom

Planning on one of these. The 10x OPTICAL Zoom caught my eyes.

 

[randomlinh]

the oly 700 is only 2MP... and 8x10 from 2MP is nice, but still not like a 4MP he's lookin for

 

[GTaudiophile]

Since getting the G2, I don't use PhotoShop much to alter my photos; simply do some re-sizing, but that's about it.

 

[corkyg]

Inguyen has it right - the D-60 is about $2199 w/o lens. It is 6.1 megapxiels and a definite prosumer model. I will be getting one this summer. But, the Oly 4040Z is stellar when it comes to picture quality. Softness or sharpness in most high end digitals is selectable in the menu systems. I am on my 4th Oly - the tiny D40. Its pictures are excellent. That is my "pocket" shooter. The D60 will be my picture taker.

Another two good 4 mp cameras are the Minolta Dimage 7 and the Fuji.

 

[reicherb]

Thanks for all of the opinions. It's definitely a good start.

 

[GTaudiophile]

IMO, the top three digicam brands are Canon, Nikon, and Sony (not necessarily in that order). Sony uses Zeiss lenses, but I prefer to stay away from their Memory Stick technology. Fuji also makes decent cameras, so I'd say you're safe with any of the four. Just pick your budget and buy. I bought my G2 for $700 back in December at DBuys.com.

 

[tjdavis1138]

Another thumbs up to the G2. I've had mine since December and it's fantastic. I regularly upload pictures to wal-mart and get them printed at 8x10. They look great.

 

[reicherb]

Originally posted by: tjdavis1138
Another thumbs up to the G2. I've had mine since December and it's fantastic. I regularly upload pictures to wal-mart and get them printed at 8x10. They look great.

What is the cost of that? I'm too lazy to look myself.

Thanks.

 

[aka1nas]

The G1 is perhaps the greatest digital camera I have had the pleasure of selling and using( except for possibly the G2. What kind of printer are you using? Also what settings are you taking the pics at? At the full 3.3 Megapuxel resolution, they should be capable of being printed up to 11x14 at photo quality. At that size, the printer is more likely the problem. I would reccomend one of the HP photosmart printers if you are on a budget. They start around $200, and have pretty good photo print quality. The fact that they use the same ink and thus can be used as a normal printer is also a plus.