Getting a new digital camera, need help

hoyaguru

Senior member
Jun 9, 2003
893
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I've narrowed it down to the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F717 and the FujiFilm FinePix S7000. The Fuji is 6.3 MP as opposed to the Sony which is 5 MP, yet the Fuji is cheaper and I don't know why. I've never owned anything made by Fuji so I don't know first hand what kind of quality their cameras are. Does anyone own either of these cameras? I'd take other recomendations, looking for something in the 5 MP and up range, I don't want to spend more than $850.00.
 

DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
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717 was on sale at sears for below $500
if you are planing to spend $500+ get the canon digital rebel!
 

ClueLis

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2003
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I have the S5000 (its predecessor). I've been fairly happy with it. My biggest complaint is a slight delay between when you press the button and when it actually takes a picture. No idea if that is present on the newer model. I've also had to get used to the idea that I cant use manual focus like on an SLR (it has the feature, but neither the EVF or the LCD screen are high enough resolution to really adjust it well).

Otherwise, it's a very good camera.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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I was recently in the same situation and bought an Olympus C-5060WZ. I recommend you read up on the review sites - the S7000 generates rather fuzzy images IMO, and although the 717 takes GREAT pictures, I can't go Memory Stick, and the camera is an odd shape and rather unwieldy to carry and use.
 

kyutip

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2000
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For the price right now, get the 717.
The image quality is one of the best in 5MP (if not the best).
Good feature, great low light, and (most important) fast lens.

I don't know much about Fuji camera but from what I've seen and read, they suffer from some artifacting as the result of over aggresive jpg compression.
Also, their SuperCCD IV does not live up to their claim. Basically just marketing.
MP is not the right comparison for digicam. More does not means better.

With the price right now at CC and possibility of PMing to Sears for even lower price, just run and get the 717.

 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Here's the review and test images site RossMAN referred me to: www.imaging-resource.com

I'm a camera n00b point-and-shooter so I'll probably just be getting a $3xx Canon S400 (4 MP).

If you can deal with the size, consider getting an A80, which is cheaper and much more versatile. The S400 is a good place to start, though, in that it will still be really useful even if you get into digital photography and get a more feature-rich camera to go with it.
 

hoyaguru

Senior member
Jun 9, 2003
893
3
81
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I was recently in the same situation and bought an Olympus C-5060WZ. I recommend you read up on the review sites - the S7000 generates rather fuzzy images IMO, and although the 717 takes GREAT pictures, I can't go Memory Stick, and the camera is an odd shape and rather unwieldy to carry and use.


How is the picture quality with this camera? I have an Olymbus now (2 MP) and the picture quality has always been OK. I like the look of this camera, not as bulky as the Sony.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: hoyaguru
Originally posted by: Don_Vito
I was recently in the same situation and bought an Olympus C-5060WZ. I recommend you read up on the review sites - the S7000 generates rather fuzzy images IMO, and although the 717 takes GREAT pictures, I can't go Memory Stick, and the camera is an odd shape and rather unwieldy to carry and use.


How is the picture quality with this camera? I have an Olymbus now (2 MP) and the picture quality has always been OK. I like the look of this camera, not as bulky as the Sony.

It's outstanding. Read the megapixel.net review I linked to, or this summary of its image quality.

Before I started shopping, I had preliminarily planned on buying a Canon G5 (I like my old S300), but really didn't like the way the camera handled, plus it has a few design flaws I consider unacceptable. (In case you are wondering, they are as follows: 1. You need to use a bulky barrel adapter to attach a UV filter to protect the lens. 2. If you fit said barrel adapter, or even if you don't, but the lens is in full telephoto extension, every flash picture has darkness in the corner, because the lens blocks the flash. 3. If you DON'T use a barrel adapter, the lens cap is very prone to falling off, which is a problem because (completing the vicious circle) you can't attach a UV filter directly to the lens, so there is a tendency for dust to head directly for the lens). If you can deal with these annoyances, it is clearly an awesome camera - I generally really like Canon stuff - and it is really cheap nowadays for what it offers.

I would also look at the C-5050, which is a hell of a camera too - I went for the C-5060 because of its unique wide zoom lens (it is the equivalent of a 27mm lens, where most comparable cameras only go back to 35mm).
 

m2kewl

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2001
8,263
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Originally posted by: Don_Vito

...Before I started shopping, I had preliminarily planned on buying a Canon G5 (I like my old S300), but really didn't like the way the camera handled, plus it has a few design flaws I consider unacceptable. (In case you are wondering, they are as follows: 1. You need to use a bulky barrel adapter to attach a UV filter to protect the lens. 2. If you fit said barrel adapter, or even if you don't, but the lens is in full telephoto extension, every flash picture has darkness in the corner, because the lens blocks the flash. 3. If you DON'T use a barrel adapter, the lens cap is very prone to falling off, which is a problem because (completing the vicious circle) you can't attach a UV filter directly to the lens, so there is a tendency for dust to head directly for the lens). If you can deal with these annoyances, it is clearly an awesome camera - I generally really like Canon stuff - and it is really cheap nowadays for what it offers.

damn you don_vito ;) i just picked up a g5 - now i have 14 days to figure this out or back to CC it goes :D
 

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
7,751
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Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Here's the review and test images site RossMAN referred me to: www.imaging-resource.com

I'm a camera n00b point-and-shooter so I'll probably just be getting a $3xx Canon S400 (4 MP).

The S410 is out. It's still $399 for a reputable store for one but as everyone gets them in stock the price will drop.


 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: m2kewl

damn you don_vito ;) i just picked up a g5 - now i have 14 days to figure this out or back to CC it goes :D

Happy to help! Hee hee . . .

As I said, the G5 is a whale of a camera (I was on the verge of buying one, as it happens), but I was just astonished by the design weaknesses I mentioned. I can't imagine using a camera in any serious way without being able to protect the lens with a UV filter. I really preferred the way the C-5060 handled, too - I find the G5 a little awkward and insubstantial (there is a surprising amount of plastic in the body). The C-5060 just oozes quality - the body is all magnesium, and it feels like, and is, a serious tool for photography. I recently picked up a used FL-40 flash (too bad the Olympus dedicated flashes are so spendy), and it is a great package.

 

SaigonK

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2001
7,482
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www.robertrivas.com
i LOVE my Canon-G5, I would suggest it to anyone, it takes great photos and is geared towards people who dont want just point and shoot.
Check one out!