Help: TOO MANY DIGITAL CAMERAS!!! I was looking into sth like 3000z and some Olympus'

ManuTOmanU

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2000
1,165
0
0
I am going crazy, I need a digital camera for my dad's b-day!!!

I cannot find the right one, there is too much, and I am based on specs...

Is there anybody that has some knowledge about the Epson Photo PC3000Z or I like some of the Olympus models...

Could u advice me???

My father is going to use the camera for detailed close ups, and he also likes to do some arty stuff?!?

I have no idea, but that is what he used to do with his old reflex camera...

If u find a minute and think that u can help me out, would appreciate...

I haven't really used digital cameras, so I am not in bussines and don't know how to read the specs and what to look for...

Thanx
 

ManuTOmanU

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2000
1,165
0
0
I have up to $1000...

I don't know, but I need to have a camera that takes good pix...

I cannot use one that does good enough for emailing...
But I am sure that I cannot go just after megapixel, or??? I think that those aren't any quality cameras...

Tell me if I am wrong...

ManuTo
 

pdo

Diamond Member
Feb 9, 2000
3,468
0
76
www.pauldophotography.com
For that kind of money. Get the Olympus 3030...I personally own the Kodak DC290, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. Check out Mobshop. They have some good camera with excellent prices.
 

Erasmus-X

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,076
0
0
Sounds like your dad is interested in a cam that has SLR-like features (i.e. manual shutter and aperture settings, etc.). For that, he might want to consider the Nikon Coolpix 990 or Olympus 3030Z. Both are right around that price range and are great cameras. If you want to save about $200, you can go with a Nikon Coolpix 950, but it lacks USB (only a pokey serial connection), which forces most buyers to invest in a USB card reader.
 

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,513
16
81
It really depends:

a) How much you want to spend
and
b) How fussy you are about quality.

The features to look for are:
  • True resolution - the higher the better (Be careful, some cameras quote interpolated resolution. Eg, the new Fuji Finepix, claims 4.3 Megapixel output, but you have to look hard, to find out that its true resolution is only 2.1 Mpx)
  • Optical zoom - more zoom range means greater flexibility (Ignore digital zoom if you have any desire to retain decent quality)
  • Memory capacity, and type of media (If you plan to get a high resolution camera and use it frequently, then a large memory capacity eg. 64 MB would be useful. Memory is easily upgraded with slide in cards (or even tiny hard drives eg. IBM microdrive), although you need to make sure you are getting the correct type - there is the standard compact flash, and a variety of proprietary formats).

Other things that you should look at are
  • Built in flash or provision for external flash
  • USB/Serial connection
  • Use of proprietary battery packs, or standard sized batteries(allowing emergency use with non-rechageable ones, or use of a cheap supply of rechargeable ones)
  • manual control over shutter/aperture
  • Closest focus/macro lens - some cameras can't focus closer than a couple of feet - useless if you want to take close up shots
  • Tripod mount
  • Supported file formats, and option for no/lossless compression

I am pretty keen on photography, and I like my 35 mm SLR and find that it takes good quality photographs.

I've also looked at digital cameras, and, for me, nothing less than 3 Megapixels is satisfactory, and 3 Megapixels is considerably worse than my SLR when printed at 10x8 on a top quality photo printer.

Similarly, I have also been very dissapointed as many cameras don't have an option to save images in an uncompressed format. Some do, such as the Nikon Coolpix series, and other high end models. I've used several top-of-the range digital cameras, and even in 'high quality' mode, the compression absolutely wrecks the pictures.
 

Wizkid

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,728
0
0
I use a Nikon CoolPix 950 here at work, and it is much better than most digital cameras. The pictures are very clear with good colour saturation. The CoolPix 990 should be good also. I highly recommend these cameras :)
 

ManuTOmanU

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2000
1,165
0
0
I am sorry, that I couldn't reply, but I am having some outlook express problems, is there anything else but outlook?

No just kidding...

I am in really good hands here, and thank u all, for ur customer advice and Mark R for ur thoughts on the digital camaras...

I will look over it,

I think it is about to be the Nicon or Olympus C3030Z...

Well I will look over it, but onw more question,

Can I get decent lower quality pix with those 2 cameras too? I mean for emailing and editing on the computer...

Thank u and once again sorry for my troubles....
ManuTo
 

firehawk2

Banned
Dec 3, 1999
2,760
0
0
i have a Kodak DC240 and i am really joyed w/ that camera. i just think why in the hell would u need a 3jiga piga...pixels or whatever to get high quality...i think 2.1megapixels is just good enough for home users and for printing. even though my camera is 1.3megapixels (1280x960) it takes great printing and i sometime even develop thru a local store to get it professionally done. this camera has all things u need like usb/mac/serial, to a great lcd, with lots of customization settings, to tv-out EXECPT the optical zoom which is only 3x. always look for optical not digital. if u digitally zoom the u will see lots of large pixels (please correct me if i was wrong). so if ure dad is a art person or a good photographer look for big zoom. i got this camera also for only $300 w/ all kits and a free 16mb CF and battery charger and also w/ ac adapter. I personally will use this camera for a long time. lastly these are the top best cameras as i have compared them alot.

Nikon
Kodak
Olympus model greater than dl-500 cuz of there good lens
Fuji


the WORST one i've seen are CASIO, SONY, AFGA

hope this helps:)
goodluck
 

Sir Fredrick

Guest
Oct 14, 1999
4,375
0
0
I recently had to make a similar decision for my mom. After reading many reviews and suggestions from anandtechers, I went with the Olympus C3000Z. It's a great camera and it takes amazing pictures.
check out this site:
http://www.dcresource.com/specials/C3030Z_vs_CP990/gallery.html
on that page is also a link to the review.

The C3000 is the same as the 3030 except the 3030 has extra features like continuous shooting and comes with a larger memory card.
The C3000 lists at $799, but I was able to get it for about $630 at beach cameras.
If you'd like some sample pictures at full res and at reduced sizes feel free to email me and I'll send you a few.

JayP@mindless.com
 

ManuTOmanU

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2000
1,165
0
0
Thank u all, I know now the direction I have to choose from...

I think that I am stuck with Nicon o Olympus,,,

I appreciate ur offer and emailed u so thank u very much...

ManuTo