Poll: Help me pick a Digital Camera - More MP or More Zoom? It's been picked!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
I'm trying to decide on a new DigiCam, and I love the size of the S230 and the S330, but I don't know which one to go for.

Here's a side-by-side comparison. They're basically the same camera but the S230 is 3.2MP / 2x Optical Zoom and the S330 is 2.0MP / 3x Optical Zoom.

The camera is mainly going to be just for recreational shooting, nothing serious, just a nice camera to have if I feel the need to take a picture. :) I'm not interested in printing pictures, and I can't really use anything larger than 1280x1024 for wallpaper, so what's the better option? Greater zoom or resolution?

Thanks :)

Update!

Well, I couldn't resist the deal I got on the S230 from Dell.

$40 off 300 that they're offering, picked up a $35 off 300 for $8 bucks, and a 10% off that I got from my Dell Preferred account. $284.10 shipped free. I really can't complain :D
 
pyonir

pyonir

Lifer
Dec 18, 2001
40,856
321
126
i voted. but i wanted you to know that i like cheese too. It was a hard choice for me what to vote for.
 
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: pyonir
i voted. but i wanted you to know that i like cheese too. It was a hard choice for me what to vote for.
Click to expand...

I think I need to vote too, so I can see the results ;) (cheese :p)
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,927
389
136
Buy the S230 which is an excellent digicam and use the difference towards accessories (batteries, CF, bag, tripod, etc.)
 
D

DeafeningSilence

Golden Member
Jul 2, 2002
1,874
1
0
I really didn't know what to say, until I read where you said you don't want to print pictures. In that case, definitely go for the extra zoom. I have a 2MP Canon, and it's best resolution is 1200x1600, which is already more than you said you need. So definitely go for the better zoom.
 
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Buy the S230 which is an excellent digicam and use the difference towards accessories (batteries, CF, bag, tripod, etc.)
Click to expand...

You mean the S330? That's the more expensive one ;)
 
D

DeafeningSilence

Golden Member
Jul 2, 2002
1,874
1
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Buy the S230 which is an excellent digicam and use the difference towards accessories (batteries, CF, bag, tripod, etc.)
Click to expand...

Uh, RossMAN, you just recommended the more expensive one. There's no "difference" for him to use!
 
L

Lvis

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,747
0
76
I just bought this one a week ago. fugi 3800 So far, I'm very impressed. About the only complaint with it in reviews was poor low light pictures. Turns out if you read the manual, it does a fine job. Only bummer is that it uses that xd memory.

Got a pretty good deal on it too, 300.00, at staples. I brought in a print out of an online price, and they matched it. :) Kinda neat, getting 100.00 off with no hassles.
 
M

MazerRackham

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2002
6,572
0
0
You know, I'm sure there will be an updated S330 with 3MP and 3x zoom at some point... don't know if you're willing to wait.
 
N

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
You realize that if you zoom to 2x w/ a 3.2 megapixel camera, take a picture, and crop it down to 2.0mp, It's going to look almost as close as the one that was 2.0mp originally at 3x zoom?

I'd get the 3.2mp camera, you'll get close up shots of just as good quality, plus have higher quality wide angle shots.
 
P

Packy

Platinum Member
Mar 8, 2001
2,724
0
71
Depends on if you're good at doing your own cropping with the zoom. If you have it down fairly well, you should be fine w/ the 2mp 3x.

And since you don't need it for printing, you answered your own question :) Go w/ the 2mp and get the extra zoom to boot!

I like the best of both worlds personally.. I have a Sony DSC-F707... 5mp w/ a 5x zoom :D (I'm a bastard)
 
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: Packy
Depends on if you're good at doing your own cropping with the zoom. If you have it down fairly well, you should be fine w/ the 2mp 3x.

And since you don't need it for printing, you answered your own question :) Go w/ the 2mp and get the extra zoom to boot!

I like the best of both worlds personally.. I have a Sony DSC-F707... 5mp w/ a 5x zoom :D (I'm a bastard)
Click to expand...

:p
 
F

fr

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,408
2
81
I would go with the 3MP S230.


If you have the higher resolution camera, you can just crop out the part you don't want down to 2MP. In the end, I think you'll have a very similar picture.
 
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
At Dell, the S330 ships in 1-2 days and I can get it for $299 shipped.

The S230 is shipped in "3+ weeks", and I could only bring that one down to $349 shipped, and I really don't want to wait that long.

:confused:
 
Koing

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Originally posted by: thawolfman
Originally posted by: Packy
Depends on if you're good at doing your own cropping with the zoom. If you have it down fairly well, you should be fine w/ the 2mp 3x.

And since you don't need it for printing, you answered your own question :) Go w/ the 2mp and get the extra zoom to boot!

I like the best of both worlds personally.. I have a Sony DSC-F707... 5mp w/ a 5x zoom :D (I'm a bastard)
Click to expand...

:p
Click to expand...


At least he doesn't have the current model the DSC-F717 with the same specs BUT with the manual focus ring and has usb2 to transfer the images though........

I'd go with the S230 with the higher res. You will need it later and can use it then. 2mp is alright but not great for anything larger then a4 prints, but you don't need to print.
 
M

MazerRackham

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2002
6,572
0
0
Originally posted by: thawolfman
At Dell, the S330 ships in 1-2 days and I can get it for $299 shipped.

The S230 is shipped in "3+ weeks", and I could only bring that one down to $349 shipped, and I really don't want to wait that long.

:confused:
Click to expand...

I think Amazon has better prices on these cameras... don't know about their stock however..
 
P

Packy

Platinum Member
Mar 8, 2001
2,724
0
71
BTW, I'm not sure if you really want a larger camera, but have you considered an Olympus C-720? It has an 8x zoom :)
 
T

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: Packy
BTW, I'm not sure if you really want a larger camera, but have you considered an Olympus C-720? It has an 8x zoom :)
Click to expand...

I'm looking to spend ~$300, so I dunno if that's an option. :)
 
P

Packy

Platinum Member
Mar 8, 2001
2,724
0
71
Originally posted by: Koing
At least he doesn't have the current model the DSC-F717 with the same specs BUT with the manual focus ring and has usb2 to transfer the images though.........
Click to expand...

WISH I had that one... actually, I'm tempted to exchange mine w/ Sears (it has a few minor issues) since I have the 2 year warranty and they replace it with whatever model they currently have that is most similar, IE the 717.

 
P

propellerhead

Golden Member
Apr 25, 2001
1,160
0
0
I didn't vote, but I'd go for more megapixels for better quality in most of your pictures. For most casual users, you don't really need to zoom very far. And when you do, the slightest shake ruins the photo.
 
P

pulse8

Lifer
May 3, 2000
20,860
1
81
Originally posted by: thawolfman
Originally posted by: pulse8
More MP and just move your lazy ass closer to the subject. :)
Click to expand...

But I want it sooooooooon, not in 3+ weeks! :eek:
Click to expand...

Fine, but when you have a severe case of buyer's remorse, don't come cryin' on my shoulder. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom