The best digicam $800 can buy??

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H

HardWired

Senior member
May 10, 2000
598
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I've had a Sony TRV900 3 CCD video camera for the last 3 1/2 years, and while it takes sweet video and I have no need to upgrade it, I'm ready to buy a sweet digicam for my stills.

Until tonight, I had no idea of the absolute huge selection of digicams out there. Even in the $800+ price range. From the little I've read on these forums tonight, some seems to think a quality 4MP camera can take better shots than a 5 or 6 MP digicam. I always thought the higher MP the camera, the more clarity and brilliance you'll get from it's output. Is that not true?

Let the opinions and personal experiences fly. I'm open to any mfg. and model. Compact or 35mm SLR type, it doesn't matter to me. I just want the highest quality digital photo my $800 can buy.

Thx!
 
Nocturnal

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
Save your money and seriously get the Canon EOS-10D. I just spent $800.00 on a Sony DSC-V1 and people were telling me to go with the 10D and I didn't listen. I wish I did. Please don't waste your money and GO with the 10D! You won't be disappointed, I promise you that.
 
H

HardWired

Senior member
May 10, 2000
598
0
76
The Canon EOS 10D is $1,200.00+ if I'm not mistaken, and that doesn't even include a lens...does it? The ol' ball and chain will never go for it.

How about my question regarding megapixels. Is the higher the MP, the better the output...in all cases?

Gotta get to bed (work in 5 hours) but I hope I get some good opinions/personal experiences when I check back in tomorrow night.

Thanks guys/gals!
 
Imported

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Nikon Coolpix 5700 maybe?

I like my Coolpix 5000.. just wish it had the 8x optical the 5700 has. :(
 
S

Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
0
0
Originally posted by: Savij
I don't think you could go wrong with the Sony F717 Text
Click to expand...

I use a Sony DSC-S75 (little bit older by now) but it was 7 when it was released. Love it, except my one complaint. Dont let it get cold (Like leave it in the car overnight during winter etc).
 
D

dman

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
9,110
0
76
for prosumer, the best at that pricerange is probably the G5 and the Sony F717. I like the review of the Sony better.

Only thing I don't like about the Sony is the memory stick media, I think it's limited to 128MB still in that camera. However, there are 256MB Sticks that have a switch (you have to remove it) that alternates 128MB banks...

You can read up on them at DPREVIEW.com and Steves digicams.

Deals can be found at Dell & Staples and the office stores usually... they all send out 'coupons' every now and again. Check @ fatwallet to see what's happening there.



and read this before buying from an unknown 'lowest price' vendor.

 
K

kyutip

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2000
1,729
0
0
I always thought the higher MP the camera, the more clarity and brilliance you'll get from it's output. Is that not true?
Click to expand...
That is absolutely not true !
Picture quality depends on a lot more things than just mp count.
Lens, CCD size, algorithm, etc.
Easy example will be a 3MP Canon G1 will still beat a 5MP Argus in picture quality.

If your only concern is picture quality then you should consider Canon G5, Sony DSC-F717 and Nikon 5700.
Go to dpreview.com and read each camera review carefully, look at their picture samples and judge it yourself.
I know sony memory stick sux but that is pretty decent trade off for a really good camera that can be had for around $650ish. To some extent, also consider Canon G3 if you can get it cheap. G5 is just 1 more MP with more noise than G3.

Forget Canon 10D, that is a different beast. Beside DSLR does not allow you to take picture using LCD, you have to use the viewfinder.

Drag yourself to BestBuy or CompUSA and get a feel of above camera. See which one you like in term of shape, look and weight. Just ignore the babling idiots that work there.
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: kyutip
I always thought the higher MP the camera, the more clarity and brilliance you'll get from it's output. Is that not true?
Click to expand...
That is absolutely not true !
Picture quality depends on a lot more things than just mp count.
Lens, CCD size, algorithm, etc.
Easy example will be a 3MP Canon G1 will still beat a 5MP Argus in picture quality.

If your only concern is picture quality then you should consider Canon G5, Sony DSC-F717 and Nikon 5700.
Go to dpreview.com and read each camera review carefully, look at their picture samples and judge it yourself.
I know sony memory stick sux but that is pretty decent trade off for a really good camera that can be had for around $650ish. To some extent, also consider Canon G3 if you can get it cheap. G5 is just 1 more MP with more noise than G3.

Forget Canon 10D, that is a different beast. Beside DSLR does not allow you to take picture using LCD, you have to use the viewfinder.

Drag yourself to BestBuy or CompUSA and get a feel of above camera. See which one you like in term of shape, look and weight. Just ignore the babling idiots that work there.
Click to expand...
Only forget it if you absolutely cannot afford it.

Otherwise, it's the best bang for your buck prosumer camera. And you could get different lenses to suite your needs..

It comes with a lense.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Don't listen to Nocturnal. He was told to grab an F717, but kept the V1 his GF bought instead. Now he's crying about it:If you don't mind the bulk, (or dreaded memory sticks
rolleye.gif
) the F717 is a MUCH better bang for the buck than the G5. It's a big jump in price to outperform that camera.

Bottom Line
  • If you want a long lens zoom 5-megapixel camera, either model is very hard to beat. I don't know of another camera that can best it overall, dollar for value. - Peter iNova
Digital Photography DSC-F717 Review
  • "...Even a year on from my DSC-F707 review I find myself unable to name a new five megapixel prosumer digital camera which takes better pictures than the DSC-F717, and that is saying a lot."
Steve's Digicams F717 Review
  • "...I find it safe to say none will out-perform the F717. From the high resolution 5MP 2/3" imager and the ultra-sharp Zeiss lens to the robust and accurate image processing, this camera is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of users..."
Imaging Resource F717 Review
  • "...you've got an "enthusiast" camera that stacks up against anything on the market. Sony innovations like NightShot and NightFraming are just further icing on the cake. Despite its sophistication though, the F717 manages to remain a very user-friendly and approachable camera - There's no reason for a novice to pass it by in favor of a lesser model, as its full-auto mode is as easy to use to use as anything out there."
NightFraming System
  • To capture beautiful color images in low or no light, NightFraming illuminates the subject with the NightShot® system for proper framing, focuses with Hologram AF and lights the scene with flash
 
M

Mday

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
18,647
1
81
is that $800 TOTAL, or just for the camera? thing is, if you get a digital camera, you'll want to spend some extra money on accessories like memory, and batteries, or perhaps an external flash (assuming your camera supports it and you dont already have one).

the higher the megapixel, the more pixels there are in the final output. this is somewhat related to the largest picture you can print without it looking like digitized crap.

image quality comes from several areas: lense quality, ccd\cmos\jfet quality and post processing done by the internal processor in the camera. these 3 things are intrinsically tied together, and except for digital SLRs, you cant separate them.

sony has nice cameras, their best camera is the 717, the new v1 is lacking in critical areas. for the most part, sony cameras are overpriced especially with their proprietory batteries and memory sticks. the canon g5 is a nice camera, something that most casual or amateur photographers will not outgrow, thought the g3 is a better buy. the nikon 5700 is a nice one too, the new 5400 is lacking in some areas. canon also has a line of "elph" cameras, the S series, which are fine for most ppl, and are really small and ultraportable.

sony, canon and nikon are the only 3 manufacturers i will recommend for your budget. your budget is not enough for a digital SLR.
 
B

Blieb

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2000
3,475
0
76
Ornery,

Funny part is, I pm'd him asking about the V1 ... and he didn't respond ...

TOOL.
 
Koing

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Originally posted by: Ornery
717 @ Sears for only $540(included tax) Battery that comes with the camera lasts an honest 170 minutes using flash, zoom, autofocus and the LCD constantly on.

256MB Memory Stick $53.00 after rebate. (Yes, I've gotten my Lexar rebate fulfilled)
Click to expand...

Get the F717. The battery is lasts very well. The tests do not lie.

The memory stick is fine. Memory Stick Pro can be used with it. Its pricey at the moment but 256mb is fine.

The F717 is fast at shooting and the image is unsurpassed unless you go DSLR, and as you said your ball and chain won't let you :p. Also do you REALLY want to carry such a big camera?

The F717 has the nice tilt feature for overhead shooting.

Koing

 
I

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
Originally posted by: Blieb
Ornery,

Funny part is, I pm'd him asking about the V1 ... and he didn't respond ...

TOOL.
Click to expand...

lol

stop ripping on him guys.
Don't you feel sorry for him.
 
I

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
Originally posted by: Koing
Originally posted by: Ornery
717 @ Sears for only $540(included tax) Battery that comes with the camera lasts an honest 170 minutes using flash, zoom, autofocus and the LCD constantly on.

256MB Memory Stick $53.00 after rebate. (Yes, I've gotten my Lexar rebate fulfilled)
Click to expand...

Get the F717. The battery is lasts very well. The tests do not lie.

The memory stick is fine. Memory Stick Pro can be used with it. Its pricey at the moment but 256mb is fine.

The F717 is fast at shooting and the image is unsurpassed unless you go DSLR, and as you said your ball and chain won't let you :p. Also do you REALLY want to carry such a big camera?

The F717 has the nice tilt feature for overhead shooting.

Koing
Click to expand...

I have to agree. F717 is a great camera :)

That'll be the next digicam I get. But I'll most likely go SLR tho. The good ole film.
 
S

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
I've got the F707, the predecessor to the 717. It's a nice camera but it does have its drawbacks. It's annoyingly bulky b/c of the large lens/L shaped body. This is my biggest complaint about the camera; I never take this camera anywhere unless I plan on going specifically for taking pics. This is definitely not a "take with you where ever you go" kind of camera. Other than that, I love this thing.
 
R

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,846
2
0
linh.wordpress.com
yeah, the g5 is overpriced for what it is. and i dunno what's wrong w/ the v1... the folks at dpreview seem to like it (if you're going for the low bulk route).

i personally would save for a 10D, or nab a used d30 :) too bad the lens i want is $150+ :( and it's only a 50mm one..
 
rudder

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: HardWired
The Canon EOS 10D is $1,200.00+ if I'm not mistaken, and that doesn't even include a lens...does it? The ol' ball and chain will never go for it.

How about my question regarding megapixels. Is the higher the MP, the better the output...in all cases?

Gotta get to bed (work in 5 hours) but I hope I get some good opinions/personal experiences when I check back in tomorrow night.

Thanks guys/gals!
Click to expand...


I am not a camera expert but I would think the quality of the lens would have some bearingon the quality of the picture. Especially when you are talking about 4-5 MP.
 
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