Why are so many here horned up over the canon A70? *UPDATE w/pic*

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: adlep

Any other recommendations on a camera costing no more than $400 that has pretty good movie function?

Yes,
Minolta DiMAGE Z1, 10x zoom and unlimited movie mode at 640x480

(Minimum recording time is about 30 seconds at 640x480, 30 frames/second, but at all lesser combinations of image size and frame rate, recording time seems to be limited only by memory card space.)

So at 640x480 at 15 fps the recording time is unlimited.
At 640x480 at 30 fps Q) the clips are 30 sec long but it is still better than A70 which makes 640x480 at 15 fps for 30 sec...
In addition it is not much more than the A70 -$321.75 at NewEgg, but you can pick it up even cheaper than that...
Overall a nice camera. I might be selling my A70 and getting this one....

Definitely seems to fit the bill, but I'm not sure BB sells those. I'm quite sure they don't Where can I buy other than newegg?

Well bend me over - BB does sell it!

Every aspect of the DiMAGE Z1's performance is pushed to the limit. Startup time is 2 seconds and shutdown time is 2.4 seconds. After focus has been locked, the shutter-release time lag is 0.06 second, comparable to a 35mm SLR film camera. The camera will be ready to capture another image in 1.2 seconds after the exposure.

Nice!

 

[GTaudiophile]

How dare someone challenge Canon!

Why?

Image quality
Design & operation
Build quality and reliability
Use of CF media
A-series uses AA batteries
Long history of designing good stuff

 

[adlep]

Where can I buy other than newegg?

:Q You are not a real geek....
Somebody BAN him...

How dare someone challenge Canon!

"There is always a bigger fish"
Edit: I have been doing a lot of research before, so how come I have missed the Minolta?
:|
Stupid....
Edit: I still like my A70, but it looks like the Z1 is exactly what you have been waiting for....
In addition, the Z1 has a fully featured optical viewfinder, and Canon A70 doesn't have one...
Another score for Minolta...
Its time to start another thread.....

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
How dare someone challenge Canon!

Why?

Image quality
Design & operation
Build quality and reliability
Use of CF media
A-series uses AA batteries
Long history of designing good stuff

The minolta has "Full-speed 12Mbps USB 1.1 ". Does the A70 have built in USB 2.0? I realize I could get a card reader, which I'd probably do in the future, but if the A70 has 2.0 and this doesn't, then it's a plus for the A70.

Still, I'm reading the featureset of the minolta (even has some night settings) and it seems to be exactly what I want.

 

[adlep]

Ok, Another score for Minolta:

The DiMAGE Z1 incorporates Minolta's most powerful flash built into a digital camera yet. With a guide number of 39 (feet), the built-in flash can illuminate a subject up to approximately 20 feet when used at the wide-angle position with autoexposure and auto camera sensitivity

And I know first hand that the flash used in A70 is difficult to use, not as powerfull...
Edit: And you can attach a professional flash to Minolta, you CAN'T use a third party flash with A70..

 

[kuk]

The Minolta is a really sweet camera. The only thing that I'm worried (and correct me if I'm wrong) is the lack of image stabilization. With 10x zoom, this can be an issue. Still, if it's used outdoors, a fast shutter speed might compensate for this.

kuk

 

[adlep]

Confirmed,
Minolta Z1 is the first affordable camera which beeats the A70's movie mode (nooooo):

The length of video clips at 640x480 (30fps) can be up to 30 seconds, 640x480 (15fps), 320x240 or 160x120 are limited only by the amount of available memory on your SD card.
Because the DiMAGE Z1 can capture large, high-quality VGA (640 x 480) movies, image sharpness and brightness is very important. During recording the DiMAGE Z1 will continue to focus to provide the sharpest possible image. The optical zoom cannot be used during movie recording, digital zoom can be used in 320x240 or 160x120 resolution. The night-movie mode can make color recordings under extreme low-light conditions.

The Minolta is a really sweet camera. The only thing that I'm worried (and correct me if I'm wrong) is the lack of image stabilization. With 10x zoom, this can be an issue. Still, if it's used outdoors, a fast shutter speed might compensate for this.
kuk

Here you go:

With such powerful optics, the affect of camera shake, a slight blurring of the image when the camera is handheld, can be a significant problem. Minolta engineers have developed an advanced program exposure line to maximize shutter speeds by controlling the aperture and camera sensitivity based on the subject program and focal length in use.

I can sense a lot of A70s for sale in FS/FT forum in the near future...
Edit: How come i missed this one?
Fu*ck
Another review
^
Point for Canon because they didn't like it in that review...

 

[StageLeft]

Any other contrary opinions here? I'm reading more and more good about the Minolta and I'm starting to get excited about it

does the A70 have 2.0 USB connection built in?

Also, is the SD media of the minolta fairly common and inexpensive?

How are the manual controls on this one as opposed to the A70? I don't need much in the way of manuals, but I do need some basic things like night shots - can this camera be autofocused do you know?

Seems that the Z1 is only a few months old

 

[dartworth]

If you are going to look at the Z1, take a look at the Fuji FinePix 3800 and the Fuji S5000.

Owners Opinions: Fujifilm FinePix 3800
DPreview of S5000

DCR review of 3800
DCR review of S5000

 

[oldfart]

I was looking at the Z1. Very cool camera with 10X optical and a big plus...a hot shoe. The A70 and Z1 are different cameras for different people. The Z1 is a super zoom that competes more with the Olympus C740, Toshiba M700, Fuji S5000, etc. It is also a larger, heavier camera. Not as convenient. 10x zoom without image stabilization is for tripod use. The movie mode is supposed to be very good. Some reviews are critical of the build quality of the camera. Durability was a concern. I think it is a killer camera for the price.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
How dare someone challenge Canon!

Why?

Image quality
Design & operation
Build quality and reliability
Use of CF media
A-series uses AA batteries
Long history of designing good stuff

The Z1 is a bigger camera and really suited for long zoom work....again not a bad camera, just a different type of camera.

The CF and battery life is where the canon shines too.

Å

 

[StageLeft]

I'll check out the Z1's competitors. Unfortunately it's not available locally, so I'd be forced to buy from newegg. Actually, i say it's not available at BB. Not sure if it could be bought anywhere else locally...certainly not at $320 anyway.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Any other contrary opinions here? I'm reading more and more good about the Minolta and I'm starting to get excited about it

does the A70 have 2.0 USB connection built in?

Also, is the SD media of the minolta fairly common and inexpensive?

How are the manual controls on this one as opposed to the A70? I don't need much in the way of manuals, but I do need some basic things like night shots - can this camera be autofocused do you know?

Seems that the Z1 is only a few months old

I am not sure on the level of USB, I use a SCSI card reader.

CF is the cheapest and easiest to find. SD is more....

Check out the three main review sites and see for yourself...it sounds like you really need to do more research....I don't think there are any digicams currently in the cheaper arena that cannot autofocus.

Å

 

[oldfart]

The only brand that I see that uses USB 2.0 is <ick> Sony. Its kind of ironic since the super slow Sony MS can not take advantage of the speed anyway. Just get a USB 2.0 card reader. They cost next to nothing and are more convenient that hooking up the camera anyway.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: adlep
Ok, Another score for Minolta:

The DiMAGE Z1 incorporates Minolta's most powerful flash built into a digital camera yet. With a guide number of 39 (feet), the built-in flash can illuminate a subject up to approximately 20 feet when used at the wide-angle position with autoexposure and auto camera sensitivity

And I know first hand that the flash used in A70 is difficult to use, not as powerfull...
Edit: And you can attach a professional flash to Minolta, you CAN'T use a third party flash with A70..

I can fix your obsession with the Z1. Construction. I've heard many complaints about the build of the Z1, just head over to dpreview. I sure wouldn't spend my money on a camera that isn't built well.

 

[Ornery]

HTF can using a card reader be easier than using the camera?

You have to pull the card out of the camera, then plug that into the reader, then pull the card out of the reader and put it back in the camera. Not to mention one extra piece of equipment to buy. WTF?

 

[StageLeft]

OK cool Fuji and Olympus both have cameras at this price range. I need good video though so I'll look into that aspect of them heavily

EDIT: Sadly the Olympus 740 is out, because the video lacks sound, and the fuji 3800 is out because it's "old". Still got the Fuji s5k to look at though.

 

[Conky]

Don't count on seeing my A70 on the FS/T forum anytime soon. My friend has a Minolta DiMAGE she likes my A70 pics better. Take that for whatever it's worth.

And the USB connector on the A70 is fast enough and very simple to use. It only takes a few seconds to download all the pics/movies to the computer. I leave the cord hooked up to my system and just connect it to the camera as needed. A memory card reader would be nice but at least I don't have to actually handle the memory card this way.

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: Ornery
HTF can using a card reader be easier than using the camera?

You have to pull the card out of the camera, then plug that into the reader, then pull the card out of the reader and put it back in the camera. Not to mention one extra piece of equipment to buy. WTF?

If you want to split hairs on how long it takes. Takes 1 sec to pull it out, and another 1 sec to plug it into the reader. It takes time to power up a camera, the batteries have to be charged and in the camera (mine uses external charger), open the little plug and connect the USB cable. External reader is faster, more convenient. If its USB 2, the pics come off instantly. You also get the advantage of a general purpose removable storage drive. As someone who has done it from the camera and with a reader, I much prefer it. Anyone who has one would agree. Typical cost is $10 - $20 for a reader that supports CF, CFII, MS, SD, MM, micro drive.
Here is one @ Newegg for $17 8 in 1 internal 3.5" USB 2.0 reader that also has a front USB port. I like the internals since I hate cable clutter.

 

[Ornery]

I have a reader on my son's PC, and I DON'T agree. There's a small door on the lower right side of the lens barrel that couldn't be easier to access. I plug the USB cable right into there, just as simple as plugging the charger into it's connector on the rear, bottom left side. I have a wonderous USB 'Jump' drive collecting dust as well.

 

[Deeko]

My camera is better.

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I have a reader on my son's PC, and I DON'T agree. There's a small door on the lower right side of the lens barrel that couldn't be easier to access. I plug the USB cable right into there, just as simple as plugging the charger into it's connector on the rear, bottom left side. I have a wonderous USB 'Jump' drive collecting dust as well.

LoL you say tomatoe I say tomahtoe.

My 2.0 reader is faster than a 1.1 USB and my laptop card reader is faster than both.

By the time your camera is powered up and you've attached a cable and launched your download program I've progbably got the card in and 1/2 the pictures off the card.

BTW if you use a download program check out downloader which works great with canons. With my S50 the pro version will even "autorotate" the images I've taken sideways.

THe nonpro version 1.5 is freeware and can be found here:

linky

The nonpro version does not autorotate but will take the image information exif? and make a text file.

The pro version is pricey at $30 and available from breezesys:

linky

Regarding the Z1:

DCresource had this to say in october:

The Z1 is certainly an intriguing camera, and if Minolta could try to reduce the purple fringing (if it's due to image processing, and not the lens) and fix the movie sound syncing, it would be more competitive. Right now I feel that it's not the best choice in its class. I'd rank it below the two Olympus models for sure, and somewhere between the Kodak DX6490 and Fuji FinePix S5000.

Also it does not have an AF beam so bad focusing in lowlight situations. I know the S50 without the AF beam off sucks in low light focusing situations.

 

[Ornery]

WTH is with you guys and all this 'extra' crap? I don't need, or want an extra reader. Don't need, or want an extra download program. With the Sony, the files are just available to do what I want with from Windows Explorer. Same program I use for all my file management. Christ, I take my camera home, plug in the cable and cut and paste in Explorer. Go on my son's PC and do the same. Take it to my inlaws, plug the camera in there, and it reads and copies images with no driver downloads or anything. Try that with the Canon on my PC, and all of a sudden it needs a Twain driver and some BS software as well. Wonderful.

 

[geno]

Try that with the Canon on my PC, and all of a sudden it needs a Twain driver and some BS software as well. Wonderful.

Don't know what's wrong with your setup, but my A40 plugs in and works just fine with Window's Camera/Scanner wizard.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Ornery
WTH is with you guys and all this 'extra' crap? I don't need, or want an extra reader. Don't need, or want an extra download program. With the Sony, the files are just available to do what I want with from Windows Explorer. Same program I use for all my file management. Christ, I take my camera home, plug in the cable and cut and paste in Explorer. Go on my son's PC and do the same. Take it to my inlaws, plug the camera in there, and it reads and copies images with no driver downloads or anything. Try that with the Canon on my PC, and all of a sudden it needs a Twain driver and some BS software as well. Wonderful.

I agree 1000%