If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
Hi all,
I've been using an Olympus C-740 UZ for several years, and it's showing its age. It's been a great first camera, and I'm a big fan of the 10X optical zoom, but I'm tiring of its low resolution, no sound for movies, electronic viewfinder, and long shutter lag. I'm researching my options for a new one. On the one hand, I'm tempted to go for something small enough to keep in my pocket. On the other hand, I want good zoom and manual controls (for nature and wildlife photos) and have been really dazzled by the photos one of my friends gets from his Canon 350D SLR. And I'd like to be able to buy something for $500-600 with lens. * Canon PowerShot G9 - High-end compact, 6X optical zoom, can do good movies... but dpreview.com is not impressed by its picture quality at high ISO (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/) * Canon EOS 400D - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, seems to be the de facto standard, but it's pretty expensive and apparently the lens kit is not so great (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/ page29.asp) * Olympus E-410 - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, CHEAP compared to Canon 400D, but not as good dynamic range (http://www.dpreview.com/ reviews/olympuse410/) Anyone have any advice for how to decide one way or another? I'm sort of leaning towards the Olympus E-410 right now since I could afford to start out with a 14-42mm and 40-150mm lens kit. But possibly this is overkill for me and I should be aiming for a compact? Is there anything similar in size and features to the G9 that I should consider? Thanks for any help. Dan |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
regarding the G9, I would not be taking pictures with ISO setting above 400.
You'll be fine. "Dan Lenski" wrote in message ... Hi all, I've been using an Olympus C-740 UZ for several years, and it's showing its age. It's been a great first camera, and I'm a big fan of the 10X optical zoom, but I'm tiring of its low resolution, no sound for movies, electronic viewfinder, and long shutter lag. I'm researching my options for a new one. On the one hand, I'm tempted to go for something small enough to keep in my pocket. On the other hand, I want good zoom and manual controls (for nature and wildlife photos) and have been really dazzled by the photos one of my friends gets from his Canon 350D SLR. And I'd like to be able to buy something for $500-600 with lens. * Canon PowerShot G9 - High-end compact, 6X optical zoom, can do good movies... but dpreview.com is not impressed by its picture quality at high ISO (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/) * Canon EOS 400D - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, seems to be the de facto standard, but it's pretty expensive and apparently the lens kit is not so great (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/ page29.asp) * Olympus E-410 - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, CHEAP compared to Canon 400D, but not as good dynamic range (http://www.dpreview.com/ reviews/olympuse410/) Anyone have any advice for how to decide one way or another? I'm sort of leaning towards the Olympus E-410 right now since I could afford to start out with a 14-42mm and 40-150mm lens kit. But possibly this is overkill for me and I should be aiming for a compact? Is there anything similar in size and features to the G9 that I should consider? Thanks for any help. Dan |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:19:14 -1000, Scott W wrote:
You really should do more then just look at review, it would be a very good idea to try a number of the cameras you are looking at. For me using a DSLR is not just about better images, it is also a lot more fun to use, at least for me. The Olympus might not be getting great marks for dynamic range but it will still be far better then any compact camera. Scott Thanks Scott! I do plan to go try them out soon. I have already used the Canon 350D and enjoyed it a lot, had a great feel and easy to use for me. I definitely want to try the Olympus E-410 in person, because I've heard it may be slightly awkward for someone with large hands. So pretty much no comparison between the dynamic range of a compact and an SLR? Very tempting... Thanks, Dan |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:01:12 -0800, Dan Lenski wrote:
Hi all, I've been using an Olympus C-740 UZ for several years, and it's showing its age. It's been a great first camera, and I'm a big fan of the 10X optical zoom, but I'm tiring of its low resolution, no sound for movies, electronic viewfinder, and long shutter lag. I'm researching my options for a new one. On the one hand, I'm tempted to go for something small enough to keep in my pocket. On the other hand, I want good zoom and manual controls (for nature and wildlife photos) and have been really dazzled by the photos one of my friends gets from his Canon 350D SLR. And I'd like to be able to buy something for $500-600 with lens. * Canon PowerShot G9 - High-end compact, 6X optical zoom, can do good movies... but dpreview.com is not impressed by its picture quality at high ISO (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/) * Canon EOS 400D - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, seems to be the de facto standard, but it's pretty expensive and apparently the lens kit is not so great (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/ page29.asp) * Olympus E-410 - SLR, well-reviewed by dpreview.com, CHEAP compared to Canon 400D, but not as good dynamic range (http://www.dpreview.com/ reviews/olympuse410/) Anyone have any advice for how to decide one way or another? I'm sort of leaning towards the Olympus E-410 right now since I could afford to start out with a 14-42mm and 40-150mm lens kit. But possibly this is overkill for me and I should be aiming for a compact? Is there anything similar in size and features to the G9 that I should consider? Thanks for any help. Dan You seem to be outlining two different sets of requirements - sounds to me like you'd really like two cameras. A P&S to pack around most of the time, and a DSLR when you're 'more serious' about it. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
In article , Daniel
Lenski wrote: My good options are the Nikon D40, Canon EOS 350D or 400D, and Olympus E410 or E510, I think. Go with the Nikon or the Canon. Jeez...why waste money on something less? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:36:13 -0800, Mr. Strat wrote:
My good options are the Nikon D40, Canon EOS 350D or 400D, and Olympus E410 or E510, I think. Go with the Nikon or the Canon. Jeez...why waste money on something less? Something less? |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
ray wrote:
[] You seem to be outlining two different sets of requirements - sounds to me like you'd really like two cameras. A P&S to pack around most of the time, and a DSLR when you're 'more serious' about it. Dan, For the compact but versatile, I have been pleased with the Panasonic TZ3: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/ David |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
Daniel Lenski wrote:
[] The advice I keep getting is to focus on availability of good lenses. Which makes the Canons come out way ahead, I gather. Eh? The Nikon lenses are much better at the lower-cost end of the range, and they are somewhat equal at the higher-cost end. [] What do you think about the prospects of the 4/3 Olympus lens system? Will I have better choice in a year or 5 if I get really serious? Thanks, Dan For me, the 4/3 system has been a disappointment, in that it has not produced enough size and weight saving to offset the poorer performance of the smaller sensor. The Nikon D40/D40x and kit lens are almost as light, and more versatile with lens choice. I got the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens and 55-200 VR lens (the image stabilisation is very helpful). Beyond that, handle the cameras, and if possible, try and define what type of photography or what aspect of photography matters to you. Cheers, David |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
Dan . wrote:
I'm researching my options for a new one. On the one hand, I'm tempted to go for something small enough to keep in my pocket. On the other hand, I want good zoom and manual controls (for nature and wildlife photos) and have been really dazzled by the photos one of my friends gets from his Canon 350D SLR. And I'd like to be able to buy something for $500-600 with lens. If you want zooms up in the 8x or more range, I think you'll be best off (on finite budget) with a good "bridge" camera. Getting very long zooms with a large sensor requires a lot of glass. I did this at DPREVIEW.com Release Status: Not discontinued (current or upcoming) Sensor photo detectors: 8 million or more Zoom tele (T): 320 mm or more Aperture priority: Yes Shutter priority: Yes Uncompressed format: RAW and got: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Olympus SP-560 UZ Nikon Coolpix 8800 Fujifilm FinePix S8000 fd Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Samsung Pro815 BugBear |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Higher-end compact or SLR for me?
"David J Taylor" wrote in message .uk... Daniel Lenski wrote: [] The advice I keep getting is to focus on availability of good lenses. Which makes the Canons come out way ahead, I gather. Eh? The Nikon lenses are much better at the lower-cost end of the range, and they are somewhat equal at the higher-cost end. [] What do you think about the prospects of the 4/3 Olympus lens system? Will I have better choice in a year or 5 if I get really serious? Thanks, Dan For me, the 4/3 system has been a disappointment, in that it has not produced enough size and weight saving to offset the poorer performance of the smaller sensor. The Nikon D40/D40x and kit lens are almost as light, and more versatile with lens choice. I got the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens and 55-200 VR lens (the image stabilisation is very helpful). Beyond that, handle the cameras, and if possible, try and define what type of photography or what aspect of photography matters to you. I agree 100%. In fact I too tried the Olympus and brought it back the next day.. I have the D40 and D40x. Both outstanding and very good in dynamic range and light metering. It's even said it 's better than the D80 and even D200. The D80 I can confirm; better with highlights. Another thing is handling. The Nikon feels so much better than the Canon. The door to the card is very easy to open when your card is full; much easier than any other dslr. The kit lens, 18-55 is the best of all kitlenses. I also have the 55-200 VR and agree it´s very good. I´ve taken thousands of pictures with both and just the other day I was in a shopping mall, looking at the Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. Holding, feeling and see thru the viewfinder. The cheap Nikon has about the brightest view! The 400D looks like when you´re looking thru a tunnel, compared. The body feels very plastic and flimsy. Pentax K10 much more expensive and very heavy, but unlogical to handle. I tried to open the card door but it took me a while to discover: you have to look at the back (door is on the side, go figure!) and lift a very small latch that you can only touch with the tip of your nail and then in one movement have to turn to open the door. The first time the latch jumped back (spring loaded) so I had to try again. Geez, what a pain. Hold it, all you people, animals: I need a few minutes to change my card. LOL Great for action shooting... The 400D looses all pictures in memory if by accident you open the door. It also has no spot metering and the kit lens is very bad in all tests. -- "I don´t need a camera, I have a photographic memory..." Sosumi |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
how to avoid noise at higher iso? | larrylook | Digital SLR Cameras | 35 | April 12th 05 11:07 PM |
purchasing a higher end digital - SLR or P&S? | Glen S | Digital Photography | 36 | January 23rd 05 08:52 AM |
Which is better: Higher ASA or Longer Exposure? | David J Taylor | Digital Photography | 49 | December 25th 04 06:06 AM |
Higher resolution scans | Edward Kearns | Digital Photography | 3 | December 11th 04 09:02 PM |
Need advice: 10x zoom or higher | NoNameAtAll | Digital Photography | 13 | August 11th 04 07:31 AM |