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#11
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Hi DHB,
Thanks very much for all your advice and you opinions. I really appreciate the effort you've gone to write such and in depth reply. Thanks. PretzelX DHB wrote: On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 13:52:45 +1000, PretzelX wrote: Hi, Which would you buy!!!... I'm looking for a digital camera with the following features: * long zoom (would be very nice, but will compromise if can get a better quality camera/picture with lesser zoom) * at least 4MP * excellent reliability * ability to shoot macro 10 cm (would be nice if possible) * good level of manual control but most importantly exceptional 'automatic mode'. Want a camera that will take great pictures on auto mode. * easy to use user-interface (have used Nikon Coolpix 4300 and find the user interface a little bit of a hassle to use) * ability to focus/shoot well in low light is also desirable These are the approximate prices I can get them for: Konika-Minolta Z2 - AU$549 (US$384) Fujifilm FinePix S5500 - AU$549 (US$384) Fujifilm FinePix S3500 - AU$369 (US$258) Canon PowerShot A95 - AU$573 (US$401) Canon PowerShot G5 - AU$668 (US$467) I've read the specs through and have become more confused! Liked the feel of the Fujifilms. Haven't seen any example galleries of shots taken by Fujufilm s5500. Thought the finish of K-M Z2 was a bit cheap -ie plasticy, but have seen some example photos which were excellent. Have always heard good things about Canons, but their long zoom camera doesn't take my fancy. Thanks for your opinions. PretzelX PretzelX, I strongly consider that you do side-by-side picture comparisons looking for digital nosie. Here is a good review link for comparing many different digital cameras: http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html Unfortunately he does not yet have a review of the Fuji Finepix S5500 but only the S5000. However check out the review on the Canon G5 & skip over to the sample pictures, mainly the picture of the white Marina Cafe building. In my opinion this is a grate test subject because there is lots of detain & dynamic range in this subject. Look into the lower illuminated areas of the picture like the 1st & 2nd floor which is shaded & look for noise. There is always some there but you will notice much less from the G5's picture than the S5000's picture. Not a fair comparison because your considering the newer S5500, but compare all unedited pictures that you find against others from all the cameras that you are considering & look for noise. Can't speak personally about the G5 because I don't own 1 but I do own a G2 & it's a great everyday camera with low noise & the ability to mount an external flash. To be honest I am somewhat biased toward Canon because I own a few of them but that's because my 1st digital Canon camera got me hooked, the humble A40, 2MP which I still own & use for certain things. No camera is perfect & we all consider different things when we view a picture, so it's important that you research your choices well & go with what fits "your" needs best. As for that, only "you" can decide! 2 more notes, most cameras have a program mode "P" where it's basically the same as full "AUTO" but you get to make a few changes. If your needs are best served in "AUTO" mode, then I would suggest that you try placing it in "P" mode & change only 1 thing. Lower the ISO setting to the camera's lowest, ISO 50 on most Canon Digicams. This alone can go a long way to giving you cleaner pictures from any camera. Lastly, get used to using exposure compensation because cameras don't always get the exposure correct or to "your" liking. My G2 seems to take better pictures with the ISO set to 50 & the exposure compensation to -1/3 EV, but this is "my" preference with this camera. "Your" view of the same picture could be very different from mine but a little experimentation with any camera you choice is likely to allow you to get the best pictures from it. Best wishes, I hope you are happy with your selection & remember, most of the fun is in capturing the moment as best you can, not on "who has the best camera, etc....." Respectfully, DHB "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."----Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918 |
#12
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On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 15:59:38 +1000, PretzelX
wrote: Hi Richard, Thanks very much for your advice. Do you know if the noise performance has improved with the new CCD in the s5500? Oh yes indeed! The noise levels with the new CCD are through the floor... Cheers, Richard |
#13
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I've had the Z2 for several months and have enjoyed it
"PretzelX" wrote in message ... Hi, Which would you buy!!!... I'm looking for a digital camera with the following features: * long zoom (would be very nice, but will compromise if can get a better quality camera/picture with lesser zoom) * at least 4MP * excellent reliability * ability to shoot macro 10 cm (would be nice if possible) * good level of manual control but most importantly exceptional 'automatic mode'. Want a camera that will take great pictures on auto mode. * easy to use user-interface (have used Nikon Coolpix 4300 and find the user interface a little bit of a hassle to use) * ability to focus/shoot well in low light is also desirable These are the approximate prices I can get them for: Konika-Minolta Z2 - AU$549 (US$384) Fujifilm FinePix S5500 - AU$549 (US$384) Fujifilm FinePix S3500 - AU$369 (US$258) Canon PowerShot A95 - AU$573 (US$401) Canon PowerShot G5 - AU$668 (US$467) I've read the specs through and have become more confused! Liked the feel of the Fujifilms. Haven't seen any example galleries of shots taken by Fujufilm s5500. Thought the finish of K-M Z2 was a bit cheap -ie plasticy, but have seen some example photos which were excellent. Have always heard good things about Canons, but their long zoom camera doesn't take my fancy. Thanks for your opinions. PretzelX |
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