What's new in digital cameras?

[robrecht]

It's been over 6 months since the last thread on digital cameras, so ...

What are some of the best new models out there with 5 MP or above?

Wife wants convenience. I would love to be able to use my old Minolta SLR lenses but that's probably not realistic in a camera that's convenient for my wife to use at playgroup, etc. We've learned that convenient small form factor does sacrifice optics and picture quality.

I'd also love to get a new, small digital video camera that takes great 5MP stills, but I suppose that's still a pipe dream.

I'm aware of Steve's Digicams, and will try to catch up there, but we'd love to hear of people's personal experience too.

Thanks in advance!

Historical Background:
We started with a larger 4 MP SONY a little over 3 years ago--took great pictures but we stupidly traded it for a smaller SONY 4 MP that we thought would be more convenient, which it was, but picture quality was noticiably poorer, especially the auto focus. After 3 years, it's pretty much died, and I've become disenchanted with SONY especially because of their less than honest marketing of MemoryStick expansion and compatibility, not to mention their severe difficulties in repairing our SONY laptop--in the shop twice for several months.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by robrecht
I'd also love to get a new, small digital video camera that takes great 5MP stills, but I suppose that's still a pipe dream.

Maybe I spoke to soon:
http://product.samsung.com/SamsungUS...22/scd6550.pdf

[mgorbsk]

I have had the 8 MP Olympus C8080 since last November. We stepped up from my old Olympus 2 MP D510 that I paid $400 for in 2001 when my Son was born.

I can't say enough about the quality of the pictures. Stevesdigicams has a nice review as well. Although the camera looks a little bulky, its ergonomics for the hand are perfect. At least my hand anyhow. It's built like a tank as well. I put a 2 GB Hitachi Microdrive in and get over 500 pics on max resolution and quality. I've tested the XD card and had a 1GB Ultra II card that has found a new home in my Garmin 2610, and none has an edge over the other in speed. The camera doesn't use any write acceleration or anything. I will say I see the best transfer rate to the USB 2.0 reader from the microdrive.

Anyhow, this is an amazing camera. Powers up and ready to shoot in literally about a sec. Battery life is great. We've printed hundreds of pics from ofoto.com, now Kodak, and results are amazing. Prices are way down on this camera as well. It was about $899 last yr, I paid about $700 in Nov, and now pricegrabber.com has many sites below $500. I hate looking back at spending money on electronics.

[ramirami]

got the Canon SD400 for a convinenit camera ...has the new canon Digic chip...real small..5MP..takes SD card...

[OB3]

7.1 megapixel, professional quality lense, small, large lcd display
i am thinking about getting this for myself for my birthday

i currently have a fuji that i bought off a fellow piloteer last year. 3.3 mp, slr type camera. it takes excellent pics, but i am looking for a smaller case camera now with greater mp's.

my brother-in-law just got the canon 7.1 mpix G6 and loves it

good luck

tom

[jazcar]

Research digital cameras at Digital Photography Review

[robrecht]

Thanks for all the advice! Any Nikon or Minolta fans?

[ramirami]

Originally posted by robrecht
Thanks for all the advice! Any Nikon or Minolta fans?

minolta is'nt big in digital...dont know why...got the Minolta 7000 from my dad with a bunch of lenses...takes great pictures that camera

[mgorbsk]

Originally posted by robrecht
Thanks for all the advice! Any Nikon or Minolta fans?

I 2nd that about Minolta and digital. Nikon makes 3 great 8 MP cameras. Depends if you want more zoom or better wide angle. I prefer a camera suited better for wide angle myself. I'm a big fan of Olympus. I think they have the best optics.

I looked at that 5 MP video cam and I don't know about that. You can get a great mini DV for pretty cheap now a days. I bet the camera on it isn't that great. I'd rather get a great digital camera from Olympus or Nikon and a cheaper mini DV. We use the digital camera way more than the camcorder, but if you have very young ones, you'll use the camcorder a lot as they grow and change daily. I've made some great videos using Pinnacle Studio when he was learning to walk and stuff. Fun times.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by OB3
7.1 megapixel, professional quality lense, small, large lcd display
i am thinking about getting this for myself for my birthday

i currently have a fuji that i bought off a fellow piloteer last year. 3.3 mp, slr type camera. it takes excellent pics, but i am looking for a smaller case camera now with greater mp's.

my brother-in-law just got the canon 7.1 mpix G6 and loves it

good luck

tom

I'm really liking the lens on this Canon S2 1S (see here too) but 5 MP is feeling kinda small compared to the G6 (also here) and the wife doesn't like the idea of changing multiple little batteries, though maybe they last longer. Trying to resist the incredible appeal of the small, convenient form factor of cameras like the 7MP SD500--wow! Still in the confusion stage, lotta great stuff out there now.

Thanks for all the input!

[shellebelle]

Can't go wrong with a Canon.

The new Canon SD series cameras are great if you don't need the fancy stuff (I do). But they are *very* small. I would lose that thing so quick...If you want higher end the new Digital Rebel XTs are awesome. It's just like using a 35mm, the processor is so fast.

I've used plenty of Canons, and now that I think of it, pretty much everyone I know IRL has one (mostly digital Rebels) and has been very happy with it.

I got a A95 for my birthday. 5mp, 12x zoom (3x optical), manual settings, accepts lenses, takes AAs, etc.

I did have to swap the batteries once while on my recent trip, and it was really no trouble changing in the four AAs. They didn't take up much space at all and I didn't have to rely on a charger and plug adapters for when I was out of the country.

[john802]

I just bought a Nikon S2 online yesterday to replaced an aging Canon A70 of my better half. I own a Nikon D100 w/ 3 Nikkor lenses.

[dragoncoach]

I did a lot of research and finally decided on a Nikon Cool Pix 8800. 8mp, basically the same as the 8700 but they added the anti-vibration feature. Great focal length. The size is a little larger but still not as large as my 35mm Cannon. Bought it because it has a hot shoe. I just recently bought a dedicated Nikon speedlight. The camera netted down to $615 after $100 rebate. The flash ran $200. I'm just a weekend photographer and the camera is used for kids sports and family pix. I'll probably never use even 1/2 the features but it's still fun to learn.

[mgorbsk]

Originally posted by dragoncoach
I did a lot of research and finally decided on a Nikon Cool Pix 8800. 8mp, basically the same as the 8700 but they added the anti-vibration feature. Great focal length. The size is a little larger but still not as large as my 35mm Cannon. Bought it because it has a hot shoe. I just recently bought a dedicated Nikon speedlight. The camera netted down to $615 after $100 rebate. The flash ran $200. I'm just a weekend photographer and the camera is used for kids sports and family pix. I'll probably never use even 1/2 the features but it's still fun to learn.

You sound just like me. That's a nice camera. I considered the 8MP Nikons. I use the advanced features of my Olympus C8080 just a few times a yr. I do use the histogram display just about every shot. It's great to have 8 MP to be able to crop nice kid shots and get nice results. I also have an old Canon EOS 10S I bought new in 1992. It looks as good as the day I got it and is an awesome camera. It rarely gets used now since my dig takes such awesome pictures.

[OB3]

Lots of useful information, glad you started it

I took a couple photography classes in college and bought a used Minolta OMG for 80 bucks, this was back in 1988 or so.. I loved the camera, and just last year on vacation to Disney did the camera stop advancing manually. I was heartbroken. I figured it was a good reason to get into 'the digital age', but after reading this thread, i am bringing it to a camera shop this week to see if it can be salvaged with out costing me too much $$$$.

Have a good one everyone !!!

tom