Digital Cameras, whaaaa?

saline · 05-16-2003, 08:42 PM

Ok, so I'm pretty sure I want to buy a Canon either G3 http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/g3/ (if we're going to totally splurge) or S400 http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s400/ .

However since I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with this I'm very open to suggestions or comments from other people. Anybody got anything or am I flying blind on this one?

thanks in advance.

redhead · 05-16-2003, 11:08 PM

I would go with the G3, since it's optical zoom is better than the 400. The digital zoom can always be aplied with any image manipulation program later.
Altho the AiAF automatic focus point sound nice. This will ensure that there's depth in the picture.

From what I can see, with the G3 you will have to manualy set this.

bdl · 05-17-2003, 07:49 AM

Just my opinion, I recommend the Nikon CoolPix 5700. It's right around $900. US right now, and it's got all the features you'd want and more. 8X optical zoom, 5 megapixel, SLR type viewer. One of my customers brought one of these in, let me try it out, I didn't want to give it back! I've been wanting to upgrade my old Olympus 1.3mp camera, this is the one I'm going to get. VERY COOL, lot's of great features, medium price (when you compare to a 'real' digital SLR). Also, it's much smaller than you would think, smaller than my Olympus.

The Canon ELPH is by far my favorite compact 'point and shoot' digital cam, though, I'd also like to get one of those just for fun.

Admin · 05-18-2003, 10:02 AM

what do you plan on shooting pictures of?

since you are asking here i would assume that you are a novice photographer, i would recommend the S400 then.

i own an S100 & S330 right now, the G3 is the next camera im going to get.

alpha · 05-18-2003, 03:57 PM

I like having more optical zoom. But as Admin said, what are you planning to use the camera for?

saline · 05-18-2003, 05:16 PM

I would probably like optical zoom over digital but thats really not something I'm losing sleep over.

Actually what we really want is a micro function so that we can shoot things close up for occasionally selling things on ebay.

I'm a novice with digital cameras, at least I think. However my previous experience has been around three years taking (and developing in a dark room where available) black and white with a completely manual SLR.

It's because of this that I want the G3 for it's manual options, however it's (with another compact flash card) going to cost close to twice what the S400 would.

Also since I'm not going to be the only person using this camera I have to consider that my sister and mom might not want to bother with setting manual anything. I know the G3 has auto everything if you want but with the S400 it's not an issue changing anything.

It's such a wonderful dillema to have (which new expensive device should I buy? hmmm) but I'm still completely torn as to what to do.

Thanks everyone for your help! All further comments will be appreciated because I still haven't bought or committed to anything!

alpha · 05-18-2003, 07:36 PM

Is there a certain price range?

saline · 05-18-2003, 07:50 PM

Up to at the very most 800 and this is pushing it. Thats why I'm having problems because I want the G3 but it starts pushing my budget (especially with an additional battery and compact flash card

)

Admin · 05-19-2003, 07:16 AM

micro = macro

saline · 05-19-2003, 07:28 AM

Ok now here is a question, what do you mean? I've heard people talk about micro being the ability to shoot very close up but perhaps I misheard. Should I be looking for a macro function on the digital camera for what I was talking about?

Hrqls · 05-19-2003, 07:45 AM

will you be buying your camera in a shop .. or online ?

see if you can try both camera's ... pay attention to the speed at which a photo is taken ...

i mean ... press the button .. and after some delay .. the picture is taken ..

this delay is the only thing which i dislike in my digital camera.

one of the 2 might be a little bit faster, which will give you much pleasure in the end

(especially if you want to take pictures from children or pets

)

(although i hope you wont sell those on ebay

)

Admin · 05-19-2003, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by saline
Ok now here is a question, what do you mean? I've heard people talk about micro being the ability to shoot very close up but perhaps I misheard. Should I be looking for a macro function on the digital camera for what I was talking about?

macro is close up.

micro is nothing.

Admin · 05-19-2003, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hrqls
will you be buying your camera in a shop .. or online ?

see if you can try both camera's ... pay attention to the speed at which a photo is taken ...

i mean ... press the button .. and after some delay .. the picture is taken ..

this delay is the only thing which i dislike in my digital camera.

one of the 2 might be a little bit faster, which will give you much pleasure in the end

(especially if you want to take pictures from children or pets )

(although i hope you wont sell those on ebay )

press the shutter release 1/2 way, the camera will autofocus and set all its settings.

push the shutter in the rest of the way and it shoots right away (no delay at all).

w00t.

<--- photo dork.

alpha · 05-19-2003, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Admin
macro is close up.

micro is nothing.

yes. you also want a good macro range. I haven't kept up with digital cameras, so I'm not sure if the macro works similarly to that of SLRs. 1:1 would be ideal.

sde · 05-19-2003, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Admin
<--- photo dork.

comon matt .. who you kidding trying to get specific like that .. you're just an all around dork