Digital Photography

Anderson · Oct 5, 2000

A guy I work with has a digital video camera. The still pictures aren't nearly as nice as a dedicated still camera. So he now has the sony 2.1 megapixel still camera. The specs for the video camera still pictures are typically well below the 1 megapixel range. I love my Olympus 3030, and wouldn't bother with a video camera at this stage of their development.

Anderson · Oct 5, 2000

as a matter of practice, I download my pictures directly onto a CDRW, and save pictures I'm working with on my hard drive

DVerbarg · Oct 5, 2000

Roysallis,

I have a digital video camera. The still pictures are OK but not as good as a dedicated still. The resolution tends to be only 640x480 but for just computer screen use works for me. If I wanted to print the pictures - forget it, the quality just is not there.

DaveV

redhawk · Oct 9, 2000

i have a casio qv3000ex with the ibm 340meg microdrive. since getting it i have not even thought about using any of my 35mm cameras! besides great pics, it's a joy to use. any
digital camera, from cheapest on up, will have you reaching for it and using it constantly, and thats not something that be said for film based cameras. kevin

Kelvin · Oct 11, 2000

Re: Digital Photography (Consumer Reports)

I just got the November 2000 Consumer Reports in the mail. Not that they can compete with the opinions expressed here, but just in case anyone is curious (only as a second opinion...) they review:

(1) 27 digital cameras (as well as present various articles on their usage),
(2) image-editing software, and
(3) camcorders (to include some digital models).

There is also brief article discussing print quality and fade characteristics of various ink-jet printers and their brand-name photo paper.

Kelvin

scruffy · Oct 11, 2000

Re: Digital Photography (Consumer Reports)

Kelvin, I don't know about some of the people on the board, but I ain't lived long enough to get a read on the fade characteristics (plus the goodies haven't been in our house long enough either), but if they fade, then we'll pull out a cd, hunt all over for the pic and reprint it!
P.S. - As a side note here, that reminds me, I have to change ink cartridges (both black and the color) which brings me to the vital point, if you like to have extra cartridges around, then for heavens sake, be sure your spouse has a printer that requires totally different cartridges than your printer! If not, you will find out what I am hinting at!
Edited by scruffy on 10/11/00 11:41 PM.

Kelvin · Oct 14, 2000

Re: Digital Photography (Consumer Reports)

Glenn,
While I am not sure, I would assume that subscribers would get their magazine slightly earlier than the stores; at least I know that was the case when I subscribed to Computer Shopper a few years ago. With Computer Shopper, I got my magazine 5-7 days before it hit the stands. I would guess that the November 2000 Consumer Reports would hit the stands one day this next week.

Ranking Summary: They ranked the digital cameras in three separate catagories: 1 MegaPixel, 2 MegaPixel and 3 MegaPixel models. Most all cameras received a "Very Good Overall" or similiar comment. Four of the 1-MegaPixel cameras received comments such as "Good, but there are better choices". Various "Olympus" models topped the 2 and 3 MegaPixel lineup; a "Fujifilm" camera topped the 1 MegaPixel list.

Cheap Models (less than 1 MegaPixel): I know that there are digital cameras available for under $100. I have never used or even seen one; Consumer Reports basically advises to stay away from them (my words).

In my household we have a Kodak DC215 and an HP C200 (both 1 MegaPixel cameras). The HP C200 was not reviewed; The Kodak DC215 ranked #3 of 8 for the 1 MegaPixel models. Personally, I think that the picture quality of the two are very similar; however, since they similiarly priced I would recommend the Kodak model since it has a 2x optical zoom that the HP doesn't have and it has a better menu system and some nicer features. The Kodak model permits the "date stamp" to be printed on the picture; the HP advertises a date stamp but it must refer to the filename date stamp because I haven't figured out how to automatically make it appear on the pictures. The main disadvantage with the Kodak model is that it comes standard with a smaller memory card (4mb) than the HP (8mb).

As is the case with most of my posts, that's probably more information than you wanted...

Kelvin

ejb · Oct 18, 2000

Harv, so are you happy with your Olympus camera? I have wanted a digital camera for a long time but didn't know much about them so I have kept putting off the decision. I have looked at the quality of your pictures, and you are in the business more or less, so I value your opinion.

If you were going to buy a camera again today, would you still buy the Olymppus 2500? or has something better come along?

I'd like to get something for under $600 (there are a few used ones ebay), but would spend upto around $1000 if necessary. With that in mind, what do you recommend?

Harv · Oct 18, 2000

ejb -

I'm totally happy with my Olympus, but I won't pretend it's the right camera for everybody. It was expensive, but it had features that were important to me (macro, SLR). Other folk I know said it was too bulky for them and they would rather have one that fits in their shirt pocket.

There are dozens of digital cameras out there now that deliver great quality picts, especially if you're willing to go $600 or more.
You need to decide what features are important to you and then just shop around. BTW - there are some terrific online prices that might even beat eBay. Once you narrow the field down on the make and model, I'll be glad to locate some of them for you.

ejb · Oct 18, 2000

Thanks Harv...I guess what I really am looking for is someone to tell what what camera to buy...there are so many. I usually by high quality (read expensive) not matter what it is I buy, since you only regret the money once, but you regret poor quality every time you use something.

So far yours and epson 3000z are the two in the running, unless someone convinces me otherwise. Luckily this will be a business expense for me so it really only costs me about 50% of whatever it really costs...

I want to make a decision soon (this week), and get something in here, I have waited to long already.

glennmac · Oct 18, 2000

Failing to find a copy of Consumer Reports that rates the digital cameras, I picked up a magazine called Digital Photography. They had a review of the Nikon Coolpix 990. It sounded like a high end with lots of pixels and features. If Nikon is a name in digital cameras as it is in regular cameras, then this must be state of the art. The camera seems to have a street price of about $900. See

http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search.xpml?cat_id=402&prod_id=S0164396&keyword=&rf=got

Glenn

Bradey · Oct 18, 2000

I've been considering a Nikon CoolPix. The CoolPix 880 is a very compact yet capable 3 megapixel camera, kind of looks like a point and shoot. It's about $700 on the street, but plan on getting recharger and batteries ($100) plus a bigger storage card (64M is a good value). If you can afford a little more, the CoolPix 990 has few more options and swiveling lens. (To be honest, I haven't used either, just read reviews. I've used CoolPix 950, another nice, slightly older, and less expensive option. The 990 is an improvement on it; the 880 is different design than 950 but better specs.)

Check out http://www.steves-digicams.com/nikon880.html and http://www.steves-digicams.com/nikon990.html for reviews.

For best prices (on 990) check CNET link below:
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/re...0.html?tag=st.sh.11326-311-1723113.sort.price

For best price on 880 check Yahoo link below:
http://all.search.shopping.yahoo.com/search/all?P=all&p=CoolPix+880

glennmac · Oct 20, 2000

I've spent hours reading reviews I found by surfing the online sites that Bradey posted. Also finally got Consumer Reports.

In the so-called "prosumer" market -- ie, those consumers below the pros but above the amateurs -- it seems that the state of the art in the 3 megapixel market over the past 9 months has been a duel between the Olympus 3030 and the Nikon Coolpix 990. However, the Canon Powershot G1 announced last month seems to have knocked them both off the top of the hill. It has gotten rave reviews that I will post tomorrow.

Glenn

Blu21 · Oct 20, 2000

Waiting to buy a digital camera is like waiting to buy the newest computer,cause when you do a better one comes along! nuff said! Tom

JimBinMI · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Harv & others,

Looking for suggestions/information here!

What about the new digital camcorders that are capable of taking digital still photos...are they any good?

I'd like to replace an older Sony 8mm camcorder and get a digital camera all in one. You know, I'm looking for a digital camcorder/digital camera in the same awesome quality category as my New Holland tractor...any chance of killing two birds with one stone here?

Any...well most information appreciated! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!Edited by JimBinMI on 10/22/00 05:12 PM.

scruffy · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Jim, just for information, recheck DaveB's response on 10/05/00. His opinion of using his digital cam-corder for stills. Just depends on what you are willing to settle for.

glennmac · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Some digital still cameras apparently can take 30 second Quicktime movies, some with audio. I have never seen these movies and wonder if they are a worthwhile feature or just a gimmick.

JimBinMI · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Glenmac,

At the school I work at, we have a Sony digital that takes movie clips. It uses floppy disks for storage so it doesn't hold too much. It's a cute feature, and the students like to play with it, but I haven't found a good use for it...yet!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

JimBinMI · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Scruffy,

Thanks, I figured out you meant DaveV, not DaveB. That's what I was thinking, but didn't know.

Sony has a 2.1 megapixel digital camera out now that stores on 3" cd's that go right into your cdrom drive on your computer, technology sounds great but cost is about $1200, found it on the net, I think at ritzcamera.com

So, I might not be able to kill two birds with one stone!

Thanks to whoever gave the reminder/info that Consumer Reports did a study, I have an on-line subscription and got some useful information from their report.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

scruffy · Oct 22, 2000

Re: Digital Camcorder/Camera

Jim, Terribly sorry about that. All I can say is "STUPID KEYBOARD!", it still hasn't learned to type what I mean, not what I typed.