Digital Cameras

[pixelfrog]

Hi All,

I'm finally gonna get a digital camera, but not quite sure what kind yet. Can anyone recommend a good hiking/backpacking digital camera that can take the trail and is 3 megapixels? Also I will want to boost the memory up quite a bit.

Thanks in Advance!

Paul

[hippiepunkpirate]

One thing about photography - it's all about being there. I had a point-n-click Sony over in the sandbox that took shots that are probably Nat-Geo quality, only because I happened to be standing there when whatever the central focus of the picture turned out to be was going on. The quality of the photo may be poor, but no one cares because the subject or action is so enthralling. With the right moment, the camera becomes an afterthought...

I agree very much with Jeff's statement...I've taken quite a few pics with my Samsung point and shot that have turned out quite beautifully and that I am very proud of...I just would like to upgrade a bit so I can have a little more versatility!

[azdesertfather]

Speaking of the Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS, last night I was getting ready to purchase it for my wife for Christmas and found out in doing some comparison shopping that a new model, the Z1015, has just come out. I bought it instead.

The Z1015 has been upgraded over the Z1012 from a 12x optical zoom to a 15x, the lens from 33-396mm to 28-420mm, the viewfinder has gone from 2.5" to 3", and from 32MB to 64MB internal memory.

[te_wa]

i have narrowed the search down to either the budget A590 -or- the more advanced Canon SX110 IS -or- the Lumix TZ5 by panasonic. Both the higher end compact cams offer a 28mm wide angle and 10x zoom and had great professional reviews.
I do like the a590 but think im ready for some more user-interactive photo work. the days of "auto" mode may be over... ;)

I looked at the Z1015 as well but it scored overall lower reveiws 3/5 than its predecessor, the Z1012. The latter had a 4.3/5 score. For what that's worth.

[Davis2001r6]

I used to like the SX110 until I just saw the A2000is in the store, seemed much smoother through the lens and faster as well. It's a 6x zoom so a bit more than the A590 but less than the SX110.

Now I just wish the SX10 with it's 20X zoom was out when I bought my S3 (now the S5).

My little casio keeps on kicking though, scotch tape holding one side together and a cracked LCD screen from me stepping on it. One out of ever 3 times I take a picture I have to push the lens back in the last 1/8". Keeps working though, can't get myself to buy another camera while it still does.

[azdesertfather]

I looked at the Z1015 as well but it scored overall lower reveiws 3/5 than its predecessor, the Z1012. The latter had a 4.3/5 score. For what that's worth.

Oh no! I didn't see that anywhere. What had they done to make it worse than its predecessor? It looked to me like just a slight upgrading of a prior model, not that they really changed it in any way?

[te_wa]

well, it seems that if you keep an idea long enough, others are going to pass you by. so if the camera is great and all, its still the same camera if only with a shinier button. I guess that is what I gained from the reports. cant post a link but you can check out cnet and pcworld and butterfly among others. (test freaks dot com )
not that what you bought is a bad item... i was actually going to get the Lumix TZ4 since the newer TZ5 has nothing much to offer over last year's model, exept another $100 price tag.

[big_load]

I have the TZ3 and like it a lot. I'm actually on my second one, since Mrs. big_load borrowed the first one to scout location shoots and just kept on borrowing it.

[te_wa]

i sprung for the Canon a590is since amazon has it now for $105
we'll see how she does. one of the best features is the ability to create custom settings. and, the processor is tops for the price. All I can assume is the low cost of such a great camera is due to its "uncool" looks. Today's consumer is more concerned with ultra-slim, tiny and cute with neat colors. So, who wants a Kodak Easyshare 8.2mp MD853 (silver) for $50? (comes with cd startup/photo editing program and all cables, and i'll throw in an extra lithium battery too)

[rushthezeppelin]

Hrmmmm I might have to snag that off you. I'll get back to you on that soon.

[djui5]

I just bought a Sony A300 (Alpha) from Best Buy. They were having a big sale and I kinda went postal in the store

Anyway, here is a comparison between the new camera and my old Cybershot DSC-P93. The first picture is of the Cybershot, and the 2nd one is with the A300. One taken right after the other from the same location on a tripod. Both cameras set to "mountain" mode, and no processing at all except to reduce the physical size to 800x600, saved at high resolution .jpg. The A300 had a UV filter that I picked up at Wal-Mart on it.
All of the pictures I've posted on this site were taken with the Cybershot. I really wanted to get a Nikon but the D60 doesn't have "live view" mode on the LCD. That was a bit of a deal breaker for me. I decided to try out the Sony and had them waive the 15% restocking fee in case I decided to exchange the A300 for a D60. I'm keeping the A300. Can't wait to go hiking with the new camera

Cybershot:

A300:

[Hoffmaster]

Is the white-balance the same in each shot? Regardless, it's a pretty noticeable difference in image quality. The A300 shot is showing much more detail in the mountain than the Cybershot.

I've been doing this photography thing for so long now, it's weird to hear people discount a camera because it doesn't have "live view". What ever happened to looking through a viewfinder? I've been considering a point-and-shoot for the times when I just want to go hiking, but don't want to lug the DSLR with me, but also don't want to miss any potential shots. The deal breaker for me, is that most of the P-a-S's don't have viewfinders. I just can't get used to looking at screen to compose.
However, "live view" is getting kinda cool. The A300 and some other DSLR's have articulating screens which boosts the usefulness of "live view", and some cameras even let you select the point of focus on the "live view" screen. That's pretty neat!

Have fun with that camera! It looks to have a lot of great features.

[Davis2001r6]

Damn $105 for the Canon, you can't go wrong at that price. I can't believe how cheap some of these are getting now. I'm still rocking my Casio Elixm Z-60, with the cracked LCD from when I stepped on it and I have to push the lens all the way in about 1/4 of the time but it keeps on shooting, paid $129 for it.

[rushthezeppelin]

In response to davis2001r6:

Hey if it works then it ain't broke

[writelots]

I went ahead with the Lumix TZ4 and I'm thrilled. It sports the 28mm wide angle zoom, which is hard to find on a compact P&S - and that alone has made a world of difference. What can I say, i like wide angle. Maybe it has something to do with being chubby ;)

It's heavier than my pentax was, but the quality of image far surpasses it - especially in lower light levels. Only complaint I've had is that the wheel which you use to select the mode is located in such a way that it gets turned in a pocket or a case - you have to check it each time before you take a picture. Otherwise, awsome! Will post pics from it soon, I'm sure!

[Grasshopper]

Only complaint I've had is that the wheel which you use to select the mode is located in such a way that it gets turned in a pocket or a case - you have to check it each time before you take a picture.

Same issue on my new Canon G10 but I don't have to check it each time..

[big_load]

I went ahead with the Lumix TZ4 and I'm thrilled. It sports the 28mm wide angle zoom, which is hard to find on a compact P&S - and that alone has made a world of difference.

I just discovered that Pemaraal makes a little adapter that allows you to add a polarizing filter and real lens cap to the TZ3/TZ4/TZ5. It makes the camera a little thicker. I have the adapter now and I'll give it a try once I pick a filter.

[te_wa]

speaking of such, does anyone have experience/positive reviews on the aftermarket telephoto and macro lenses for the Canon A series?
(a590 specifically)

[Jeffshadows]

speaking of such, does anyone have experience/positive reviews on the aftermarket telephoto and macro lenses for the Canon A series?
(a590 specifically)

I think they're similar to the ones used by the G series, no?

[te_wa]

Im speaking primarily of the Opteka telephoto with a claim of 2.2x that is an aftermarket version of the optional Canon brand Tele lens. It seems to have a slight vignette up to .5x on the stock zoom, but after that all reviews say it is worth the $ (low imo at $30)
I also read very positive reviews of the Optika Macro lens/adaptor. These fit (i think) only the a570/590.
Im no genious when it comes to camera modes/functions. I just read about vignetting and prior had no idea what that was. But, Im going to take an online tutorial for advanced p&s and begginner SLR to see if I can figure out all these fancy new terms.

[Jeffshadows]

I have the Optika Macro for the G-series and it *does* work pretty well. You need excellent light or it hoses the white balance, but it works for shooting things like detail in bark on a tree, or rust on an old iron piece very well. It's not so great if you want to do less detailed shots.

I don't know if experience between the G and A-series cameras will translate, directly; but I can say that the lens adapter for the G7/9 results in serious vignetting. The camera has a rough time focusing even if you enable the "adapter" option, as well. I suspect that the Canon-branded lens kits are probably the only ones that work anywhere near to "flawlessly" with this setup...

I pretty much gave up on the add-ons and decided that I'd maybe someday go back to SLR if I wanted to get fancy...