Digi Cameras

I've got a Fujifilm S3000. Very happy with it. Some of the guys I know are using the Fujifilm S7000. Up around $800 from memory.

you can get the specs here

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/

The Canon Powershots are a good camera.

Is Digi SLR worth it.

Depends ?

If you are really into Photography , and or , already have lenses from a normal SLR (Nikon and Canon mainly) , then Yes. The ability to use different lenses and reuse what you already have is good. Its the cost of lenses that really are the big thing.

If you are really a point and shoot , then NO , I wouldn't bother. Some of the more type end variety of DC's are a lot of manual changes you can make.

look at something with a 10 optical zoom like the Olympus c700? 4meg pixel. Forget about digital zoom as the pics loose quality when you zoom. Also try to get something that's compact. SLR's are bulky so you don't tend to carry them around as much as one that will fit in your pocket.
I personally have a Sony DSC 75 but have had it for 3+ years. Happy with the pics but would now like something smaller (and maybe a 10x optical zoom). Feature packed but found in the end I didn't use them all.

Leroy

Hi Truckster, i too have been looking for digital and yesterday was speaking to a professional photographer who uses digital he claims that a minimum of 4.2 megapixels is required for reasonable shots - and the cannon is the best make.
However when buying o'seas remember there is no warranty claim in australia nor are parts available. I repair electronics and the aust agents do not recognise o'seas models and have no cross referance. That being said the failure rate of these things is very low so balance that against the potential savings.

Graham

Truckster,

I have a Sony DSCP-93. It is 5.1mp with 3x optical zoom.

It also takes 2xAA batteries. This means I can carry spares with me easily when I go on extended trips. These batteries last at least a week with constant use.

You can also get lense attachents. There are filters available as well as a 2x attachment (which means you will have 6x optical) and a .45 wideshot lens thingy.

Haven't bought these extras yet but I will as they enhance the ability of the camera greatly.

Come up on ebay regularly too.

Hiya Trucky

I've got a Sony cybershot DSC-P92 - 5megapixel..takes great shots but only 3xzoom.[also takes mpegs]..would love one that was 10x zoom but this is light and compact and at the moment is all that I require..we went for the Sony as we already had mem sticks for our sony digi handycam..and were impressed by them..I managed to get if for $550.00
cheers

Lyn

Hey Truckster we have the Sony F828, 8 mega pixel with video capability, great camera got it through ebay $500 cheaper with 256 & 512 memory stick takes two cards they were $2500 retail now about $1700 but we paid $1500 the Canon was about the same, it was a toss up between the Sony or the Canon 300D, we have lenses for the 300D from our EOS 300 so we might get that too. As for the cost, compared to analog the digi has already paid for itself just in developing costs alone and you can just delete the pix that you don't like, just as an (eg) with the Sony set at 3 mega pixels you can take 3000 photo's, download them to laptop and away you go again and at 3 mega pixel it can be blown up to A3 size. There are some great digi cameras out there this was just our choice we love it.

Baz.

Gidday truckster,On the subject of brides nighties when I was married 44 years ago the nightie was still in the luggage bag.I think that as you get older then the nightie will be on and off more often.And as your ball and chain is in the good ole US of A you have no problems with the nightie(you dont wear it do you!!!!!!!!)lol.
Seeya Locallaw

Should have mentinoed we have a FUJI S602Z already, but would like one each, as she has ours with her in USA is useless to me here.

Thanks for ideas so far. keep em cummin.

Canon A80 - About $800 in Oz. - 4 megapixels - lots of functions - swivelling LCD display - AVI movies up to 3 minutes* - takes AA NiMH batteries - flashcard storage. I think brand, megapixels, battery type and storage mode are the main issues to look for (in that order I reckon). * AVI is a very basic movie format - best to use a tripod and don't expect great quality.

Gday mate,

Have you got a video camera yet? If not, for a few extra coins you can get a great video camera that doubles as a camera.

I just purchased a Sony DCRDVD201 video camera that's a video camera and digi camera in one, puts all info straight onto the DVD and it's going currently for around $1,900 but I picked it up duty free 4 weeks ago on a quick trip to N.Z for $1,400. Used one previously and it's awesome for day out 4wd playing, point, record and chuck on dvd player when home straight away, and they with the re-writable dvd's, you can rewind and record over. For digi photos:

Approximate Recording Capacity (Single sided 8 cm 1.4GB)

Still Mode on DVD-RW/R: 640x480 Fine: 5100 pictures
Still Mode on DVD-RW/R: 640x480 Standard: 8100 pictures
Still Mode on DVD-RW/R: 1152x864 Fine: 2150 pictures
Still Mode on DVD-RW/R: 1152x864 Standard: 4100 pictures

Just another option mate,

Chris.

Truckster,

I have just in the last month picked up a Pentax *ist D digital SLR (i already had a Pentax MX-50 so can just use my existing lenses) I am just back from giving it a good work out in Cairns.

Certainly for my use, a digital SLR was the only choice, but am also now looking to get a smaller compact one.

A mate of mine has a Nikon D-100 and he couldn't be happier with it. Both the D-100 and the *ist D use the same imaging CCD, so their is little difference in picture quality between the two.

The only gripe I have is the photoshop plugin for the Pentax RAW format and the browser software you get with it. The way the plugin interacts makes it difficult to batch convert the RAW files to another format (I am still yet to find a way to actually get a batch convert to work as I can't even see an option in Pentax's software). Nikon View, Nikon Capture and the photoshop plugin for Nikon's RAW format are a hell of a lot better. But if you are only shooting to TIFF or JPEG then this is not an issue as you can easily use a 3rd party product.

But software aside, the camera itself is great, but if you are only after something that can handle "Happy Snaps" then the Fuji S3000 or higher would be fine (believe this model has been superseeded - could be wrong). My folks were looking at getting one.

http://centre.net.au have pretty good prices. Best I managed to find for the Pentax (they are located at Tullamarine).

cheers,
Sam.

WHERE IS THAT EDIT FUNCTION DAVE!!

I should also mention I like a camera that feels like a camera, not one of them Matchbox sized things..
I also want at least 6-8x Optical Zoom. Its worth it!

Been checkin out http://www.dpreview.com/ good site!

So far Im liking (all from http://www.dirtcheapcameras.com.au/
Fuji FINEPIX S7000 - Fujinon 6x (35-210mm) optical zoom
[ View Image]

Would love a Sony F828 but $1700 :(
[ View Image]

Nikon Coolpix 5700 - Newly designed 8x Zoom-Nikkor lens with 8.9-71.2mm coverage (equivalent to 35-280mm in 35mm [135] format);
[ View Image]

I work in the camera section of my local department store...

email me if you want specifics but my general recommendation for a good "small" travel camera is the Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom in Black - 4MP, 10x Optical Zoom - (because it comes packed with a 128mb XD card as opposed to a 16/32mb card for thesilver model). RRP $849 But you could easily pick one up for a bit less...

Digital SLRs are quite expensive and id really only recommend it if you are an enthusiest.
If you are looking down that road the Canon EOS 300D and Nikon D70 are your cameras of choice (I have a D70) at around $2000 and $2300 respectively Dont go above that unless you plan to marry your camera, or have a very fat wallet.
I cant remember what lens the Canon comes with but the nikon has a simple 18-50 lens, so id say youd need another maybe 70-200mm lens for it to be useful (around $500 for a low end lens)

Someone mentioned the Fuji series, theres the s3000, s5000, s7000 and some new models being released soon, i think they are s3500, s5500 etc not sure what the new models will bring, but the old ones perform well for the money, and the lenses can be adapted. i think we have a packaged s3000 for around $450 with bag and extra 128mb card and what not, only cos we're clearing them... so they are great value, but already similar specs have been packaged in more conventional cameras....

The Canon Powershot A85 is worth a look.
So is the Canon Ixus 500 (5mp 3x Optical Zoom) theyre very popular and use CF cards which are half the price for the same volume card compared to other media (xD,SD) And theyre a very small camera.

Sony are great but very expensive, and unless you are going for looks, you'll find what you need in another brand camera for less. Except maybe the W1 and T11, which are amazing :p (5mp, 3x OZ, and about 1cm and 2.5cm thick respectively)

People tell you that AA batteries are better... not usually the case. We sell 4 pack AA's with charger for about $100 for the good ones. Most brand cameras with their own batteries will sell for about $40 and most cameras come with a cradle charger that u can plug into most sources... dont use regular AAs in ur camera. Batteries really arent an issue when selecting a camera, unless you plan to lose them all the time!

my email is "danny" at "internode" dot "on" dot "net" if anyone wants camera info.
or check out www.dpreview.com

p.s sorry about the rant

from memory the Canon A85 does, along with its predecessor models... Apparently the C770 does too, but i havent been able to find the option just by playing with it... ill get back to you on that one.

If you are looking at cameras in the style of the F828, then pay the extra cash for the Canon Eos300d the pictures from an SLR will win hands down every time compared to a point and shoot camera, albiet a very advanced one.

I thought bride's nighties went up, and off, not down, Truckster?

Been doing a lot of homework on this subject, and found out we need, or wanted 4 or 5 meg, and preferably 10x zoom.

Wife now has a Sony DSC-W1, which is 5.1 meg, and 3x zoom. Really impressed with clarity, Bruce, and she has blown photos up to A4, with excellent results. The Bride has had no probs downloading to her 'puter, and printing same. Have a staff member who has a Canon Ixus 300 or 400(?) with 3 meg, and 3x Zoom. Takes good photos, and is nice, weighty camera.

Beauty of the small cameras, is they can fit in your pocket, and don't always need the bloody big bag, hanging off your shoulder. Wish I'd had one of these digi's, when i worked in the Kimberly, about 30 years ago, with all the wild cattle, throwing, camp life and THE SCENERY!!

I've been looking at either Kodak something, w/- 10x zoom, or Olympus 770 , or 740 w/- 10x zoom also. Out here in west Qld, you need plenty of zoom, in some instances.

For the Sony, we bought a Power Tech Plus Ni-MH charger, 12v or 240v, from Jaycar, and 2 extra AA's 2300maH batteries. Working well at moment.

My Pentax MZ-60, with 2 zoom lens will be dropping the bottom lip, with all this talk of digi cameras. Kodak has already done the dummy spit down your way. We've had some problems with getting films developed, especially if you want cd's too. In 5 years or less, there won't be too much film available anywhere.

You're not playing up too much while the Family's away are you?

Hooroo...

Don't need to tell you about the dpreview site but I have an Olympus C740. 3megpixels and 10x optic zoom. I'm very happy with the quality and A4 prints are superb. Only fault is auto focus at night is crap but can manually change.
Had it for 18months now and I'm really happy with it.
Whatever you get, make sure it's from a reputable well known camera manufacturer except kodak. Film might be good but crap camera's.

My wife has been looking at digital cameras for her magazine layout work and didital slr is the way to go if you have got the lenses .( canon rebel 300D )

If family is near or has access to New York, there is a large photo shop there that guarantees too have what you want in the store, photographer mate says they are the cheapest he has found, (spent 5 years as cruise ship photographer), may be worth the effort. Someone over the should know of them, I can't remember the name. Stick with major brands, sometimes its the little engineering things that make the difference just when you need them, such as battery type and power usage.
Rolande

We've got a Fuji S7000, takes awesome pics, either CF or XD cards, AA Nimh x4 which can be charged anywhere and 2000mah or better last well.
We've had it for a few months now and it has taken over 2000 pics so far.
Also takes good clear movies with sound which is a plus.

Truckster,
Have Canon G5 myself, feels and looks like a camera, made in Japan. Long lasting rechargeable battery and can do more than the average person could imagine. Can be used simply as point and shoot, or as technical as you like.
Cheers Peter

Truckster,
I have had an Olympus C740 for almost 2 years and its been great. Main reasons for purchasing this camera were, 10x optical zoom and it uses AA batteries (I have 8 batteries & charge 4 while using the other 4) which can also be used in gps etc.

Stu

Truckster,

I've got a Pentax Optio 550 link text which has now been superceded by the Optio 555 link text and which is great. It's 5MP with 5X optical zoom, very long battery life, fits easily into a pocket (didn't bring my SLR with many as it was too big and heavy), and has a very solid build.

A rellie after seeing this camera decided to go digital but wanted 10X optical zoom (for nature pics) and went for a Canon S1 IS link text
which is gives absolutely wonderful pictures. Far better for pics in low light than my Optio, and slightly bigger (fits into a large pocket).

He showed me a pic of a batman on the pitch from the grandstands and it was amazing. It has an anti-shake thingy in it so no tripod is needed at full zoom.

If mine ever breaks, I'd get the Optio 555 (as size IS important to me), or if I get bigger pockets I'd go the Canon S1 IS.

Cheers,
Poe :)

Truckster,
We have an Olympus C750 10X optical zoom and 4X digital zoom, excellent quality photos very hard on batteries, aluminium casing is strong and the size feels good. Also available external flash, wide angle and telephoto lens, dont know if these are available for many other digitals. Just came back from central Aus. and the Simpson, the wide angle paid for itself many times over.
Rob.