Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006 at 22:36
Big mega pixels is great if you want to print pictures almost the size of this farm. If you want mainly trip photos, with a bit of margin to trim when you get them on the computer, 5 mp is more than adequate. My first digital was 1.3 mp. I took a close up of a flower to test it, and on my 19" monitor at work it was still perfectly clear with no pixilation. I used it back in the days of film photography, just for something i may want to blow up and cut out a tiny bit later. It was adequate for that.
Most simple 'pocket' digitals have 3 x optical zoom which is useful. 10 x would be better, but may increase the size and weight of the camera. I want something light in my back pack when i am climbing the mountain.
As Davoe says Leica lens are one of the best. The picture will be only as good as the lens.
I like the big display, although i generally use the viewfinder for taking the photo, the display is good for checking the photos as you take them. They can also be 'cropped' while still on the camera (with most modern digitals).
Check the size of the memory card, and cost of bigger ones for use when travelling. The larger the mp picture taken, the more room it takes up, so for travelling, she
well may cut back on the size to that which a 1, 2, or 3 mp camera would take to fit lots on. I travel with a set of card, include a 2 gb and 2 x 1 gb. I think i was getting around 80 photos at maximum with a 5.i mp camera on a 1 gb card.
Check if rechargeable batteries can be used or come with it, and type and cost.
Big mega pixels is great if you want to print pictures almost the size of this farm. If you want mainly trip photos, with a bit of margin to trim when you get them on the computer, 4 or 5 mp is more than adequate. My first digital was 1.3 mp. I took a close up of a flower to test it, and on my 19" monitor at work it was still perfectly clear with no pixilation. I used it back in the days of film photography, just for something i may want to blow up and cut out a tiny bit later. It was adequate for that (see below).
Most simple 'pocket' digitals have 3 x optical zoom which is useful. 10 x would be better, but may increase the size and weight of the camera. I want something light in my back pack when i am climbing the mountain.
As Davoe says Leica lens are one of the best. The picture will be only as good as the lens.
I like the big display, although i generally use the viewfinder for taking the photo, the display is good for checking the photos as you take them. They can also be 'cropped' while still on the camera (with most modern digitals).
Check the size of the memory card, and cost and availability of bigger ones for use when travelling. The larger the mp picture taken, the more room it takes up, so for travelling, she
well may cut back on the size to that which a 1, 2, or 3 mp camera would take to fit lots on. I travel with a set of cards, include a 2 gb and 2 x 1 gb. I think i was getting around 80 photos at maximum with a 5.1 mp camera on a 1 gb card at maximum size.
Check if rechargeable batteries can be used or come with it, and type and cost?
If you are interested, the following should take you to one photo I cut out of the centre of a photo taken with my 1.3 mp el cheapo BenQ - the wasp nest was about 1" tall. The picture has been further reduced (thumbnail) to place on the website. It is still clear.
Site Link
In summary, i cannot see why you would need anyhting bigger than 5 mp.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
211456
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 01:02
Thursday, Dec 21, 2006 at 01:02
good point about the memory card and same goes for the battery- they are hidden costs. All cameras need another at least card. My camera came with a 32meg card which is good for about 8 pictures - yep you need to spend another 150-200 bux on a 2-4 gig card. and dont even think you only need the factory battery - another 40 bux is required or the second ------ then there is the camera case
Bottom line my 775 bux camera becme 950 and that is jst coz I already had a case.
Potrtability is a huge issue. My Lumix 50 is about the size of a tradiotional slr without the need for lenses.. for me this is the blance between portability and an SLR which wont fit in the backpack when walking - not to mention the lensees.
A smaller 3x camera is totally portable and will fit in handbag. Remember the best cmera in the world cant get the shot if it wont fit and is at home.
FollowupID:
471539