Buying a new digital camera
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 19:56
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Andrew from Vivid Adventures
Digital cameras are one of the biggest selling consumer items on the market today. As a result, camera manufacturers are releasing literally 1,000s of new products each year.
They vary from the extremely basic compact digital cameras to the advanced Digital-SLRs.
They come from the traditional manufacturers like Canon and Nikon, as
well as from the consumer brand names like Samsung and Sony.
So, how do you ensure you get what you need and are not ripped off when you visit the
shop. How do you know you want the D70 or the 400D and which is better - the A40 or the 550Z - the K10D or the FZ50 ...? After all, you know that the moment you walk out the door the camera is going to be outdated, and almost as quickly replaced by something with more megapixels, bigger zooms, optical this, image that - you get the gist.
Well, Vivid Adventures has put together a Digital Camera Buyers Guide and contributed it to the Checklists and Planners Page on ExplorOz as a PDF.
It allows you to begin with what you want to take pictures of, and helps you create the list of things to think about when you go to the camera store. It provides advice and guidance on how to get good value when shopping and lists of things to ensure you think about.
We hope you enjoy it. If you have suggestions to add, do drop us an ExplorOz PM, an email or visit Our Blog.
Reply By: turbopete - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:11
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:11
the newly released $6500.00 canon would be a nice camera seen it in todays herald sun,,guess that lucky felow from last nights lotto could affrd to get it
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:49
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:49
That is just the beginning of more where they come from ... Canon professional cameras currently max out at about $14,000 ... and I suspect there is an even more expensive one coming.
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:25
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:25
Olympus E-500 twin lens kit $1050 - looking good so far....
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:51
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:51
Nice camera Mike ... but a 4/3rds system camera so you'll have to crop the print if you use (for instance) the 20c a print 6x4 prints at BigW or wherever. If you're printing at home, remember you'll want to crop the prints to fit the traditional photo albums.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:51
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:51
you might also watch out - they've released the E-510 - just more megapixels.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 06:35
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 06:35
Hi Andrew
Frankly I rarely print pics these days. If I do it tends to be either happy snaps to send to friends/family overseas or a 10x8 etc to frame when I would probably do some cropping anyway.
E-510: the 500 is 8.? MP and I can't really see a need for more than that for my requirements.
Good subject to kick around here from time-to-time.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 08:13
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 08:13
Hi Mike,
Here is the announcement - it has another cool feature that is not found in most D-SLRs - live view.
News Release on DP Review
Cheers
Andrew.
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:46
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:46
Surely you can choose the aspect ratio you shoot in? certinly
mine has the choice of 4 (or is it 3 ) aspects to coose from
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:53
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:53
You're right Davoe - you can choose the aspect ratio, but then you are not using some of the camera and the lens you have paid for ;-)
There are times when it would be good to use it. Just be aware that you will have to crop if you are printing on 3:2 and leave space.
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:49
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:49
first thing you have to do is identify what you want . broadly they fall into 3 catogorys
- compact, fits in the pocketor purse around 3-5x zoom
- mega zoom, abou the size ora bit smaller than the old slr with 10-12x zoom
- digital slr
then you have a startin point of whee to look
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:00
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:00
You're right Dave - size is one of the considerations for sure (now I know why I get so much junk mail). The checklist works by asking you a set of questions about the what and how you want to make photographs.
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Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:53
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 20:53
OLYMPUS SP550 7.1MP BLACK 18X ULTRAZOOM
In my view, no-one in their right mind needs more than 7MP, but ultra long zoom is fantastic.
This baby is about $800 rrp and considering I paid $950 ex GST for a 2.1MP with 3x optical zoom a few years ago makes it a real bargain.
The camera review websites give it a good rap as
well.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:53
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:53
Gerhard you are right - this is in my view one of the most capable compact cameras on the market - SLR like in many ways.
The 7MP is more than the lens can resolve at most settings, so you're right - more megapixels in that camera and many others won't make any difference.
Camera feels very nice too. SP-550UZ.
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:07
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:07
Gerhard, bought one of these from Harvey Norman $661.00, price matched to a dealer on the web. At that price, excellent value, great camera.....just my two cents worth. John
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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:13
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:13
That's a very good price - I can buy it from one of my wholesalers for $596 ex GST which is $655.60.....
Must get around to buying one myself but now I'm semi retired I have less time.......
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 19:03
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 19:03
heck are they up to 18x zoom alrady?
spent my hard earned on the Panasonic fz50 with 12x optical zoom but this can be extended to 24x optical by reducing MP (dunno how) and a mind blowing 85.5x with digital zoom - qulity suffers of course but still can be handy when the photo is more important (eg spot a tassie tiger off in the distance)
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Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:05
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 08:05
Thats exactly the time to use that digital zoom Davoe - it will make sure that your "evidence" shot will have the correct fuzzy out of focus quality that we have come to expect from photos of unlikely events - UFOs et al!
:o)
Pete
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Follow Up By: Markymark - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 15:22
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 15:22
We've had a Canon S3 IS for a few months now and are rapt with the camera. 12X optical zoom, 6MP and it takes great pictures. Every review site has it as the best mega-zoom camera around, the Olympus ones weren't quite up to scratch although the 18X model has been released since then.
We're certainly spoilt for choice, the bar keeps being raised and the winners are us (depending on how you see it of course, now I want a 18X zoom!).
Mark.
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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Sunday, Mar 25, 2007 at 09:12
Sunday, Mar 25, 2007 at 09:12
Problem solved easily Mark - Donate your Canon S3 to a family member and receive plenty of kudos for your generosity, then apply a little moolah to place the Olympus in your posession. Everyone will admire you for your generosity when all the time you are really being selfish...!!! :)
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:11
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:11
Hi there Gerhard,
There is a review of the Olympus SP550UZ that has just been posted on DP Review:
www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympussp550uz/
Their summary, in short it is pretty close to the S3 with strengths in different areas.
Cheers
Andrew.
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Follow Up By: Markymark - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 21:15
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 21:15
Just read the review Andrew and think I'll stick with the Canon. When words along the lines of 'frustrating' and 'unacceptable' pop up, I wonder. The final points system, although close, is distinctly in the Canon's favour.
Just have to wait now for the Canon S4 IS (I'm guessing) with a 18+ zoom.
Cheers,
Mark.
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Reply By: Richard & Leonie - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:59
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 21:59
Andrew
Something to add to your clients choice criteria when dealing with senior citizens like us is the ability to overcome the unsteady hand. Anti shake. I know there are cameras available which will overcome it. I personally have found the small lightweight cameras a problem to hold steady particularly when operationg the shutter. Heavier cameras are easier to hold steady. I have a Canon G3 and would like to update to a one of the new SLR digitals. They are becoming more affordable.
Richard
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:57
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 22:57
Look harder old fella ;-)
It's there already on the list (maybe we need to get you glasses). If you are upgrading to a new digital SLR and have no current investment in lenses so have no compatibility issues, you might want to look out for the SLRs with the anti-shake capability in the camera. Canon and Nikon have put it in the lenses, so you pay for it with every lens (which doesn't make a lot of sense except to them so they can charge more). Of course there are always tradeoffs, and as with most things, it depends on what you are doing with the camera that matters.
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Reply By: Im.away - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:10
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:10
We've got a Canon EOS 20D and a couple of lenses. We also purchased the hand-grip that holds an extra battery and has all of the camera controls on it and of course a couple of 1 Gig high speed memory cards. We are exceptionally happy with it.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:19
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:19
Hi I'maway... I have mostly Canon gear (5D and 20D today) as
well - not that I really care for one brand or another, but just that I can't afford to have two lens collections.
I used to have the battery grips, but in the end, and in a rather futile weight reduction effort, have gone grip-less. One battery generally lasts me the whole day and I carry spares anyways.
Of course, on my tours I am constantly reminded that photographers make photography not cameras, and that an expensive camera is not required to make wonderful images.
Cheers
Andrew who is pleased that memory is cheap
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Follow Up By: Im.away - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:29
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:29
I know where you're coming from with the weight Andrew, but we're also concerned about the volume. We squeezed all of the above plus a Sony HDRHC3 (1080i) video cam into one Pelican case (we're paranoid about impact and vibration damage) but is is a pretty big case! In a couple of months we're leaving on permanent travels around Oz and space (as
well as weight) is becoming a big issue.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:48
Wednesday, Mar 21, 2007 at 23:48
I need to throw
mine over my shoulder, so I have a LowePro Dryzone 200 waterproof bag for all my gear (two or three cameras, too many lenses, sometimes film...).
It gets thrown around, bounced around, vibrated to bits on the A-B or wherever and replaced every few years ;-)
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Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:56
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:56
Hi Andrew - Congratulations on your effort. As I am not a member ( yet), I cannot access your info, so cannot comment on the content.
" A camera catches your imagination. No imagination, no photo - just crap. The word "image" comes from the word "imagination." It doesn't come come from "lens sharpness" or "noise levels."
I found this website by a pro photographer with some refreshing advice. He includes may articles from beginner to pro, written in plain English. The above quote is from a article called 'Why your camera doesn't matter".
Other tutorials include :
'Why your wife wants you to buy a fancy new camera'
'Making great photos in crappy locations'
' A $150 verses a $5,000 camera'
'The importance of timing'
The site is : www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm
Well worth a visit by forumites interested in photography.........Keith
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Reply By: Rod W - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:57
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 09:57
Well that sucks. Why isn't your link open to all?
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:37
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:37
I guess that is a question for David.
Those that want it but are not yet financial members can email me andrew at vividadventures dot com dot au ... but I do strongly recommend
membership as a bargain ... one of the few these days.
Cheers
Andrew.
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Reply By: Willem - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:50
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:50
Good one Andrew
Only trouble is I printed the sheet and the colours came with it and the background is too dark for easy reading. Anyway I have the gist of it...lol
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:54
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 10:54
Willem you bl00dy troglodyte you!
Try printing it in black and white or better still, read it on your PC and save a tree;-)
Cheers
Andrew - see ya Friday next... I may have a visitor from Utah with me (friend not customer)
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Follow Up By: Willem - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 11:13
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 11:13
Yeah bin lookiong around the
cave and on stone age computer and can't see where to change print to white background. Maybe a person with extreme knowledge like yourself could enlighten me.
Yep visitor is welcome. Have been to Utah so have something in common...lol
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Reply By: sooz - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 14:19
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 14:19
I found this
forum after purchasing a book in the
shop. Didn't realise you should be a member. Oh
well guess I miss out on the article with everything else I'm doing atm.
I have an ancient G2 which only has a 3x optical zoom and has such a slow shutter lag. Like it otherwise, especially its movable screen.
I need something that takes action shots, I take a lot of shots of black dogs, need a bigger zoom for snapping way over the other side of the showring.
Any recommendations? I'm about to throw
mine it's just not doing the job.
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 15:40
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 15:40
Fantastic, how do we download your buyers guide..?? The link doesn't work..
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 15:42
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 15:42
Yes, unfortunately Dave has set it up as a member's only facility... so you can drop me an email andrew at vividadventures dot com dot au and I will email it to you.
It wasn't my intention to have it restricted.
Cheers
Andrew.
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Reply By: TroopyTracker - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 17:47
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 17:47
G'day,
Just about to upgrade and trying to decide between the Olympus SP-550 UZ, and the new Panasonic TZ3. I like the Olympus zoom (18x) though the 10x of the much more compact Panasonic may
well be plenty. Also I like Panasonic stuff and can't complain about leica spec lenses.
Reading some online mags and keep reading about "noise" issues. What the hell is noise in a photo???
Cheers
Matt
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 18:13
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 18:13
I'll start a new thread on that Matt and post a reference here.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 18:47
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 18:47
Here you go Matt:
Site Link
Cheers
Andrew.
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