Digital Cameras - Page 2

Vaskez · 08-08-2003, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GokuZool:
So I gather that you need storage cards, you can't just store the shots onto the camera itself. How many shots can fit on a normal card? A friend of mine can fit around 1000 pics on his camera! How is that possible?

By good shots, I mean high quality displayed on the comp and pretty good quality through print-outs.

Yeah they mostly use either SmartMedia, Compact Flash or Secure Digital. The 1000 photos is probably at a low resolution such as 640x480. I can fit around 990 photos on my 128MB card at 640x480. But that resolution is crap except for sending small photos over email or something.

The ability to make small videos isn't always useless - you might want to make a video of a scene instead of taking multiple photos. Also, most digital cameras double up as webcams.

GokuZool · 08-09-2003, 06:37 AM

Thanks for the info everyone! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Just bumping this with new info/questions:

I'm probably getting a Sony Digital Camera, either the CyberShot 3.2 MP DSCP32 or the CyberShot 2.0 MP U DSCU30S. Are there any other Sony models on the market similar to these? Also what are your views on the linked models? One more thing, what card would you recommend out of the Sony range? Is there any point getting anything larger than 128mb? Is there an online table which shows cards with how many shots they can take and at what detail?

Thanks [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 08-09-2003, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: GokuZool ]

Vaskez · 08-09-2003, 10:59 AM

2MP shots, i.e. 1600x1200 resolution at low compression are just under 1MB. Therefore you can store more than 128 on a 128MB card. You're unlikely to take photos at much higher res than that for general use so you decide whether you want to be able to store more photos. Remember that digital cameras can also make videos and can also be used as a removable memory drive so you can store other files and transport them to other computers: music, documents whatever. These all indicate that the larget the memory card, the more versatile.

About the CYBER SHOT MS CAMERA 3.2 MP DSCP32.

The 3.2MP res is good, although as I say, unless you want to print in A4 you probably won't use it as each image will take around 1.5MB which is quite a lot on the card and even for your hard disk if you have a lot of images.

I don't know what "Smart Zoom" is and they cunningly don't tell you. However, judging by the lack of the words "optical zoom", I'm not sure there is real zoom there which is a big negative. I mean, on the picture can you see a zoom lens? I can't. Make sure you find out if it's optical zoom or not. In the specs section it gives you data for smart zoom, saying it can magnify to different factors depending on resolution. I mean look you can magnify by up to 1.3 times at 2MP... woohoo! (sarcastic) You want at least 3x OPTICAL ZOOM (proper telescope type zoom lens which I can't tell from the picture if this one has or not.) Digital zoom is crap because as you zoom in the resolution drops. Even if this smart zoom is proper, i.e. resolution does not drop as you zoom in, it's only up to 3x at VGA resolution which is 640x480 i.e. so small you will never use it for shots you would want to zoom in on anyway (wildlife, distant features etc.)

Other than that it's good that it can record sound and it has all the standard settings you want to be able to change: White Balance, exposure control, flash mode. I don't have burst mode on mine so I don't know how useful it is, but this is where it takes a fast series of pictures automatically, it says at 0.5 second intervals. This is good for capturing action such as in a sporting event, although not sure how often you will use it.

The 5x digital zoom for playback is something you take for granted so I don't know why they parade it like such a good feature. Of course you want to be able to zoom in on the picture that you have taken otherwise you can't see anything on that small screen, right?

All in all I'd say it was a good camera but not amazing for that price. You should be able to get one with optical zoom for that price, I'd say it might even be worth getting a camera with only 2MP but with optical zoom for the same price. Have a look around.

About the SILVER 2 MEGAPIXEL CYBERSHOT U CAMERA DSCU30S

Pretty basic camera and for the same price as the one above?
The only especially good things are the auto focus (which the other one has too) and the mirror for self shots (I guess it stops you from having to ask other people to take shots of you when touring, or something).
I can't really see why this is the same price as the one above when it has far fewer features. You should be able to get this level of camera much cheaper.

Have a look at this:
http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epa...oduct=43860870

I have a FinePix A201 from over a year ago and am very happy with it.

look at the others
http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epa...vBarId=C234644

a better camera than the ones you have linked and for $280 US i.e. $430 Aus

[ 08-09-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]

Felix The Assassin · 08-09-2003, 03:40 PM

Don't be scared of digital zoom!!!!>>>>.....
In the early days of digicams some snotnosed author wrote bad things about it. Since then the camera folks and the photo professionals did the mind meld thing, and wolay, we have moderen day digicams. The thing that you need to understand about digital zoom is; Once the picture is captured you have very little to work with as far as cropping, especially if you are under 4MP in resolution. Now, on a 2-3 MP camera, a digital zoom will bring in close, that distant shot. If you understand photography at all, or have worked with 35mm film, digital zoom = using a fixed telephoto lens on SLR. Good upto about 4x6 digcam, 5x7 max 35mm.
You do want a optical zoom, 3 x is fine, and most cameras in this post have that. (I did not look at your links).
Before you jump and buy make sure you review both online resources and printed matter. e digiatl, PC Photo, anything that has comparisons will do you right. I'm not a fuji man for 1 reason, they have a known tendency to oversaturate red! Meaning; skin tones on people are "brighter" that normal. Yes you can compensate for it, or fix with software, but why? Buy a good camera to start with.

Sony is proprietary(sp) so, you will pay through the nose for the little "sony blue, "gum stick"" That they use for cards. Mine is a CD-Mavica, and I use generic mini cds, 158MB, can store about 90 shots at full res.
It will also rival any digicamcorder in it's ability to record MPEG mvies, so again, movie mode is not useless. Especially if you want to capture the event, and snap-shoot portions there after.

I don't think you are ready for the professional series cameras yet, Nikon and Canon both are $3k plus in price, no lens or flash, and at 11MP only huge (large price inclusive) memory sticks allow for more than 1-2 shots.

Whatever you get, make sure the store allows for 10 day returns. That way if you are totally displeased, you can always take it back after a 9 day trial.

Felix

Vaskez · 08-09-2003, 07:59 PM

Digital Zoom might be ok on a 4MP camera cos even with the loss of resolution you will have ok detail. But on my 2MP camera it's crap. And I haven't read anything about digital zoom, I decided for myself that it;s not very good [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Harkoliar · 08-09-2003, 08:20 PM

i just got a camera just now with 3x digital zoom with 3mb quality. its ok and not bad, not good for the experts but good enough for an amatuer... my 2c

InsaneBane · 08-11-2003, 08:58 AM

The only thing digital zoom offers is: Reduced use of memory on your memory card. You are able to do the same thing (ie. digital zoom) on your PC.

[img]graemlins/greenbounce.gif[/img]
Insane

08-09-2003, 10:59 AM	#13
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	2MP shots, i.e. 1600x1200 resolution at low compression are just under 1MB. Therefore you can store more than 128 on a 128MB card. You're unlikely to take photos at much higher res than that for general use so you decide whether you want to be able to store more photos. Remember that digital cameras can also make videos and can also be used as a removable memory drive so you can store other files and transport them to other computers: music, documents whatever. These all indicate that the larget the memory card, the more versatile. About the CYBER SHOT MS CAMERA 3.2 MP DSCP32. The 3.2MP res is good, although as I say, unless you want to print in A4 you probably won't use it as each image will take around 1.5MB which is quite a lot on the card and even for your hard disk if you have a lot of images. I don't know what "Smart Zoom" is and they cunningly don't tell you. However, judging by the lack of the words "optical zoom", I'm not sure there is real zoom there which is a big negative. I mean, on the picture can you see a zoom lens? I can't. Make sure you find out if it's optical zoom or not. In the specs section it gives you data for smart zoom, saying it can magnify to different factors depending on resolution. I mean look you can magnify by up to 1.3 times at 2MP... woohoo! (sarcastic) You want at least 3x OPTICAL ZOOM (proper telescope type zoom lens which I can't tell from the picture if this one has or not.) Digital zoom is crap because as you zoom in the resolution drops. Even if this smart zoom is proper, i.e. resolution does not drop as you zoom in, it's only up to 3x at VGA resolution which is 640x480 i.e. so small you will never use it for shots you would want to zoom in on anyway (wildlife, distant features etc.) Other than that it's good that it can record sound and it has all the standard settings you want to be able to change: White Balance, exposure control, flash mode. I don't have burst mode on mine so I don't know how useful it is, but this is where it takes a fast series of pictures automatically, it says at 0.5 second intervals. This is good for capturing action such as in a sporting event, although not sure how often you will use it. The 5x digital zoom for playback is something you take for granted so I don't know why they parade it like such a good feature. Of course you want to be able to zoom in on the picture that you have taken otherwise you can't see anything on that small screen, right? All in all I'd say it was a good camera but not amazing for that price. You should be able to get one with optical zoom for that price, I'd say it might even be worth getting a camera with only 2MP but with optical zoom for the same price. Have a look around. About the SILVER 2 MEGAPIXEL CYBERSHOT U CAMERA DSCU30S Pretty basic camera and for the same price as the one above? The only especially good things are the auto focus (which the other one has too) and the mirror for self shots (I guess it stops you from having to ask other people to take shots of you when touring, or something). I can't really see why this is the same price as the one above when it has far fewer features. You should be able to get this level of camera much cheaper. Have a look at this: http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epa...oduct=43860870 I have a FinePix A201 from over a year ago and am very happy with it. look at the others http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epa...vBarId=C234644 a better camera than the ones you have linked and for $280 US i.e. $430 Aus [ 08-09-2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Vaskez ] __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-09-2003, 03:40 PM	#14
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 61 Posts: 3,608	Don't be scared of digital zoom!!!!>>>>..... In the early days of digicams some snotnosed author wrote bad things about it. Since then the camera folks and the photo professionals did the mind meld thing, and wolay, we have moderen day digicams. The thing that you need to understand about digital zoom is; Once the picture is captured you have very little to work with as far as cropping, especially if you are under 4MP in resolution. Now, on a 2-3 MP camera, a digital zoom will bring in close, that distant shot. If you understand photography at all, or have worked with 35mm film, digital zoom = using a fixed telephoto lens on SLR. Good upto about 4x6 digcam, 5x7 max 35mm. You do want a optical zoom, 3 x is fine, and most cameras in this post have that. (I did not look at your links). Before you jump and buy make sure you review both online resources and printed matter. e digiatl, PC Photo, anything that has comparisons will do you right. I'm not a fuji man for 1 reason, they have a known tendency to oversaturate red! Meaning; skin tones on people are "brighter" that normal. Yes you can compensate for it, or fix with software, but why? Buy a good camera to start with. Sony is proprietary(sp) so, you will pay through the nose for the little "sony blue, "gum stick"" That they use for cards. Mine is a CD-Mavica, and I use generic mini cds, 158MB, can store about 90 shots at full res. It will also rival any digicamcorder in it's ability to record MPEG mvies, so again, movie mode is not useless. Especially if you want to capture the event, and snap-shoot portions there after. I don't think you are ready for the professional series cameras yet, Nikon and Canon both are $3k plus in price, no lens or flash, and at 11MP only huge (large price inclusive) memory sticks allow for more than 1-2 shots. Whatever you get, make sure the store allows for 10 day returns. That way if you are totally displeased, you can always take it back after a 9 day trial. Felix __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

08-09-2003, 08:20 PM	#16
Harkoliar Jack Burton Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney Age: 41 Posts: 5,556	i just got a camera just now with 3x digital zoom with 3mb quality. its ok and not bad, not good for the experts but good enough for an amatuer... my 2c __________________ Catch me if you can..

08-11-2003, 08:58 AM	#17
InsaneBane Baaz Draconian Join Date: November 5, 2002 Location: Denmark Age: 58 Posts: 724	The only thing digital zoom offers is: Reduced use of memory on your memory card. You are able to do the same thing (ie. digital zoom) on your PC. [img]graemlins/greenbounce.gif[/img] Insane __________________ Ko-founder of the SCFC(TM) Korporation.

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08-09-2003, 06:37 AM	#12
GokuZool Lord Ao Join Date: September 11, 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,061	Thanks for the info everyone! [img]smile.gif[/img] Just bumping this with new info/questions: I'm probably getting a Sony Digital Camera, either the CyberShot 3.2 MP DSCP32 or the CyberShot 2.0 MP U DSCU30S. Are there any other Sony models on the market similar to these? Also what are your views on the linked models? One more thing, what card would you recommend out of the Sony range? Is there any point getting anything larger than 128mb? Is there an online table which shows cards with how many shots they can take and at what detail? Thanks [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 08-09-2003, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: GokuZool ]

08-09-2003, 07:59 PM	#15
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Digital Zoom might be ok on a 4MP camera cos even with the loss of resolution you will have ok detail. But on my 2MP camera it's crap. And I haven't read anything about digital zoom, I decided for myself that it;s not very good [img]tongue.gif[/img]

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