I think my favorite camera in that price range is the Canon Powershot Pro1. It's an 8MP camera with Long (7X) optical zoon, great optics and easy to use. If I were to out and buy a camera right now in that price range, this would probably be it. http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/canon-powershot-pro1-reviews.html
The Panasonic DMC-FZ20 is also (in my opinion) a great camera. A really great one. It's 5MP and has a LONG optical zoom, the longest in the business at 12X Optical. Something that sets this one apart from the crowd is it's amazing optics - a Leica lens that gathers a LOT of light and is razor sharp. It has a built-in flash or course and like the two I've mentioned above, it has a flash accesory shoe - unlike the Canon though, this shoe is a "one-pin", and therefore you can buy any of the great generic or name-brand bounce & swivel flashes for this. Meaning if you ever upgrade your Flash for the Canon, you'll be spending about $250.00 - whereas you can upgrade your flash on this Panasonic for about $30 - 100.00. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/
Between the Sony Cypershot and the Canon, I'd say the Canon is a litttle easier to use, has much less of a learning curve.
I'm going to leave it at that for now, and make room for the flood of recommendations you are certain to receive. Good luck in your search and decision and keep in mind that there is almost no way you can make a bad decision here. Technology has already seen to that and whatever you decide on - it's going to be very good.
Posted by Phil Feet (Member # 6423) on :
WOW! Thanks for your advice Ben, Comprehensive and very informative, the Canon looks really nice but the Panasonic has a BIG zoom!
If only there was a Digi Cam Rental place where you could rent b4 u buy
Phil
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Phil -
Yes, that really big zoom is very meaningful in our business, and it's the reason that I bought one of those for myself. It helps me get that great depth-of-field, while still in the "auto" and "program" modes - and of course, it allows me to step WAY back from the subject, zoom WAY in and get great shots (as opposed to shooting close to the model). This is very meaningful on portraits of course and much more flattering to the model's face, body and other things.
The lens on this camera also helps a LOT with that because it's what photographers call a "fast" lens. It gathers the same amount of light while fully zoomed-out, as it does when not zoomed and this is RARE. You will not find this in any other digital camera by any maker (speed is 2.8 constant).
Here are a few examples of a shot I myself took with the Lumix DSC-FZ-20:
One camera that I can add here that is also (I think) a great one to consider and that's the Sony DSC-V1. This camera has 5MP and 4X optical zoom. It has razor sharp Zeiss optics and is really great for low-light situations. It's got an infra-red (in-the-dark) focus system that is AWESOME and it's one of the cameras I use at my parties.
There is a new version of this camera, it's called the DSC-V3. The V-3 is black, has a much larger view screen on the back and is a 7MP camera (versus 5MP for the V-1). I love this camera and have taken photos in rooms that were very dark - with sterling results.
Here are a few photos I shot with the Sony Cybershot DSC-V1:
There's so much to think about, isn't there? It's exciting also though, the idea of going out and coming home with a new instrument.
Posted by Phil Feet (Member # 6423) on :
Hi Ben
I am seriously considering the DSC-V3, I have had problems shooting in low light conditions before and the second shot was just awesome.
Thank you for taking the time to help me, it is really appreciated.
Phil
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Phil -
If that's a problem you've experienced, then the V3 would be VERY GOOD, and very good choice. I'm serious about this, I can take crisp photos in the pitch dark with my V1 - literally.
When you are in a dark place and you gently touch the shutter, the camera throws out an infra-red matrix (you can actually see this, it looks like a cluster of red lights).
It uses that matrix to focus on the subject and then you can finish clicking the shutter. Here is a good example because the following photograph was taken while walking through a dark, unlit hallway at party.
I snapped this photo of Kirsten and it was great. Keep in mind, the sample which appears below is a "dumbed-down" version (for the sake of these forums).
Here's a photo from out January party of Summer and Midge, treating a guest to their particular brand of feet (and taste and smell):
Now keep in mind, this is also a watered-down version of the photo and also taken in near-total darkness.
The V3 is much better than the V1. It's got a nicer shape and feel to it, has a much larger LCD viewscreen on the back and a 7MP chip (versus 5). Those razor-sharp optics, it's Super HAD Imager and full feature set make it a great camera that will do anything you ask of it.
Add to that, the fascinating (and GREAT) characteristic of being able to handle Memory Stick memory AND Compact Flash!!! This is really an amazing feature. Compact Flash is cheap memory, in fact I just bought a 1GB Compact Flash card at Fred Meyer(special sale) for $59.
When shooting, you simply flip a switch back and forth from "Memory Stick" to "CF" and write to either one.
This camera's 4X zoom would be equivalent to about 34 - 136mm, which gives you a wide enough lens for group shots, also enough zoom for a great portrait lens.
[ September 04, 2005, 01:42 AM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
Posted by WrinklesAndDirtLover (Member # 3015) on :
Hey Phil!
Im no pro, But my find Pic Fuji takes great shots!
Everything on my web group features My Fuji 3800 and I love it!
This is Sasha's hubby Photo guy. Get yourself the Nikon D-50 with the SB-800 AF speed light.
This camera is a no brainer! I have no clue about the techno crap nor do I want to know. All I know is with the proper lighting, this camera kicks ass!
Pick up the camera, set the dial and shoot.You do need to know a little about about your settings, but once U understand the basics the rest is very easy..
I have no time to waste on the Techno stuff because the quicker I finish taking Sashas pictures the quicker I'm sniffing,licking and sucking her feet!
The thing you need is a good editing program!ACDsee ROCKS!
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Phil -
You spoke of a digital camera rental place, thinking how nice it would be if you could get some hands-on experience before you buy.
I don't know which community you are writing from, but there are such places in some cities. There's one here in Seattle, for example where you can rent 35mm, medium format film and digital camera equipment.
You might start checking your yellow pages, making a few phone calls. Of course, you can skip right past the consumer chain retailers such as Kits Cameras, Ritz Camera, etc. Good luck in finding something like this, it's a great idea.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
