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First, let me plead complete ignorance in the digital camera world. Right now, I have Nikon N70QD with 24-120D lens. Although, I like it a lot, it's size is an inconvienence for many casual occations.Before, I go off and do research, appreciate suggestions on digital cameras smaller than N70. Primary considerations are resolution, no. of pics in a charge, open standard interface with a PC. I would still be using Nikon of important occations.
How does digital zoom compare with optical zoom?
Adi
Follow Ups:
If you use your zoom a lot on the wide-angle side (somehow these things end up being used only at extreme wide/tele :) - be prepared for a disappointment. So far I haven't seen anything shorter than 32 mm equivalent, more likely 38 or 40 mm.Recently I played a couple of days with demo Olympus E100. Apart from low res (1.5M), this is functionally quite close to be an SLR replacement, feels good, yet for $1200 I'd rather wait another year.. It's about the size of a small SLR with short zoom, although.
Important things in Digicams are 1) optical zoom, as digital zoom is meaningless it is nothing at all. 2) make sure it has USB output or you will want a seperate (about $30) USB card reader. Serial output is horribly slow even at low resolutions. 3) Get at least 2 Mega Pixals. The more the better. they make more sharpness at larger print sizes. 4) Get a camera that uses AA batteries NOT some expensive custom battery. I was leaning towards the Nikon 880 (a very good camera) till I learned it takes a $17 battery that is not rechargeable and lasts for about 40 pictures. Get a AA battery camera and buy two sets of 1600mh Nmh batteries(about $40). Keep one set freshly charged. Then you can, in an emergency use liquor store batteries.
Steve
Depends what you want , if you want portable Point and shoot , then the more complex cameras like the Nikon 990 etc are a waste.
Essentially you need at least 2 mpix resolution , 3 preferred , you can discard ANY digital zoom , its ad hype and a waste of money , you want a fast lens (for low light focussing), 3x zoom , NON PROPRIETORY memory (no memory sticks = no Sony) and Compact Flash memory preferred (Smartmedia memory only goes to 128mb) or a camera that uses both. USB or a card reader is the ONLY way to transfer pics.
You also need PHotoshop and a decent photoprinter (like an Epson 870 etc) and a tone of memory in the puter if you want to do serious aftershot processing.
In terms of Cameras , be aware digicams are prone to a few problems , battery usage , poor low light focussing , poor/slow autofocussing in general (compared to SLRs) VERY expensive options for wide angle , poor flash (most have red-eye problems or mickey mouse flashes) and the WORST problem is shutter lag.
However the biggest advantage IMHO to digicams is the ability to experiment and get instant results
There are some new cameras that have come out , like the Canon G1 , sony 75 (proprietory memory tho) etc that would probably suit
Double the cost of the camera in respect of add ons , cards , extra lenses ,flash , photoprinter etc when you are budgeting.
www.dpreview.com is an excellent place to start for reviews , comparative pic , features , forums etc.
RegardsPS - I sold my film cameras barring one as digital is perfect for me up to 8x10 prints or for web , e-mail etc
Heres some shots with my 990
Regards
Rodney Gold
Digital zoom sucks. My Nikon 990 is great. I don't know how many shot that I get on batteries. I have run it out with 30 or 40 pics. Resolution and ease and size is great. Get a memory card reader. You just plug it in and it looks like a new disk drive in windows. Copy over pics like a hard disk, very convenient and fast.No beware, by the time you add all the cables, battery chargers and that rest, it's still a much larger bag to carry. Maybe you ought to stick with an IQ Zoom film camera.
With flash usage as well as continual monitor usage , I get to fill a 96mb CF card with a set of NimH 1600 milliamp batts - you should be getting a lot more than 30-40 pics.
Rodney Gold
Cool, actually, what I meant is that I've shot about 30-40 so far and the batteries are still good. I had no idea how long they'll last.
Digital Zoom is only useful for really BAD quality. It's basically interpolation.I've heard good things about the Nikon Coolpix 990, but I do not yet own a digicam and so you can take that with the appropriate grain of salt.
Basically, the lenses and such aren't there, regardless of what you think about digital imaging in general.
JJ
Thanks jj. I will look into it. Any other tips?Adi
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