Anyone have one of these Digital Cameras??

janette · May 12, 2003

I'm looking at camera's and would like opinions on the

Fuji Finepix 3800 & Olympus C-740. They are both priced about the same.

I'm interested in something with a good zoom and at least 3m resolution. The Fuji has a 6x optical and the Olympus has a 10x. The reviews I've read are good on both but the Fuji reviews say it doesn't do well in low light situations. I'm wondering if that would make it not as good for things like school programs / dance recitals etc. These are the reasons I would like the zoom so would want it to work well there.

If there are others you think I should consider I'd like your ideas too. I've read Zurg's great guide and several reviews on different cameras. Would really like a Nikon 5700 but can't see that it is worth twice what these are.

FergieTCat · May 13, 2003

I have a Fuji 2800, and I must admit, it doesn't do well in lowlight situations. But my pictures of WDW in broad daylight are gorgeous!

I've heard good things about the Olympus cameras. You might want to check www.epinions.com to see if other people have any advice.

TwoOldPoohs · May 13, 2003

Hi Janette. You mentioned you read some reviews ... have you checked www.steves-digicams.com and www.dpreview.com yet? These are two of my favorite sites for digital camera enthusiasts.

I have two Olympus digital cameras and they are both great. One thing you should be aware of when using a camera with a long zoom (the 10X 740) is that the longer the zoom, the greater the possibility of blurriness due to camera shake. Also, the flash would not be of much use when you needed to zoom in all the way in a low-light indoor setting; you probably wouldn't get good results unless your subject was very well lit. You might also need to use a tripod in these situations.

I've been considering the Nikon 5700, too, but I've read it does not focus well in low light situations.

You can get some great deals now on the earlier Olympus 7xx series cameras now that the 740 is out and the 750 is due out this summer. You might want to play with the cameras in your local electronics store. Take some pictures and see if you're satisfied with the results. Most reputable stores will give you at least a two-week return period without a restocking fee.

You might want to check out the <a href="http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&modelNo=DMC-FZ1K">Panasonic DMC-FZ1</a>. It's got a 12X image-stabilized lens. I don't have any personal experience with it, so I can't comment on picture quality, but I do know that image stabilization helps a great deal in reducing blurriness due to camera shake.

Good luck with your decision!

Zurg · May 13, 2003

in either case low light is very tough.

the combination of long lenses and low light isn't likely to result in real good pictures. low light means longer exposuers, longer exposure means more time for camera shake make the picture blury, long lenses als magnify shake.

So use a tripod in low light.

Some newer Olympus cameras have a very cool low light "noise" filter, the 730 has it, I think the 740 does too. See: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/c750uz-review/index.shtml

There is also a 750, it has a hot shoe for an additional flash (I think) that would help a little but as is said here and above you have to hold long lenses still.

I use a c700 the first of this line of 10x cameras and I love it.

I would check to see if te Fuji has video out (I don't think t does) so you can't play your pictures on the TV, for me that is a show stopper, I like to look at the pictures on the hotel TV at night when i am in WDW.

janette · May 13, 2003

Thanks everyone, sounds like the Olympus might be the best of the 2. Low light is awful with a regular 35mm too so hopefully I can gain some better options. At least this way I'd know if I had a picture. I took several of my 8yo DDs' xmas program this year with my regular camera and almost none of them turned out due to lighting

I didn't realize it until I had them developed so it was too late to get more.

I am going to get a tripod also, I've looked at the Olympus zoom and it was pretty shaky when fully extended. I like the monopods and they would be great to use for either of the cameras. I don't have a real steady hand so I'll probably use one most of the time so want something that can go almost anywhere.

Zurg · May 17, 2003