Can Anyone Help Again

[wdwlovers5]

Hello All: Thank you for your previous advice on the digital video cameras - and I did take your advice and will be purchasing a regular small digital video camera rather than the cheaper and smaller hand held ones.

I also see on the boards that everyone talks very highly of the Cannon S3IS digital camera and I am leaning towards getting that. But I went in a store at lunch time today and they showed me a Sony DSC-87 15X optical zoom, 8.1 mega and Carl Zeiss lens. It is quite a bit more than the Cannon S3IS and I was wondering if any of you had any thoughts or experience with the Sony and which you would recommend. Before buying either one I decided to come back and ask this question. It is so confusing when you go into these stores thinking you know what you want then some salesperson shows you something else, and always for more money. But since this will be the last digital camera I buy for awhile I wanted to try to be as sure as I could. Thank you all again.

Mary

 

[Master Mason]

Don't know anything about that camera. The S3 is very nice, as I undertand the Fuji 6000 is as well.

 

[Oh Bother!]

I haven't used the Sony, either, but I say that you cannot go wrong with the S3. Unless you purchase a high-end SLR, you won't get a better lens. In addition to the S3, I still have the its first generation sibling, the S1 IS. I won't give it up because of the waterproof case. Of course I'm biased because I'm a Canon owner, but especially if the price is better, get the S3. Also check out butterflyphoto (add . com) for great prices and great service. I love them!

 

[Groucho]

Unless you purchase a high-end SLR, you won't get a better lens.

This is kind of a dangerous statement. There is no "best" lens, it's like saying that a particular car is the best, or television, or most anything. Someone who values zoom range over all else might state that Olympus has the best PnS lens as theirs is an 18x. For sheer optical quality, it's unlikely that any 12x zoom is going to be the best, most likely you'll find some shorter-range 3x zoom ranges to be able to deliver more resolution. The more range the zoom has, the more compromises must be made optically.

This is all somewhat irrelevant, though, as the average PnS sensor generally is the weak link in the optical chain, not the lens, IMHO.

 

[Oh Bother!]

I totally agree that the 3x lenses will lend themselves to better focus and thus give better outcomes. I was really commenting on the OP's choices, which are both long-range zoom cameras. Of the two, better results will probably come from the Canon. IMHO, Canon does make some of the best lenses available to the average camera junkie. With Sony as a whole (again, only MHO), often you are paying more for the name only and gimmicky options that don't justify the higher price. As you stated, any digital camera is only as good as its sensor, regardless of brand or lens type.

Speaking of lenses, I do have my eye on a Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens that would make most of my other zoom lenses obsolete- any ideas or reviews on this one?

 

[wdwlovers5]

all again. Think I will stick with the Cannon. I've seen a lot of zoom shots on this site and they sure look good to me.

 

[Master Mason]

Speaking of lenses, I do have my eye on a Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens that would make most of my other zoom lenses obsolete- any ideas or reviews on this one?

Well, that would depend on what zooms your currently using. It is a decent lens, and the IS version is either just out or should be out soon. However it isn't terribly wide at the long end, so it won't be that great in low light, and it tends to be soft on the long end as well.

If it fits your needs it would be a fine lens, if your a pixel peeper you probably will not be happy with it.